Key Largo thru the middle Keys
Key Largo
The “largo” of the keys, Key Largo is 33 miles long with no appreciable beaches. Things here are done from a boat, a kayak, or diving and snorkeling. Not that that’s not enough, because Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary plus John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park are two exceptional places, making the reputation of this area as the” Dive Capital of the World”. Two beaches, both manmade, are within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Cannon Beach and Far Beach, which is lined with palms for a bit of shade. If you encounter a rainy day, there’s the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center in Tavernier.
Islamorada
Islamorada, so named for a purple snail that was found there by Spanish explorers, captures the feel of the keys in its restaurants and resorts, a relaxed small town vibe, unhurried. A bike path runs to the west. There are 350 charter boats here, as befits “the sportfishing capital of the world”, and a lot of the catch is served every night at the local restaurants.
Long Key, once called Rattlesnake Key because of its shape, has hiking, camping, canoeing at Long Key State Park, the best feature of which is a mile long canoe trip around a tidal pool, where birds gather to be admired. There is no beach, but you can enjoy wading in the shallows about anywhere around here.
Marathon, the second largest city in the keys, swells to double in size during the season, with boaters, divers, fishers, and bikers. In the early morning, go for a walk on the old Seven Mile Bridge for a glimpse of tarpon, stingrays, and a few sharks. There are a few beaches here: Key Colony Beach, which is accessible if you are booked into one of the motels bordering it; and Sobrero Beach, with free parking. Wonderful food is another pleasure of Marathon. Seafood rules, and is as fresh as this morning.
After Marathon you are halfway to Key West with several good places in between in the “lower” keys, namely Big Pine with its tiny key deer, Bahia Honda State Park, everyone’s favorite natural sand beach running just short of two miles beside crystal clear blue green water, and Looe Key, a reef actually, that divers and snorkelers say is unsurpassed. Warm waters, a huge diversity of underwater life, and there are no cars as it is reachable by boat only. While eating around the lower keys is easy, accomodations run towards RV parks and fishing camps.
There’s a pet friendly beach at Boca Chica Key (“little mouth”), run by the county. Exit U.S.1 at MM10. Give the doggies a run.
Breakfast:
Made 2 Order Cafe & Bakery: $$ Great breakfasts, like their Citrus croissant french toast, and you can pull your boat right up to the place.
90691 Old Hwy, Tavernier, (305) 852-3251
The Conch House / Key Largo Coffee House: $$ A cool laid back place with friendly owners, big breakfasts and good lunch and dinners.
100211 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, (305) 453-4844
Dj’s Diner & Coffee Shop: $ Regular diner with good food and inexpensive prices which is a big deal when you’re in the Keys.
99411 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, (305) 451-2999
Chad’s Deli & Bakery: $ Little hole in the wall with great deli sandwiches.
92330 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, (305) 853-5566
Su Casa Cuban Cafe: $$ Good authentic Cuban place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with large portions, good prices. Cafe con leche and big breakfasts under $5!
99246 Overseas Hwy, Mile Marker 99.2 – Bay Side, Key Largo, (305) 453-0939
Fish House Restaurant & Seafood Market: $$$ Great local fresh seafood. The food’s too good to be cheap.
102401 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, (305) 451-4665
Hobo’s Cafe: $$ Great conch fritters and lots of other good seafood choices.
101691 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, (305) 451-5888
Num Thai & Sushi Bar Restaurant: $$ Fabulous sushi and real good Thai. Friendly folks and good prices.
103200 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, (305) 451-5955
Ice Cream Shoppe: Grab a cone or a big, build your own sundae, or hang for good breakfasts or lunch.
Tradewinds Shopping Plaza, 101425 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, (305) 451-3334
South down the Ocean Highway of Life:
Wooden Spoon: $ Great diner with fluffy biscuits, grits, and sweet southern gals.
7007 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, (305) 743-8383
Villa Blanca Cafe: Cafe con leche! Good breakfasts. HUGE roast pork dishes for lunch and dinner.
2211 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, (305) 289-7900
Seven Mile Grill: $$ Great find and resource just north of the bridge for breakfast. lunch, dinner. Fresh seafood, burgers, conch chowder. It’s making me hungry remembering this place.
1240 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, (305) 743-4481
Cracked Conch Cafe: $ Good overall cafe with a great Keys atmosphere.
4999 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, (305) 743-2233
Keys Fisheries Market: $$ It’s a working waterfront restaurant with a fun, crusty staff and they say they’ve sold 100,000 lobster reubens. I wouldn’t dare call their bluff on it. Just eat and enjoy.
3502 Gulfview Ave, Marathon, (305) 743-4353
Porky’s Bayside: $$ Good BBQ with a beer and your feet up on the dock rail.
1400 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, (305) 289-2065
Wreck and Galley Grill: $$ Locals joint with peel & eat shrimp and a Saturday all you can eat fish and chips.
314 Stirrup Key Blvd., Marathon, (305) 743-8282
Sparky’s Landing: $$ Good prices, good food, good pizza and they’re open late.
589 6th St, Key Colony Beach, (305) 289-7445
No Name Pub: $$ Good luck finding it, but if you do you are certainly in luck because the food is real good and the place is part of the history of the keys. Good pizza and local brewed beers too.
30831 Watson Blvd, Big Pine Key, (305) 872-9115
Islamorada:
Bob’s Bunz: $ Big menu, but the baked goods and large breakfasts are the thing. Bite size key lime pie and gooood coffee.
81620 Overseas Highway, MM 81.6 Bayside, Islamorada, (305) 664-8363
Mangrove Mike’s Cafe: $ Big time locals place with some of the best breakfast fare you can have.
82200 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, (305) 664-8022
Island Grill: $$ Fish shack with a great water view and real good breakfasts, lunch, and dinner.
85501 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, (305) 664-8400
Lazy Days Oceanfront Bar & Seafood Grille: $$ Good seafood and a lot of it with a good varietal bread basket and a very nice view.
79867 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, (305) 664-5256
Manny & Isa’s Kitchen: $ Spanish American lunch & dinner with great specials, big paella platters, and lobster enchiladas. You’ll be happy!
81671 Overseas Hwy, MM 81.9 Islamorada, 9305) 664-4757
Agave: $$ Authentic Mexican food with big portions at good Keys prices
81901 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, (305) 664-9128
Trading Post Grocery Store: Best grocer in the keys with a deli, good meats, and lots of gourmet goodies.
Mm 81.5, Islamorada, (305) 664-2539
Little Italy: $$$ Unique setting and big dishes of good northern Italian. Skip breakfast.
68500 Overseas Hwy, Long Key, (305) 664-5552
Watercolor by Peter Bailey