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Our Picks
This may be the best we ever had. A must try dinner suggestion would be, one of the fantastic selection of daily soups, Pan seared yellow tail snapper over sauteed swiss chard with jumbo pink shrimp and extra virgin olive oil (to die for), and a lavender infused creme brulee with fresh berries that is tremendous. And it's located right on the property. They are open for breakfast lunch and dinner so come with an appetite.
website Be sure to get the guacamole!
website Great fish sandwich and the fries are REAL, get them CRISP! Try the Key Limeade. Head east to the Key West Key Lime Company for your dessert (read on.)
(Corner of William and Caroline) 294-9272. website
Old Town Bakery is a must and be it good or bad, they are only a short block from the Eden House. They have it all - pastries, breads, sandwiches and a soup of the day. Do yourself a favor and shuffle on over.
website Wow! Anne Rodamer's goodies are out of this world. My favorite is the desserts. Best cookies, cakes and pies you will find in the Keys. Hands down. Her salads and sandwichs ain't bad either. If it where me, I would stop on my way down or up the Keys and stock up. Tell her Mike sends his love. 24171 US1 - Summerland Key - between MM 24 & MM25, small yellow building on the bayside, hard to find but worth the search, Open 6:30 - 3pm everyday, Closed on Sundays Phone: 744-0631
(the corner of Thomas and Petronia Streets) 296-8666
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Cole's Peace is back and they are better than ever. They are the 'real deal'. I dare you to find a better quality sandwich on the island.
By quality I mean - DELICIOUS sandwich on freshly baked artisan bread, Boar's Head meats and cheeses and only the finest tomatoes and lettuce. So get off that pool lounger and shuffle two short blocks to 1111 Eaton Street (next to the Restaurant Store). Don't even think of leaving without at least one of those sweet treats. My favorite is the almond square. You can eat their bread like candy and it is much better for you. They are open from 8 AM til 2 PM Monday thru Saturday. Call ahead and the order will be waiting for you. 292-0703 Tell Richard and Kathy that Mike says hi.
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Mexican Food. Try the portabella mushroom enchilada or the asparagus enchilada with the green chili sauce. Great salsa and Guacamole.
(5230 Highway 1, 2 lights north of Key West on Stock Island) 296-4714
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How about Thai food? How about dining at/on a floating Thai restaurant? How about Thai Life Floating Restaurant? Beside great service and food, the ambiance will knock your socks off. Open air dining on the water at its best. If you walk from the Eden House it is no more than half a mile over the Garrison Bight bridge. The walk will help you work off a couple calories. They are located at the Garrison Bight Marina near the intersection of Eaton and Roosevelt Streets. website Ambrosia is back and they are better than ever. You might remember them when they were on Virginia St many years ago. They call themselves a sushi restaurant – sake bar. I think they are much more. Patricia will greet you and tell her I said hi. 1401 Simonton St (south) lunch 11:30-2 M-F Dinner 6-10 daily 293-0304 website
Homemade ice cream, yogurt, sorbet, and Italian ices. No additives or preservatives. Get a single scoop in waffle cone with two flavors, but don't even think about a double scoop. (Corner of Duval and Virginia Streets) 296-6124 website One of the best beer on tap selections on the island and the food is DAMN good. My favorite is the pizza, the best on the island (now that Coco 's has closed), have it made your way and get the slightly sweet raspberry tea. Bill's favorite is the Shepard's pie. A very good "low-carb" menu for you baby boomers (like myself) that also includes pizza. Give your waitress a 15-minute lead time for Hot Banana dessert, flambéd banana baked in a puff pastry covered with caramel & cream. Need I say more? Open 7 days a week 11 AM until 3 or 4 AM? (On the corner of Grinnell & James Streets) 293-0222
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Where the locals get their cheese toast and con leche in the morning. The Cuban mix is the best on the island. Don't tell me you've never had a mix. (The corner of Southard and Grinnell Streets) 296-5205 website
An old friend, Don Sayers (called "down stairs" in school) used to say back in the '70s, "All Key west needs to be perfect, is a Coney island and a Jewish Deli." At lease we got the Jewish Deli, Goldman's. "Boiled & Baked" bagels fresh daily. "Corned beef on rye with Dr. Brown's soda is a must," Ira says. Nancy said, "You can tell a good Jewish deli by it's chopped liver. Goldman's ain't chopped liver." Open 7 days a week. (Overseas market/ 2769 N. Roosevelt Blvd) 294-DELI website Owners Sylvie & Yolande have been selling their wares from a small cart around town for years and now their new location on the corner of Thomas & Petronia Streets (Bahama Village). Tell the ladies I send my love. 7 days a week - 7:30 til 5 PM 300 Petronia 305-517-6799 (Cash Only-ATM coming soon)
website I have recently rediscovered the Half Shell Raw Bar. Some of my favorites are grilled tuna caesar salad and shrimp steamed in beer. My daughter thinks the Conch fritters are the best on the island. Great cold beer and plenty of funk. (321 Margaret St) 294-7496
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Everything is great and a fresh smoothie is a block away.
website El Siboney is the place for Cuban food. The garlic chicken is my choice. Dump the entire bowl of black beans over the yellow (saffron) rice and wave the basket when you want/need more hot overly buttered Cuban bread (baked fresh daily on the island). In season you better get there early but it is worth wait if you are late. Daily 11 til 9:30 PM 900 Catherine Street 305-296-8850 website
Even the toilet paper is Key Lime at Kermit's. They've got cookies, they've got wines, they've got it all. Corner of Elizabeth and Greene. (800) 376-0806
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One of my favorite Italian Restaurants on the island. The place to take that special someone. To quote Rebecca, "Ohhhh Baaaaaaby." It's all great and don't miss the cr?me brulee. Carmelo is owner and has been for the past 15 years. Jeff is the main man in the kitchen. Opens at 5:30 PM closes at 10:30 except Fri. & Sat. at 11 PM. (524 Duval St. & Applerouth Lane) 296-1075
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Grab a 'WRAP' from Lobo's! (A sandwich wrapped in a large tortilla.) I like the #1, the Monster Veggie, of course. Sasha likes the #11, the Delhi Chicken. Colleen's #27, the Chicken Caesar and Bill's #14, the Thai Tuna. There are a total of 30 wraps in all. Lobo's only uses Romaine and Leaf lettuce (no iceberg) in their wraps and salads. Great food/great value. Have it delivered. 296-5602
website Island and German food at it's best. The blackened shrimp and chicken salads are great. The best eggs benedict on this side of the ocean. My favorite dessert is the strawberry crepe. If Martin is not cooking, he'll be at the bar with a mineral water. He's shy, so stop by and tell him Mike says, "howdy." (917 Duval St.) 296-1183
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Known for their steaks and the chocolate volcano dessert. I highly recommend the fondue-great price, great fun. If weather permits, sit outside. (532 Margaret Street) 295-1300
website Hey guys! Ryan here with a review on a great new restaurant just around the corner. It’s called Paseo
and they serve Caribbean style sandwiches and entrees. They have two locations in Seattle and have
brought their critically acclaimed Cuban sandwiches, well, a little closer to Cuba. I had the “Paseo Press”
and it was delicious! But as Mike says, “Whatever you do, keep that puppy in the wrapper!” I didn’t
and most of my sandwich ended up on the plate below. They pile it on high and their marinated pork is
worth the mess! The whole staff got to try them out and we all loved it.
Paseo
1000 Eaton St (at Grinnell)
Key West, Fl 33040
305-517-6740
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 10:30-9pm
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One of the best Key Lime Pie on the island. At least since Perez's bakery closed. Back in the late 70's you could get an entire Key Lime pie at Perez's for 75 cents or for a buck and a quarter with meringue. Elizabeth believes they have a crabcake Benedict to die for and the best salad on the island made with herb-dusted goat cheese. (Front St. one block off Duval St) 294-2042
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This is Mexican we go crazy for. Fresh and tasty! We order staff lunch from here frequently, but go have a margarita or sangria on the tropical garden patio out back of their restaurant right on Duval. Their menu is so expansive (awesome vegetarian options), it's pretty hard to decide, but one thing's for sure: even though the portions are large, we never have leftovers. (918 Duval) 292-1865
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Open faced tuna salad sandwich with chopped tomatoes and homemade french-fries; the fried chicken special on Friday; lemon ricotta pancakes; pumpkin waffles with sour cream, raisins, pumpkin seeds, and honey (but I get the orange apricot marmalade) these are few of the must tries. But an absolute must is the orange-apricot bread pudding. The restaurant-which was the original and only synagogue on the island for half a century-and garden dining make this "neighborhood restaurant" a perfect backdrop for a perfect meal. (530 Simonton Street) 293-8181
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Wow! Anne Rodamer's goodies are out of this world. My favorite is the desserts. Best cookies, cakes and pies you will find in the Keys. Hands down. Her salads and sandwichs ain't bad either. If it where me, I would stop on my way down or up the Keys and stock up. Tell her Mike sends his love. 24171 US1 - Summerland Key - between MM 24 & MM25, small yellow building on the bayside, hard to find but worth the search, Open 6:30 - 3pm everyday, Closed on Sundays Phone: 744-0631
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Vegetarian. My favorite is the FLT (BLT made with tofu instead of bacon) and the organic carrot and orange juice. It's a health food store, too. (Simonton ST. just north of Truman St) open 11 AM to 4 PM- closed Sundays. 292-0043
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These guys are great. I’ve been saying for years, “all Key West needs is some Creole food and the island will be perfect.” Well we have it now and I can’t say enough about the food, the service and the ambiance. Not to mention a full liquor license. They are located 3800 N. Roosevelt Blvd and are open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 til 9 PM for dinner, lunch from 11 AM til 2 PM 305-293-9500
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A hidden shop with lots of treasures, a great place to go off the beaten path to get great gifts and goodies to treat yourself. At 315 Petronia St.
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Vegetarian. My favorite is the FLT (BLT made with tofu instead of bacon) and the organic carrot and orange juice. It's a health food store, too. (Simonton ST. just north of Truman St) open 11 AM to 4 PM- closed Sundays. 292-0043
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An acre of lush garden in the heart of old Key West. Take a picnic, get married or just lay in the shade. $6 donation. Where we got our great wind chime. (One Free-School Lane, off the 500 block of Simonton St. NO CARS )
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The bar on the 7th floor of the La Concha. There is a 360-degree open-air veranda, it is the highest point on the island and beers are ice cold. Mixed drinks are pricey and mediocre.
(Corner of Duval and Fleming Streets ) 296-2991
website Interesting if you're a cemetery person. I am. Look for the Headstone that says, "I told you I was sick". (Watson Lane or Francis St. entrances) Closed at dark.
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Newly opened in Key West, and I love it. Great stadium seating, lots of interesting/different movies and good vibes (had to slip that 70's term in - depending on your age, you will know what I am talking about). They are located about six blocks from the Eden House. Doesn't that sound good, dinner and a GOOD movie in Old Key West? Beer, wine, seasoned popcorn and/or a cappacino - they have it all. We are members and you get a discount. (416 Eaton Street) 294-5857
website For those that like it hot.
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Fausto's (on Fleming Street) is offering a new service. You can order food on line and have it in your room when you arrive. Great idea, huh? Have those ice cold Coronas waiting for you when you slip into that bathing suit.
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The Restaurant Store
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Besame Mucho
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Just the place to pick up a flamingo cookie cutter
website A hidden shop with lots of treasures, a great place to go off the beaten path to get great gifts and goodies to treat yourself. At 315 Petronia St.
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Fausto's (on Fleming Street) is offering a new service. You can order food on line and have it in your room when you arrive. Great idea, huh? Have those ice cold Coronas waiting for you when you slip into that bathing suit.
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Things to do on the way down or up the Keys. **Please note that all "rights" and "lefts" are in reference to driving down the Keys. If you are leaving Key West and driving back up the Keys, just reverse those rights and lefts. MM = Mile Marker Just in case you were confused
A more scenic drive into or out of the Florida Keys from Miami/Florida City. It is just a tiny bit longer than the main road (the 18 Mile Stretch), but depending on traffic, you never know, it could be quicker. Less people tend to take this road because of the slight difference in distance, but it is absolutely beautiful with all the natural South Florida/Florida Keys ecosystem surrounding you. There is $1.00 toll for the bridge…fyi. Right before you get onto the bridge coming from Florida City there is a restaurant called Alabama Jacks which is a fun little place to stop for a quick bite.
MM 102.6, They have a nice Visitor Center with a 30,000 gallon Aquarium that is fun to check out (open 8-5, daily). They have snorkeling from right off the beach, which features a Spanish wreck just 100ft. off the shore. The park also offers snorkeling and SCUBA diving trips. MM 93. It will be on the right hand side of the road. There is a large sign, but you don't really see it until the last minute. They are a great organization, taking in all different kinds of injured birds from Hawks and Owls to Herons and Sea Gulls. It is all volunteer run, and they release the birds back into the wild once they have been rehabilitated.
MM 92 In case you decide to make a trip of your drive or are trying to catch a plane early in Miami and don't want to stay there we suggest the Coconut Palm Inn. It's on the bay and has very nice clean room at a good rate. 305-852-3880 This place is worth checking out, or checking in!!
MM86 Not much to say but that a 40' lobster is great to take pictures with. It's a lobstrocity! MM 84.9. This is where they used to mine the fossilized coral rock for the railroad. The old quarry shows you shear cut walls of the coral rock. It offers a few great trails through the natural hammock of the Florida Keys. Great for a stretch of the legs.
The Diving Museum - MM83 If you are a dive nut then this is the place for you. They have all the diving history you can imagine and cool old diving gear as well as a great gift shop for anything dive related.
MM 82. This is a great place to stop and eat. It is right on the water it has the perfect feel of the Keys. Whether you are on your way to start your trip or on the way out it will be a good ending or beginning to your trip!!!
MM 77.5. Here you can feed the Tarpon by hand!! There is a school of 50-100 Tarpon that visit daily and hang out for hours. They have been doing this for 18 years.
MM 73.5. You will find this spot on the left hand side of the road. There are two entrances just several hundred yards apart; they are connected by a boardwalk. The boardwalk is very nice and has several little pavilions along it. The beach is nice, but not the typical Miami sandy beaches that you might think of in South Florida. When you walk along the boardwalk, make sure you watch closely at the ground under you because you'll spot all the little, and occasionally big, crabs scurrying back into their holes. There are public restrooms here too.
MM 67.5. Great little state park. Has the Golden Orb trail, which is an incredible walk through many different ecosystems. If you look closely along the sides of the trail, you can sometimes spot the spider that the trail is named for, the Golden Orb Weaver. They are quite beautiful little bugs even to one with arachnophobia. The trail takes you alongside the beach and into the hammock, transitioning in ecology along the way. There is also a canoe trail that they have mapped out. They have canoe rentals available on site.
MM53.5 in Key Colony Beach Marina. They are known to have the best fish tacos in the Key's. I am also told to try the Gratinee and Blue Cheese Chips. Another great place right on the water. MM48 Yep it's just like it sounds a hospital for our beloved turtles of the Florida Keys. They do a tour of the hospital a few times a day. Really neat place and they do a great thing.
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