TASTECATION

          I'm always surprised when people find it hard to believe that Key West is a food mecca. It's one of those places that every time I return from a visit I find myself craving a certain fish taco, oyster or even a Philly Cheese steak that I had eaten while there. There are so many great restaurants and cafes that it's impossible to fit them all in 1 visit but I do have my go to favorites. Usually people visit Key West for the sun, fishing and the non-stop partying on the island but my husband I recently went on a 'TASTECATION' and once again it did not disappoint my taste buds! My husband is a total foodie and since we've been home he won't stop talking about the food and how amazing the island is. I have narrowed down my overwhelming list of favorites to my top 10 and why. If you get the chance to visit the Southern most place in the US be sure to check out a few (or all of these) yummy restaurants and you can thank me later!

Half Shell Raw Bar

1: Half Shell Raw Bar
This Raw Bar has been a celebrity for 43 years! As the name suggest this is THE place to go for the best Oysters in town. They offer a great Happy Hour including 1/2 dozen Raw Oysters on the Half Shell for $4.50. It also offers a perfect view of the Marina.
http://www.halfshellrawbar.com/

2: Blue Heaven
This is a unique Key West dining experience! Serving breakfast,lunch and dinner you can taste some of Key West finest dishes here. I like to go for breakfast and the Lobster Benedict will make your mouth water just thinking about it. It's one of the few places you will find chickens roaming around the tables and also served on your plate. The treehouse bar offers some amazing Bloody Marys too!   http://www.blueheavenkw.com

3: Pepe's Café and Steakhouse
Claiming the title as the longest standing restaurant in Key West  Pepe's continues to do what it does best, serve amazing food and drinks! Offering something for everyone it's best known for it's steak  
 and fish dishes. Also they have amazing hand squeeze Mimosas, Screwdrivers and Greyhounds!
http://pepeskeywest.com/

4: BO's Fishwagon
My husbands main mission on this trip was to eat fresh fish tacos from BO's! It really is the best for fresh fish sandwiches, conch fritters and fish tacos. The fish served depends on what's in season and caught that morning. The décor and setting makes you feel as if you truly are on a fish wagon!! http://www.bosfishwagon.com/

 

Mahi Fish Tacos and Conch Fritters

 

 5:Peppers Of Key West

Ok, it's not technically a restaurant but it does offer over 100 varieties of hot sauce flavors so it gets a spot on my list! I love that this place has a sauce tasting bar. You can easily spend an hour or so sitting at the bar, sampling hot sauces. You can purchase bottles in store, have them shipped to you or even order online. One insider tip is to be sure to get a beer at the Cigar shop next door and bring it in with you since beer goes great with hot sauce! http://www.peppersofkeywest.net/



6:Smokin' Tuna Saloon
This is my go to place for the best peel and eat shrimp I've ever had in my life!! The Soy, Ginger Tuna is also unbelievable!! They have an impressive  Raw Bar along with Stone Crab Claws when in season (Oct15- May15). It's a great place to go for live music in the evening and grab a snack or dinner. http://smokintunasaloon.com/

Soy Ginger Tuna

 

7: Mr Z's


Mr Z's (Cheese Steak Heaven)

Before I took my husband to Key West for the first time he honestly thought Mr Z was an ex boyfriend of mine. I would constantly say I can't wait for Mr Z's! I miss Mr Z's! I can't stop thinking about Mr Z's! And then he met Mr Z's and was hooked too.It might be hard to believe you can find an amazing Philly Cheese Steak in The Florida Keys but it's true! Mr Z's offers pizza, hoagies and the most amazing cheese steak you will ever put in your mouth !! There is something magical in the combination of the way they cook it, the bread and the sauce that you will seriously find yourself daydreaming about this cheese steak on a regular basis. If I had one last meal in order this just might be it!    http://www.mrzskeywest.com/index.html

8: Caroline's Café
This is a great lunch, dinner restaurant located right on busy Duval street with open air patio dining. It's a great spot for taking a break and people watching. I used to eat here regularly when I lived in Key West. They offer a nice variety of  menu items but my absolute favorite thing on the menu here is the Bamboozled Salad with an Asian Vinaigrette dressing. Your taste buds will cry because it's so good!  http://www.carolineskeywest.com/index.html

9: Louie's Back Yard
If you are looking for amazing oceanfront dining you need to make your way to Louie's Back Yard! This place is perfect for lunch or dinner to taste local seafood and a variety of wines. It's impossible to not be in awe of the view and flavors here! Once an oceanfront Victorian home transformed into a restaurant this is must on your visit to Key West!  
http://www.louiesbackyard.com/

10: El Meson de Pepe's
No visit to Key West would be complete without sampling some Cuban cuisine and this is the place to do it! Located near Mallory Square it's a perfect place to go before or after watching the sunset celebration at Mallory Square! Cuban culture can be seen and felt everywhere here and  Meson de Pepe's is the perfect place to get a taste of it! http://elmesondepepe.com/menu/menu.htm