Sunset Grill & Raw Bar

There is so much to do at Sunset Grill. First, the view is great, the sunsets divine. You can come by boat or find parking in their spacious lot. There is also on-street parking. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and it's a fine place for happy hour. They have a full sushi menu as well as happy hour fare. If you're coming for sunset get there early because all the good seats go fast. Be sure to bring your camera. This is what it actually looks like on some days.

Second, they have a pool and it's heated. I love ordering an umbrella drink and sitting on the ledge in the pool sipping to my heart's content. Lots of people come there as families so it can get crowded, but it's a great place to people-watch.

Third - Sunday Funday. Not necessarily my cup of tea - it gets teaming with kids and teens and can be kind of loud, but if you have the courage, give it a try. There is also corn hole and other games to keep everyone busy.

Fourth - they have live music every evening and all day on Sunday.

Fifth - Tiki Bar not your style. They have a beautiful restaurant that offers more choices than the tiki bar does.

Bathrooms are located inside the restaurant and are nice. Sunset is located at the foot of the world-famous Seven-Mile Bridge; 7 Knights Key Blvd., Marathon, MM 47; 305.396-7235

Burdines Bar & Grill

Burdines is such a fun place to go. It overlooks Boot Key Harbor's beautiful waterway so while your waiting for your food you can sit and watch boats coming and going. It's also a maria so dockage, bait, tackle, ice cold beer, snacks and ice are available. They monitor Channel 16 so if you're coming by boat you might want to call ahead. Marina hours are 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

I always get the same thing at Burdines - a blackened fish sandwich with sautéed onions, but Ray has tried various things and each was as delicious as the next. Their tag line is, "food so good it'll make your tongue slap your brains out." Their fries are very different from any other place because, according to the menu, they're sprinkled with fairy dust. They are string cut and deep fried to perfection, but watch out, the portion is huge so order one for the table to share. Burdines waitresses and bartenders work really hard to make your dining experience a pleasurable one. They are super friendly and do a great job cranking out made to order food.

Burdens is located at 1200 Oceanview Avenue at the end of 15th Street, MM 47.5. 304.743-9204. burdineswaterfront@gmail.com. They don't really have a website - at least not one that tells you anything more than you will find right here, and they don't take reservations. They are open between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily. The often have live music but you're have to check the schedule. Ladies - the bathrooms are very clean, but sometimes you have to stand in line because there is only one. Burdines is wheel chair accessible too.

Keys Fishery

This is one of my favorite places to go for lunch, Happy Hour or to watch sunset. The view is pretty phenomenal. They offer an extensive menu, but my favorite thing to do there is chow down on their stone crab claws. They are fresh, plentiful and pretty inexpensive, at least compared to other places. In January and February 2016 we paid $2.50 apiece for mediums. Their raw bar also offers clams, oysters, Key West Pink Shrimp and tuna. They can also pack and ship your catch.

If you need something more substantial to eat, go downstairs and order anything from soups and salads to whole stuffed lobster. They boast a beer, wine and full liquor bar. The bartenders are always super nice and very accommodating. Every year this bar hosts a name the bar contest. I hear it's quite a ta do. The name for 2016 is Claws and Straws. Keys Fisheries, Market and Marina is a working marina so you'll see boats coming and going all day long. Perhaps bringing in those yummy stone crab claws. They also have a carry out seafood market. Girls - there are two bathroom locations, both downstairs. One is inside the restaurant and the other is across the parking lot in an out building. Not the greatest, but they are clean.

Keys Fisheries is located on the Gulf, at the end of 35th Street at the south end of Marathon. Turn towards the Gulf at The Stuffed Pig. They are open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 305.743.4353; www.keysfisheries.com
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Dockside Tropical Cafe

Oh my goodness, Ray and I took such a walk down memory lane the other day. We stopped by Dockside in Marathon to have a look around. It's been several years since we've been there, but thought we needed to re-visit some old stomping grounds and a place that our good friend owned for a couple of years. We were happy to see that little had changed although the bathrooms are exactly the same (not sure that is a good thing), as they were 10 years ago. The bar and restaurant has taken on a cleaner, more cared for look but that seemed like a nature progression of things too. In the old days, Dockside was a rustic bar, where musicians sometimes showed up and sometimes they didn't. It was a stop-over for cruisers heading to or from the Caribbean. On any given day you could talk to someone from Barbados or St. Johns and share a drink or two. While the marina is still full with many cruisers, I'm not sure the vibe is the same, (just this writer's biased observation). Now keep in mind, we stopped there mid-day. There were just a few people eating lunch or having a beverage - we only had drinks. We got to talking to a couple that have lived nearby for many years and they talked of the old days and had the same memories that we did, yet they still said the place was hopping and full of fun.

I was so happy to see though, The Table of Knowledge. When we first visited Dockside The Table of Knowledge was a big deal. That was where the cruisers and live-boards sat and drank and discussed and talked about all things that mattered and all things that didn't matter. While it's smaller in size now it is a tradition at Dockside and it made me happy to see it was still around.

Dockside Tropical Cafe has music most nights. It is located at 35 Sombrero Blvd. in Marathon. Visit their website at docksidetropicalcafe.com for entertainment information and directions.

Looe Key Tiki Bar

Looe Key is one of the last hold outs for a true Florida Keys experience. Lots of locals frequent the joint and some even sit on the same bar stool everyday smoking their cigarettes and drinking their beer. Ray and I go in there quite often because it's close to our rental home. As a matter of fact, we've gotten to know a number of those locals and they are all hard working guys and gals that just want to relax and have a good time. Tuesday night seems to be the best time to be there - It's jam night. That means that locals come and bring their instruments and simply jam. The place is always packed and there is plenty of room to dance to your favorite tunes.

Looe Key also has one of the best happy hours around. It runs from 3:00 - 7:00 and you can't beat the prices. They also offer some discounted bar food, like wings and fries - that kind of thing. My favorite thing on their regular menu is the BLT - good bread and lots of bacon. Bathrooms were new last year although if it's raining you have to dash across the driveway to get to them.

Looe Key Tiki is definitely and experience and I urge you to visit there - it's a blast.
27340 Oversees Highway, Ramrod Key, FL 33042. Visit their website at www.looekeytikibar.com to read about the other entities offered at Looe Key - diving, snorkeling, motel rooms, etc.

Geiger Key Marina and Smokehouse

Geiger Key Smokehouse is a hidden gem off the main drag of Oversea's Highway. It is located to the south of, and abridged to, Big Coppitt Key. Ray discovered it years ago and we still make a point to visit there at least once or twice every year. On our 2016 visit, we were pleasantly surprised to see that some improvements had been made all while keeping it's uniqueness and "keysey" feeling. The views from their outside restaurant and bar are spectacular. You can watch boats come and go, see fish swimming just below, and watch a parade of birds doing their dance all while eating great food.  They have music almost every night, but check out they website to be sure www.geigerkeymarina.com. They are open everyday for lunch and dinner and open for breakfast on the weekends. Do yourself a favor and visit Geiger Key Marina and Smokehouse. It's a wonderful Keys experience that you'll soon not forget.

If you have an opportunity, sample their Sunday barbecue - it starts at 4:00 p.m. Is a great time to get down with the locals. 

To get there turn on Boca Chia Road at approximately at MM 11 (oceanside) and follow the road a mile or so to Geiger Road - turn left. From there you can follow the signs. Geiger Key is also home to a marina and trailer park.

5 Geiger Road,

Key West,FL

(305) 296-3553

Half Shell Raw Bar and

Half Shell Raw Bar is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Ray and I have spent many an afternoon eating oysters and socializing with people from all over the world. With a tag line of "East it Raw," doesn't it make sense to see what it's all about?  It's fun, it's casual and it's conveniently located on the Waterfront in Key West. There is plenty of paid parking nearby. There is a fish market on the premises - see below. Be sure to bring a license plate to tack on the wall for posterity.

From their website: Half Shell Fish Market is a neighborhood seafood market in Old Town Key West, located inside the Half Shell Raw Bar, at the foot of Margaret Street, along the Historic Seaport.

Half Shell Fish Market
(Located inside Half Shell Raw Bar)
(305) 294-7496
231 Margaret Street
Key West, Florida 33040
Map It | Facebook

Half Shell Fish Market Now Open

While Half Shell Fish Market is now open to everyone, we were born out of necessity. There was a need for a centralized source of outstanding Key West seafood for the five restaurants within the Pat Croce & Co. family. Half Shell Fish Market makes sure that items like Rum Barrel’s Yellow Tail Snapper Rubens, Island Dogs’ fish tacos, Turtle Kraals’ ceviche, and, of course, your favorites at Half Shell Raw Bar, are the freshest around and are provided at a great value. We do this by cultivating long-standing partnerships with local commercial fishing captains. You are invited to step in to Half Shell Fish Market any day between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. so we can introduce ourselves and meet you while you’re picking out your favorite daily and seasonal specials like snapper, stone crab, Key West pink shrimp, lobster, hogfish and more. www.halfshellrawbar.com

Hurricane Hole

Update February 2016 - Have been back to the Hurricane Hole a couple time already this year. Their food is consistently good. The owners just opened a second location call Fish at about MM 15. Will write more on our visit there under that name.

We had an occasion to visit the Hurricane Hole just the other day with some friends and we were mighty happy we did. We had a very pleasant time watching all the fishing charters come and go with their daily haul, but there was also paddle boarders and barflies to keep us entertained. While we've been there before, we had only indulged in adult beverages. This time we had lunch and let me tell you, it was tasty indeed. Our party ordered a variety of items, one more plentiful than the other. I ordered the smoked fish dip and while it was very tasty, it reminded me more of plain ole tuna fish - it wasn't very smokey and I personally like a little more spice. Since I can't consume dairy products, I'm always happy to find a place that makes their fish dip without cream cheese. Some other things that our party ordered were Cobb Salad with blackened shrimp, fish tacos and pulled pork nachos. Everybody was happy with their choices. Our bartender was attentive and kept us lavished in extra cold beer. While the bathrooms aren't great, they are very acceptable. You can also go out of here on water sport excursions and fishing charters. Check out their website for details.

The Hurricane Hole can be found at 5130 U.S. Highway 1 at College Road. 305.294-0200. I think their Happy Hour is from 5 p.m. -7 p.m. and 10p.m.-2 a.m. daily, but check out their website at www.hurricanholekeywest.com. Their are lots of shady places to sit as well as some umbrellas, but take your sunscreen - you might end up having to sit in the sun for part of the time.

Solo American Bistro

Update: January 2016 - This restaurant is closed. Too bad, they had a kick-ass Happy Hour.

Touted as a "New American Restaurant," Solo is one of the many upscale bistros in Key West. The ambiance is strong and sleek, boasting a long dark mahogany bar and New York style decor.  Colorful comfy cushions adorn the booth/chair style tables while romantic lighting makes you feel like a grown-up. It's certainly not a place that screams "Key West," but that is one of the reasons why I like it so much. It's different and trendy and you can actually get a great glass of wine in a real glass! It's large windows are almost always thrown open to the beautiful weather beyond their door step. If you prefer, there are several tables on the porch that await.

We were there for Happy Hour recently, but I understand they have great weekend lunch specials for $7, $5 Mimosas and $6 Bloody Mary's. Happy Hour features half price wine, draft beer and cocktails from 4-7 p.m. and about 5 or 6 half price appetizers that are prepared perfectly--from simple gourmet-style flatbreads to tuna tartare. Many other goodies are there for the choosing. You can't get all this many other places.

It's a great casual location with great service away from the more touristy places. It's a nice change of pace. Sole is located at 610 Green Street. They have a Facebook page, but do not have a website yet. They can be reached at 305.296-2033 or at solokeywest@gmail.com.

Fish

Update: January 2016 

Fish used to be called Kaya Island Eats. I love the place, Ray not so much, but he's strictly a meat and potatoes guy and the menu there is a little more eclectic than that. I've only been there for Happy Hour so I can only speak to that. Their signature dish is Mussels in Curried Coconut Milk. They are so delicious that I actually slurp up the broth with an empty shell. Yummy!! The regular menu is extensive and there is a bit of a relaxing vibe to the decor and offerings. You can get a burger or a delicious seafood enter. The place is bright and cheerful and the bathrooms are lovely.

While it appears that the restaurant is located on the highway, once you climb the steps you realize that the view is pretty spectacular from all angles. They have a rather large bar and surrounding bar area with high top tables and even a small lounge type area. It pays to get there before the crowds because the bartender is so busy making drinks for the tables us bar flies are often overlooked. That is way too much on a busy night.

Fish is located on Saddlebunch Key, 3100 Overseas Highway, 33040; MM 31; 305.735-4201; kayaislandeats.com. They are open for lunch from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; dinner from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. and Happy Hour from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. They offer a HH drink of the day and the Mermaid Plate Special (whatever that is), a children's menu, and nightly specials. They are very willing to accommodate any dietary restrictions you may have and are able to convert most of their meals to gluten-free. Give it a try. I think you'll like it.

Bayside Grille

Bayside Grille is new to Key Largo, so January 2014 was our first time there at the recommendation of the the desk clerk at the Dove Creek Inn. The place is huge and provides a large dinning area and bar on the first level, bayside (hence the name). They have music and ample seats at the bar.

Since it was rainy and cold the day we visited, we opted for the restaurant upstairs. There they offer a small bar and dining tables inside and some out on the porch with sliding doors that open and close according to the weather. Thankfully, they were closed the day we were there.

COME & ENJOY THE BEST SUNSETS IN KEY LARGO... HOME OF KEYRIBBEAN KOOKING & KOCKTAILS®

We enjoyed a couple of cocktails while we were there and I ordered what I thought was an interesting appetizer: Plantains, Keyribbean Style. They were delicious and I plan on trying to replicate them at home: guava juice, lime juice and MoJo Sauce.  I would like to go back sometime and have an entire meal and enjoy a beautiful Keys sunset. You can also arrive by boat if you so desire.

Bayside Grille is located right behind DiGiorgio's Cafe Largo at MM 99.5, bayside in Key Largo; 99530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida, 33037, 305-451-3380; www.keylargo-baysidegrill.com

Caroline's

Voted Best Lunch Place by USA Travel, Caroline's on Duval in Key West is a really sweet open-air restaurant with a large offering of salads and sandwiches for lunch and more hearty plates for dinner. Regardless, each meal is prepared well and presented beautifully. Ray and I have eaten there many times and have always enjoyed great service and excellent meals. Our friends, who live on Stock Island, visit Caroline's frequently and always rave about their food. Yes, their burgers really do look like this - plentiful and moist - hard to beat.

The first time we ate there was for lunch. I had a salad with blackened shrimp on top and Ray had a fish sandwich. Both of our choices were plentiful and flavorful. The second time we ate there it was for dinner. Ray ordered a blackened chicken pasta that was extra cheesy and yummy, and I ordered blackened chicken with black beans, rice and plantains. The chicken was moist and cooked to perfection.  The black beans, rice and plantains were authentically pleasing.

The ambiance is purely Key West style. The wait staff are super friendly and the service is fast. We love sitting outside on the shaded patio for lunch or under the stars for dinner watching the passersby on Duval Street. The whole patio is mostly shaded with large market-style umbrellas and is rather large. They also have a small bar that overlooks Duval Street so it's a great place to people-watch. Ladies - the bathroom is not the greatest, but is not the worst I've seen either. Since there is only one women's toilet you might imagine that its not always the tidiest and there is usually a short line of one or two.

Carolines is located in the heart of Key West at 310 Duval Street; 305.294-7511. Their website says they have free delivery within Old Key West. www.carolineskeywest.com.

Turtle Kraals

Turtle Kraals Tower Bar, located at 231 Margaret Street in the seaport area of Key West, is probably one of the least expensive happy hours that we've ever experienced.  From the outer end of the bar where we were sitting on this spectacular day, we had a great view of the beautiful Key West Harbor and all the boat comings and goings. If we looked just a little the other way we were able to enjoy another Key West sunset. Happy Hour is everyday from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. They offer a bucket of bones (barbecued spare ribs, $5); Chicken wings (melt in your mouth tender and tasty, $5.75); a black bean and cheese quesadilla and one or two other things - not sure of those prices, but remember them as being cheap. They have their own smoker there and their HH food is really good.

Ray had a couple of Miller Lite bottles that were $1.88 each. I had a Mount Gay and Diet Coke that was $3.00, plus a glass of white wine that was only $3.50. Where else can you go and find prices like that? The bartenders, while busy serving the tables and tending the bar, were friendly and on-the-ball.

The only drawback of the tower bar is that the modern, clean bathrooms are downstairs on the first floor all the way around the bar near the front door. It's a bit of pain, but the prices and the view will keep us going back.

Music Friday and Saturday from 5:00-9:00 p.m., 305.294-2640, www.turtlekraals.com. If you visit their website I think you can print out a coupon for a free margarita.