20 DELICIOUS Key Largo Restaurants to Try
The Florida Keys are an archipelago of idyllic islands between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Together, they form the southernmost spot in the United States and have become quite a popular hotspot for tropical getaways.
The best Keys tend to be two of the five islands, Key Largo and Key West, especially for those that like to eat, as there are plenty of delicious Key Largo restaurants and Key West restaurants.
After a day out in the sun, enjoying outdoor adventure activities like scuba diving or relaxing the day away by the sea – there’s nothing better than a conch fritter or fried shrimp. Below are all the best restaurants in Key Largo for a foodie feast.
Food to Try in Key Largo
Key Largo, and the Florida Keys is general, is well known for its delicious seafood. Here are some food items you must try in Key Largo!
Stone Crab: Key Largo is famous for its stone crab. You can go fishing and grill up what you catch or try Stone Crab chowder at some of the Key Largo restaurants.
Conch Fritters: Pronounced “konk”, this is a meaty seafood from an oversized sea snail. It is native to the Caribbean and the Florida Keys. You can eat it raw, but a popular way to eat conch is in “fritter” form. This is finally chopped conch meat mixed with a flour and egg batter and then deep fried in oil.
Conch Chowder: Another use of conch meat is to mix it with potatoes, tomatoes, and vegetables for a delicious conch chowder!
Cuban Coffee and Cuisine: Key Largo is not far from Miami, and has many Cuban influences, and there’s no where this is more apparent than in the food and coffee. Make sure to eat at one of the Cuban eateries!
The Best Key Largo Restaurants – Quick Answers
- Best Key Largo Restaurant for Date Night: The Fish House
- Best Key Largo Pizza Restaurant: C&C Wood Fire Eats
- Best Key Largo Seafood Restaurant: The Buzzard’s Roost
- Best Key Largo Cheap Eats: Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen and Harriette’s Restaurant
- Best Key Largo Restaurants for Views and Vibes: Skipper’s Dockside
The Best Key Largo Restaurants
Sal Ballyhoo’s
Aside from the delightful silly name, Sal Ballyhoo’s boasts elegant fresh seafood dishes with a Southern twist. The Cast Iron Mahi, Conch Fritters, and the Bayou Pasta are all seriously delicious concoctions here.
It offers a down-home atmosphere that feels inviting and cozy. It’s a simple space with a quaint nautical theme and a small rustic outdoor garden. There are vegetarian and vegan options here as well. Plus, the all-you-can-eat crab stone crabs are always an excellent selection.
Buzzard’s Roost
Buzzard’s Roost is one of the finest foodie spots in all of Key Largo. After you’re done hanging at one of the best beaches head here for a bite.
It’s located right on the water in the Garden Cove Marina and completes the stunning tropical setting with a tiki bar theme outside and a dining room decked out with warm woods inside. It’s a great place to order the catch of the day!
You can arrive by land or sea and enjoy an array of delicious seafood and meat dishes. The menu is extensive with plenty of plates to pick from. The weekends can get busy but they offer a super fun setting with amazing morning brunches, a super happy hour for drinks, and live music in the evenings.
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen
- Price: $
- Cuisine: Local family restaurant
- Address: 99336 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Mrs. Mac’s is an award-winning eatery that has been a long-standing local legend in Key Largo. It was originally founded in 1976 and has been known as the favorite hometown cafe ever since. It has a cute and kitschy atmosphere that feels relaxed yet with a certain novelty to it.
They cook up American and Caribbean style fare. The Homemade Chilli, Crab Cakes, and Conch Chowder are the stars of the show here. The Key Lime Pie here has earned quite a reputation as well, so we highly recommend trying to save some room for dessert.
Conch House
If you’re not sick of seafood yet, though that’s kind of hard to achieve in the Florida Keys, hitting up the Conch House is yet another scrumptious stop, especially on the way from Key Largo to Key West. It’s family-owned and operated and has a strong focus on sustainability. The ambiance is laid back and homey, it is a house, after all, complete with an intimate garden space.
The menu has a wide variety of options, from Vegan Curry to Ahi Tuna Tacos to Chicken Roulade. The Conch Fritters are a famous favorite. Getting the platter is a fun shareable way to try a bit of everything here.
If you’re feeling adventurous, get a little wild and try a Florida delicacy, Gator Bites. The menu even offers some fun bits of history about the area.
Hideout Key Largo
The Hideout is a classic diner serving up all the Southern American breakfast and lunch favorites. For big portions, a great price, and comfort foods this is the best spot. It’s an intimate space with plenty of funky personality and an adorable deck outside for al fresco feasting that’s also dog friendly.
Biscuits and Gravy, Country Benedict, and the Pulled Pork Sandwich are just a few of the tasty eats available here. If you go on a Friday, you’re in for a real Florida treat, a traditional all-you-can-eat fish fry!
The Fish House
- Price: $$-$$$
- Cuisine: Funky Seafood
- Address: 102401 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo (GPS)
- Website: See menu
The Fish House specializes in dock-to-table fare, fresh out of the seas and is one of the best Key Largo restaurants to go to for dinner! It’s a super relaxed setting that’s fun and friendly in an authentically Florida Keys style.
It’s conch cooking, with signature chowders and fresh fish that’s either smoked, steamed, or sauteed in several manners, like Jamaican Jerk.
Everything is purchased from local commercial fishermen which means availability always depends on conditions and season. The adorable market on-site has plenty of cool souvenirs to stock up on as well. Indulge in one of the craft beers or specialty cocktails at the full bar and enjoy a good time at one of the best restaurants in the Florida Keys.
Bayside Grille
Set right above the Key Largo scenic sandy shores is the bright and airy Bayside Grille. It boasts some of the best panoramic views of the Florida bar around. The outdoor bar space often hosts live music. It features a bistro-style open kitchen and offers brunch, lunch, and dinner.
The inside is elevated while maintaining that kitschy and cool beach feel. It offers a perfect balance of gourmet and casual. They’ve got pasta, fry baskets, sandwiches, and seafood galore of course. Go for happy hour and stay for the sunset, you won’t be disappointed.
DiGiorgio’s
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Family-Run Trattoria
- Address: 99530 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Digiorgio’s is a delicious dining destination for authentic Italian in the heart of Key Largo. It’s an old-school family joint that feels decidedly warm and welcoming. The cuisine is classic and contemporary, with a focus on handmade pasta and traditional red sauces.
Each recipe is centuries old, originating from both the northern and southern regions of the country. There are a variety of Italian wines to pair with your plate as well as some craft beers and specialty cocktails. Be sure to check what the daily specials are here, it’s often something fun and exciting you’ll want to try.
Sundowners
Sundowners is named for being the best place in the Keys for watching the stunning show of brightly colored hues that stretch across the sky as the sunsets. This ethereal experience is enough reason to go on its own, but the tasty fares sure are a welcome bonus.
The glass walled dining room sits right on the water, but the covered deck and idyllic patio are our preferred pick. Truly it’s one of the best Key Largo restaurants on the water!
They serve up sustainably caught seafood in all the quintessential local styles and have been since 1985. The Key Lime Seafood and Sunset Mahi Sandwich are classic choices. They also have an entire raw bar and some sushi options.
C&C Wood Fire Eats
C&C is our go-to for pizza in the Florida Keys and ranks high up on the best restaurants in Key Largo. It was the first wood-fired oven in the area, cooking up straightforward food made with carefully chosen ingredients. The menu leans Italian and certainly specializes in artisan pies but has quite a range of dishes as well.
The Tuscan Truffle and the Venice are our favorite fares to order here. The charcuterie boards are also picture perfect here, and Insta-worthy, and you can even make your own with specialty components. The drink list is ideal, including an extensive wine selection and well-curated craft beer and cocktails.
Sol by the Sea
- Price: $$$
- Cuisine: Seafood, gluten free, vegan
- Address: 97450 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Sol by the Sea is located at the Playa Largo Resort and Spa ser right on the waterfront. It’s such a romantic spot to go in the area, as it boasts such a rustic and dreamy setting of dockside dining with a bohemian flair that makes it one of the best Key Largo restaurants.
The cuisine is American coastal and features tasty plates for sharing like the Steamed Mussels and Conch Fritters, as well as entire entrees you can order all to yourself such as the Wasabi Tuna Burger or Island Ribs. They’re open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Doc’s Diner
- Price: $
- Cuisine: Electric American seafood menu
- Address: 99696 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Doc’s Diner is one of the best family-owned restaurants in Key Largo. The ambiance is old school and super mellow, and the menu features eclectic comfort fares. You’ll find some classic seafood plates here, like Fish and Chips, as well as an extensive selection of American eats, including Meatloaf and Biscuits and Gravy.
Everything is homemade from scratch and served in hearty portions for a super affordable price. You can go for breakfast or lunch, served all day, and there’s always a daily special on deck.
Skipper’s Dockside
Skipper’s is a boat house style Key Largo restaurant with a vintage flair that will transport you straight back to a simpler time. The exterior features an old fashioned ice house and filling station which sets the tone as soon as you arrive.
The menu mixes offbeat ingredients and time-honored traditional recipes to create surprising culinary delights in the form of fresh sea-soul food. They truly believe in the art of making a cocktail here. With live entertainment and an array of interactive games, it feels a little like a tropical adult playground.
Every plate is thoughtfully cooked from the Handcrafted Flatbreads to the Signature Handhelds.
Alabama Jack’s
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Seafood restaurant
- Address: 58000 Card Sound Rd, Key Largo (GPS)
- Website: See menu
This iconic Florida beach bar has been around for over 50 years and has a vibe that’s all its own. Its slightly divey character gives it plenty of playful personality to enjoy. It’s a great place to go for a good time, especially for the live music on the weekends.
Its unique location is right on the water on top of two barges among the mangroves, so it’s actually more of a swamp than a shorefront spot. The Conch Fritters, Steamed Shrimp, and Fish Sandwiches have all garnered rave reviews.
Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill
For American fare with some of the best beachfront views in Key Largo, check out Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill. Both the eating and entertainment aspects of this place are excellent. The space is set right on the shimmering seas of the Florida Bay and includes a picturesque patio and separate tiki bar.
They offer an amazing happy hour alongside their varied menus which include pizza, burgers, sandwiches, a raw bar, and much more. All the seafood is sustainably sourced and you’re sure to be spoiled for choice here.
Calusa
- Price: $$$
- Cuisine: American, Caribbean , seafood
- Address: 97000 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Calusa is a beachy wine bar and restaurant set inside Baker’s Cay Resort. They offer a special Creole and Caribbean spin on contemporary American cuisine. All the ingredients are seasonal and sustainably sourced.
There are sweeping views looking out over the water, particularly lovely during sunset. It’s also a perfect spot for a boozy brunch while in Key Largo. Go all out and order the Skiff Seafood Tower, you won’t be disappointed. The presentation is always just as pretty as the rest of the bright and airy aesthetics here.
There’s a carefully stocked full-service bar, though you can bring your own wine and pay an uncorking fee if you wish.
Harriette’s Restaurant
You may have already heard of Harriette’s, as it’s home of the world-famous Key Lime Muffin. However, you’re sure to find so many more delicious dishes to try here as well. It was established in 1982 by a local family, and today, visitors still flock from all over to taste their home cooking.
The menu is super extensive and most popular for amazing breakfast items. Try the Sirloin Steak and Eggs or Shrimp and Grits to start any morning off right in Key Largo. They’ve also got an impressive range of burgers, sandwiches, and hot entrees for later in the day including Honey Fried Chicken and Bahamian Style Conch Fritters.
Snappers
Snappers is a favorite oceanfront eatery in the Florida Keys and one of the best Key Largo restaurants. It feels like a one-stop shop with three bars, weekly parties, special events, and guests’ suites all on-site as well.
They’ve been around since 1989 and have been “keeping it keysy” ever since. It certainly feels like the full authentic experience anyway. There’s a meal for everyone on this menu. The Gator Bites, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, and Fire Shrimp are all legendary shareables. The “You Hook ‘Em, We Cook ‘Em” option is super fun to try out here as well.
Mikes BBQ 101
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Barbecue restaurant
- Address: 101900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Get ready for some of the best brisket you’ve ever tried at Mike’s BBQ 101. It may be a small red food truck on the side of the road, but the food packs a big personality. Real traditional barbecue is their claim to fame, and they always seem to deliver.
Be sure to include a few of the sides in any order, like the Mac and Cheese and the Cornbread. Their array of savory and sweet sauces really set them apart as well, so you can dress up your perfectly smoked meats exactly as you wish.
Blackwater Siren
This informal pub serves up local comfort food overlooking the ocean. The environment is rustic and relaxed. They have indoor and outdoor seating, both of which feel beachy. The food is familiar with a creative flair. We highly recommend the Smoked Fish Dip and the Coconut Onion Rings.
They have a whole Fresh Fish Your Way menu where you can choose the local catch and how it is cooked and served. They also offer pasta, burgers, sandwiches, and other proteins as well just in case you’re getting sick of the usual Florida fare.
Key Largo Restaurants Map
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