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Key West Travel Guide: What to Eat & How to Burn it Off

    The ultimate travel guide to Key West. I’ll tell you where to stay, what to eat and how to burn it off! 

    Danger Charters Wind and Wine Sail Key West Tour

    Last month I had the opportunity to escape the cold Michigan winter and travel to Key West for the very first time. Have you been before?

    Key West Florida Mural

    Key West kept coming up in my 2017 reader survey as a place you’d like to visit and learn more about so I thought it would be the perfect destination for my wellness travel series, What to Eat & How to Burn it Off.

    Key West Christmas Tree

    If you’re new to my website, be sure to check out the other 14 destinations we’ve already covered including Palm SpringsWhistlerVancouverChicagoDenverCharleston, TucsonNew Orleans, Grand RapidsSan DiegoVailMiamiUtah and Banff.

    Liz at the Pool at the Marker Key West

    First thing’s first: let’s talk hotel! The Marker came highly recommended from friends who visit Key West regularly so I couldn’t wait to check it out myself.

    The Marker Key West Guest Rooms

    Relatively new to Key West, The Marker opened its doors back in December 2014. Centrally located near the harbor and within walking distance of downtown, I loved everything about this sleek, modern hotel.

    Liz at The Marker Pool

    Of course, you can’t bring a Michigan girl to Florida and not give her some time at the pool to relax.

    The Marker Pool Seating
    Liz Lounging in the Pool Cabana at The Marker

    Lucky for me, the pool at The Marker did not disappoint. In fact, they even had a live DJ blasting music when I arrived.

    Breakfast at Cero Bodega at The Marker

    Let’s get started with What to Eat in Key West! Any active vacation needs to start off with a good breakfast so I have a couple great options for you starting with Cero Bodega located poolside right at The Marker. You can’t beat the proximity to your guest room and every dish came out hot, fresh and flavor-packed.

    Date and Thyme Breakfast Smoothies

    For a quick grab-and-go option, head to Date & Thyme, a natural foods market and organic cafe just a short Uber drive away from the hotel. Featuring açaí bowls, smoothies and organic juices, it was just the fuel I needed before my day of activities.

    Cuban Coffee Queen Key West Cubano

    If you want to get your hands on an authentic Cuban breakfast, walk one block up the street to the Cuban Coffee Queen. They offer a complete breakfast menu but they’re also ideal for lunch or a quick snack. Pro Tip: Order the Caliente Cuban Mix sandwich: fresh roasted Mojo pork, ham, pepper jack cheese, with horseradish mayo, jalapenos, lettuce, tomatoes and onions on pressed Cuban bread. You’re welcome.

    Louies Backyard Key West

    If you’re looking for lunch or dinner with a view, head to Louie’s Backyard. This fine dining establishment has been around for over 30 years and features fresh seafood, burgers, salads and more.

    Liz in Key West on Patio
    Key West Pier Ocean

    The building is gorgeous but I recommend grabbing a spot on the patio so you can take in the ocean views.

    El Meson de Pepe Cuban Restaurant Key West

    If you’re looking to sample authentic Cuban food in a lively atmosphere, head to El Meson de Pepe. Located in Mallory Square, this restaurant features traditional dishes like picadillo, ropa vieja, tostones and more. They even have live music most nights of the week!

    The Stoned Crab Key West Collage

    If you want to get your hands on the best local stoned crab, head to, you guessed it, The Stoned Crab. Offering Key West’s freshest seafood, this hot spot is located adjacent to Ibis Bay Beach Resort and has two private fishing boats that deliver daily catches of stone crab, lobster, Key West shrimp and a variety of local fish.

    DSC 0123

    We were lucky enough to be dining as a fresh catch of stoned crab came in off the fishing boat!

    Stoned Crab Kayaking

    This restaurant is a must, and a great spot to grab a bite before heading out on a kayak ride. (More on that in a bit!)

    DSC 0755

    For a truly one-of-a-kind fine dining experience in Key West, be sure to carve out time for Latitudes restaurant. Named the #1 Best Overall Restaurant in Key West by OpenTable in 2016, and one of the 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2017, you actually have to take a ferry boat to get there!

    Latitudes Key West Restaurant Seafood

    Tucked away on an exclusive 27-acre island just 500 yards off Key West, Latitudes serves fresh Gulf Coast seafood overlooking the ocean. The ultimate Key West dining experience!

    Kermits Key West Lime Shoppe

    While I’m not a huge fan of sweets or desserts, you can’t go to Key West without heading to Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shoppe! In fact, I was lucky enough to spend a little time with Kermit himself in the kitchen teaching me how to make his famous key lime pie recipe!

    Liz in Key West with Chocolate Frozen Key Lime Pie

    Pro Tip: Do yourself a favor and try the frozen chocolate dipped key lime pie. Holy Mama it was good!

    Duval Street Key West

    Of course, you can’t visit Key West without hitting up Duvall Street, the night life hot spot. Similar to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, this strip is lined with bars, dance clubs, live music venues and more.

    Duvall Street Bars Live Bands

    If anything, there’s something to be said about walking around a street with a beer in your hand and the warm breeze on your back. It’s so nice to be able to bring your drink from one spot to the next and not have to finish it first!

    Danger Charters Wind and Wine Sail Key West

    Now that we’ve gotten our fill of What to Eat, let’s talk about How to Burn it Off in Key West!

    Lazy Dog Paddle Board Yoga Key West Florida

    I’m a huge fan of practicing yoga but when I travel to warm destinations I like to stay outdoors as much as possible. The perfect solution? Lazy Dog Paddle Yoga!

    Offering intimate classes for all fitness levels, I found this yoga class to be extremely peaceful and relaxing. Located in the US’s southernmost mangroves, this calm spot on the water offers protection from the wind, and tides, thus providing the perfect spot for a PaddleYoga session. Highly recommend during your next trip to Key West!

    Seafood Lovers Food Tour Key West

    Want to kill two birds with one stone? Key West Food Tours are the perfect way to stay active while enjoying a meal.

    Seafood Lovers Tour Key West Liz Fish Tacos

    The Seafood Lover’s Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour was my tour of choice and lasted a total of three hours in length.

    Seafood Lovers Tour Key West Lobster Mac and Cheese

    Offering two or three bite samples at each spot, with 5-10 minute walks in between each, it’s a great way to see the city, grab a bite and sneak in a couple thousand steps.

    Night Kayaking in Key West

    I hinted at the third way to Burn it Off earlier so you probably won’t be surprised to know that Key West has fantastic kayaking opportunities! For a super unique experience, I decided to try nighttime kayaking for the very first time. Located directly next to The Stoned Crab in Ibis Bay, I had so much fun kayaking during dusk and into the dark hours.

    Night Kayaking Key West

    Key West Paddle offers a 90 minute tour that starts right before sunset. As the sun sets, the boats are lit with LED florescent lights. The clear bottom of the boats allows you to see the sea life as you ride along the water. It was so incredible- I can’t wait to do it again.

    Danger Charters Wind and Wine Sail Key West Tour

    Last but not least, while not a dining or fitness experience, I highly suggest you check out Dangers Charters for a sail boat ride during your visit to Key West!

    Danger Charters Sailboat Tour List

    The Wind & Wine Sunset Sail offers fine wines, tasty appetizers and breathtaking sunset views.

    Key West Travel Guide

    It’s no wonder Coastal Living Magazine ranked Danger Charter’s Wind and Wine Sail one of the top two Sunset Sails in all of North America!

    Liz in Key West Palm Trees

    Until next time, Key West! In the meantime, where would you like to see me go next? Would you like to see more family travel stories? Wellness travel? Solo travel? I’m all ears!

    Key West Harbor

    Check out more destinations I’ve visited on my Pinterest board!

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    Liz DellaCroce

    Liz Della Croce is the creator and author of The Lemon Bowl, a healthy food blog. Since 2010, Liz has been sharing delicious recipes that just so happen to be healthy. By using real ingredients with an emphasis on seasonality, Liz has built a growing audience of loyal readers who crave good food for their families. Click Here To Subscribe to my newsletter:

    4 Comments

    1. Your next trip try Blue Heaven restaurant…. amazing food and service with a courtyard. The courtyard has a bar, music and seating for meals.

      We love it!

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