Key West is a U.S. island in the Florida Keys. It’s located at the southern-most tip of Florida right next to Stock Island. Famed for its pastel colored conch-style houses, coral reefs, and destination for snorkeling, this island is home to some of the best American seafood in the country.
There are many restaurants on Key West for every special occasion. Whether you are looking for the catch of the day, an easy happy hour, fine dining, or a casual outdoor dinner there is a perfect place to find the best seafood.
Below are some of the best seafood restaurants in Key West.
First on the best seafood list and right in the middle of Duval Street is DJ’s Clam Shack. This local Key West joint is best known for its conch fritters, cracked conch, fried shrimp taco, and clams. This is a casual outdoor restaurant that boasts one of the best traditional seafood experiences in the country.
Promising Google Review: “The garlic shrimp roll is one of the best things I have ever eaten EVER! The lobster was good as well. The clam chowder is excellent. Everything was amazing! And friendly service as well.” -Jaime O.
Looking for a fast casual place to eat and also a place to shop for locally sourced, fresh seafood? Eaton Street Seafood Market has some of the best seafood in Key West. Their menu includes delicious items like fish sandwiches, lobster rolls, shrimp salad sandwich, fish or shrimp tacos, market price stone crab, and fried conch strip baskets. Some of their best-selling market items to pick up on your way out are their Key West pink shrimp, large stone crab, and lobster tails by the pound.
Promising Google Review: “Loved this little place. It all felt very authentic and fresh. The lobster rolls we got were massive and so delicious. The roll itself was very sweet and tasty too. We decided to go here for the lobster roll because of the good reviews we read online. I’m here to tell you that they are correct and this is where you need to go in Key West for the best lobster roll.” -CJ C.
If you are in the mood for a place a little off-the-beaten path Seven Fish is a corner bistro with comforting takes on local seafood. This seafood restaurant has something on the menu for any seafood lover. Popular dishes include a crab cake appetizer, sautéed grouper sushi roll, fish tacos, and shrimp scampi.
Promising Google Review: “Such a wonderful place for dinner! Great service, super cool ambiance and amazing food and drink!” -Stacey R.
For a raw bar experience open 7 days a week with a happy hour The Thirsty Mermaid is a good place to get raw oysters on the half shell. For happy hour and beyond here you will also find an extensive list of craft beers and wines. This seafood restaurant has a raw bar menu with a great airy atmosphere. If raw seafood isn’t your thing they also have steamed clams and a crackling calamari salad with chili key lime miso vinaigrette.
Promising Google Review: “The service was great, the drinks are reasonably priced. Oysters were fresh and briny, both of our dinner entrees were delicious and beautifully presented.” -Boone D.
Switching things up with a more upscale dining experience is a seafood restaurant nestled in the heart of Old Town and away from the bustling downtown streets of Key West. Their current Chef’s Tasting Menu has a seafood option for every course. Standouts on the menu include crab and mushroom bisque, baked oysters, swordfish, chilled stone crab, and oysters on the half shell.
Promising Google Review: “Best food in key west. Amazing chefs menu during covid. Attentive and fun staff. Can’t beat the product this team offers.” -Brannin M.
Antonia’s Restaurant is an elegant fine dining place perfect for any special occasion. They serve classic Italian cuisine with handmade pasta created in-house daily, finely crafted sauces and pristine local seafood. This restaurant rounds off Key West’s “Culinary Triple Threat” that also includes The Thirsty Mermaid and Little Pearl. Cuisine on the menu includes dishes like seafood linguine, local yellowtail snapper francese, and linguine with shrimp. Their dining room is currently open with limited indoor and outdoor seating.
Promising Google Review: “Great staff, nice size portions with the food and very nice Italian ambience. Would highly recommend this restaurant if you are visiting or local!” -Roxy
A can’t miss Key West activity is watching the sun go down while enjoying a slice of key lime pie. The Sunset Pier, a casual dockside seafood eatery at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa, is a good place to do just that. With water views this spot is a great outdoor place to grab an open table and listen to some live music. Some special seafood items to get here are the shrimp quesadilla, blackened mahi sandwich, or the peel and eat shrimp.
Promising Google Review: “Great place to view the sunset from. We had good fish dip and spicy hummus. Saw some me tarpon and a manatee under the pier in the lights. Very cool place and a fun time.” -Steve A.
Next up on the list is Nine One Five, a stylish old house with a large patio for globally accented American fare and a late-night wine bar. This restaurant has a tapas style menu with one of a kind cuisine. The shareable cuisine is great for ordering for the whole table. The best seafood stand-outs on here are the Mediterranean octopus, fried calamari, seafood risotto, and the soul mama seafood soup.
Promising Google Review: “We had a great time. Amazing food and attentive staff. Loved the red grouper filet with risotto and the Thai-Style crispy fried yellow grouper. Asparagus was good, too, and the brioche dessert a 10/10. Overall, probably the most memorable meal we had during our trip. Definitely going to come back.” -Sebastian S.
If you’re craving a Key West seafood brunch look no further than Ocean & Grill Bar. This is an airy venue with patio seating that specializes in refined seafood dishes. Their breakfast and brunch menu also includes an option for bottomless mimosas and bloody Mary’s. Open seven days a week you’ll find a lot of good seafood items on the menu. A few of their special brunch dishes are the crab cake benedict, scallop benedict, local catch fish sandwich, and stuffed shrimp. For dinner their seafood options include macadamia snapper, yellowfin tuna, parmesan mahi, seafood risotto, and sticky sesame shrimp.
Promising Google Review: “This restaurant is the best. Husband went on a fishing trip and we found out they will cook your fish for you. You get shrimp and grits, salad, mashed potatoes, pasta and green beans and carrots. Our dolphin was blackened and grilled. The service at this restaurant was awesome. I would definitely go back. I would give them 10 stars if I could.” -Felicia G.
Harpoon Harry’s is must visit cash-only American diner with a great menu filed with classic dishes. This Key West gem is the best place to grab a table for a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some of the best seafood options on their lunch menu include fried clam strips, fish tacos, and a tuna melt. For dinner order the fresh catch of the day or the seafood platter.
Promising Google Review: “Don’t think, go! Best breakfast on the island – and most reasonable too! Staff is great. Very friendly and attentive to each patron. We came here twice in 3 days, we enjoyed it that much. CASH ONLY. Come prepared with cash.” -Chris C.
There you have it, a bucket-list worthy amount of seafood restaurants that you can visit today! Grab a table at any one of these special places or get some seafood to go. There is no need for a special occasion to treat yourself to some delicious Key West cuisine. All the places on this list are open for dining and are also good for quick breaks while sight-seeing around town.