January 26, 2016

Key West is known as a top international vacation spot, but it’s also known for some of the freshest seafood and tantalizing key lime pie around. What better way to vacation than being surrounded by some of the best food in the U.S.? Each year foodies gather to celebrate at the Key West’s Food & Wine Festival. The event allows locals and tourists alike to sample premiere cuisine from this Southernmost city with delectable wine and beer, it truly is one of our favorite things to do in Key West.

During the five-day festival, running from 1/27-1/31, The Marker and its sister location, Southernmost Beach Resort, will be hosting special events. Start the festival off on the 27th with a stroll along the Historic Seaport to get a view of the waters of Key West. On January 29th the festival will feature an Old World Toast to our California Coast dinner at The Marker Resort. The evening will feature selections from Wayward Vines so that guests may experience the flavors of California’s vineyards, with a menu spearheaded by Chef David Furham. On Saturday January 30th stop by the Southernmost Beach Café for a Beer dinner ranging from appetizers to entrees that pair perfectly with a curated selection of cold, refreshing beer. Drafts include Duvel, a Belgian Golden Ale, Ommegang Witte, a Belgian Wheat, Ommegang Hennpin, Ommegang Rare Vos, and finishing off with a Boulevard Dark Truth Stout. While tasting the wide range of draft options, dine on bright, crisp watermelon salad and rich pork belly porchetta.

While in town for the festival, make sure to stop at our favorite local restaurants. Plan to grab lunch at Bad Boy Burritos for a quick bite and a fresh squeezed juice. We recommend the Key West Pink Shrimp burrito, a warm tortilla filled with local shrimp, roasted pineapple habanero, fresh pico, queso fresco, cilantro, finished off with crisp cabbage and radish.

Get a little taste of Blue Heaven while in Key West. This laidback outdoor eatery is home to live music, wild chickens, and some of the best mojitos in town. Stop by for breakfast—we recommend the Blue Heaven Benedict with Lobster and Lime Hollandaise. Pace yourself, because you’ll want to save room for Blue Heaven’s famous key lime pie, the sizeable slice is shareable- so plan ahead and be sure to request an extra fork! If you love the outdoor, downhome feel of Blue Heaven, you will love the fishing junkyard themed, Bo’s Fish Wagon. From their seawiches, with fried soft shell crab or fried cracked conch, to their landwiches, slawdogs and deep fried hotdogs, this Southernmost restaurant adds a little comfort food spin on backyard cookout fare.

For when you can’t decide on just one dish, Tapas at Santiago’s Bodega is the perfect choice. Selections like spicy shrimp bisque, pork tenderloin skewers with apple chutney, and smoked salmon Carpaccio are perfect options to share.

Seven Fish is a hometown bistro and Key West eatery just a few minutes walk from Duval Street. Some notable menu items: The Banana Chicken with caramelized walnut, and fresh Gnocchi topped with blue cheese and sautéed fish. For some Key West-style fine dining, head to Michaels Restaurant. Melanie and Michael Wilson opened Michaels after moving to Key West in 1996, and has since been open for 17 years. At this garden oasis restaurant enjoy elevated steakhouse fare, with standouts like Fish N’ Grits and Papparadelle. Round out your dining tour in Key West with Bagatelle. We recommend any of the fresh sea fare, from mussels and tuna tataki to shrimp tiradito, and snapper. Make sure to stop at Cero Bodega, the Cal-Mex inspired restaurant at The Marker, serving all day. We recommend the Lobster and Shrimp Fettuccine entree and the Banana crème brulee dessert.

Don’t forget dessert! Once you’ve had your fill of the best entrees Key West has to offer, be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth at Better than Sex. This cleverly named dessert bar plays on the allure of romance with truly seductive desserts, the perfect way to round out a delicious evening!

Whether you happen to be in town for vacation or are making a special trip to Key West for the Food & Wine Festival, we recommend that you dine adventurously, and always try the pie! Dig in, and enjoy the tastes of Key West.

Discover Key West’s Top 3 Spring Festivals & Events

Outdoor

March 21, 2024

Discover Key West’s Top 3 Spring Festivals & Events

As spring unfolds, Key West comes alive with festivals spotlighting an array of events that showcase the best of food across the island, a quirky 10-day celebration, and a music fest celebrating the stories behind the songs.