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Best Oceanfront Restaurants in Key West

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With our pristine waters and magnificent sunsets, it’s no surprise any visitor or local is looking for the best place to indulge with a view.

While there’s an abundance of great restaurants in town, there are just those few gems where you really are able to “take it all in”. Factoring in sand, water, and ambiance we came up with a few favorites to add to your list while in town.

Lagerhead’s Beach Bar 

Relax beachside downtown at the end of Simonton Street at one of Key West’s rare beach bars. Lagerhead’s opened 3 years ago and since has been a hangout for those looking for a laid back lunch on the water. Grab some fish tacos and a bucket o’ beer while sitting on the beach. They’re also one of our partner restaurants and we proudly serve their cuban sandwich, conch salad and smoked fish dip on our Historic Seaport Tour!  Check out their sunset happy hour from 6-8 pm.

Beers on the beach at Lagerheads

Lagerhead’s restaurant seating is literally the beach. Photo // Instagram // @keytv.floridakeys

 

Salute! On The Beach

Salute! is located on Higgs Beach, between the White Street Pier and Casa Marina. They serve lunch and dinner, and also have a happy hour which may feature live music.  You’ll truly catch some beach vibes here when you find yourself enamored by a volleyball match or just watching the sun glisten off the water. The food is pretty spectacular too, featuring a lighter fare of Caribbean meets Italian (fresh bread, homemade pasta, local seafood). This is one of our number one choices to sit and enjoy fresh stone crab claws and a glass of crisp white wine. We love Salute! and their sister restaurant Blue Heaven – which can be visited on the Southernmost Food Tour!

Plates of Stone crab and key lime mustard dipping sauce

Salute offers guests local luxuries: Stone Crab Claws! Photo // Annie Briening

beach view from Salute restaurant

The beach is so close you can smell the salt in the air! Photo // Instagram // @kay1991kay

Louie’s Backyard

Not too far down the road from Salute! lies an old Victorian Oceanfront home known to many as Louie’s Backyard or just Louie’s as the natives call it. This Key West fine-dining staple sits directly on the Old Bahama Channel with an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy smaller plates to elegant entrees, and some of the best conch fritters in town. Not hungry? Visit the “Afterdeck” and take in a warm breeze while sipping on a carefully crafted cocktail or fine wine.

Louie's Backyard's patio deck seating jutting out over the ocean

180 degrees of seas! Photo // louiesbackyard.com

Hot Tin Roof

Photo// Cool Key West

“Cutting edge food, impeccable service and a sunset worth calling ahead and reserving a porch seat with a sunset view. This all adds up to a foodie experience to tell your friends about. You will pay top dollar for the experience but it is worth it. Share the small plates and listen to the band rock out on Santana. This place is hard to beat.” —TripAdvisor Review

Sunset Pier

Right around the corner from the famous Mallory Square, Sunset Pier is your place to enjoy dining right on the Gulf. Sunset Pier offers a great menu of island favorites like Lobster Grilled Cheese and Peel and Eat Key West Pink Shrimp. In addition to the relaxed dining experience you can dance the night away with nightly live music from local entertainers and beyond.

Sunset Pier's colorful seating over the ocean is a perfect viewing spot for sunset

They don’t call it Sunset Pier for nothing! Photo // Instagram // @frimommy

Hopefully if you haven’t gotten the chance to enjoy any of these establishments they are now added to your list. Let us know where your favorite spot to take in a fabulous Florida Keys view is…

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