My Favorite Places to Eat in the Upper Keys

We love stopping to eat when driving through the Florida Keys. Luckily having lived in Miami all of my life, we traveled often to the Keys and have eaten at many places in Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Key West. This review will focus on my favorite restaurants in the Upper Keys - Key Largo and Islamorada.

Key Largo Restaurants

1. Lazy Lobster

This place is owned by the Lazy Days restaurant group (they have a restaurant in Marathon and Islamorada), and all 3 of their restaurants are excellent! Their menu is extensive and they have a wide range of options (seafood, pasta, burgers and many other entrees). It is located right on US1, giving it easy access to road traffic. The one thing I do not like about this place is the lack of oceanfront dining. However, the decor is lively, the drinks are plentiful and the seafood is fresh!

2. Key Largo Fisheries

This is one of my favorite Key Largo restaurants. I love this place! It is a low key restaurant that also has a fish market attached. You drive down some back streets and arrive at a simple place. You order from a window and sit in open air tables and picnic benches. I do not recommend going in the summertime as it is blazing hot! Surprisingly, there are not an abundant amount of Key Largo restaurants on the water... this is one of them that actually is waterfront.

Their seafood is as fresh as it comes! I have ordered many things off the menu and have never been disappointed: snapper, hogfish, grouper and lionfish. They also have daily specials (which are also spot on). They have cold beer and a nice view of the marin. Simple, fresh and delicious!

Although there are many more restaurants in Key Largo FL, these are my two favorites. If you would like some ideas of things to do in Key Largo or some Key Largo tourist attractions, click below:

Islamorada Restaurants

Most tourists will stop at Islamorada Fish Company when they are visiting the Florida Keys; however, it is very touristy. There is always a long wait, and to be honest, the food is overpriced. You can get better service, better prices and better quality at other "local places". Here are some of my favorite and best Islamorada restaurants.

1. Lazy Days Islamorada

This is my favorite of the Lazy Days brand of restaurants. To me, it is also the nicest. They have indoor and outdoor waterfront seating. You can choose a table on the sand or on the patio downstairs or balcony upstairs. Just like Lazy Lobster, they have an extensive menu of items (which is great for those non-seafood people). They also have a full bar and daily specials. My only complaint is that this place knows it has quality food and hikes up the prices. However, if you want beautiful oceanfront dining in the Florida Keys with fresh seafood, this place cannot be beat!

2. Bob's Bunz

This little Islamorada bakery is a gem! It is also very easy to miss... but, don't! I have only stopped in for breakfast, but have two items I would like to recommend. The first is clearly the cinnamon buns for which the place is named after. They are large, gooey and the frosting is decadent! I actually like them more than the Knaus Berry Farm buns down in Homestead. My second pick is the mini key lime cookies. They are not in the display case, but on top of the counter in a white paper bag. They are not cheap ($10), but please buy them... you won't regret it.

3. Bayside Gourmet

I stumbled upon this restaurant at the recommendation of my parents who are frequent Keys visitors. They often stop in for a quick dinner on their way down to their place in Marathon because of their fast service and quality food.

This is another one of those places that is nondescript and easy to miss. We stopped in for lunch and had a delicious grouper sandwich special. They have a variety of deli sandwiches, pizza and small appetizers. Everything I tried was tasty and fresh. It is a great stop for a quick bite in the Florida Keys.

4. Morada Bay

This Islamorada restaurant is very well known for its' food, decor and ambiance. Their Beach Cafe is exactly what it says... a restaurant on the beach (in the sand). This place epitomizes upscale Florida Keys. Their seafood is fresh, they have unique appetizers, craft cocktails, and delicious daily specials. This place hosts a full moon party and gets pretty full. I honestly love to eat here, yet my wallet does not! I definitely recommend this place, but know you are going to pay.

5. Marker 88

This is another great seafood restaurant located in Islamorada. It is actually my kids' favorite because they have outdoor rocking benches as tables on the sand overlooking the water. We often stop here for lunch when the weather is nice and enjoy the delicious seafood and cold drinks.

I hope you enjoyed reading my reviews on my favorite places to eat in the Upper Keys. If you happen to be traveling down to the Middle Keys, please check out my favorite restaurants in Marathon. If Key West is your final destination, also check out my reviews on places to stay and eat in Key West.

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