Louie's Backyard

http://www.louiesbackyard.com/

Prices and the view may be better during lunch

One other question to add to the list: which are the best public beaches? Although the Marquesa has pools, we really want to hang out at the ocean at least one day. Ideally, we'd like a beach we can walk or bike to.

Some of my favorites - http://bosfishwagon.com/ http://mangoskeywest.com/ http://www.aandblobsterhouse.com/ http://www.schoonerwharf.com/ http://www.halfshellrawbar.com/ http://www.elmesondepepe.com/ & of course, the Marquesa

My favourite is Blue Heaven on Thomas Street. Just ask a local where it is they will know.

Best public beach? No contest...Ft Zachary Taylor. There's a small entrance fee, but it's only a few dollars. It'll be a bike ride and you'll need water shoes because it's rocky, but it's still well worth it.

On another thread I answered a question about casual and inexpensive restaurants, but if you want some more options (more expensive)...Santiago's Bodega is a tapas place that's absolutely wonderful, Martin's on Duval is fabulous, and someplace that's NOT really expensive and that's our first breakfast/brunch place with each visit to Key West is Sarabeth's on Simonton...just down the street from where you'll be staying.

Two places we had lunch on our recent trip to Key West--both in historic old houses near the Mallory Square end of Duval--
Grand Cafe http://grandcafekeywest.com/

Bagetelle http://www.bagatellekeywest.com/

Lunch was very good at both and not expensive.

I love Louie's Backyard but have only gone for dinner and it may be a bit more upscale than you are looking for here... but strongly recommended, especially if you can eat on the porch.

Bo's Fish Wagon is not to be missed. You can't get any more casual and laid back than Bo's and eating there is a unique treat.

Two very different options, but my top two in Key West.

For a nice sit-down dinner, I like Columbian Grace on Petronia Street, just past Blue Heaven. You can sit outside but upstairs on their veranda and share the avacado app with a glass of Sangria, then have the yellowtail with a side of plantains and a glass of wine. Or two.

Probably the best happy hour is at Alonzo's at the Bight - everything except oysters on the half shell are half priced, as well as the drinks, and they have a great variety (3 types of peel-and-eats, clams, etc.)

For oysters on the half shell, go to the Half Shell raw bar where the oysters are .50 @ durig happy hour. And I've been having dinner here, too, ordering from their catch-of-the-day menu which is tucked inside the bigger menu. There's maybe 8 different types of fish listed but the only ones that are available are those that were caught that day. Sit at the bar with the regulars.

Pjk

My favorite place is Turtle Kraals. Right on the water, very relaxed and great food. IMO, the best key lime pie as well! I think on Fridays they have turtle races too!

ladybug - how long has it been since you've eaten at Turtle Kraals? They no longer have turtle races and have completely revamped their menu. It's now a bad BBQ place

ladybug - susan is right. Turtle Kraals did a complete revamp a couple of years ago, and it is awful. No turtle races, the food sucks and the good bartenders quit.

Good to know!

Mangia Mangia for really delicious pasta, nice quiet atmosphere (but not views).

Blue Heaven is laid back, fun, with cats and chickens roaming around, colorful, tasty.

Turtle Kraals--a bbq place?? Say it ain't so. We always ate there at least once when we were in KW, I guess no more.

I was just at Turtle Kralls in November and they still have the races and the food was great. Maybe they re-vamped it again, but all 6 of us had a really good meal there!!

According to the online menu, it looks like they've changed again! I'll keep my fingers crossed because they've very close to where we stay near Key West bight. Thanks, ladybug!

Blue Heaven!!!