15 Best Restaurants in Key Largo

I’ve been escaping to the Florida Keys my entire life, long before it became Miami’s favorite long-weekend escape or Fort Lauderdale’s go-to “let’s just drive south” plan. The Upper Keys, especially Key Largo and Islamorada, feel like instant therapy the second you hit the Overseas Highway. The air changes, the water becomes that indescribable shade of turquoise blue, and suddenly your phone is down, your shoulders drop, and every meal feels like it deserves a reservation — even if it’s conch fritters served in a paper-lined basket. For me, the Keys are not just a getaway; they’re a reset, and the incredible seafood you can find here has always been at the center of why I keep coming back. (You have to check out my list of the best seafood restaurants in Key West, by the way.)

That is not to say every restaurant here is special, because anyone who has eaten their way down the Keys knows that is not true. There are plenty of “island-style” menus that blur together, loaded with buzzwords, tourist traps, and dishes that look better on a sign than they taste on the plate. The places that actually matter are the ones that understand the Keys are about balance, fresh seafood cooked with seasonal ingredients, warm hospitality, and zero need to show off (that’s why I love these 11 Best Restaurants in Key West). Whether it is a romantic, low-light dinner at Chef Michael’s, a marina-side night at Square Grouper, or a laid-back meal at Lazy Lobster that somehow hits every single time, these are restaurants that remind you why eating here can still feel exciting.

And yes, the views absolutely count. Watching the sun melt into the water at Snook’s, digging your toes into the sand at Marker 88 with a cocktail in hand, grabbing coconut shrimp at Buzzard’s Roost, or lingering over brunch at Green Turtle Inn are all part of the magic. These 15 restaurants in Key Largo are the spots I swear by, the ones I plan my drives around, and the reason I will always argue that the Upper Keys are the perfect escape: they’re close enough to be an easy drive for those living in South Florida, yet far enough to feel like another world. Enjoy these restaurants in Key Largo and Islamorada in 2026 (and make sure to order some conch fritters, mahi-mahi fish dip, and a spicy margarita for me)!

Buzzard’s Roost

Buzzard’s Roost in Key Largo is one of those Keys institutions I stop at every single year I drive down to the Keys, without fail. The pine-paneled, waterfront spot nails that old-school tiki-bar energy, with cove views, live music, and a menu built around fresh seafood done right. I order the fish tacos every time, though the lobster Reuben, mahi mahi, coconut shrimp, conch fritters, and that coconut cake I dream about all year are all reasons to linger longer. The staff is always smiling, the vibe never misses, and if you want a true hidden gem in the Keys, this is the one not to skip. 21 Garden Cove Dr., Key Largo; 305-453-3746; buzzardsroostkeylargo.com.

Chef Michael’s

If you want a really special night of fine dining in the Keys, look no further than the wonderful Chef Michael’s. It’s the kind of restaurant I think about months later and immediately start planning a return to. From the warm greeting at the door to the impeccably paced service, everything here feels intentional, romantic, and deeply rooted in the Keys, with locally caught fish like wahoo, mahi, and tripletail prepared with absolute precision. The “Pontchartrain preparation” is still my go-to, though specials like lionfish, yellowtail Juliette-style, and hogfish Ambassador prove this kitchen never phones it in, and yes, the black bean soup is genuinely the best I’ve ever had. It is effortlessly one of the most romantic date-night spots in the Upper Keys, the kind of place that reminds you how special dining here can be when it’s done right. 81671 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada; 305-664-0640; chefmichaels.com.

Green Turtle Inn Restaurant

Founded in 1947, this spot has become my go-to spot for outstanding brunch in the Keys. From delicious shrimp and grits and rum-soaked French toast to mouth-watering biscuits and gravy and a lobster Benedict that feels both indulgent and completely appropriate for the Keys, you can’t go wrong here. Celebrating 75 years, the Green Turtle has been an Islamorada landmark since 1947, and you can feel that history the second you walk in. It balances polished, thoughtful food with an easy, Keys-casual vibe, the kind of place that has earned its reputation with both locals and travelers over decades. 81219 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada; 305-664-2006; greenturtleinn.com.

Harriette’s

Harriette’s is a Key Largo breakfast essential, a quaint yellow shack that has been feeding locals and travelers alike since 1982. Built on the site of the family’s former home, it delivers warm, Keys-style hospitality with generous portions of classic comfort food and those legendary oversized muffins everyone talks about for a reason. It is cozy, welcoming, and timeless, the kind of place that makes breakfast feel like part of the Keys experience, not just a meal. 95710 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo; 305-852-8689; harriettesrestaurant.com.

Hobo’s Cafe

What a gem Hobo’s Cafe is! Hobo’s Café is my go-to for breakfast and casual eats in Islamorada, the kind of low-key spot that gets everything exactly right. They’re famous for their lobster sandwiches for a reason, but between the wings, conch fritters, crab-stuffed shrimp, and comfort dishes that feel straight out of New Orleans, it is impossible to order wrong. Add genuinely friendly service, great coffee, and a vibe that works just as well for families as it does for a quick stop, and Hobo’s becomes the first and last place I hit every time I’m in the Keys. 101691 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo; 305-451-5888; hoboscafe.net.

Hog Heaven Sports Bar & Grill

Hog Heaven in Key Largo is the kind of place I never expected to love for the food, and then it completely proved me wrong. From mango habanero wings that are genuinely some of the best around to fresh blackened mahi salads, fish tacos, burgers, and brisket, everything hits way above “dockside pub” expectations. Add live music by the water, football on the patio, friendly service, and shockingly reasonable prices, and it quickly becomes one of those go-to Keys spots you wonder why you waited so long to try. 85361 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada; 305-664-9669; hogheavenbarandgrill.com.

Islamorada Shrimp Shack

Islamorada Shrimp Shack is a Guy Fieri favorite, which is usually all I need to hear, and once you eat there, it is obvious why. The shrimp and grits are packed with flavor, the blackened fish is perfectly seasoned, and the Hook and Cook option, where they prepare your freshly caught fish multiple ways, is one of the best-kept secrets in the Upper Keys. There is no water view and no scene to speak of, but the food, the speed, and the genuinely warm service make this a must-stop, so good that you will probably come back a second night. Opened in December 2011 and run by mother-daughter duo Jill and Morgan, this family-owned spot has become a true Islamorada staple, serving heartfelt, homemade recipes that locals swear by. 81901 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada; 305-664-8433; islamoradashrimpshack.com.

Lazy Lobster Seafood Restaurant

Lazy Lobster in Key Largo is one of those places that feels casual and cozy but quietly serves some of the best seafood in the Upper Keys. The Atlantic scallops were divine, perfectly seared and paired with ultra-creamy mashed potatoes, and even dessert hits, from vanilla cake with coconut cream to what might be the best key lime pie around. Between the warm, colorful space, genuinely great service, complimentary banana bread, and a menu where everything from lobster rolls to escargot shines, it is the kind of restaurant you make a point to return to every single time you are in town. 102770 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo; 305-451-0565; lazylobsterinthekeys.com.

Marker 88

Marker 88 is firmly in my top five favorite restaurants in the Keys, and it has earned that spot over decades of doing things right. Open since 1967 in Islamorada, this institution delivers across the board, from coconut shrimp and the best tuna tacos to my go-to hot crab dip, shrimp with zoodles, lobster pizza, and an unforgettable house-made key lime pie. It is one of the very few true natural beachfront, oceanfront dining spots in the Keys, which somehow makes everything taste even better. Add live music seven days a week, and that unmistakable salty breeze, and it is the kind of place I could happily sit at all day. 88000 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada; 305-852-9315; marker88.net.

Papa Joe’s Waterfront

Papa Joe’s Waterfront is one of those rare Keys spots where the food actually lives up to the view, and that sunset does a lot of heavy lifting in the best way. The tuna nachos and Wagyu beef hot dog were shockingly good, paired with thoughtful drinks, warm service, and an atmosphere that feels both lively and relaxed. With fine dining upstairs and a more casual, food-truck-style setup downstairs with picnic tables and bar games, it is the kind of place that works for just about any mood, and I promise you will not leave disappointed. 79786 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada; 305-433-4662; papajoeswaterfront.com.

Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar

Snappers is a true Key Largo classic, a laid-back Conch Republic watering hole where waterfront views, frozen cocktails, and Caribbean-inspired seafood set the tone. Standout bites include the Conch Republic fritters with citrus aioli, a buttery lobster roll piled high with fresh lobster, and the shrimp burger, best enjoyed before or after hitting the water. With daily happy hour, themed weekly specials, and on-site jet ski and kayak rentals, Snappers is the kind of place where one drink easily turns into an all-day adventure. 139 Seaside Ave., Key Largo; 305-852-5956; snapperskeylargo.com.

Snook’s Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar

Snook’s is hands down the best spot in Key Largo to watch the sunset, no contest, with front-row waterfront views that somehow get better every single night. The cocktails are excellent, the crab cakes and conch fritters are must-orders, and dishes like fra diavolo and frutti di mare hit exactly the way you want after a day on the water. Even when the place is packed, the service stays warm and dialed in, the kind that makes you feel like you are the only table there. Add live music, a buzzing happy hour, and that spectacular golden-hour glow, and Snook’s delivers one of the most memorable dining experiences in the Keys. 99470 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo; 305-453-5004; snooks.com.

Square Grouper

Square Grouper might be the best spot on this list, and for good reason. Although it’s technically in Islamorada, it’s one of those rare Upper Keys restaurants that nails both the food and the atmosphere, pairing a beautiful marina-side setting with a menu that delivers. From impossibly crispy chicken cutlets and rich grouper bites to thoughtful seafood plates like yellowtail, tuna egg rolls, and a great grouper Francaise, everything tastes polished without losing that laid-back Keys soul. The service seals it, warm, dialed-in, and genuinely hospitable, the kind of place that reminds you why eating in the Keys, when done right, is still so special. And if you needed proof the hype is earned, Square Grouper took home Best Overall Restaurant and Best Lunch at the Keys Weekly Bubba Awards last year. P.S. – They just opened a location in Key West! 80460 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada; 786-901-5678; squaregrouperislamorada.com.

Sundowners

Sundowners is a longtime Keys staple, not quite top five on this list, but still incredibly solid, especially for families and vacationers chasing an easy sunset dinner. The hogfish is a must, whether stuffed or simply prepared, and classics like peel-and-eat shrimp, calamari, and key lime seafood pasta consistently deliver, thanks to friendly servers who know the menu and the area inside and out. Go for the gorgeous sunset, stay for the warm banana bread, coconut mojitos, and that comforting feeling of a place that’s been doing things right for a long time. 103900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo; 305-831-9899; sundownerskeylargo.com.

The Fish House

The Fish House in Key Largo is one of those places that instantly makes you feel welcome, even inviting us in early, which says everything about the hospitality here. The food is exactly what you hope for in the Keys, from a perfectly fried grouper sandwich and matacumbe-style mahi mahi to bright ceviche, smoked fish dip, and an excellent coconut key lime pie. It is warm, generous, and consistently good, the kind of spot locals love, and travelers are lucky to stumble upon. 102401 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo; 305-451-4665; fishhouse.com.