9 Best Coffee Shops in Key West
Wake up and smell the coffee! If you’re anything like us, you’ll be looking for a great cup of coffee first thing in the morning. In Key West, it usually means Café Cubano or Cuban coffee.
Maybe you’d just like to grab a quick cup to take along on your sightseeing adventures. Or you could relax with friends in a funky little coffeehouse. You might want to do it like the locals: sip and perch at an outside coffee counter as you watch Key West wake up and start the day.
Maybe you’d prefer to grab some custom-blended and freshly ground coffee from a local roaster and brew it at your vacation rental home. Whatever you decide, we have the local knowledge to help you find the best coffee in Key West!
About Cuban Coffee in Key West
This magic elixir starts with very darkly roasted Arabica beans, which are ground to a fine powder. Baristas brew a generous quantity of Cuban coffee grounds in a standard espresso machine. Then they add extra sugar unless you request less (or none). Keep this in mind when you order your coffee.
In Key West, locals call this espresso shot a Bucci (pronounced BOO-chi). It’s served in a tiny cup. You can sip it slowly and savor the taste, or like the pros, toss it back in a single gulp followed by an ice water chaser.
Because of the generous portion of coffee grounds used per cup, this high-test brew really packs a punch. If you want a major Cuban coffee jolt, order a colada, and you’ll get 3 to 6 shots. Perfect for a morning wake-up dose or a late-night restorative.
Older Key West-Cubans, who grew up in Cuba in the 1950s, seem to prefer a colada. If you want a mellower version of Cuban coffee, try a cortadito. This is Cuban espresso with a little steamed milk mixed in. Add more steamed milk and a little foam, and you’ve got a café con leche. This concoction is the version you’ll most commonly see the locals and visitors going for.
Please keep in mind that traditional Cuban-style café con leche typically has a generous portion of sugar, so be sure to specify if you prefer it less sweet.
Where to Find Cuban Coffee in Key West
Excellent, authentic Cuban coffee is available in unexpected places all over the island, so keep your eyes peeled. You’ll find little coffee shops with walk-up windows in shopping districts, corner bodegas, strip shopping centers, and even laundromats! If you ask the locals which one is the best, you’ll get a variety of answers.
Here are a few of our favorite spots for Cuban coffee:
Sandy’s Café
- 1026 White Street, Key West, FL
- sandyscafe.com
In one of those quirky locations we mentioned, Sandy’s Cafe is a walk-up window shop at the end of a laundromat in the White Street Gallery District. Sandy’s calls their shot of bucci “Cuban Speed.” Take that as a promise or a warning, but be prepared to get a buzz. They also offer all the other Cuban coffee variations.
In addition to great coffee, Sandy’s also serves up mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches, warm and crispy, fresh off the sandwich press, so bring your appetite too! Sandy’s famous Cuban Mix and Media Noche sandwiches are great for lunch, dinner, or late at night. In the morning, choose from a wide range of breakfast specialties. Locals love the pressed cheese toast on rich, crusty Cuban bread.
Although Sandy’s is a walk-up carry-out, if you’re lucky, you can grab a stool at the little counter. Enjoy your morning café con leche while watching Key West life go by on this charming pedestrian shopping corridor.
5 Brothers Grocery and Sandwich Shop
- 930 Southard Street, Key West, FL
- 5brothersgrocerysandwichshop.toast.site
Wherever you travel, everybody knows cops gravitate to the best coffee shops, and Key West is no different. Early in the morning, you are likely to spot a few police cars in front of 5 Brothers. This little neighborhood bodega in the Heart of Old Town offers the usual convenience store inventory but with an authentic Cuban coffee and sandwich counter.
At 5 Brothers, you’ll find a tantalizing array of custom-made sandwiches, Cuban pastries, and Cuban coffee options. 5 Brothers has been a local staple at the corner of Southard and Grinnell Streets for over 40 years!
Pro Tip: Since Southard leads to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, this is the perfect place to pick up your breakfast, lunch, snacks, and sunscreen for your day at the beach!
Cuban Coffee Queen
- 291 Front Street #6 (in Mallory Square), 5 Key Lime Square (Downtown), 1130 Duval St (Downtown), & 284 Margaret Street (Historic Seaport), Key West, FL
- cubancoffeequeen.com
With a motto like Drink more Cuban Coffee and Do Stupid Things Faster, you know Cuban Coffee Queen is a spot you’re bound to love! And with four locations across Key West, you’re never far from a great cup.
The original Cuban Coffee Queen is in a little shack with a walk-up window at the Key West Historic Seaport. If you go, grab a selfie in front of the colorful Key West Postcard mural on the building.
The other three locations are conveniently located in Mallory Square and Downtown near Duval Street, so you can get your Cuban Coffee Queen fix while strolling, shopping, and sightseeing.
In addition to coffee, you’ll find a variety of other beverages, like Cuban Frappes and iced coffees, as well as delicious sandwiches, salads, and sweets. Plus, they offer a special blend of roasted coffee beans and custom-ground coffees. The perfect coffee to enjoy at your vacation rental or bring home as a souvenir.
Coffeehouses, Cafes, and Coffee Shops in Key West
It’s true that Cuban coffee is an integral part of the Conch culture. But if you are looking for a different way to have your cup of Joe in Key West. No problem – we’ve got you covered. Here are four of our favorite places to socialize, dine, or just relax with a cup of coffee and more.
Keys Coffee Co.
- 505 Southard Street, Key West, FL
- keyscoffee.co
Don’t let the name fool you. Keys Coffee Co. is way more than just a coffee shop. While the beverage menu is fantastic and boasts amazing flavors, like the iced coconut breve and nitro cold brew made with butter-rum beans, you can also plan to enjoy a full meal.
The breakfast sandwiches are true standouts, with many of them served on tasty, toasted Cuban bread. Pair one with a cold brew coffee, and you’re all set for a day on the island. And be sure to take home a bag of their micro-roasted beans, whole or custom ground to your order.
Funky Rooster Coffee House and Wine Bar
- 713 Caroline Street, Key West, FL
- funkyroostercoffeehouse.com
Situated in a classic Conch-style house on busy Caroline Street, this place fits the description of a classic coffee house. Find comfortable seating inside and on the covered porch out front. The distinctive, fun decor featuring art by local artists provides the perfect ambiance.
In addition to expertly crafted coffee beverages, fresh pastries, and sumptuous quiches, the Funky Rooster offers an extensive wine collection. As it turns out, they can meet a variety of your desires anytime from early morning until 10 pm.
Whether you’re staying close by in the Historic Seaport Old Town District or headed for a stroll along the waterfront just one block over, this is one Key West Rooster you’ll be glad you met.
Red Buoy Coffee at Glazed Donuts
- 420 Eaton Street, Key West, FL
- redbuoycoffee.com
- glazeddonuts.com
Next door to the Tropic Theatre, sharing a shop with Glazed Donuts, is Red Buoy Coffee. Red Buoy Coffee offers fresh coffee from a local roaster. Depending on the time of day, you can smell the beans roasting on-premises.
You can order classic espresso and a variety of made-to-order coffee beverages. Add your favorite flavored syrups and sugars made right in-house. You’ll also find Red Buoy coffee served in fine restaurants across Key West.
And now for the double whammy: Right across the store from the roasting area, you will find Glazed, a craft gourmet bakery stocked with some of the best donut creations you’ll find anywhere!
Our favorite is the Key Lime Pie donut, stuffed with tangy pie filling and topped with browned meringue peaks. You may prefer the Maple Bacon, the classic glazed donuts, or one of the specialties.
Baby’s Coffee
- 3180 US Hwy 1 Mile Marker 15, Key West, FL
- babyscoffee.com
While technically not in Key West, Baby’s Coffee originated on the island. Baby’s first opened their doors on Upper Duval Street in 1991 in a small shop. Back then, nobody else in Key West was professionally roasting their own beans.
Baby’s Coffee’s stellar reputation quickly grew into a well-loved brand. Business boomed, and they outgrew their downtown location. They boldly moved to Mile Marker 15 on the Overseas Highway, and their fans followed. With a wide variety of custom roasts and blends, it’s easy to understand their continued success.
At Baby’s Coffee, you’ll no doubt meet your taste and minimum caffeine requirements. Rough night? No problem. Jolt yourself awake with a cup of Hemingway’s Hair of the Dog. You’ll even find decaf options when you want a coffee nightcap.
Getting there is half the fun, and longtime fans of Baby’s Coffee think nothing of taking the short, scenic drive to score their favorite coffee. Visitors who drive to Key West frequently stop and stock up on their way into town.
At VHKW – Vacation Homes of Key West, we have repeat guests who ride bicycles up to Baby’s every year when they visit. The stunningly beautiful Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail runs alongside the US 1 highway.
Bakeries and Pastry Shops
Can’t imagine having our morning coffee without a freshly baked croissant, Danish, scone, or cinnamon bun? Let us recommend local favorite places where you’ll find the freshest of these treats along with your coffee beverages.
Old Town Bakery
- 930 Eaton Street, Key West, FL
- oldtownbakerykeywest.com
How about a traditional carryout bakery and sandwich shop where you can also find your coffee? Old Town Bakery is a charming little historic shop at Eaton and Grinnell Streets.
It has a bakery case chock-full of treats made fresh every morning before dawn. Mouthwatering pastries, rolls, croissants, and scones entice you to try them all.
Take your pick and choose your coffee prepared the way you like it. Come back for lunch for a tasty made-to-order sandwich on oven-fresh artisan bread. If you find a favorite, better come early, as they do sell out.
Croissants de France
- 5620 MacDonald Ave, Key West, FL
- facebook.com/CroissantsdeFranceKW
Located on Stock Island, Croissants de France is a classic Old World French-style bakery and pastry shop offering a variety of croissants – plain or stuffed with sweet or savory fillings. Plus, delicate and puffy beignets, fruit pastries, elegant and enticing cakes, tarts, eclairs, cream puffs, and more.
Order traditional French or American coffee, and your takeout continental breakfast is complete.
For a more complete breakfast, you can select from a menu of crepes, Benedicts, galettes, pancakes, and other tantalizing breakfast delights.
La Grignote
- 1211 Duval Street, Key West, FL
- lagrignotecafebakery.com
In the more elegant Upper Duval Street district, discover another taste of France at La Grignote. Choose from an extensive selection of pastries, breads, quiches, and sweet treats baked on-premises every morning, and of course, your morning espresso or latte.
Take out your selection of coffees and baked treats to go, or enjoy a heartier breakfast on the side deck or the front porch. Should you choose to eat here, you’ll be lucky to snag a seat on the front porch. A perfect place to people-watch as you indulge in delicious menu items, including sandwiches, fresh salads, quiches, and more.
Local favorite La Grignote will leave you delighted and satisfied.
Find Your Favorite Coffee in Key West
Key West is a Cuban coffee destination with amazing local coffee shops to choose from. We wish you many happy cups of coffee during your stay.
We’re confident you’ll find a delicious Key West coffee at one of our favorite places. Book your stay with VHKW – Vacation Homes of Key West to be close to all the best Key West coffee shops. And we’d love to hear about your own favorite coffee experiences in Key West!
