Whether you've lived here for years or you're visiting for the first time, there's nothing quite like a Key West morning. As the sun rises over the water and the town starts to come to life, all sorts of possibilities await. Before you go exploring, you'll need to fuel up.
Today, we're sharing a few of Key West's best and most unique breakfast places. We'll begin our list with spots where you will find everything from a simple traditional breakfast to more adventurous options. But these ALL offer you a chance to enjoy your meal in a distinctive Key West environment. Each of our favorite breakfast spots is close to one or more of our
VHKW weekly and monthly vacation rentals.
Favorite Breakfast Restaurants
Blue Heaven
Looking for a laidback breakfast place that just exudes Key West history? Then this is the spot for you. Built-in
Bahama Village in the late 1800s, this landmark building has hosted a dance hall, a billiards parlor, a playhouse, a bordello, a bar, and in the garden, cock fights and boxing matches. Since 1992, it has been the home of one of the island's most unique restaurants,
Blue Heaven. Dining here alfresco you'll find yourself returning time and again to enjoy the live music, eclectic outdoor art, on-site roosters, and of course -- the amazing food. From fresh-squeezed juices and homemade banana bread to lobster eggs benedict and pecan pancakes, you can't go wrong with anything on the breakfast menu. If you'd like to linger a little longer, stick around for lunch in the shade. At noon, Blue Heaven starts serving heavier fare, like loaded veggie bowls and snapper sandwiches. This is the place you'll be telling your friends about.
Pepe's Cafe
No trip to Key West is complete without a visit to
Pepe's Cafe. Founded in 1909, it's one of the oldest restaurants in the city, and you'll feel that history as soon as you step foot inside. Surely one of our most authentic breakfast places.
As soon as the cafe opens at 7:30, hungry diners begin filling the booths and tables. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to noon, and you'll want to come hungry. In addition to feasting on decadent French toast and pancakes, you can also build your own omelet or try something a little more unique, like the creamed chipped beef. And once you're filled up, be sure to step right across the street for a delightful stroll along the colorful docks at the Historic Seaport.
Banana Cafe
Established in 1992, this French Bistro serves some of the best crepes around, offering both sweet and savory options to please any palate. Served with a rich key lime hollandaise, the Inside Out French Benedict crepe is a can't-miss favorite at
Banana Cafe, as is the La French Country, served with goat cheese and candied walnuts.
Order yours with the cafe's famous breakfast potatoes and a blackberry mimosa. If you can, try to snag an outdoor rooftop seat, where you can relax and people-watch as you sip.
Harpoon Harry's
At
Harpoon Harry's, breakfast is served all day, every day, and for good reason. Here, you'll find classic comfort food at its finest, alongside more upscale house specials.
If you're keeping it simple, then be sure to try the biscuits and gravy, or the two-egg Harry's Special. Otherwise, venture out and try something different, like the 8-ounce tenderloin and eggs, washed down with a spicy Bloody Harry. Located right across from the entrance to the
Historic Seaport , the bright coral building is a sight to behold and has been beckoning hungry diners for decades.
Goldman's Bagel Deli
Craving an authentic New York-style breakfast when you're 1,400 miles South of Times Square? If so, then head on over to
Goldman's Bagel Deli, where you can find a "boiled and baked" bagel just the way you like it. Served with fried eggs, melted cheese, and your choice of meat, the Breakfast Bagel is one of the most popular items on the menu, but the fresh-baked cinnamon bun isn't too far behind.
Here, you'll also find gigantic breakfast sandwiches, piled high with corned beef and pastrami, as well as standard favorites like scrambles, omelets, and pancakes. Many breakfast places and coffee shops around town keep Goldman's bagels in stock, so you know it's going to be good.
La Grignote
When you're visiting Key West, you can't start the morning without a little something sweet. At
La Grignote , you'll find some of the best French croissants around, as well as a variety of house-made pastries, quiches, and other delicious eats. If you've craving something a little savory, then the benedicts and tartines are sure to please.
Sit indoors or on the patio and enjoy light fare as you plan
your sightseeing itinerary. Everything on the menu is fresh and delicious, but it's the friendly service and reasonable prices that will have you coming back for more.
Sarabeth's
The striking building, which in 1840 was the first synagogue in Florida, is now the charming home of
Sarabeth's. You'll find a lot to love here, from to rave-worthy seafood dishes, like bacon-wrapped and crab-stuffed shrimp, to a full breakfast menu sure to please any hungry connoisseur.
Locals love the fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes, as well as other sweet favorites like the almond-crusted French toast. If you're in the mood for something a little healthier, try the Berry Bowl. Their house-made toasted granola transforms the simple yogurt-and-fruit compilation into something truly spectacular. The same attention to every delicious detail that made Sarabeth's Manhattan locations famous can be now found right here on Key West's Simonton Street.
Fisherman's Cafe
Fisherman's Cafe is a casual treasure on Lazy Way Lane at the
Historic Seaport, known as a go-to spot for anyone seeking fresh-from-the-water seafood dishes. However, it's also a hidden breakfast joint, with whopper-sized sandwiches that are as filling as they are delicious.
The El Cubano dish is incredible, featuring layers of Cuban pork, chorizo, and egg topped with Fisherman's fantastic black bean spread. We also recommend the cheddar grits, topped with fresh shrimp if you dare! If you just want something to nibble on while you sip your coffee, then you can't go wrong with the Cuban cheese toast -- a simple yet perfect breakfast treat.
Moondog Cafe and Bakery
Right next door to the historic
Hemingway House Museum in downtown Key West,
Moondog Cafe and Bakery opens daily at 7:30. Whether you sit indoors or outside, you can enjoy this spot's bright and beautiful murals, modern decor, and colorful furnishings.
In addition to a wide assortment of house-made baked goods, there are also plenty of savory dishes, including huevos rancheros and breakfast tacos. Another local favorite is the Shakshuka, which features two eggs baked in a Mediterranean red sauce, served with garlic ciabatta bread.
As you sip your coffee and watch the morning go by, don't leave without ordering a slice of the Moondog key lime pie, widely regarded as some of the best in the city.
Favorite Leisurely Brunch Restaurants
Bagatelle
Centrally located on Duval Street, close to Mallory Square, Bagatelle offers quintessential Key West cuisine, seven days a week. If you visit between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., you'll get to enjoy the spot's famed
brunch menu, filled with local favorites like eggs benedict, deep-fried French toast, and lobster mac and cheese you have to taste to believe.
Built-in the 1800s and converted into a restaurant in 1979, the historic building is an experience all in itself. Take time to enjoy the unique architectural touches as you wait for your dish to arrive. Then, come back a few hours later for Bagatelle's afternoon happy hour or American/Caribbean-style dinner menu.
Looking for something a little stronger? There's a breakfast happy hour served from 9:30 to 11 dailies. In addition to half-priced cocktails, you can also savor a fantastic array of tapas-style small plates sure to cure anything that ails you.
Firefly Key West
In the heart of Historic Bahama Village, you'll find the charming
Firefly Restaurant.
Specializing in modern chef-driven cuisine, the fare draws heavily on Southern traditions and you can enjoy their splendid brunch starting at 10 AM daily. Don't miss the fresh-from-scratch hot buttermilk biscuits, served with homemade jam, topped with sausage gravy, or filled with eggs, cheese, and bacon. If you're really hungry, the classic chicken & waffles, or cast-iron shrimp & grits will hit the spot. Or how about a fried green tomato sandwich- can you get more Southern than that? Balcony seating affords you the opportunity to enjoy the breezes and watch the easy Key West life unfold below. Another cup of coffee, anyone?
Azur
Nestled at the corner of Fleming and Grinnell Streets in Key West's Historic Seaport District Azur Restaurant
. Open at 9 every day,
Azur offers you a tantalizing mix of hearty breakfast and gourmet brunch choices. For lighter appetites, try Greek yogurt with seasonal berries and fruits, granola, and honey. If you're feeling a little decadent, we recommend the Key Lime French toast. A variety of Benedicts, frittatas and even pasta dishes afford you plenty of tasty options. Mostly indoor seating, but if you're lucky, you may be able to nab a table out on the leafy, shady veranda!
Favorite Grab and Go Breakfast Places
Cuban Coffee Queen
Key West has a great Cuban coffee scene, and Cuban Coffee Queen is at the heart of it all. There are
two locations to choose from, including one downtown and one by the waterfront.
Not only can you grab a great cup of Cafe Con Leche at both spots, but you'll also find other favorites, like the Colada. Featuring four shots of Cuban espresso, it comes with a few small shot glasses, so your whole crew can caffeinate.
While coffee is obviously the star of the show, don't pass up the breakfast burritos or house-made cheese toast. You can also buy bags of coffee here if you want to take a taste of the townhome with you.
Keys Coffee Co.
Don't let the name fool you.
Keys Coffee Co. is so much more than your standard coffee shop. Sure, the drink menu is fantastic and boasts some of the best flavors around, but plan to enjoy a full meal here.
The breakfast sandwiches are true standouts, featuring ingredients like house-cured salmon, scallion cream cheese, and flaky Cuban bread. With nine incredible options to choose from, you can try a different one every day of the week. Pair it with a cold brew, and you're all set for a day on the town.
Glazed Donuts and Red Buoy Coffee
You'll get an idea of what you're in for before you even walk inside. You can see your donuts being made right through the front window of
Glazed Donuts. Located on Eaton Street in
downtown Key West, right next to the Tropic Cinema, you can satisfy your breakfast-time sweet tooth and savor freshly roasted and brewed coffees all together in one spot. These amazing gourmet donuts come with a variety of sumptuous fillings and toppings- we recommend the Key Lime Pie and maple bacon ones. But you can never go wrong with a basic glazed. While you're there, be sure to try one of the varieties of
Red Buoy Coffee , and order freshly roasted beans to take with you. There are tables where you can sit and enjoy your treats in a quirky coffeehouse atmosphere, but Glazed is also the perfect place to grab a box of donut holes to share with others back at your
Key West vacation rental home.
Croissants de France
On Key West's famous Duval Street, you'll find a real Continental delight!
Croissants de France is a great place to stock up on all your French pastry favorites. The impossibly creamy and delicate beignets tend to sell out quickly, but you can still find plenty of other breakfast goodies, including almond croissants and pains au chocolate. Your attention will also be drawn to a case filled with dessert delights like fresh fruit tarts, eclairs, and petit fours which you'll want to take with you for later. Enjoy your fresh bakery treats and custom-brewed coffee while seated on the elevated front porch as you people-watch. Or if you have time to linger and be waited on, you can head back to the garden bistro that serves up gourmet breakfast favorites like crepes, benedicts, omelets, and brioche cups in a more quiet and secluded area.
Frenchie's Cafe
Only slightly off the beaten path of busy Duval Street, you'll stumble upon
Frenchie's Cafe . This little Euro-style bistro offers fresh-baked French favorites, including bread, pastries, croissants, paninis, and more.
For a light delight, order the French Breakfast. This dish includes two pastries of your choice, as well as toasted bread, coffee, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. You'll also find a wide assortment of breakfast sandwiches, quiches, and omelets to choose from.
Want to celebrate the start of a day on the island? Try one of Frenchies massive mimosas! Served in huge goblets, they're sure to give you the kick you need!
Try More Breakfast Places Around Town
If it's truly the most important meal of the day, then it pays to prioritize breakfast in Key West. All of our favorite breakfast places feature great eats, gorgeous scenery, and top-notch service that will leave you coming back for more.
As you explore the city, be sure to take your time and revel in the gorgeous views, fascinating history, and unbeatable culture. Key West is an iconic destination that earns its reputation as a top-rated tourist spot.
Looking for the best place to stay in town? We can help you find the perfect vacation home that meets all of your needs. Check out
our available rentals today!
