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If you’re visiting Key West, there’s a wealth of food that you just don’t see regularly off the island. From a bounty of freshly caught seafood to the sweet and tart key lime pie, here’s a guide to the best of Key West’s local foods.
Key lime pie
Perhaps no food is more strongly tied to Key West than key lime pie. While key limes are no longer widely harvested in Florida, the key lime pie lives on in the Florida Keys, where bakers source the bittersweet, highly acidic citrus fruit from Mexico or the West Indies. Look for the tart-creamy pie on dessert menus across the island and inquire about whether a pastry chef is onsite to gauge the freshness and authenticity of the pie they’re slinging. We can vouch for Blue Heaven where it’s baked fresh daily and topped with mile-high meringue. For key lime pie on the go, swing by Kermit’s for every variety under the sun, including frozen on a stick and dipped in chocolate. It’s divine!
Conch Fritters
Conch fritters are another Key West delicacy. Made from the tough, meaty mollusk found inside the beautiful pink, spiraling conch shells that you see in souvenir stores, they’re plucked from the ocean floor throughout the Keys. They’re actually protected in the state of Florida now, so all the conch you consume in Key West is either farmed or from the Bahamas. It’s best enjoyed fried up like hush puppies in fritter form and can be found on bar menus throughout the island. We’re big fans of the conch fritters at the Conch Republic Seafood Company at the Historic Seaport and from the stand at Mallory Square during the Sunset Celebration.
Conch Chowder
This is another classic way to enjoy conch in Key West. Typically prepared in a spicy tomato broth with potatoes and vegetables, conch chowder is a comforting staple. Just like the fritters, we enjoy a bowl of conch chowder at the Conch Republic Seafood Company.
