Make Reservations at These 5 Key Largo Restaurants This Year

The Florida Keys are known for their laid-back vibes, beautiful water, and tons of fishing opportunities. Key Largo, the largest of the Keys, is known as the Dive Capital of the World and is also home to a massive underwater statue of Jesus Christ. Whether you’re visiting Key Largo to stay in a funky bed and breakfast or boutique hotel, or you’re in the area to start looking at homes for sale in Key Largo, you’ll want to make sure to fuel all your adventures with some of the freshest seafood you’ll find anywhere on your travels. Here are some of the best Key Largo restaurants to put on your list.

Voted the best overall restaurant in the Upper Keys (and as having the best key lime pie in the state), The Fish House has been a dining tradition in Key Largo since 1982. Both a restaurant and a seafood market, The Fish House is the perfect place to have a delicious lunch or dinner or to grab a fresh catch to take back to your vacation home and throw on the grill. The atmosphere is fun and laid-back, so you don’t have to worry about changing out of your shorts and flip flops before you visit, and you’ll be able to choose between several different styles (including blackened and jerk) for your snapper, stone grab, or grouper. Make sure you try the fried cracked conch, shrimp and scallops key lime, or yellowtail snapper sandwich.

Though fresh Florida seafood is always top-of-mind in the Keys, there are plenty of other cuisines to choose from in this town of more than 10,000 people. After a long day of looking at homes for sale in Key Largo, plan an elegant and relaxing dinner at the family-owned and operated DiGiorgio’s Café Largo. Not only will you experience some of the best Italian food in the area, but you’ll also get to choose a beverage from the restaurant’s extensive wine list, which features an impressive array of choices from around the world.

Some local favorite dishes include the Mahi piccata, mussels arrabiata “angry,” and veal chop cutlet Florentine. DiGiorgio’s also offers pizza and a variety of different pasta dishes, and a large specialty drink menu for those who can’t visit the Keys without trying a drink called the Hemingway.

When you’re in the Keys, you can’t forego some waterfront dining, and The Buzzard’s Roost provides some of the best views in the area. Located in Garden Cove Marina, this popular restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating and has one of the best Sunday brunches in town. Start off your day of looking at Key Largo real estate with a complimentary mimosa and create your own omelet, or indulge in a croissant sandwich or huevos rancheros. If you’d prefer to dine for lunch, you can choose from corny blue crabcakes, fresh Florida oysters, or a lobster Reuben. Dinner more your speed? Start off with the smoked fish dip, then dive into the LobsterFest portion of the menu, where you can choose from bites, twin tails, whole broiled, Francaise, or stuffed. Enhance your waterfront dining experience with a signature cocktail like the Fuzzy Buzzard (coconut rum, peach schnapps, banana liqueur, and pineapple juice), a glass of wine, or a Key West Ale.

Located at Mile Marker 102, the Lazy Lobster has fresh seafood (they’ll even cook your catch of the day!), wonderful homemade desserts, and plenty of beer and wine. With a huge outdoor dining area shaded from the Florida sun by umbrellas and a thatched roof, this restaurant is a must for anyone who wants to enjoy delicious food while relishing the gorgeous island weather. Some lunch menu standouts include the raw conch ceviche and jalapeño encrusted lobster Reuben. For dinner, start with the oysters Rockefeller, then try the lobster Islamorada or one of the restaurant's other 15 lobster dishes, or choose a certified Angus beef steak. No matter what you order for your meal, make sure to save some room for the homemade key lime pie or one of the many other homemade cakes and specialty desserts offered on a rotating basis.

The motto of this casual eatery is “eat well, laugh often, and live long.” Opened in 1976 and named after the owner’s mother and her recipes, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen is now under different ownership but continues to feature many of the original recipes along with some expanded offerings. Consistently voted the best hometown café, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen is open from 7-10 a.m. Monday through Saturday for breakfast, and diners can add a mimosa or glass of champagne to their meal of fresh fish and grits or crab cake benedict for a mere $2. If you stop in for lunch starting at 11 a.m., you can experience the restaurant’s world-famous homemade chili, yellowfin tuna salad, or Florida lobster bites. Looking for a dinner spot? Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen has you covered. Their huge menu is packed with options like Mrs. Mac’s Flying Saucers (pita bread sandwiches), seafood sensation specials on the weekends, and popular appetizers like conch fritters and alligator tenders. There are also plenty of drink selections for both adults and kids.

Want more suggestions for local places to get a drink or meal — or are you ready to start your home-buying adventure? Reach out to trusted Key Largo real estate experts at Ocean SIR for guidance on finding the perfect restaurant (or home) for your unique needs.