Verified in 3 cities.
Key lime pie is a signature dish of United States; we have verified places to eat it in Key West, Miami and Tampa. A no-bake custard of sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks and key lime juice set in a graham or pastry crust, finished with meringue or whipped cream.
A no-bake custard of sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks and key lime juice set in a graham or pastry crust, finished with meringue or whipped cream. Key West's argument in dessert form.
Nobody has documented who baked the first one. The Curry Mansion in Key West credits Aunt Sally, the cook for salvage millionaire William Curry (1821-1896), with making the pie in the late 1800s. A competing account, held by local historians, gives it to Key West sponge fishermen, who carried tinned sweetened condensed milk to sea and combined it with egg yolks and key lime juice, the acid setting the custard without an oven. Both stories are told locally as fact and neither is proven; the first written recipes only appear in the 1930s. Florida made key lime pie the official state pie on 1 July 2006.
Where to eat in Key West:
Where to eat Key lime pie in Key West: the editor picks
Florida's signature dessert: a graham-cracker crust filled with tart key lime curd thickened with sweetened condensed milk, topped with whipped cream and a wedge of fresh lime.
Key lime pie was likely invented in the late 19th century in the Florida Keys, where the small, intensely tart key limes (Citrus aurantiifolia) grew wild and sweetened condensed milk (invented by Gail Borden in 1856) was the only available shelf-stable dairy on the islands. The chemistry is unique: the citric acid in lime juice causes the condensed milk to thicken without heat, so the original 19th-century version was uncooked. Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach has served the dish since 1913 and is the most-cited Miami canonical address.
Where to eat in Miami:
Where to eat Key Lime Pie in Miami: the editor picks
Tart Key lime juice mixed with sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks, poured into a graham cracker crust, baked just until set, then chilled.
Key lime pie originated in the Florida Keys in the 1890s when sweetened condensed milk became widely available. The Joe's Stone Crab and Columbia Restaurant versions cemented the regional reputation. Florida designated it the official state pie in 2006. Tampa restaurants serve a version close to the Conch Republic original: pale yellow filling (true Key limes are yellow, not green) in a graham cracker crust with whipped cream.
Where to eat in Tampa:
Where to eat Key lime pie in Tampa: the editor picks
Guided tour · 1h 30m
Discover the flavors of Key West on a guided walking tour. Stroll through the historic seaport area, enjoy three Key Lime Pie tastings, and sip a refreshing Key Lime Cocktail.
30 minutes
Join the Key West Cooking Show for a 30-minute session on making Key lime pie. Learn the secrets, get a recipe card, and enjoy a slice of pie in Mallory Square.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover the Cuban and Caribbean influences on Key West food and culture. Enjoy a small-group tour with stops at 5 locations including tastings.
