Seafood$historic-seaportDaily 07:00-17:00
Fisherman's Cafe keeps seaport breakfasts and fish sandwiches at deckhand prices on Elizabeth Street, the low-stress counter near Key West's marina.
Try: Fish sandwich
Tip: Seating is a few sidewalk tables on Elizabeth Street; it closes at 17:00, so treat it as a breakfast and lunch stop.
American$old-townMon-Thu 11:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-04:00; Sun 12:00-00:00
Mr Z's feeds Key West on slice-shop prices, cheesesteaks on Amoroso rolls and New York pies from a Southard Street counter that outlasts the bars.
Try: Cheesesteak or pizza slice
Tip: Weekend hours stretch to 04:00, which is why every bartender on Duval will point you here after last call.
Mediterranean$$new-townDaily 07:30-00:00
Kennedy Cafe cooks to midnight in New Town and delivers until 23:30, the late Mediterranean kitchen that feeds Key West's hospitality shift workers.
Try: Falafel on Uzbek pita
Tip: It is a locals' strip-mall room away from Old Town, and one of the few island kitchens open past 23:00.
Israeli$$bahama-villageSun-Fri 09:30-18:30; closed Saturday
Mam's Best Food fills pitas with made-to-order falafel and shawarma under a Petronia Street tent, honest Israeli plates at Key West's kindest prices.
Try: Falafel in pita
Tip: It closes for Shabbat every Saturday and queues build in Jewish holiday weeks; the falafel and shawarma are made to order.
Cuban$historic-seaportDaily 06:30-19:00
Cuban Coffee Queen pairs pressed sandwiches with dollar-scale Cuban coffee at its Key West Bight window, breakfast and lunch for pocket change.
Try: Pressed Cuban sandwich and con leche
Tip: Five windows now operate across Key West, including a roastery at 6 Key Lime Square; the Margaret Street original keeps the mural queue.
Cuban$white-streetSun-Thu 05:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 24 hours
Sandy's Cafe is Key West's cheapest good lunch, a laundromat window on White Street pressing Cuban mixes and pouring con leche from 05:00 every day.
Try: Cuban mix and cafe con leche
Tip: Order at the window, eat on the stools facing the street; the buchi shot is the fastest caffeine on the island.