El Meson de Pepe is a cuban restaurant in Old Town, Key West.
Editorially verified August 21, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Ropa vieja, Lechon asado
Must order: Ropa vieja with black beans and plantains
Tip: Time dinner around the Sunset Celebration next door; the patio band starts as the crowds gather on Mallory Square.
Address: 410 Wall Street, Key West, FL 33040
Two Friends Patio Restaurant has poured Bloody Marys and broiled oysters under a covered Key West patio since the saloon days, with live music from 08:00.
Signature: Basin Street broiled oysters, Conch fritters
Order: Basin Street broiled oysters, then a Bloody Mary on the patio
Tip: Karaoke runs Friday and Saturday from 20:00; mornings are calmer if you want the breakfast and Bloody Mary combination.
Thirsty Mermaid runs a jewel-box raw bar on Fleming Street in Key West, rotating daily oysters beside local ceviche and pan-sauteed yellowtail snapper.
Signature: Raw local ceviche, Pan-sauteed yellowtail snapper
Order: The daily oyster selection with local ceviche
Tip: Happy hour oysters from 16:00 to 18:00 are the best raw-bar deal in Old Town; the room seats few, so arrive early.
Conch Republic Seafood Company fills the old Singleton fish house on Key West's seaport with peel-and-eat pink shrimp, conch chowder and a long raw bar.
Signature: Key West pink shrimp, Conch chowder
Order: Peel-and-eat Key West pink shrimp
Tip: The original Singleton ice-plant floor and sign are still in place; sit at the harbour rail for the shrimp-dock view.
Half Shell Raw Bar shucks oysters and cures conch ceviche in a licence-plate-lined shed on Key West's Margaret Street docks, open to the harbour breeze.
Signature: Conch ceviche, Broiled garlic oysters
Order: Conch ceviche and a dozen on the half shell
Tip: Happy hour brings discounted oysters; the open-air room on the water is first-come, so aim for off-peak afternoons.
Hogfish Bar & Grill sits on Stock Island's Safe Harbor docks outside Key West, frying its namesake fish onto Cuban bread beside the working shrimp fleet.
Signature: Killer Hogfish sandwich, Grouper reuben
Order: The hogfish sandwich with Swiss and mushrooms on Cuban bread
Tip: It is a 10-minute drive from Old Town on the Stock Island marina; go at lunch to watch the boats unload the catch.
Two Friends Patio Restaurant has poured Bloody Marys and broiled oysters under a covered Key West patio since the saloon days, with live music from 08:00.
Signature: Basin Street broiled oysters, Conch fritters
Order: Basin Street broiled oysters, then a Bloody Mary on the patio
Tip: Karaoke runs Friday and Saturday from 20:00; mornings are calmer if you want the breakfast and Bloody Mary combination.
Pepe's Cafe has fed Key West since 1909 and calls itself the oldest eating house in the Keys, shucking oysters and baking bread on Caroline Street daily.
Signature: Fresh-shucked oysters, Key lime pie
Order: Oysters shucked to order with house hot sauce
Tip: The 2026 Bubba awards gave Pepe's best mojito and best margarita on the island; happy hour runs 16:00 to 18:00.
Thirsty Mermaid runs a jewel-box raw bar on Fleming Street in Key West, rotating daily oysters beside local ceviche and pan-sauteed yellowtail snapper.
Signature: Raw local ceviche, Pan-sauteed yellowtail snapper
Order: The daily oyster selection with local ceviche
Tip: Happy hour oysters from 16:00 to 18:00 are the best raw-bar deal in Old Town; the room seats few, so arrive early.
