BEST Islamorada Restaurants You MUST Try in the Florida Keys

It’s no secret that one of the best parts about visiting the Florida Keys is the delicious food. And in my opinion, Islamorada, the second major Key as you drive from Miami, has some of the best restaurants in the Florida Keys.

I grew up visiting Islamorada as a kid and even got married here, so I’ve had the pleasure of trying many different restaurants in Islamorada! And I can confidently say they are the best in the world for seafood. In fact, not one but TWO Islamorada restaurants have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!

In this guide, I provide a list of the BEST restaurants not to miss when visiting Islamorada, Florida, including spots on the water, bars and breweries, and more! I’ll also provide some different types of food (and drinks!) you have to try when visiting Islamorada.

So whether you’re just taking a day trip from South Florida or planning an epic road trip from Key Largo to Key West, make sure to make a stop at one of these local Islamorada restaurants! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

All About Islamorada, Florida

Before we get into the list, here are some quick facts about Islamorada, with some helpful links to help plan your trip! 

Islamorada is a major town/village in the Florida Keys, and it actually encompasses six different keys: Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key and the offshore islands of Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key). 

P.S. Do you know how many Keys there are in the entire Florida Keys archipelago? Find out here!

If you are driving from Miami, Islamorada is the second major village you will hit, right after Key Largo! Islamorada is home to some incredible hotels, restaurants, and of course, activities! 

Note: In the Keys, most restaurants and hotels designate their locations by referring to their Mile Marker! For example, Islamorada Fish Company is located at Mile Marker 81.5. Key Largo starts around Mile Marker 107, and Key West ends with the famous Mile Marker 0!

Map of Best Islamorada Restaurants

If you’re planning a trip to Islamorada, rest assured you will not go hungry! In the guide below, I will go over all of my favorite restaurants in Islamorada, from breakfast joints to dinner spots on the water.

I’ve also put together the below Google Map you can save for your trip! It includes every restaurant I mention in this guide.

Breakfast Restaurants in Islamorada

Let’s start with my husband’s favorite meal – breakfast!! I feel like good breakfast spots can be kind of hard to come by in places like the Keys. But fortunately, Islamorada does not disappoint!

Mangrove Mike’s Cafe

Address: 82200 Overseas Hwy MM, 82 sunset inn, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Every day, 6am – 2pm
Price Range: $
What to Try: Mangrove Oscar, Banana Nut Pancakes

Mangrove Mike’s is one of the best spots in Islamorada for breakfast (or lunch!). Highly recommended by locals, you can grab a hearty meal here that will be sure to cure your hangover.

From lobster omelettes to strawberry waffles, you can’t go wrong with anything the menu! Look for the big shark outside when driving through Islamorada.

There is also an awesome art gallery attached to the cafe to check out! We love grabbing Keys-themed souvenirs from here and supporting local artists.

Midway Café & Coffee Bar

Address: 80499 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036-3775
Hours: Every day, 7am – 2pm
Price Range: $
What to Try: Tropical Macchiato, Coffee Cake

If you’re craving a latte and quick breakfast, the Midway Cafe is the place to go! This small, brightly covered spot serves breakfast and lunch and has a cute patio if you want to sit outside.

It’s also one of the only “coffee bars” in Islamorada, so take advantage! They also have yummy teas – I got a lavender one while there and it was amazing!!

You can also do a little shopping while you’re here from local brands. I got a cute headband, but they have tons of different apparel! They also have the famous Keys salt scrubs in a ton of different flavors, like mango, coconut, etc.

Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen

Address: 99336 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Hours: Every day, 7am – 3pm
Price Range: $
What to Try: Key Lime Pie, whatever is on special!

Mrs Mac’s Kitchen is the perfect little dive bar and breakfast spot for your introduction to the Florida Keys!! There are actually two different Mrs. Mac’s locations – named Little and Big on Google Maps. And they’re right down the road from each other!

For breakfast, you’ll want to head to Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen (Little). This hole in the wall has some incredible food and is known for its famous Key Lime Pie!!

It’s exactly what you would expect for a Florida Keys breakfast joint, with seafood specials and license plates on the wall. I had lobster eggs Benedict on special last time we visited, and it was to die for!

Lunch & Dinner Restaurants on the Water

Alright, now let’s get into one of the best parts about eating in Islamorada.. The fact that you can sit outside right on the water and eat freshly caught seafood is one of my favorite parts about visiting this gorgeous island!

Below are my favorite Islamorada restaurants that are right on the water, both on the bayside and ocean side!

Note: If you’re looking for the best sunset views, head to the bayside restaurants! 🌅

Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar (Bayside)

Address: 96 Madeira Rd, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Sun – Thurs, 7am – 9pm. Fri – Sat, 7am – 10pm.
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Conch Fritters, Snapper Sandwich

Look for the giant mermaid as you’re driving through Islamorada and you will find Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar!

Probably my favorite restaurant in Islamorada, Lorelei is known for its killer sunset views.

They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I highly recommend visiting at dinnertime so you can watch the sun go down in paradise.

The last time I went to Lorelei, we were spoiled with the most incredible orange and pink sunset!!!

They have all different kinds of seafood, from snapper to grouper to mahi. Plus, lots of fun tropical drinks! The vibes here are incredible thanks to their nightly entertainment and sandy floor right on the water.

I promise you won’t want to leave! It’s a must-add to any Florida Keys itinerary.

Morada Bay Beach Cafe & Bar (Bayside)

Address: 81600 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Every day, 11:30am-10pm
Price Range: $$$
What to Try: Thai Key West Tacos, Lobster Sliders

Morada Bay Beach Cafe is slowly becoming one of my favorite places to eat in Islamorada! It is such a vibe! The outdoor seating is along a gorgeous, white sand beach dotted with swaying palm trees, right on the ocean.

This is a great spot to come with kids as there is plenty of room to runaround without disturbing people.

You are also guaranteed to have some incredible sunsets here, as it’s right on the bayside.

The menu has a collection of fun, tropical drinks, including the famous painkiller, as well as other unique concoctions like Morada Punch and Island Vibe Martini.

In terms of food, you’ll find much more than just the traditional fish sandwiches here! Think panko-crusted oyster, rasta pasta, churrasco steak, and more!

Pierre’s Restaurant (Bayside)

Address: 81600 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Every day, 5–9:30 PM
Price Range: $$$$
What to Try: Scallops, Black Grouper

Located on the same property as Morada Bay Beach Cafe, Pierre’s Restaurant is one of the nicest restaurants you can eat at in Islamorada.

Pierre’s is located inside a two-story, colonial-style mansion with dark wood floors, teak tables, and a beautiful spiral staircase. There is a downstairs lounge and bar and an upstairs dining room where you can eat and drink in style.

If it’s not too hot, I highly recommend requesting a seat outside on the balcony so you can watch the world-class sunsets as you eat and drink in paradise!

This is the perfect date night spot for couples visiting Islamorada! We ate here to celebrate our anniversary last year and loved every minute of it.

I had a Key lime cocktail and the most amazing scallop pasta – to die for!

Lazy Days (Ocean Side)

Address: 79867 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Every day, 11am-10pm
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Cracked Conch, Lazy Gator

Lazy Days is a great spot to visit if you’re looking for that classic Florida Keys vibe.

With 4 different dining spots, there’s something for everyone here! You can choose between beach dining, patio dining, porch dining, or inside dining, all with their own unique vibes!

No matter which location you choose, you’ll be served some of the freshest seafood in town, including scallops, octopus, wahoo, and more!

They also have happy hour every day from 4pm-6pm at the upstairs and downstairs bars, where you can snag 2 for $1 shrimp, chicken wings, conch fritters, and more, plus great drink specials.

They’ve also been awarded multiple times in the Annual Upper Keys People’s Choice Awards, so you know it’s good!

Island Grill (Ocean Side)

Address: 85501 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Every day, 11am-9pm
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Tuna Nachos, Miso Hogfish

Another favorite of mine, Island Grill is a great little spot on the ocean side right next to the Snake Creek Bridge. You have to visit here just to try the original tuna nachos.

Never heard of a tuna nacho? It’s raw tuna on a fried wonton chip, typically served with seaweed salad, soy sauce, and avocado, aka heaven!

This is also one of the only seafood restaurants in town that has a full sushi menu! They also have pasta, steak, and more!

Island Grill is a great spot to hit up for lunch if you’re out on the water and in the area. There’s a dock you can pull right up to!

The main part of the restaurant is open-air, tiki bar style (although it does have a real roof!). They also have an enclosed sitting area that is common for private parties.

Land-Locked Islamorada Restaurants

Would you have guessed that the only two restaurants in Islamorada that Guy Fieri has visited are not on the water?!

So if you are excluding places that aren’t on the water from your restaurant picks while visiting the Keys, think again! Some of the best restaurants in Islamorada are the land-locked ones.

Chef Michael’s

Address:  81671 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Mon-Sat, 5pm-10pm, Closed Sunday
Price Range: $$$
What to Try: Petite Lionfish “Creole”, Seafood Pasta

You won’t find too many restaurants in Islamorada that describe themselves as “fine dining”. However, Chef Michael’s truly embodies that description.

My favorite part about Chef Michael’s is how they serve Lionfish in an effort to help safe the reefs! If you aren’t aware, lionfish are a venomous and invasive species that are threatening reefs throughout the Florida Keys.

Once their venomous spines are removed, they are completely safe to eat, and doing so helps restore the balance of the underwater world of the Keys.

If this doesn’t sound appetizing to you, don’t worry! They have plenty of other seafood dishes, which rotate based on what’s fresh. For this reason, the menu can seem quite small, but trust me, it’s worth it!

If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience in Islamorada, this is the spot for you!!!

Green Turtle Inn

Address:  81219 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 7am – 2pm & 5pm – 9pm, Closed Monday
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Turtle Chowder, Bacon-Wrapped Love

Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, the Green Turtle Inn has a strong history that dates back to 1947! Although it’s not on the water, it’s a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Their menu is quite extensive, featuring fresh catch options with unique twists named for the owners – Sid and Roxie. There’s also plenty of options from other American cuisines, everything from Maryland crab cakes to southern shrimp and grits.

And true to their name, they still sell their famous turtle chowder, which has actual turtle in it.

Pssst: Planning a trip to the Florida Keys? Don’t miss my Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide for more info on where to stay, things to do, and more!

Islamorada Shrimp Shack

Address:  81901 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Thurs-Tuesday 11:30am-9pm, Closed Wednesdays
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Shrimp ‘N Grits, Shrimp Jambayla

Another triple D-recommend spot, Shrimp Shack might not look like much from the outside, but I promise it’s worth it!

You really can’t go wrong with any of the food here. I recommend trying.. you guessed it.. shrimp!

And you certainly have some options: they have shrimp fritters (delicious), fried shrimp, shrimp chowder, peel and eat shrimp, bacon-wrapped shrimp, shrimp jambalaya, and more!! The world is your oyster (or.. shrimp I should say?) I feel like Bubba from Forrest Gump at this point..

Anyways, this is a great casual spot for lunch or dinner if you love shrimp!

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Bars and Breweries in Islamorada

These three spots are not really “Islamorada restaurants” per se.. but they all have food and happen to be some of my favorite spots on the island, so I had to include them in this list!

If you’re looking for a place to grab a drink and some grub, you have to check out these bars and breweries!

Islamorada Brewery and Distillery

Address:  82229 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Every day, 10:30am – 10pm
Price Range: $
What to Try: Sandbar Sunday, No Wake Zone

You know you’re getting old when you remember when restaurants first opened! I am only 31, and I can say I remember when Islamorada Brewery and Distillery started.

They used to be called Islamorada Beer Company but have since rebranded as Islamorada Brewery and Distillery since they now product liquors and even seltzers!

The beers at Islamorada Brewery are all themed after the Florida Keys, like Sandbar Sunday, Islamorada Ale, Bud N Mary’s and so many more. They also happen to be delicious!!

Islamorada Brewery also has a great taproom, new tasting room, plus an outdoor beer garden with a food truck, picnic tables, and more.

It’s one of my favorite spots to grab Keys-themed souvenirs as well, as they have a full store inside!

This is a great place to stop in for lunch or just a drink as you make your way through the Florida Keys!

Florida Keys Brewing Company

Address:  81611 Old Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Sunday-Thurday 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Price Range: $
What to Try: Iguana Bait, Honey Bottomed Blonde

There’s only two breweries in Islamorada, and I love them both equally!

Florida Keys Brewing Company holds a special place in my heart because they served the beer at my wedding!

Similar to Islamorada Brewery, their beers are mostly tropical and Florida-themed. However, they do typically have more variety and darker beers, like dunkers, ambers, and brown ales!

Florida Keys Brewing Co also has a great kid and pet friendly beer garden out back. Plus, they have regular live music and fun events like bingo and trivia. And, there are some local art galleries in the beer garden that you can peruse.

The Tiki Bar at Three Waters Resort

Address:  84001 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Hours: Sunday-Thurday 11am-11am, Fri-Sat 11am-11am
Price Range: $
What to Try: Rum Runner, Miami Vice

In my humble opinion, you can’t visit Islamorada without visiting the world famous Tiki Bar! This place has a long history, but the most important fact is that it’s the home of the Rum Runner.

If you’ve never had a rum runner.. well you’re in for a treat. Make sure to get the floater! 😉

This bar is part of the newly renovated Three Waters Resort, one of my favorite hotels in Islamorada! However, you don’t need to be staying at the resort in order to visit the Tiki Bar.

The food here is also delicious, so it’s worth a stop for lunch! The tiki bar is located right at their marina and offers incredible views of the ocean as you dine.

What to Eat and Drink In Islamorada

I can’t write a guide on the best Islamorada restaurants without mentioning what type of food you need to try! The Florida Keys is home to some of the most incredible seafood, almost all of which will be locally caught.

It’s actually very common in the Florida Keys to bring your fresh catch of the day to a restaurant, and they will prepare it for you! Look for something on the menu like: you catch ’em, we cook ’em!

So, if you’re going out on the boat to experience the incredible snorkeling in Islamorada, consider bringing a fishing pole too and trying to catch your dinner!

If you’ve never been to the Keys, here’s a list of things you NEED to try during your trip!

1. Conch Fritters: because really what’s better than fried conch?
2. Key Lime Pie: you can’t go to the Keys and NOT have it!!
3. Mahi Mahi: try it blackened, fried, and in a lemon butter sauce if you can!
4. Grouper: fingers, sandwiches, Reubens.. the world is your oyster!
5. Tuna Nachos: fresh tuna + seaweed salad + spicy mayo + and avocado = heaven
6. Lobster: in any form! It’s sure to be fresh caught Florida lobster (different from the New England kind!)
7. Rum Runner: bonus points if you get one at the famous Tiki Bar!
8. Key Lime Coolada: it’s like key lime pie.. but in drink form.
9. Local beer: visit the two breweries I mentioned!

Final Thoughts

By now you’ve seen there’s no shortage of INCREDIBLE restaurants to choose from in Islamorada, Florida. No matter your budget or style, there is a restaurant here to tickle your fancy! You’ll be overwhelmed with the amount of choices as you drive along the Overseas Highway through Islamorada.

Of course, I recommend you like seafood if visiting Islamorada, or at least be willing to give it a try! However, there’s still delicious food to try if you don’t. Don’t forget to save the map at the beginning of the post for your trip!

Want to make even more incredible memories during your trip? Be sure to go read my guide to the TOP 20 Things to Do In Islamorada!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!