Top 10 Things to Eat in Key West
- Conch Fritters and Chowder
- Spiny Lobster
- Key West Pink Shrimp
- Hogfish
- Stone Crabs
- Mahi-Mahi Sandwiches
- Black-Eyed Pea Bollos
- Cuban Food
- Key Lime Pie
- Cafe con Leche
Did someone order watersports, storied history, and a few famous pastel, conch-style houses? Let us introduce you to Key West, a picture-perfect island city located at Florida’s southernmost tip. If that didn’t already sound good enough, Key West is also a famous haven for foodies all over the world. Its unique, tasty cuisine is influenced by Cuba and other nearby Caribbean islands, just waiting to take your taste buds on a flavor-filled journey you’ll never forget. From freshly caught seafood to the best key lime pie you’ll ever taste, join us as we explore the top 10 things to eat in Key West!
1. Conch Fritters and Chowder
Conch, pronounced “konk,” is the queen of all foods in Key West. Her majesty was a staple food of early settlers; you’ve probably seen the beautiful, sparkling shell used for decorations, but it’s the meat that sends seafood aficionados into food heaven. Conch is fileted, tenderized and turned into tasty dishes beloved across the island, the most popular of which are conch fritters. Mixed with green peppers, onions and fried in batter, pro tip: they’re best served with key lime aioli. Since conch tastes similar to clams, it’s also used for chowder, with potatoes and spices used to complete the dish.
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2. Spiny Lobster
Fun fact about spiny lobsters: they don’t have pinching claws! They do, however, pack a punch when you taste their sweet white tail meat. You’ll find spiny lobsters headlining a range of dishes in restaurants across the island. They’re commonly broiled, sauteed, fried or coated with delectable key lime butter.
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3. Key West Pink Shrimp
The first taste of tender Key West pink shrimp is so good, there’s no way it’ll be your last. Identified by a red dot on a distinctive pink shell, Key West Pink Shrimp are harvested in the surrounding waters, so they’re as fresh as can be. Enjoy the sweet taste by eating them on their own, or indulge in an array of local dishes! They come fried, battered, wrapped in bacon, dipped in coconut or mango sauce — and that’s just for starters.
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4. Hogfish
One of the most amazing things to do in Key West during your cruise vacation is exploring the island’s stunning coral reefs, alive and abundant with tropical marine life. One fish that calls these reefs home is the hogfish, named for its hog-like snout. Prized for a light texture that absolutely melts in your mouth, you can try hogfish in a variety of ways, including smothered with key lime tartar sauce, grilled, fried or on a deliciously popular hogfish sandwich.
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5. Stone Crabs
Welcome to “fresh from the ocean” like you’ve never tasted it before! Stone crabs are harvested just offshore Key West, making them a local delicacy. They’re huge, too, so biting into crab claws here is always guaranteed to be satisfying. The traditional way to eat them is by dipping the claws into a tangy, mustard-based sauce. If you can’t get enough of the taste, however, you can also try delicious stone crab chowder, blended with vegetables and spices!
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6. Mahi-Mahi Sandwiches
If you can’t get enough of the seafood in Key West, think about sinking your teeth into a mahi-mahi sandwich. The fish is one of the most popular to eat in the world, celebrated for its firm texture and sweet, mild taste. You’ll often find it advertised as the “catch of the day”. Grilled or blackened, it’s a local favorite that’s commonly combined with lettuce, tomato, and mayo or Thousand Island dressing.
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7. Black-Eyed Pea Bollos
When you’re shopping in Key West, get yourself a tasty snack to keep your energy up! Black-eyed pea bollos are just what you need. These tasty savory snacks are deep fried, garlicky, fritter-like treats that are perfect to eat on the go.
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8. Cuban Food
Since Key West is so close to Cuba ,the island’s food has picked up more than a few Cuban spices and flavors. You’ll find plenty of places to sample Cuban dishes, including popular mixes, which are sandwiches filled with roast pork, salami, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, mustard and mayo. Other traditional dishes you can’t miss include saffron-flavored paella and Cuban burgers, known as fritas!
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9. Key Lime Pie
If you’re searching for a way to satisfy your sweet tooth in Key West, it’s all in the name. Key lime pie is a creamy dessert pie made from the juice of the yellow-green key lime. It’s also the official pie of the state of Florida! It’s usually made with just three basic ingredients— sweetened condensed milk, 100 percent key lime juice and a cracker crust, then topped with lightly browned meringue. Take the experience a step further with chocolate dipped key lime pie. Tasting it in Key West is sure to be one of the highlights of your cruise.
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10. Cafe con Leche
A cruise to Key West simply isn’t complete without a cup of strong, creamy and thick cafe con leche. Created with espresso shots and hot milk hand-whipped into a delectable froth, this Cuban coffee will certainly wake you up and get you going on the next adventure!
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Carnival Cruises to Take You to Key West
Book your cruise to Key West from a variety of convenient ports in Florida, Texas, Alabama and Louisiana to start digging into some Key West culinary excellence!
Western Caribbean from Miami, Florida – 4 Days
Western Caribbean from Tampa, Florida – 6 Days
Eastern Caribbean from New Orleans, Louisiana – 7 Days
Eastern Caribbean from Galveston, Texas – 8 Days
The Bahamas from Mobile, Alabama – 8 Days
The Bahamas from Tampa, Florida – 6 Days
Wrapping Up
From seafood caught fresh that morning to tasty tropical treats like key lime pie, you’re sure to have endless opportunities to eat your fill of delicious island cuisine in Key West.
Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by ship and destination.
So, what are you waiting for? There are flavors to be savored!
DIVE INTO KEY WEST.