Key West is known for so much… including tacos. Fish tacos, shrimp tacos, vege tacos, well, you get the idea. I am blessed to have a daughter-in-law that not only shares my birthday but my love of Mexican food. I know it’s always a safe bet when I suggest Mexican for dinner. So, when we travel to Key West, we always explore the food scene. Here are our ideas on the best tacos in Key West. Did your favorite place make our list?
Some of these places may seem a bit odd… really? You can get tacos there? Yep! Come with us and explore the taco scene in Key West.
Garbo’s Grill
This is always one of my first stops when I arrive in town. I grab a white peach Sangria from Hank’s and then order Korean BBQ tacos. They are my favorite. If I’m craving seafood, then I go for the Yum Yum Shrimp taco. Order your food at the food truck behind Hank’s and then find a table. Plan to stay awhile, it’s a great spot to have a few drinks, and enjoy some live music. Like I said, one of my first stops when in town.
Amigos Tortilla Bar
Home of the square taco. The what? Per their website it’s not a gimmick, it actually is a better design. A square taco holds more stuff with less falling out. Stop by and try out for yourself these handmade corn tortillas. I love the 3 taco platter paired with a margarita. Sit outside and watch the world wander by. It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon, enjoying a margarita and delicious food.
Old Town Mexican Cafe
Home of Chef Gail Brockway, this place serves authentic New Mexican cuisine. From her first visit to the Southwest, Chef Brockway fell in love with the cuisine. This love shows in all of her dishes served at the Old Town Mexican Cafe. If you are coming here thinking Tex-Mex, think again. The cuisine uses lots of New Mexico hatch chiles and local ingredients.
Come for the tacos and the Happy Hour (every day 4pm to 6pm) or even the tequila and mezcal. They have over 150 to choose from.
Fritas Cuban Burger Cafe
In the mood for Cuban food? Then head over to Fritas. They offer a Cuban pork taco that will make you very happy. Want something sweet with your taco? Try one of their amazing shakes. They use locally made premium ice cream, You will be back again and again.
Moondog Cafe
Over on Whitehead Street is this hidden gem. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can get delicious tacos any time of the day. Imagine for breakfast scrambled eggs in a soft corn tortilla. Garnished with sour cream, avocado, and much more yummy stuff. Or later in the day, you come in and try a local Mahi blackened taco, or a sirloin steak grilled taco, or even a blackened tofu taco.
DJs Clam Shack
Walking down Duval Street and feeling hungry? Stop by DJ’s and try one of their tacos. Choose from Mahi Mahi, Shrimp, chicken, or roasted pork. If you didn’t know, there is seating in the back. Grab a drink, and enjoy a great taco.
Key West Cuban Coffee Shop
This place is more than a coffee shop. They offer many different kinds of tacos. They have your normal fare such as fish, shrimp, chicken, and beef. But they also offer Birria tacos, Lengua tacos, and Al Pastor too. Which one will you choose first?
Two Friends Patio Restaurant
In the mood for Key West Pink Shrimp tacos? Yeah, me too. Head over to Two Friends. They have these as well as local Mahi Mahi tacos served on soft flour tortillas. Have one of their signature cocktails and enjoy some live music.
Harpoon Harry’s
Harpoon Harry’s is more than a great breakfast. They also serve lunch and dinner. Try their fish tacos with cheddar, feta, and a side of fries. Remember they don’t take cards, so grab some cash before heading. Forgot to grab cash? No worries, they have an ATM machine.
Hot Tin Roof
Want a water view? Check out Hot Tin Roof. A bit more upscale, but they do serve a tuna taco. Try it with blackened shrimp mac and cheese and a lovely glass of Pino Grigio. Well, now I know what I want for dinner, you?
Geiger Key Marina
Want to explore areas outside of Key West? Check out Geiger Key. They serve Baja-style tacos with an Old Fish Camp atmosphere. Don’t let that stop you. The water views are amazing and the food, well you will keep coming back for the hogfish tacos.
Off The Hook Grill
Off the Hook has a full menu of yummy food, but they also offer grouper cheeks tacos. Served with black beans and plantains, I say this is a must-try for anyone. For dessert? Have a Key Lime Pie ice cream sandwich. Yum and yum!
Eaton Street Seafood Market
More than a seafood market, this place offers a diverse menu. But, if you are wanting seafood tacos, this is the place. Fresh fish is always on the menu and they offer shrimp and fish tacos. Eat them on site, or pick them up and eat them by your hotel pool, or while watching sunset. These may be one that you consider one of the best fish tacos in Key West.
Have I made you hungry yet??
Well, be sure to check out some of my favorite taco Island Inspired recipes.
Kim’s Kuban
Want to know where the locals go? This is one of their favorites. Their breakfast tacos will get you ready for a busy day exploring the island. Open until 3pm, you can also stop by and grab tacos for lunch.
Sunset Pier
This iconic place, you know it.. the one with the tropical color seats and green umbrellas? Yep, not only do they offer a great view and live music, they also have pork belly tacos. Grab a seat, a cocktail, and plan to stay and enjoy sunset. The view can’t be beat.
Hurricane Hole
This place transports you back to Old Key West. There is a relaxed vibe a feeling like you never want to leave. Enjoy this view with a cocktail and some local catch tacos. You will be planning to sell it all, get a dog, and move to the Island after an afternoon spent here.
Ram’s Head Southernmost
Tacos and a Bloody Mary bar. Yep, it’s fun. Add some live music, and then you can call that a party. This place offers all of that and so much more. Best things can always be found when food, drinks and fund come together. Stop by for Happy Hour 4 – 6pm Monday through Friday.
Fogarty’s Restaurant
Want to experience a bit of history with your tacos? Check out Fogarty’s. The courtyard was once used to throw lavish parties. Today, you can enjoy the courtyard with a plate of blackened fish tacos and a pint of Crazy Lady Honey Blond Ale – locally brewed at the Waterfront Brewery. This place offers good food and is a great place to people-watch.
Mellow Cafe
Great food with an unusual twist. Unusual is translated to mean yummy and delicious. Plan to go out on an eco-tour or just stop by for the food. They offer tacos to meet everyone’s taste buds but do plan to try their pineapple hoisin beef, Thai chicken or Tandoori duck, or even their Teriyaki tofu. You will not be disappointed.
The Cafe
I love this place. The food is authentic. You can really tell it’s made with love. Try their shrimp and egg tacos. They are served on soft corn tortillas with a side of black beans. Don’t want shrimp? Change it up for tofu.
Lagerheads
We discovered this place when on a Key West Food Tour. We have been back many many times since then. They offer cold beer, sand, a water view, and great fish tacos. What else would anyone want?
Key West Food Tours – Great way to experience the food of Key West
Stock Rock Cafe
One of the newer places is Stock Rock Cafe. Located at Cow Key Marina, they offer a full selection of tacos and craft beer. The water view is great and plan to be there for Happy Hour.
Sinz Burritos
Mexican food with a Deadly Sin twist. Think Lust carna asada, Sloth black bean, or Pride chicken roja. Or try their street tacos. Pair them with a Mexican soda and you have an amazing lunch.
Southernmost Beach Cafe
Want another option for a water view? Check out the Southernmost Beach Cafe. Order the tacos with a Key Lime margarita. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect lunch?
As you can see, there are many many taco options in Key West. We haven’t even scratched the surface of the amazing Key West restaurants. I may be slightly partial, but I think Key West has some of the best restaurants around. No matter if we are craving tacos, pizza, or even conch fritters.
Still interested in my favorite Island-Inspired taco recipes? Check them out here.
Driving down the Florida Keys to check out these tacos? Then you have to check out our suggestions on the Ultimate Road Trip to Key West.
