What to Eat in Key West: Authentic Key Lime Pie, Pink Shrimp & Cuban Sandwiches

Key West cuisine was born in the 1800s from a marriage of Bahamian seafood, Cuban bakeries and tropical citrus, long before bridges connected the island to mainland Florida. Here are the signature flavours of the Conch Republic and the spots in Old Town and Bahama Village where locals eat them.

1. Authentic Key Lime Pie (If It Is Green, Walk Away)

Invented in Key West in the late 1800s after sponge fishermen combined sweetened condensed milk with egg yolks and the tart juice of tiny yellow Key limes (Citrus aurantiifolia), authentic Key Lime Pie filling is always pale creamy yellow, never artificial green. Compare three classic styles:

• Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe (200 Elizabeth Street): graham-cracker crust with whipped cream, plus the famous Frozen Chocolate-Dipped Key Lime Pie on a Stick.
• Blue Heaven (729 Thomas Street in Bahama Village): flaky pastry shell crowned with a tall, 10-centimetre cloud of toasted meringue.
• Moondog Cafe (823 Whitehead Street) & Key West Key Lime Pie Co.: Italian-meringue-torched pie next to the Hemingway Home, or award-winning slices on Greene Street.

2. Four Savoury Island Icons & Where to Eat Them

1. Wild-Caught Key West Pink Shrimp: harvested off the Dry Tortugas, Key West Pink Shrimp are naturally sweet and tender. Eat them steamed at B.O.'s Fish Wagon (801 Caroline Street), Half Shell Raw Bar at the Seaport, or Eaton Street Seafood Market.
2. Bahamian Conch Fritters & Cracked Conch: diced conch folded into seasoned batter and deep-fried golden at Conch Republic Seafood Co. or B.O.'s Fish Wagon.
3. Pressed Cuban Mix Sandwiches & Café con Leche: roast mojo pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard pressed crisp on Cuban bread. Visit Sandy's Cafe (1026 White Street), 5 Brothers Grocery (930 Southard Street for Cuban espresso and a Pan con Bistec), or El Siboney Restaurant (900 Catherine Street for roast pork, ropa vieja, black beans and sweet plantains).
4. Whole Fried Yellowtail Snapper & Hogfish: order locally speared Hogfish at The Hogfish Bar & Grill on Stock Island.