What to Eat in Key West

OUT sent newlyweds Kit Williamson and John Halbach, from the acclaimed series, Eastsiders, to our favorite gay mecca, Key West. From breakfast pineapple pancakes to poolside margaritas, and from private tours of the Hemingway Home to nude snorkeling off the Florida coast, these guys experienced and discovered all that Gay Key West has to offer. Follow along as Kit and John take you OUT in Key West.

Whether you're looking for a great meal on the go, or a dinner to remember for a special occasion, the dining scene in Key West has got you covered. Here are some of the most memorable dining experiences from our stay.

LaTeDa

It's a restaurant! It's a hotel! It's a bar! It's a cabaret! LaTeDa has everything you need for a great night out in Key West.

Kit's Take: We had such a nice dinner here, sitting outside with the moonlight reflecting off the pool. John had the Baked Stuffed Oysters with spinach, fennel, and bechamel sauce before having the Baked Crab Cake with citrus bure blanc orzo and basil cream and asparagus.

Six Toed Cat

Named in honor of the famous polydactyl cats of the Hemingway House next door, this casual restaurant serves locally caught seafood and is the perfect place to eat before (or after) visiting the Hemingway homestead.

Kit's Take: The front porch is the perfect place for people watching. John had the Lobster BLT and I had the Caprese panini.

Blue Heaven Restaurant and Bar

This restaurant is in an outdoor courtyard that has been home to cockfighting, gambling, wrestling matches refereed by Ernest Hemingway, a dance hall, a bordello, and a theatre. Then in 1992 it started to transform into this local favorite that is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Kit's Take: Starting our day at Blue Heaven was heavenly! The atmosphere was so fun, packed with people, great live music, and a rooster (or two). Check out the Bloody Marys, Lobster Eggs Benedict, and the Pineapple Pancakes for brunch.

Sarabeth's

This James Beard Award-winning restaurant has set up shop in a historic 1800's clapboard landmark building in the heart of Old Town Key West. Open for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner, diners can classic American cooking at a table inside or outside.

Kit's Take: The perfect outdoor brunch spot, we recommend getting the Almond Crusted Cinnamon French Toast, their famous spreadable fruits, and a mimosa (or two).

Ambrosia Sushi

Sleek and sophisticated, Ambrosia has been meticulously crafting the finest sushi in Key West since 1998. They pride themselves on preparing perfect and authentic Japanese cuisine.

Kit's Take: Chef Masa prepared an incredible meal for us, including delicious vegetarian sushi for me. He paired the meal with sparkling sake that we had never had before, and loved.

Cafe Marquesa

Featuring a seasonal menu from chef Susan Ferry, Cafe Marquesa's contemporary American cuisine is a favorite of both locals and visitors to Key West. The 50 seat dining room offers diners a glimpse of their food as it is being prepared in the open kitchen, and large mahogany frame mirrors give diners a view of the restaurant around them. Perfect for a special occasion, to begin (or to end) an evening in Key West.

Kit's Take: Every dish we had was special with incredible attention to detail. John started off with Poke Tuna with kimchee and wasabi roe, and chilled calamari salad. I had the arugula salad with heirloom tomatoes, apple balsamic, tellegio cheese. For entrees John had the Porcini Dusted Diver Sea Scallops, herb risotto, swiss chard, porcini mushroom sauce and I had the Vegetarian Feast- pear and cheese pasta purses, asparagus, caponata, pea pesto. For desert they brought out the most amazing dulce de leech cheese cake, and of course, Key Lime Pie. With a sparkler for my birthday!

For more coverage of Kit and John's trip to Key West, head to OUT.com/gay-key-west, and to book your own OUT in Key West experience, visit Fla-Keys.com.