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There are some amazing and famous restaurants throughout the Keys of Florida. Mostly known for their fresh seafood dishes and the famous Key Lime Pie. Today, we are going to focus on where to get the best steak in Key West – all the way to the end of the Keys in Key West.
If you want to experience a mash-up of Florida and Caribbean culture at its finest, then head all the way down to where you are only 90 miles from Cuba.
The best way to describe Key West is that it is the Florida version of New Orleans, Louisiana with a touch of Caribbean seasoning. Deep, rich culture surrounded by exquisite foods, festive attitudes, and a chill party-like atmosphere all year long.
Who Has The Best Steak In Key West?
We all have our personal criteria for what makes a great steak. Some may prefer a rib-eye while others’ choice of beef is the filet.
Whatever you do though, do not put ketchup or A1 Steak sauce on it. Blasphemy!
We are talking about the 10 Best steak houses in Key West known for their steak, atmosphere, service, and all-around menu.
What makes a steakhouse the best one in town? It’s a tough competition when there are so many good dining choices.
A little atmosphere, ambiance, and great service. Add a helping of excellent food, cocktails, and deserts and there you have the makings of a great steakhouse.
In no particular order, let us introduce you to some of the best steak houses in Key West, Florida.
The Flaming Bouy Filet Co.
424 Eaton St, Key West
The Flaming Bouy Filet Co. sits at the corners of Duval and Eaton Street in the heart of Key West. You can walk in for a table, but we highly recommend you make a reservation.
The Flaming Bouy Filet Co. has a very cool retro style to it. The menu boasts influences of the tropics with a splash of Cuban spice to create a very unique and memorable dining experience.
We recommend the bacon-wrapped filet mignon with their signature mashed potatoes, spinach with aged parmesan cheese. This is a steak that will have you dreaming about for months to come.
Boat House Bar and Grille
220 Margaret St, Key West
The Boat House Bar & Grille is a casual local restaurant that is usually packed out. Known for its Happy Hour festive atmosphere, one of the best places to get a good meal overlooking the water.
The downstairs can be a little loud, as it is always crowded, but worth it as many claims the best rib-eye on Key West. With almost 1,500 Google reviews and a solid 4.8 out of 5, the numbers don’t lie.
This is a sure home run if you are ever on Key West.
Santiago’s Bodega
7305, 207 Petronia St #101, Key West
Just a few blocks off Duval St. and in the heart of the Bahama Village, you will find one of Key West’s most popular restaurants. Santiago’s Bodega is legendary for its tapas. All of them are great, but the Truffle Fries with Parmesan is a must.
Many people claim that Santiago’s Bodega has a claim to the best filet than anywhere else on the island. Maybe that is why it stays busy all of the time.
Best to call ahead and make a reservation, otherwise, be prepared to wait up till an hour or more for a table at the bar.
El Meson De Pepe’s Restaurant & Bar
410 Wall St, Key West
Right in the heart of Mallory Square is one of Key West’s treasures. El Mason De Pepe is about as popular with the tourists as it is with the locals.
Since 1986 El Meson De Pepe’s has been a staple in Key West. You will not find better or more authentic Cuban Cuisine than even in Cuba itself.
Chef Pepe puts all of his heart and soul into the menu. Family recipes along with traditional Cuban tapas, soups, and entrees. There is a kids’ menu with typical American food items for your little one to choose from.
The Torta de Limon or homemade key lime pie is an experience you do not want to live without.
There isn’t anything on the menu that isn’t excellent and will bring a smile to your face. We suggest you try everything on the menu at least once.
Viva Argentinian Steakhouse
903 Duval St, Key West
A very short 2-minute walk from The Earnest Hemmingway Estate and you will find one of the best places to eat in Key West, Viva Argentinian Steakhouse.
This is the place in Key West to catch brunch or Dinner. You can have one of the best steaks on the island for less than $50. The 8 oz Filet Mignon has a black pepper bourbon sauce for $45. If you prefer the ribeye, try one with their signature Malbec wine reduction sauce for $42.
Local seafood and rock lobster are always a great choice here.
Come in on Saturday night for some local and entertaining karaoke from 11 pm until 2 am. If trivia is your thing, every Thursday night starting at 7 pm is Trivia Night.
A&B Lobster House
700 Front St, Key West
You can find this local favorite restaurant on the North end of the island at the end of Duval St. right by the Galleon Marina.
A&B Lobster House offers its customers indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the marina.
Fresh seafood is delivered daily, one of the few places in the Florida Keys where you can enjoy fresh Maine or Florida lobster.
Try the Creamy Lobster Thermidor or a bowl of their Lobster Bisque. Both will prepare your taste buds for the main entre. So much good food on their menu you will want to come back for more.
If you really want a dining experience, we recommend their lobster tail with a signature certified black Angus beef filet.
The surf n turf will do more than satisfy you, it will make you happy!
Pepe’s Cafe
806 Caroline St, Key West
Pepe’s Cafe is one of our favorite places for lunch in all of Key West. It is the oldest restaurant in all of the Florida Keys serving signature dishes since 1909.
There are good reasons why Pepe’s Cafe has been in business for over a hundred years. Unmatched great food with superior service. This is what you will find at this treasure of Key West.
Breakfast, lunch, happy hour, or dinner are all home run experiences.
Pepe’s is pet friendly, so do not hesitate to bring your dog to lunch with you on the patio. Our waitress even brought our pet a bowl of water to enjoy while we had our lunch.
We highly recommend the Chipped Beef on Toast for breakfast with a fresh-squeezed Mimosa using some of south Florida’s juiciest oranges. Although the French Toast is some of the best we have ever eaten as well.
For lunch, we encourage you to try Pepe’s steak sandwich. Trust on this one, it will melt in your mouth.
Chef Pepe’s filet mignon is one of, if not the best, steaks I have ever put in my mouth. A family recipe of marinade and spices all blended together to perfection.
Prime Steakhouse
951 Caroline St, Naval Air Station Key West
Prime Steakhouse as its name implies is a prime restaurant to get one of the best steaks in all of the Keys.
The Sesame Encrusted Tuna Tataki may very well be one of the best appetizers you will find on Key West as well.
If I could eat there every day, I’d start off with their Ceasar salad, made with fresh homemade caesar dressing, and the Prime’s Signature Bone-In Rib Eye. It is 24 ounces of pure ecstasy.
For a couple of unique sides you will not find anywhere else on Key West, try the Truffled Macaroni and Smoked Gouda along with the Sauteed Spinach and Mushrooms. The sides are good enough to be the main course.
Banana Nut Bread Pudding with a cappuccino is the perfect way to top off a Prime meal and evening.
Bel Mare Restaurant
700 Front St, Key West
This is not your flip-flops and casual dining experience on a salty Key West evening. Bel Mare Restaurant is one of the finer establishments for upscale dining.
Days of yonder nautical atmosphere with candle-lit tables creates a warm and nostalgic ambiance of days gone by.
The knowledgeable staff and impeccable table settings add to the memorable flavors from a menu that would make the best chefs in the world envious.
You will be dining on the second story overlooking the A&B Marina. Sunsets here will make you want to be a permanent resident all year round.
You have to try the homemade pasta dishes. Pasta is made daily on-site to ensure the richest and most authentic of Italian dishes.
One of the most impressive Wine lists of any restaurant we have ever dined in.
Harpoon Harrys
832 Caroline St, Key West
Unless you are carrying cash, don’t bother to grab a table here. No credit cards are accepted. Regardless of how you feel about that, you will not walk away from Harpoon Harrys’ disappointment.
The food here is some of the best casual dining in all of Key West. So many good items to choose from on the menu, it is hard to decide.
This is one of the most popular breakfast restaurants in all of Key West. Be sure to get there early, as it is always crowded.
A great lunch menu and a simple, but hearty diner menu makes this a great place to eat any time of the day.
Harpoon Harrys is likely the best food for the price on the Island.
Lunch entrees are all under $15 and all dinner entrees are under $20.
We recommend a breakfast visit if you are limited to just one seating here. If you do make it to their breakfast, you have to try the Country Po’Boy.
Country fried steak topped with two eggs and smothered with sausage gravy served on toast for only $13.95. That is about as “country” as you will find in Key West.
Anything you order here, and you are going to walk away full and happy.
Honorable Mention:
Blackfin Bistro
918 Duval St, Key West
We had to offer one more of Key West’s best restaurants for a delicious steak. The Blackfin Bistro is an upscale grille offering a variety of food from local seafood, fine steaks to hamburgers, and pasta.
For starters, we recommend the Conch Cakes and Goat Cheese Croquettes. Conch is a local shellfish with a delicate, tender, and clean flavor.
No fancy cocktails here, only beer and wine are the alcohols of choice served. While the wine list is adequate, it is nothing elaborate.
If you have an appetite for steak, the 12oz. Certified Angus NY Strip Au Poivre is a culinary experience for meat lovers that will bring you back to Key West all by itself.
While being right on busy Duval Street, Blackfin Bistro has a cozy garden deck that provides an intimate and cozy setting as if you were miles away from the crowds and noise.
Chain Restaurants Were Excluded from the List
There are a couple of Nationally branded steakhouses that we purposely excluded from the list.
Chain restaurants, while in their own rights, may grille up a delicious piece of meat, has corporate-mandated recipes and seasonings.
We believe a fine steak is more like a piece of art. Culinary art if you will.
So, not to come across as too biased to the locally owned and operated restaurants, we will mention that Outback and Benihana have excellent reviews for their steaks.
Personally, we have never tried these two restaurants in Key West, but will let the customers speak for their deliciousness and dining experience.
Wrap Up To Where To Get The Best Steak In Key West
How do you like your steak? Do you have a sophisticated carnivorous palette?
If you appreciate and enjoy a delicious steak that practically melts in your mouth, then you can not go wrong with any of the Key West restaurants we have mentioned today.
Key West in itself offers such a unique, relaxed, and festive atmosphere. Couple that Key West flavor with a juicy, delicate steak, local seafood, some drinks, and a piece of Key Lime pie and you have the makings of an evening you won’t soon forget.
The best favor you can do for yourself during your stay in Key West is to try as many of the local restaurants as you can.
What is your favorite restaurant for a steak in Key West? Leave us a comment and let us know if we included your “go-to” place for the best steak in Key West.
