Florida Travel Blog

Local Tips for Beaches, Keys, Orlando & the Everglades

Florida Travel Now: August 2026 updates →

Louie’s Backyard Restaurant Key West – Best Restaurant in Key West

Best restaurants and bars Key West Louie's backyard
Louie’s Backyard Restaurant in Key West is one of the best restaurants in Key West.

Louie’s Backyard Restaurant is the best restaurant in Key West for the food, the view and the service. If you combine all the features Louie’s Backyard offers guests, it is easily at the top of the list of best restaurants in Key West.

Why is Louie’s Backyard The Best Restaurant in Key West

  • Award Winning Caribbean Cuisine
  • Exceptional Views of the Florida Straits
  • Long Term Head Chef
  • Harvesting Fresh Ingredients
  • Impeccable Service

The Island of Key West has about 190 bars and restaurants on a 2-mile by 4-mile patch of coral at the southernmost point of the United States. 

There is a big red marker denoting the southernmost point of the United States and the distance to Cuba which is 90 miles. Tourists enjoy snapping pictures beside the marker. Little do they know the best food in Key West is just a few doors down the street.

There are only a few options for the best food in Key West. Our vote goes to Louie’s Backyard at the south end of Duval Street, near the southernmost point, as our favorite. Louie’s has been serving Caribbean style entrees and fresh local seafood for over 50 years.

Louie's Backyard the best in Key West
Louie’s is just a few steps from this famous Key West landmark.

The restaurant is in a renovated old Victorian home with a magnificent ocean view and a small tiki bar close to the sand.

Service has always been fast and courteous. We are told the same award-winning chef has been at Louie’s for 30 years.

The international reputation of Louie’s has convinced many food critics that they are the best restaurant in Key West.

Award Winning Food and Service Makes Louie’s Key West’s Best Restaurant

Louie’s has won numerous awards for presenting Caribbean flavors with fresh locally sourced products.

Louie’s  has been featured on just about every food show and restaurant preview across the country. The menu is creative and offers entrées for almost any taste, but specializes in Caribbean seafood presentations.  

best restaurant in Key West - Louie's Backyard.
This unassuming house contains the best restaurant in Key West. The back of the house opens up to a view of the Florida straights.

All of the accolades, great menu items and fine service is unequaled in Key West. 

Having dinner or lunch beside the Atlantic Ocean adds a dimension unrivaled in Key West. Louie’s is popular and consistently busy.

Other Top Contenders for the Best Restaurant in Key West

Louie's Backyard restaurant - key west best restaurant
Louie’s Backyard Mussels

Each of these great restaurants in Key West deserves recognition for their consistent food quality, superb service and many years of providing Key West residents and visitors excellent culinary superiority.

Reservations are suggested at Louie’s and the other list of best restaurants in Key West, even at lunchtime.

You can end a day of doing the Duval crawl by stopping at Louie’s Backyard, your best choice for dining in Key West.

Final Notes About Louie’s Backyard Restaurant

After dozens of trips to Key West and eating at restaurants from one end of the island to the other, Louie’s restaurant stands out year after year

For more about the food scene in Key West – The Best Food in Key West

More About Key West

Key Largo to Key West Guide

10 Facts About Key West

Must-Do Things To Do in Key West

Book your entire trip with one of these money saving partners!

Latest Posts

Florida Travel Guides

Florida Travel Blog

Join Our Mailing List

Get all our latest posts and our monthly Florida Travel Newsletter with the latest posts and Florida Travel News.