Perfect Little Winter Getaway
This winter, my husband and I took a trip to Key West and had an amazing time. We’d visited before with our family and already knew how much we loved it, but this was our first getaway with just the two of us.
We stayed at a beautiful waterfront hotel—it offers thoughtfully designed, island-inspired accommodations nestled within a lush tropical setting. Pier House Resort & Spa features a private white-sand beach, a full-service luxury spa, and iconic bars and dining experiences—making it one of the premier places to stay in Key West.
Where we ate and drank
BLUE HEAVEN. You guys were absolutely right to suggest having brunch at Blue Heaven—it was easily one of our favorite restaurants and completely lived up to the hype. They make all their breads in-house, so don’t skip the banana bread—and definitely pair it with a Mimosa. So good!
CUBAN COFFEE QUEEN. You know my love for coffee is real, and the incredible aromas drifting out of this shop instantly pulled us in. I ordered a hot Café con Leche. For comparison, a Café con Leche is very similar to a latte. It is simply Cuban espresso served with steamed milk. Glenn is straight, hot black coffee with coconut sugar, sometimes iced.
We enjoyed it so much, we bought a bag of Queen's Roast (their darkest roast and number one selling bean) to take home. We'll be ordering more soon!
FUNKY ROOSTER COFFEE & WINE BAR. We stumbled upon this gem. The coziest vibe with lots of nooks and crannies to enjoy a cup of coffee or a mimosa.
TWO FRIENDS PATIO RESTAURANT. We started our mornings twice at this iconic spot. One of the oldest restaurants in the keys so they must be doing something right to be around since 1886. Our breakfast was delicious. I had the seafood omelet with the best crispy potatoes and bacon. Glenn had the fish tacos and thought they were good.
Live music and plenty of chickens and roosters hanging around, especially if you dine out on the patio.
CONCH REPUBLIC SEAFOOD COMPANY. The service, the view, the food...it's perfect. Definitely get the Royal Red Shrimp (not on the menu). They taste just like lobster and are served with butter...we ate a whole pound. We ate very well, so much so that we went there twice.
BAGATELLE. Everything about the place is right. Food and service were fantastic! We ordered the Caesar Salad with Grilled Shrimp, Seared Black Grouper, over Caribbean Coconut Rice, Grilled Asparagus, with Lobster Cream Sauce, and the Key Lime Pie with a mile high
FIRST FLIGHT. We absolutely loved this charming garden restaurant, which offers cozy indoor seating, a bar area, and a spacious, beautiful outdoor patio filled with palm trees and glowing string lights. The Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl was so good that we came back and ordered it again. Highly recommend!
NINE ONE FIVE. This one might have been my absolute favorite. The food is so amazing. For the main course, we both had house-made pasta dishes. The She-Crab Ravioli...YUMMMM, and Ravioli a la Norcina was wonderful!
Topped it off with their version of Key Lime Pie (more like a tart). OUTSTANDING. My advice: make a reservation.
A & B LOBSTER HOUSE. We started with cocktails at the upstairs bar - Berlin's - before dinner. The Martini is a must.
We ordered New England Clam Chowder and Lobster Bisque (the best I've ever had). For the main course, we decided to share the jumbo crab cakes. To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations—but these were genuinely impressive. They were packed with crab and had very little filler, which is rare at most restaurants. We were so glad we gave them a chance! Recommend making a reservation.
THE WATERFRONT BREWERY. This was the perfect spot for a quick bite and a cold drink. The views are absolutely stunning as well. I’d definitely return to try more from the menu.
THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE. This butterfly sanctuary is absolutely magical. There are so many species of butterflies flying everywhere! There were turtles, two adorable flamingoes, and birds playing in the water, along with all the butterflies.
SEASIDE CAFE. After touring The Butterfly House, we headed over to Seaside Cafe. A quick stop to sit overlooking the Atlantic with margaritas. We shared Conch Fritters and Truffle Fries with Basil Aioli, which are life-changing.
KERMITS KEY LIME SHOP. We made one last stop here for a final slice of the island’s most famous dessert. Tart, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet.
MALLORY SQUARE. Be sure to arrive at Mallory Square before nightfall. This waterfront plaza in Key West’s historic Old Town is world-famous for its stunning sunsets. The nightly “Sunset Celebration” is one of the most popular attractions and a must-see experience in Key West.
What was the weather like? It was cooler than usual, with morning temperatures in the 50s. Not exactly the warm sunshine we were hoping for, but we did get a couple of days in the low 70s, which felt really nice. Because of the cooler weather, water activities weren’t really an option (at least for us).
We walked, shopped, enjoyed plenty of fresh seafood, and sipped our way around Key West. One of our favorite things was simply strolling through town and taking in all the beauty. And of course, we can’t forget the Key West chickens roaming around everywhere.
There’s truly something for everyone in Key West, whether you’re traveling as a family, planning a romantic couples trip, organizing a girls’ getaway, or heading down with a group of friends.
Please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions, and feel free to leave feedback and share your tips as well.