Top 7 Places with the Best Cuban Food in Key West

There is no shortage of good food in Key West, and one thing is for sure: you’ll find some of the best Cuban food in Key West. One of our favorite things to do in Key West is eating! There are so many amazing restaurants in Key West that we could plan a whole vacation around food, and we have, lol.

If you’ve never tried Cuban food before, Key West is the perfect place to try some authentic Cuban dishes for the first time or try some of the best Cuban sandwiches ever. There are tons of restaurants serving up authentic Cuban food in Key West. It should be no surprise Cuba is 90 miles south of Key West!

We’ve put together our list of the best Cuban restaurants in Key West serving up delicious Cuban food. It would be a sin if you didn’t have at least one Cuban sandwich in Key West!

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1. El Siboney Restaurant

Sometimes, the best food comes from the most unassuming, no-frills places, and that’s exactly the first impression you get from El Siboney. You might also walk right past it since the brick building blends in with the surrounding residential homes.

El Siboney offers some of the best Cuban food in Key West. They’ve been around since 1984 and will soon be celebrating 40 years of sharing the flavors of Cuba with Key West.

But lots of people swear by nondescript exteriors as having some of the best and most authentic cuisines, and that couldn’t be more true here. El Siboney is family-run, offers different specials every day, and is reasonably priced. 

They offer beef, roasted pork, chicken, Cuban toast, and seafood dishes, as well as small bites, yellow rice, black bean soup, and mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches. They also sell bottles of their famous hot sauce. Some of the best things on the menu include their delicious Cuban sandwiches, roast pork, and their famous two-person paella.

• Full Menu
• Address: 900 Catherine Street, Key West

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2. El Mocho Restaurant

Just over the state road towards Key Haven is El Mocho Restaurant, a Caribbean and Cuban cuisine must-try restaurant. Nestled inside a small white building, El Mocho has some of the best Cuban food in Key West, and if you’re in the area, you should definitely stop here for lunch.

El Mocho is family-owned, and the menu has lots of options, especially given the size of the restaurant. Try coming early in the day for their Cuban breakfast or during lunchtime for Latin classics. 

One of their more popular snack items is the Cuban bread. It is served with most dishes or can be ordered separately and is baked fresh in-house daily. Some of the popular things to eat here include Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, and sweet treats like tostones, flan, or pancakes. They also have a selection of white Cuban coffees. Of course, you have to get the Cafe con Leche.

• Full Menu
• Address: 5708 Maloney Ave, Key West

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3. Ana’s Cuban Café

This little hidden gem is located in the heart of southern Key West, just a block away from the water. It is one of our favorite restaurants. It’s a cute little spot with great food. It’s in Key West’s Historic District, just a few minutes walk from the Butterfly Observatory and Higgs Memorial Beach Park.

Ana’s Cuban Cafe serves breakfast and lunch only, so if you want to swing by for a meal, make sure to plan for earlier in the day. It’s laid back and relaxing with great service. There is seating inside and on the outdoor patio to soak up the sun.

They have a shared menu with the Conch Café next door, with dishes available in both places. One part of the menu is devoted to classic breakfast sandwiches (some with a Latin twist). But the Cuban specialties you’ll want to try include the authentic Cuban sandwich (roast pulled pork, ham, mustard, Swiss cheese, and pickles), their fish of the day seafood platter, and smaller sides like sweet plantains, tostones, and croquetas.

• Full Menu
• Address: 1330 Simonton St, Naval Air Station Key West

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4. El Meson de Pepe Restaurant

If you’re looking for a long-standing, family-owned restaurant that is endorsed by the locals, then El Meson de Pepe will tick all the boxes. It’s located inside a historic building in Mallory Square, just off the water where you can watch massive cruise ships dock while you enjoy traditional Cuban food in Key West.

El Meson de Pepe has been around for over 30 years and is one of the best restaurants on the Key West dining scene. One of the best parts is the live music with their famous salsa band, Caribe of Key West, which plays every night at sunset. With the warm air, the setting sun, and the traditional music, the atmosphere is perfect.

And it’s not all for show—the food is as good as the ambiance. Try the roasted garlic chicken, pulled pork platter, or beef picadillo. Guests also rave about their plantain chips if you want more of a snack, or skip straight to dessert with their flan casero with caramel. And, of course, snag yourself a signature Mojito from their patio bar during happy hour.

• Full menu
• Address: 410 Wall St, Key West

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5. Blue Heaven

Blue Heaven is one of the best places to experience Cuban cuisine in Key West. They are just two blocks from the Key West Lighthouse in the heart of downtown. At night, they are easy to spot thanks to multicolored lights that illuminate the facade.

Big blue metal gates swing open to reveal a laid-back courtyard with a bar in the center and lots of tables and chairs. (There is also indoor seating.) Don’t be surprised at the chickens and cats running around! It’s a well-known spot and really popular with locals.

There are so many things to try, but some of the most popular include jerk chicken sandwiches, shrimp melts, spiny lobster, fresh fish, and the citrus snapper. They are also known for having the best breakfast in Key West, but it’s the most popular time to visit, so plan to arrive early. The lobster Benedict is a must-try.

And no matter the time of day, don’t leave without ordering the signature dish Key Lime Pie — it’s one of the best Key Lime Pies in Key West and well-known to be country singer Kenny Chesney’s favorite. 

• Full menu
• Address: 729 Thomas St, Key West

Related Article: Where to Find the Best Seafood in Key West

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6. Amigos Tortilla Bar

Just around the corner from El Meson de Pepe is the Amigos Tortilla Bar. They serve Mexican-Cuban fusion food, so you can expect delicious food with an amazing blend of dishes and flavors! They are open until midnight, so it’s a great spot for a late-night bite.

Amigos Tortilla Bar likes to step back and keep things basic. That means combining spiced, fragrant roasted seafood and meats on freshly handmade corn tortillas. Then, top as you desire with refreshing salsas, onions, and house-made hot sauce. Their tortillas are a little different as they are square, not the classic round, but still made with the traditional ingredients and fresh daily.

Carnitas, grilled shrimp, Baja fish, and spicy chorizo are some of the delicious tacos on their menu. They also do taco platters or half-chickens for larger groups. You can also find Mexican drinks, like Jarritos, horchata, and hibiscus tea.

• Full menu
• Address: 425 Greene St, Key West

7. Cuban Coffee Queen

Most of our mornings in Key West start at the Cuban Coffee Queen. If you are looking for the best Cuban coffee, look no further.

They are known for their authentic Cuban coffee, and their café con Leche is the most famous. I like to order a Cortadito (double Cuban espresso with cane sugar and steamed milk) and a breakfast sandwich, I usually get the Cuban breakfast burrito or the cheese sandwich.

It is such a popular place there are now three locations. The original location is on the waterfront on Margaret Street, the second location is in Downtown Key West in the Key Lime Square near the corner of Southard Street and Duval Street, and the third location is in the Clinton Square Market on Front Street.

If you are in town for the famous Key West nightlife and don’t have a ton of time to sit down and eat, grab a sandwich at Cuban Coffee Queen.

• View Menu
• Address:
  • 284 Margaret St, Naval Air Station Key West
  • 5 Key Lime Square, Key West
  • 291 Front St, Key West

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What are some of your favorite Key West Restaurants with Cuban influences? Where do you think the best Cuban sandwich in Key West is? We are always on the hunt for new restaurants in Key West to try.