To claim to know the five best beachfront eateries in the Florida Keys betrays the typical arrogance of a travel writer. The Keys — from Mile Marker 110 at the top all the way to Mile Marker 0 in Key West — are a series of islands; makes sense that youll find a full menu of bistros on the water. But — arrogance at the ready — here are five not to be missed:

1. Marker 88 Restaurant: This bistro on Islamorada offers gourmet dining, with seafood the speciality and tables on the sand. Its popular with higher-end guests, an occasional dining spot for the presidents Bush Sr. and Jr.. The romantic setting is highlighted with live music on the beach.

2. Key Fisheries: In Marathon, it aint much to look at — but its your other senses, taste and smell, that are important here. Superb seafood ordered at a rustic window beside a handwritten menu — stone-crab soup, key-lime scallops, whisky-peppercorn snapper, about 60 items — including their famous “Lobster Reuben.” Tried the Reuben. Instant addiction.

3. The Morada Bay Beach Café: At Mile Marker 81.6, this is an exquisitely romantic setting. The menu is wide-ranging and inventive, including but not exclusively seafood most entrées in the mid-$20 range. Theres a lovely selection of tapas, superb service, and the setting — on the sand, gazing over the bay … well, if youre not in love during the appetizers, you will be by dessert.

4. Sunset Pier: You must have at least one meal — or even just a drink — in a waterfront eatery adjacent to Key Wests Mallory Square. Our choice would be Ocean Key Resorts Sunset Pier Zero Duval St., on the boardwalk facing the iconic sunset. Surprisingly, the menu is not pricey, and the view at sundown — when everything stops for a moment — is unparalleled.

5. Little Palm Island by boat from Little Torch Key, Mile Marker 28.5: High end? Heck, if you get to High End, you can just glimpse Little Palm Island. This is luxury at its finest, and the food served in a restaurant, or on a deck with a 180-degree view of the ocean, or on the sandy beaches, and always on linen is fabulous. You can stay over at a grand and up per night, or arrive just for lunch or their famous Sunday brunch. Do.– Paul Knowles, a travel writer based in New Hamburg, Ont., is a sucker for seafood, seafront and sensational service.

via 5 best beach bistros in the Florida Keys.

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The on-site seafood market and restaurant, obviously, serve up the freshest seafood available.  They are  famous for their lobster Reuben, Gary came up with the dish after attending a meeting in Miami at Joe’s Stone Crab, where he was shown the version offered at Joe’s Take Away. About five months later, he created an over-sized sandwich at Keys Fisheries using lobster meat, homemade Thousand Island dressing and freshly baked bread. “Being such a huge producer of lobster as well as stone crabs, we have leftover meat from the lobster tails,” Gary explained. “So it dawned on me, why not make our own lobster Reuben?” 

Like savoring the lobster Reuben, ordering at Keys Fisheries is a unique experience. Customers walk up to a window and place their order for pickup. But instead of being asked their name, as in most establishments, they’re asked the question of the day, which might require them to name their favorite song title, pet peeve or New Year’s resolution. When the order is ready, the customer’s answer is announced over the loudspeaker to signal that he or she can come collect the meal.

Read the rest of the story at Keys Voices.

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