Last updated: July 1, 2026
Key lime pie is one of those must-try Key West things that seems simple until you start comparing them to see which is best.
Some are tart and creamy, some are piled high with meringue, some are delicately topped with whipped cream, and a few add their own tropical twist with unique crusts or flavors.
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On our recent Key West trips, we made it our mission to try some of the most popular key lime pies in Old Town. We tasted some classic slices, famous meringue-topped and toasted pies, a tropical twist near the Southernmost Point, and one classic bakery slice that keeps bringing us back every single trip.
This list includes our top six favorite key lime pie stops in Old Town Key West, plus one bonus key lime martini that deserves a mention if you love not too thick, dessert-style cocktails.
- A Short History of Key Lime Pie
- 1. Old Town Bakery
- 2. Blue Heaven
- 3. Pepe’s Cafe
- 4. Moondog Cafe & Bakery
- 5. First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery
- 6. Seaside Cafe at the Mansion
- Bonus: Two Friends Patio Key Lime Martini
- See our favorite Key Lime Pie YouTube short:
- Which Key Lime Pie Was Our Favorite?
- Final Thoughts: The Best Key Lime Pie in Key West Depends on Your Style
- Author’s Note
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A Short History of Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is one of the most famous desserts associated with Key West and the Florida Keys, but its exact origin story is still debated. The traditional Keys version is usually tied to the area’s early reliance on simple, shelf-stable ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and small, tart Key limes, which were easier to use before modern refrigeration was common.
Local lore often credits early Florida Keys cooks, sponge fishermen, or a cook known as “Aunt Sally” at the Curry Mansion in Key West with helping popularize the pie. Other food historians have pointed to early condensed milk company recipes from the 1930s as part of the story, so the true beginning is not completely settled.
Either way, we love it and are grateful for its creation!
📌If you are planning a trip to Key West don’t miss our Ultimate Key West trip guide and our Best things to do in Key West in a day itinerary!
1. Old Town Bakery
Address: 930 Eaton Street, Key West, FL 33040
Old Town Bakery is our favorite key lime pie in Key West, and it is the one we keep going back for every trip.
We first discovered it on a Key West food tour, and it immediately stood out because of the unique crust. Instead of a standard graham cracker crust, Old Town Bakery mixes in gingersnaps, which gives the pie a slightly spiced, deeper flavor that works so well with the creamy key lime filling.
What we love most is the balance. The filling has the right consistency, the flavor is bright without being too sharp, and the crust adds something unique without overpowering the pie. It feels classic but still stands out, which is exactly what we want from a Key West key lime pie.
This is also a great stop if you want to grab a slice while wandering around the quieter side of Old Town. The bakery has a local, laid-back feel, and there are plenty of other coffees, sandwiches, and treats if you are traveling with someone who somehow does not want key lime pie. Note: They close at 3:00 pm so plan early!
Why we loved it: Perfect balance, creamy texture, and the gingersnap crust makes it special.
Best for: Anyone who wants a classic key lime pie with a unique crust.
2. Blue Heaven
Address: 729 Thomas Street, Key West, FL 33040
Blue Heaven is one of the most iconic restaurants in Key West, and its key lime pie is just as famous as the roosters wandering through the courtyard.
This is the pie to try if you love a dramatic meringue topping. The slice arrives with a tall, fluffy mound of meringue that makes it instantly recognizable. The filling had a slightly tart flavor that we loved because it kept the pie from tasting too sweet.
Blue Heaven was also part of Key West’s first wave of MICHELIN-recognized restaurants, which makes it an even more exciting stop for food-focused travelers. The recognition is for the restaurant as a whole, but Blue Heaven’s key lime pie is one of the dishes people talk about most.
We think this is one of the best classic Key West pie experiences because the setting is such a big part of the fun. You get the colorful courtyard, tropical plants, live music at times, Key West chickens, and a slice of pie that looks like it belongs on every food traveler’s must-try list.
Why we loved it: Slightly tart filling, tall meringue, and the quirky Key West atmosphere.
Best for: First-time visitors who want an iconic Key West key lime pie experience.
3. Pepe’s Cafe
Address: 806 Caroline Street, Key West, FL 33040
Pepe’s Cafe is the oldest restaurant in Old Town Key West (and in the Florida Keys). It is casual, historic, and unpretentious, and their key lime pie fits that personality perfectly.
This was one of our favorite classic slices because it was simple and well-balanced. The texture of the pie was great, the flavor had the right sweet-tart balance, and the whipped cream topping kept it light instead of making it feel too rich.
Not every key lime pie needs a huge meringue or a creative twist. Sometimes the best version is the one that feels straightforward, fresh, and satisfying. That is what we loved about Pepe’s.
This is also a good stop if you are already exploring the historic seaport area or looking for a casual breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Old Town. The pie makes an easy dessert after a meal, but it is also worth stopping in for a slice on its own.
Why we loved it: Simple, balanced, creamy, and topped with whipped cream.
Best for: For those who prefer a classic key lime pie without too many extras.
4. Moondog Cafe & Bakery
Address: 823 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040
Moondog Cafe & Bakery is another MICHELIN-recognized Key West restaurant, and it earned a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Florida MICHELIN Guide. It is also a great stop if you are visiting the Hemingway Home, the Key West Lighthouse, or exploring the Whitehead Street area.
Their key lime pie is beautiful, especially if you love a tall meringue. The meringue was toasted nicely, topped with lime zest, and gave the pie a little extra texture, taste, and visual appeal.
The flavor was mellow and well-balanced rather than extremely tart, which makes it a good option for people who want key lime flavor without too much sharpness. We also liked that it felt polished but still approachable, which fits Moondog’s overall cafe-and-bakery vibe.
Moondog is also a great all-around food stop in Key West. It works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, baked goods, or dessert, so it is easy to fit into almost any Old Town itinerary.
Why we loved it: Toasted meringue, lime zest, mellow flavor, and a well-balanced filling.
Best for: Meringue lovers and anyone already visiting the Hemingway Home or Key West Lighthouse area.
⛯ We also reviewed the sunset lighthouse experience at the Key West lighthouse and it is a one-of-a-kind experience to try so check it out!
5. First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery
Address: 301 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040
First Flight surprised us in the best way with its version of key lime pie.
We expected to enjoy the historic setting, brewery atmosphere and great burgers, but the key lime pie ended up being one of the ones we kept talking about. It was well-balanced, creamy, and the fruit with chocolate drizzle added a decadent, fresh note that made the pie feel a little different from some of the more traditional versions.
First Flight is located in a historic building tied to the early days of Pan American World Airways, so it is already a fun stop if you like Key West history. The courtyard setting is beautiful, and it makes a great lunch, dinner, or drinks stop while exploring Old Town.
The key lime pie here is a good reminder that some of the best bites in Key West are the ones you do not necessarily expect to steal the show.
Why we loved it: It surprised us, had a great balance, and the fruit added to the flavor.
Best for: A relaxed Old Town meal with a key lime pie finish close to the Truman Little White House Museum.
Seaside Cafe is so close to some of our favorite Key West hotels! Check out our Key West best hotels comparison review to plan a trip! There are also many unique historical features in Key West so check out our Art Deco Key West walking guide too!
6. Seaside Cafe at the Mansion
Address: 1400 Duval Street, Key West, FL 33040
Seaside Cafe at the Mansion is located at the Southernmost House, close to the Southernmost Point Buoy at the quieter end of Duval Street. It is a great stop if you are exploring that part of Key West and want something, casual, oceanfront, and a little different. If you’ve read our Key West best food trucks and quick bites guide, you know how much we love this place and the beautiful sunsets from there!
Their piña colada key lime pie was one of the most unique versions we tried. It had whipped cream, a tropical flavor, and a creamy texture, and it was really sweet, which we really appreciated.
This is a good choice if you want something that still tastes like key lime pie but has more of an island-dessert twist. The piña colada flavor makes it feel vacation-worthy without being too heavy.
We also love this area of Key West because you can pair it with a photo stop at the Southernmost Point (there is always a line), a walk along the quieter end of Duval, or a visit to nearby attractions like the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.
Why we loved it: Unique piña colada flavor, whipped cream topping, and a well-balanced sweetness.
Best for: Anyone who wants a tropical twist on key lime pie near the Southernmost Point.
Bonus: Two Friends Patio Key Lime Martini
Address: 512 Front Street, Key West, FL 33040
This one is not a pie, but it deserves a bonus mention because the key lime martini at Two Friends Patio is the best one we have had in Old Town, hands down.
We love Two Friends and eat there often on Key West trips (see our Top Key West Restaurants guide), so trying the key lime martini felt like a natural addition to our key lime tasting. What we liked most was the consistency. It had a decadent key lime flavor, but it was not too thick or heavy, which I hate in a cocktail.
Dessert-style cocktails can sometimes feel like too much, especially in the Florida heat, but this one was smooth, flavorful, and easy to enjoy. It gives you that key lime dessert feeling in drink form without making you feel like you just ordered a milkshake.
Two Friends is also a fun, casual Old Town restaurant with a lively atmosphere, live music, and the kind of easygoing Key West energy that makes you want to sit for a while when they have live music.
Why we loved it: Creamy key lime flavor, great consistency, and not too heavy.
Best for: A fun key lime cocktail stop in Old Town.
See our favorite Key Lime Pie YouTube short:
Which Key Lime Pie Was Our Favorite?
Our favorite key lime pie in Old Town Key West was Old Town Bakery.
We loved all of the pies on this list, especially Blue Heaven for the tart filling and dramatic meringue, Pepe’s for the simple classic balance, and Moondog for the toasted meringue and mellow flavor. But Old Town Bakery had the best combination and taste for us.
The gingersnap crust makes it stand out, and the filling has that ideal creamy consistency and balanced key lime flavor. It is unique without being overdone, and that is why it has become one of our regular Key West stops.
More Key West articles to help you plan a trip:
- Where to camp in the Florida Keys
- Best food trucks and quick bites in Key West
- Where to eat in Key West – 18 of the Best restaurants guide
- Review of the best sunset boat tours in Key West
Final Thoughts: The Best Key Lime Pie in Key West Depends on Your Style
The fun part about foodie travel and trying key lime pie in Key West is that there is not just one “right” version.
If you love tall meringue, go to Blue Heaven or Moondog. For something simple and classic, try Pepe’s. If you want a unique twist, stop at Seaside Cafe at the Mansion. for a surprise favorite in a historic setting, try First Flight. And if you want our personal favorite, head to Old Town Bakery for the gingersnap crust slice.
Our best advice is to make your own mini key lime pie crawl in Old Town. Key West is walkable, the slices are shareable if you don’t want a whole one, and comparing your favorites with your group is half the fun.
Author’s Note
We visit Key West often and love trying new restaurants, bakeries, and classic foodie stops each time we go. This guide is based on the key lime pies we personally tried with our group of 6 in Old Town Key West, along with our honest favorites from recent trips.
Key lime pie preferences are personal. I’ve never met one I didn’t love! Some people love a tall meringue, some prefer whipped cream, and others want the tartest filling possible. There are so many options. Old Town Bakery was our favorite, but every stop on this list is worth trying if you are planning your own Key West food crawl.
