If you’re craving a taste of Cuba in the Florida Keys, grab a meal at one of my favorite Cuban restaurants in Key West.
As Florida’s southernmost city, less than 100 miles north of Cuba, there are many Cuban dining spots on the Key West restaurant scene.
While Cuban food seems to be a dime a dozen in Key West, not all restaurants are created equal.
I’m sharing the ten best Cuban restaurants in Key West serving delicious Cuban cuisine. I hope you’re hungry!
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10 Best Cuban Restaurants in Key West
1. El Siboney Restaurant
El Siboney is a family-owned Key West restaurant crafting authentic Cuban food with fresh flavors.
Located in the Old Town neighborhood, El Siboney is a small, charming spot to grab a Cuban Mix Sandwich for lunch or a filling steak plate for dinner.
This true hidden gem offers a calm and welcoming escape from Key West’s hustle and bustle.
Don’t forget to start your meal with a cheese, beef, or chicken empanada!
2. Fritas Cuban Burger Cafe
Many consider Fritas Cuban Burger Cafe one of the best Cuban restaurants in Key West.
Visit this laid-back cafe and try a “frita” burger made with a beef and pork patty, a secret sauce, and thin fried potato slices on a toasted bun.
The menu serves several fun frita burger variations with extra spices, cheeses, or different meats, depending on your preference.
I highly recommend finishing your meal with their signature Café Con Leche, an espresso drink served hot or cold.
3. Kim’s Kuban
Experience a taste of Cuba at Kim’s Kuban, which serves everything from chips, salsa, and tacos to delicious Cuban sandwiches and plantains.
Thanks to the diverse selection of Mexican and Cuban dishes, everyone can find something delicious to dine on at Kim’s Kuban.
Many locals visit Kim’s Kuban for a breakfast sandwich and authentic Cuban coffee.
With a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, Kim’s Kuban is the place to beat for a casual breakfast or quick lunch with friends.
4. Five Brothers Grocery and Sandwich Shop
Five Brothers Grocery and Sandwich Shop is one of the best Cuban restaurants in Key West.
The Southard Street Sandwich Shop has been a local staple since the 1970s, though many tourists miss it.
You can’t go wrong with the classic Cuban, a mouthwatering combination of ham, pork, swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.
Vegetarians, meanwhile, can enjoy a black bean burger with fresh lettuce and tomato—save room for the guava and cheese pastry!
5. Cuban Coffee Queen
Don’t let the name fool you: Cuban Coffee Queen on Margaret Street serves delicious coffee, but the authentic Cuban food is equally tasty.
I always judge a Cuban spot by its cafe con leche, and Coffee Queen serves robust and rich espresso drinks—the Cortadito (a double espresso with sugar and milk) is also a yummy choice.
If you want to snack on something while you sip, try the Cuban toast with guava or the Havana rice and beans.
Regardless of what you order at Cuban Coffee Queen, I guarantee you’ll want to return multiple times during your Key West vacay.
6. Ana’s Cuban Cafe
Ana’s Cuban Cafe serves some of the best Cuban food in Key West for reasonable prices.
The menu at Ana’s is simple but flavorful, with sandwiches containing ingredients like chorizo, lechon asado (roast pork), cheese, and more.
This casual eatery is one of the only places in town to grab a hearty lunch of ropa vieja (shredded beef), black beans, and plantain chips for under $15!
As a bonus, Ana’s is conveniently located near Mallory Square.
7. El Meson de Pepe Restaurant
El Meson de Pepe Cuban Restaurant is a can’t-miss spot if you’re looking for a lively place to drink mojitos and watch the sunset with friends.
This famous Key West restaurant serves tasty Cuban food and cocktails—the menu highlight is tapas, small plates perfect for sharing.
Top picks at El Meson include the yucca with onion mojo sauce, fried yellowtail, and Cuban nachos.
End your meal on a sweet note with a key lime square before dancing the night away on the patio bar.
8. Sandy’s Cafe
You can’t visit Key West without dining at Sandy’s Cafe, a legendary family restaurant founded in 1954.
The award-winning Cuban sandwich at Sandy’s Cafe has been featured on Food Network specials and is renowned worldwide.
While the restaurant has a second location called Southernmost Sandy’s Cafe, the one on White Street is considered the original Sandy’s Cafe.
Popular menu items at Sandy’s include breakfast plates, burgers, grilled shrimp, and horchata, a rich milk drink with cinnamon and rice.
9. El Habanero Cafe Cubano
It doesn’t get better than El Habanero Cafe Cubano—this Key West spot is a favorite for Cuban breakfast and lunch options.
El Habanero Cafe is a small, casual restaurant in a grocery market where you can experience Cuban cuisine.
Despite the no-frills setting, expect authentic Cuban dishes like meat and fish platters, empanadas, and sandwiches.
I highly recommend this Cuban cafe for a casual, flavorful meal in Key West that won’t break the bank.
10. El Mocho
The final Key West Cuban restaurant I want to highlight is El Mocho, a family-run joint with a laidback vibe.
El Mocho is unassuming, but everything on the menu is exceptionally flavorful.
Enjoy a selection of Cuban classics made with recipes from the owner’s grandmother—you can’t beat that!
You’ll be instantly transported to the island of Cuba after your first bite of El Mocho’s tropical offerings.
Hopefully, this roundup of the best Cuban restaurants in Key West inspires you to plan a tropical vacation!
Explore my travel content for more restaurant recommendations and guides.
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FAQs
Key West is a beautiful Florida town famous for its tropical climate, outdoor activities, historic architecture, and delicious food. It’s the perfect vacation spot for families, couples, and solo travelers.
Key lime pie and fresh seafood are must-tries in Key West, but the city is also known for its Cuban-inspired cuisine.
Check out El Mocho or Kim’s Kuban for affordable, traditional Cuban eats.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
