Come with us as we share with you the top places to get the best Key Lime Pie in Key West! You are in for a real treat as we will tour all throughout Key West to find the best of the best! Once you’ve tasted genuine Key Lime Pie, you will never settle for the pre-packaged green dyed Key Lime Pie that is out there.
Just imagine spending the day soaking up the sun while floating in the ocean and then having the most amazing slice of chilled Key Lime Pie! Sounds fantastic, right? Key Lime Pie always seems to hit the spot because it is light, refreshing, and the perfect balance between sweet and tart.
If you are planning on staying in in town for a bit, here are the 12 Best Airbnbs in Key West! In between Key Lime Pie tastings, you might be looking for some other forms of entertainment, so here are 16 fun things to do in Key West.
Key Lime Pie recipes can vary greatly and there is a lot of heated debate as to which ones are the most authentic or the “right” way to make them. Graham cracker crust or traditional pie crust? Meringue topping or fresh whipped cream? Good thing is that you don’t have to choose! You can find several different styles in Key West and sample them all!
So, get ready to be drooling over all of these incredible places to get the best Key Lime Pie in Key West. We will share what makes each one special, a little bit about the location, and what might be fun to check out nearby.
Where Did Key Lime Pie Originate?
So, before we jump into where to find the best key lime pie in Key West, we thought we would give you a little back story as to the origin of key lime pie.
Now, the facts as to who made the very first key lime pie are a little fuzzy. Some claim that William Curry, as ship salvager in Florida, had a cook that made the first key lime pie. While others claim that sponge fishermen were the very first to concoct this delicious dessert.
What we do know is that Key Lime Trees were found in abundance all throughout Key West dating back as early as the 1800s. During that time, refrigeration was not common, so the innovation of using shelf-stable sweetened condensed milk was pivotal.
In 2006, Key Lime Pie became the official state pie of Florida. So, we might not be completely sure as to its origin, but we sure do love this pie and we are so happy it was created.
Why Is Key Lime Pie Famous In Key West?
Key Lime Pie is very famous and popular in Key West. So, why is that? It is all about the climate! Key limes only grow well in areas where the temperatures stay very warm and never dip below freezing.
Simply put, Key West has the perfect tropical environment for key limes to thrive and ripen beautifully. Key limes are quite tart and almost bitter if you eat them alone, but they truly shine as the super star ingredient for Florida’s most beloved pie.
7 Best Places To Get Key Lime Pie In Key West
Old Town Bakery
Best For: Locals’ Favorite & Picnic Prep.
Pie Profile: Hand-rolled ginger snap crust (a unique twist on the graham cracker).
The Vibe: “Local Artisan Charm.” This is a true hidden gem located in a converted 1800s conch house. It smells like yeast and butter the moment you walk in. It feels like a neighborhood secret—quiet, unpretentious, and focused entirely on the craft.
Old Town Bakery has been serving up tangy Key Lime Pie since 2010. The exterior of Old Town Bakery has a lovely old Florida vibe and looks a lot like a tackle shop that you’d find on most Florida piers.
The interior feels very casual and laid back. There are traditional glass front pastry display cases that feature several enticing desserts, but one of their most requested items is the Key Lime Pie.
Old Town Bakery is a great spot to get some of the best Key Lime Pie in Key West because it offers a very traditional take on this popular pie in a very relaxed atmosphere.
It is the quintessential Key Lime Pie complete with whipped cream and a graham cracker crust. You can purchase it by the slice or leave with your very own whole pie.
In addition to Key Lime Pie, Old Town Bakery also serves sandwiches made with fresh baked bread, cold drinks, gourmet cheeses, and several hot drink options.
A few nearby attractions include Mallory Square, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Park, and The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.
Salute! On The Beach
Best For: Sunset Views & Beachside Dining.
Pie Profile: A massive, “sky-high” toasted meringue atop a tart lime filling.
The Vibe: Casual, open-air, and located right on Higgs Beach. It’s the “civilized” alternative to the long wait times at Blue Heaven.
Alright, so now we head on over to Salute! On The Beach for another version of the tempting Key Lime Pie. Salute! On The Beach has the best Key Lime Pie in Key West for those looking for a very slight twist of the traditional recipe.
You won’t find whipped cream on this Key Lime Pie, but instead you will discover a stunningly high peak of meringue on top of the creamy light yellow custard and a graham cracker crust.
Salute! is a beach café that is right on the water with a sand volleyball court just steps away. If you decide to grab some food during your visit, you can enjoy Caribbean-influenced takes on Italian classics.
Some fun nearby attractions include the Southernmost Point of the Continental US, Higgs Beach, and Smathers Beach. Any one of these locations would be ideal for a little impromptu family photoshoot.
Blue Heaven
Best For: The “Sky-High” Meringue.
Pie Profile: A massive, mountain-like peak of toasted meringue sitting atop a classic tart custard and a buttery graham cracker crust.
The Vibe: “Bohemian Backyard Party.” With roosters wandering between tables, live music, and colorful local art, it’s the most iconic and whimsical atmosphere on the island.
Blue Heaven has been a staple of the Bahama Village neighborhood for decades, and for many travelers, their pie is the #1 reason to visit Key West! It is famous for having the tallest meringue you’ve ever seen—it’s light, fluffy, and perfectly scorched on the outside to look like a toasted marshmallow.
The presentation is a total showstopper, making it the most “Instagrammable” slice of pie on the island. It’s located in a historic property that once hosted boxing matches and Ernest Hemingway himself. Today, it’s a laid-back garden where you can enjoy your dessert under a canopy of tropical trees while listening to local musicians.
Moondog Cafe & Bakery
Best For: The Torched Meringue Twist.
Pie Profile: A creamy, tart lime filling topped with a uniquely “torched” meringue that has a burnt-sugar finish, served in a deep-dish style.
The Vibe: “Artsy & Vibrant Garden.” Located right next to the Hemingway House, it’s filled with colorful murals, tropical plants, and a bustling, creative energy.
Moondog Cafe is where the locals go when they want something a little more artistic. Their version of Key Lime Pie is famous for its meringue, which is torched until it has a beautiful golden-brown crust, giving it a flavor reminiscent of a toasted marshmallow.
The cafe itself is bright and eclectic, featuring a great outdoor patio and a bakery case filled with oversized treats. It’s a high-energy spot that feels modern and fresh, making it a great place to stop for a mid-day sugar boost or a post-museum treat.
The Stoned Crab
Best For: The “Best of Both Worlds” Experience.
Pie Profile: Classic graham cracker crust and custard, but they offer a chocolate and lime glaze on the side for dipping.
The Vibe: Elevated Dockside Dining. Casual but polished, located right on the water with a heavy focus on fresh, local seafood.
The Stoned Crab has the best Key Lime Pie in Key West for those of us that want the best of both worlds. We want a bit of tradition, but we also want a little something extra thrown into the mix!
This version contains the classic ingredients for most mouth-watering Key Lime custard, graham cracker crust, and fresh whipped cream. Then, they mix things up by offering a chocolate and lime glaze on the side for dipping.
Not only does The Stone Crab have some of the best Key Lime Pie in Key West, but they also feature breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The ambiance is casual yet elevated. You can choose to enjoy your pie indoors, outdoors, or at the bar.
Paddle boards, kayaks, and jet skis are all available to rent nearby. Other attractions include Key West Adventures Jeep Rentals and More, the Key West Golf Club, and Night Kayak Key West.
Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe
Best For: Souvenirs & Variety.
Pie Profile: Offers everything from traditional slices to a Frozen Key Lime Pie Bar and even a gluten-free version.
The Vibe: Key West Color. Famous for its bright green and yellow exterior and its massive selection of Key lime-themed gifts.
Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe is your one stop shop for all things Key Lime! Not only will you find some of the best Key Lime Pie in Key West, but you will also be able to buy Key Lime taffy, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, lip balm, salsa, cookies, and apparel!
Looking for some souvenirs to bring home to friends and family? Well, then Kermit’s will be the ultimate destination on your quest to find the very best Key Lime Pie in Key West.
The exterior is a bright and colorful as the famous Key Limes themselves. You just can’t miss this Kermit’s green and yellow paint scheme! Once you have had your fill of shopping, you can enjoy some tasty food in their lively café.
They offer a traditional Key Lime Pie with whipped cream and a graham cracker crust, as well as a gluten-free version and a Strawberry Key Lime Pie. In addition to their fabulous pies, they also created a Key Lime Pie Frozen Bar in a few different flavors.
The extremely popular Mallory Square, Sloppy Joe’s Bar, and the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery are all nearby.
Key West Key Lime Pie Co.
Best For: Award-Winning Variety & Classes.
Pie Profile: A multi-award-winning traditional recipe with a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Also available in creative forms like “pie in a cup.”
The Vibe: Modern & Professional. It feels like a clean, high-end pastry shop. The focus is entirely on the quality and consistency of the pie.
If you’re looking for a pie that has won national awards and been featured on The Profit, this is it! The Key West Key Lime Pie Co. takes their craft seriously. They offer a recipe that many consider to be the most “authentic” representation of the original 19th-century dessert.
They even offer pie-making classes where you can learn to whip up your own masterpiece! It’s a great activity for families or groups who want to take a bit of the island’s culture home with them. The shop is bright and efficient, making it a great spot to grab a quick slice or order a whole pie to be shipped back to your house.
Well, we hope you have enjoyed learning a little bit about Key West, the origin of Key Lime Pie, and where to get all of the best Key Lime Pie in Key West! We have had so much fun touring all of these amazing places and we cannot wait to hear which one is your favorite. One last suggestion…order dessert first!!
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