Favorite places to eat in Key Largo

Now mind you, this is just my personal report and reflects my tastes.  I'm more or less doing them in the order of how I remember them (which is pretty much driving down US1--the mile markers are noted in parens)

1. Caribbean Club (MM104) -- Okay, not a restaurant at all, but a nice little locals bar on the bay side of the keys, this has long been our 'Welcome to the Keys' bar when driving down from Ft. Lauderdale, grab a beer and go out back and sit by a picnic table by the docks.  If you are lucky you'll get some local lore from a salty old soul.  Caribbean Club was used in the filming of the Bogart film "Key Largo".

2. Sundowners (MM103)--Cue the harp music.  Also Bay side.  The place to go to listen to live music and watch the sunset.  Absolutely beautiful, they have a guest dock also.  Not to mention the food rocks also.  Get the local caught fresh fish in one of their signature preparations, Island Style is so good.  They also have landlubbers food, but don't talk to me if you order steak in the keys. I'll smack you.

3. Fish House and Fish House Encore (MM102)--This is right off the road, the two restaurants are side by side, Encore has a funky little back patio seating area.  Both restaurants feature fresh caught fish in their own signature styles.  Some kick ass smoked fish dip served with Cuban crackers.  The Fish House/Market is the more traditional restaurant, Encore features sushi and a raw bar that's fabulous.  I've eaten myself stupid there once or twice.

4. Coconuts (MM100)--Our bar away from home.  Even after HemiD left the first time, we still stop by to have a drink and some fish dip.  We also cruise the docks to see who's hanging about.  In the afternoons the bar usually features a live musician and on the weekends a band.  Great open air bar.  You can also (don't know if you are supposed to...) but run over from the pool and grab a drink to take back.  (If you stay at Marina del Mar you get full use of the hotel facilities at both Marina del Mar hotel and Holiday Inn).  They also host a bunch of fishing competitions and have great parties for Super Bowl. etc.

5.  Sharkey's Bar and Grill--Just stumble down the marina from Coconut's. You'll hear it before you see it.  Great breakfast place and a raucous happy hour.  I think we've only eaten breakfast there, but I hear the other food is pretty decent also.

Okay, I could keep going on there's so many places.  My only suggestion is to avoid chain restaurants and anything that says they specialize in ribs. Ugh.

However, we've had some pretty good meals on the boat.  Nothing like grilling up some grouper that had been swimming around in the water that morning.  Good eats!