5 Brothers Key West - Coffee & Cubanos

Stopped in for lunch on Tuesday after searching for sandwich shops in key west. I was glad I chose to come in for a burger and fry. Location has been there since 1978. Fran waited on us. Wow. Beautiful, funny, and professional. Food was great. They have a little seating area for a couple people too.

When we travel, we have to taste local authentic taste with lovely great people. “Bean with Rice” is awesome. Cuban coffee and Cuban sandwiches are also extremely good!!! Don’t miss plantain along with Bean and rice”. Great place to sit relax, eat authentic food and chat with lovely local people.

My wife and I have the good fortune of knowing good friends. They lived around the corner from 5 Brothers from 1994 until 2019. We’d visit them sometimes 3 times a year and occasionally rented our own place if it was a longer visit to Key West. Our mornings would almost always begin at 5 Brothers with at least coffee but also quite often a breakfast sandwich. Pepe knew his regulars. They didn’t have to order. On the other hand we as visitors would sometimes go 6 months or more then we’d be in every day for 10 days to a month! We’d go back after not being in town for a while and the first morning he’d kind of give a look of recognition then after that it was walked in, greetings exchanged and decide whether it was a sandwich day or not. Pepe and Maribel ran a terrific Key West institution. They more than earned their retirement. We were happy to hear their daughter Francheska and her husband have stepped up to continue this tradition. My wife and I dropped into town this week for an all too brief visit. Hit here all 3 days and on one day I did have the opportunity to meet the new boss. She is beautiful, smart and a credit to her parents. Key West is constantly changing. It’s a pleasure that places like this still exist there. If you’re visiting treat yourself to 5 Brothers. If you go before 10 am be prepared for the locals, including many Key West police officers, getting their fuel! It’s an experience not to be missed and we do miss it, until we’re there!

This is a great little sandwich shop! We stopped in, looking to get a couple Cuban sandwiches for lunch and before our snorkel outing. We made a great choice here. The service was friendly and the dining was super casual. I didn't know which sandwich to order, and the gal at the counter suggested the Midnight. Good choice! My wife wished she had gone with that over the traditional, as the Midnight uses a sweet bread, similar to what I'd call a Hawaiian roll. To eat, there was some standing room available inside, and some plastic chairs outside. Naturally, we went outside. There were some other guests out there, as you can see in the picture, and they didn't give a cluck about getting up into your lunch business. Definitely not their first rodeo, and we enjoyed the entertainment watching them! 5 Brothers is worth the stop. Good food, reasonable prices.

Best Cuban I’ve ever had. The bread alone was amazing. So glad I decided to be a little adventurous and make my way to a local place. Will be a regular stop every time I go back to Key West now.

Found this place after a Reddit recommendation for lunch saying it was a good hidden spot. It was true. The sandwich with fried chicken was tasty and well made. Tried the café con leche and it was good too. The staff were incredibly warm, friendly and kind. Definitely recommended for a good sandwich bite.

Wonderful locally owned (3rd generation) cafe/coffee shop with great Cuban coffee and a variety of yummy sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.

Got me a fantastic steak sandwich here, fully dressed all for grilled onions. A classic sandwich shop here on key west. You know if the cops eat their plate lunches here then it’s gotta be good.

Great Cuban sandwiches, cafe con leche and guava pastries!! The pork in the sandwich is tender and juicy!!! We always stop in when we are in town! And it is the standard by which we compare all other sandwiches

Small and cozy little sandwich shop with great sandwiches. The Cuban mix is solid, their bread is toasted great. The people who work there are always kind. There's no seating inside but it's the perfect place to grab a quick bite to go. Top 5 sandwiches in Key West.

Great place to stop for a fresh Cuban. Thick meat adorns this crispy Cuban bread. Pickles and mustard and cheese make it a true delight. Even the roosters want a bite Benches outside to enjoy

Believe the reviews! 5 Brothers is so good and worth going out of your way to visit. I stopped in during the lunch rush and it is a popular spot despite being away from the tourist areas. While I was waiting people were coming in and out of the shop. Including locals. There were quite a few people inside waiting when I arrived; most of whom were waiting to pay. The man behind the counter asked who was next and I ordered the traditional Cuban with extra pickles. The food came out pretty quickly. After ordering it was around 10 minutes and I had my food. I stood at one of the inside tables (inside is small, standing room only) but the tables had napkins and hot sauce so I sampled half of my sandwich. It is enough for two people or leftovers and was so delicious. Great flavor and the only sandwich that I'm good having with yellow mustard on it. The hot sauces were a nice touch and this meal was a win all around. I highly recommend that you give 5 Brothers your business while in Key West!

Easy solid four or more. People really seem to Love them and I could see why if we were staying nearby for good cheap eats and sundries. We popped in for cafe con letche and maybe something to eat but didn't. Was about the smallest cafe con letche I've seen in awhile but was smooth and delicious, definitely strong. Warm and friendly.

The cafe con leche is still the best on the island. Enjoyed it 20 years ago for many mornings and finally returned to Grinnell St to enjoy it again.

Inexpensive Cuban coffee (con leche) and good Cubans. Some other foods such as soup and tacos. Not really much of a grocery. Some drinks in a cooler case.

Best Cuban coffee in the lower keys- hands down. Great prices and wonderful service. These guys get our business several times a week. :)

Was disappointed that it was closed on Tuesday;(. Love this place and their sandwiches and especially their bollos (only place that served these anymore) are the best!

I went to 5 Brothers Grocery & Sandwich Shop to get some lunch sandwiches because I had read some good reviews online. Overall, I didn't really understand the point of the restaurant and the food was only fine This place is also some sort of "grocery store" from the name, but it was a very sparsely stocked food and kitchen appliance store. The store aspect here is very cramped and it reminded me of a 1980s thrift store with an eclectic selection of stuff you don't need. They have a good amount of options for sandwiches, so I didn't really know what to order. I went with the original Cuban sandwich, but it pails in comparison to the one at Cuban Coffee Queen (a must!). The sandwich didn't have a burst of flavor like other places at Key West. I also ordered the Moho pork burger, which was an over cooked patty with rather dry pork on top. It had no sauce and was very dry. I see no reason to go back to this place again.

Local mom & pop type place (or should I say 5 brothers). Not sure of the back story here but locals were chatting away @ the counter. Cuban Mix sandwich was chef's kiss. The empanadas are well worth a little wait- they make 'em fresh & they're authentic with the green olives! Go get some sandwiches & support a local business

Perfect Cuban mix sandwich. We have had a Cuban sandwich at all of the places in key west & this is the best. It's loaded with ham & pork with just enough pickles. The portion is large enough that my husband & I split a sandwich. You can't go wrong here.

This is the best coffee in Key West and you can't get a more reasonable breakfast sandwich. They're excellent on homemade authentic Cuban bread. I almost hesitate to leave a review because I don't want it to be more crowded. Staff is super friendly and you can usually find good people to talk to sitting outside on the bench.

Amazing Cuban breakfast sandwich and Conch Fritters! Will be back every trip to Key West!

Not very many items for "grocery". Great place to grab a sandwich though! We ate lunch here often during our month long stay. Food was always excellent and made exactly how we ordered it.

This place is one of my favorites to go to when visiting Key West! My family down here loves going here too so I know it's a great spot. My favorites are the classic Cuban Mix and the Midnight. The staff is always friendly and the food comes out pretty quickly. Also the cafe con leche is amazing here but be ready for a buzz because it is strong. Will continue to come her every time I'm down in Key West, and would recommend to anyone looking for the best Cuban mix!

This little place was a block away from where we stayed and we walked by it several times heading to Duval Street. On our last day in KW we decided to stop in for a late-morning bite and some coffee. We hadn't looked at reviews but noted the place was busy early every morning with locals and tourists. Wow! Just wow! The traditional Cuban sandwich was to die for and the coffee was spot on. Why didn't we go there sooner is all that I ask now. It will be on the itinerary for several visits next time we are in KW.

Best Cuban sandwich anywhere. Also the chicken bowl was fantastic, but even better was the incredible coffee. It's a little corner spot that's a bit out of the way, but well worth finding.

After seeing this featured on a Food Network show we wanted to give it a try. Our plans got us close around 8:30 in the morning. Cuban sandwiches might be my go to breakfast food after stopping in here. Nice crunch to the crust but soft in the middle made the sandwich. Being made fresh gave us a chance to watch the local clientele come in. The staff seemed to know the regulars and had their food ready for them. It speaks volumes about a business when they have regulars. To bad we are 1500 miles away.

We went there based on a recommendation, gland we did! We ordered breakfast sandwiches and con leach coffee. The price was very reasonable three sandwiches and the coffees less than $30. The sandwiches were hot, good size and filling. This is one place in Key West that you don't hear about but need to visit.

Great food!! Always go here when I'm on the island!! Cuban Mix is amazing!! Staff is always nice.

What a perfect little neighborhood gem! My husband and I came here every morning for coffee. You can't beat the price either. Their Cuban sandwiches are spot on too. We always ordered a cortadito (espresso, sugar, cream) and a small cafe de leche (coffee, sugar, milk). Service was great, coffee/food is excellent and prices super reasonable!

The sandwiches here are really good. I got a BLT and my husband got the Cuban mix. Both were really good. We could have shared the BLT. I think it had a half a pound of bacon on it. It was crispy and delicious. My husband ate the other half of my sandwich and said it was better than the Cuban. Order a sandwich and sit on the sidewalk and people watch. Give them a try and see what you think!

My favorite place in town for Cuban coffee, sandwiches and burgers. The service is fast and the prices are great. They also serve breakfast and some meal specials. Just a great place.

Stop in here for a sandwich on my way back to the cruise ship. And I was not disappointed. This is where the local cops eat. And that is all that needs to be said.

This is not fine dining. It's a sandwich shop for breakfast and lunch. I've tried their traditional Cuban sandwich and, to me, it was good. I've also tried their fried fish and roast beef sandwiches which are all decent. They also serve coffee. Very good coffee. I have yet to find any other place in Key West that does espresso better. So, if you want espresso, come here. I like their sandwiches but I come here for the coffee. Their price is $1.25 for a double which is cheaper than the other places I've tried and the taste is perfect. I would give them a 5 on the coffee alone. (Maybe a 4.8 since they use styrofoam cups.) It looks like one guy does the coffee in that shop so if he's out sick or on vacation then I don't know what happens. The sandwiches, given its restaurant category, would be more like a high 3 or 4. So go grab a sandwich and wash it down with an espresso. Or, forget about the food and just get a triple espresso.

Cafe con leche is the best. Great local place for breakfast to go. Yes Cuban sandwiches delicious.

This is one of the last hold outs of genuine Cuban food in Key West. We need Guy Feiri to experience the majesty of 5 brothers. So glad came here. Eat the pastelitos!!!

This started as a cigar shop in days past. Now they make amazing coffee and cuban breakfast sandwiches. Other delicious treats and varieties are available. I got an egg sandwich and got an egg and cheese for my husband. It was wonderful. This is a hidden gem! Wish we were staying longer so that I could go there again. People were waiting for the doors to open!

I like to order the sandwiches and cafe con leche from here. So good. They are closed on Sundays. This was one of the first locations on the island where I found my favorite Mexican soda. So I was immediately ecstatic. The business itself is very small for a grocery store. It should be called a package store or deli instead.

Great local favorites. If you want to eat like a Conch this is the place good food fair prices.

I had the traditional cuban this morning for breakfast and it was delectable. The proportions of butter to mustard to cheese to pickle were perfect and the portion of meat is on point! It kept me full and happy for hours. I would highly recommend adding this spot to your Key sweat list!

One of the last few family run grocery/con leche shops. Guaranteed the best in taste, price, and friendliness on the island. I've been coming here for 25 years and will never go any place else for that special Cuban breakfast while in Key West.

Cuban Sandwiches we're huge and delicious! We met the son of one of the brothers. Seemed humble and kind. The staff were all friendly and accommodating.

I may have had to high of an expectation for this small local sandwich and grocery shop. Definitely a local favorite and you can feel there are loyal customers. I was not blown away by the famous cafe con leche. I ordered a small and with Cuban coffee they ask if you would like sugar, in most cases I say yes but do not say yes at 5 Brothers. My small coffee (very small) tasted nothing like coffee and more like a sugar cube burning my mouth. The egg and cheese on Cuban bread was decent but I would not order it again. The sandwich was fresh and hot yet very bland. I appreciate local businesses and was happy to support. Sad to say I was going to purchase coffee beans for home but I had to pass.

What a gem in Key West. I read about this place in the New York Times (Feb. 2015 article on Cuban coffee in town) and our cab driver confirmed it has the "best" Cuban sandwich in town. The store is located on a sleepy residential corner -- far enough from the touristy parts of Key West but still an easy walk too. It is one part convenience store (soda, snacks, newspapers), one part kitchen supplies (specialty pans, local ingredients), and one part food establishment. Our two favorite items were the Cafe con Leche (steamed milk + espresso) and the Cuban sandwich. The Cafe con Leche was a great coffee drink and only $2.75 for a large cup. But, really, the Cuban sandwich is one of the best things I have eaten -- ever. The bread is fresh and the ham is shaved for the sandwich as soon as you place the order. It comes with the perfect amount of mustard and pickles too. Just awesome. There is no seating inside 5 Brothers so just snag one of the 6 plastic chairs on the sidewalk. You will see a steady stream of local Key West residents making their way to the store too.

Ordered 2 breakfast sandwiches and cafe con leche. $13. Not terrible. Food was good. Small shop. Took food to go.

Went here for the Cuban sandwiches while in town for three days. They were great. We bought the classic Cuban & Cuban mix. The meat and bread were delicious (fresh lettuce & tomatoes on the mix). Glad we found this gem. Will go back again.

Cafe con Leche. The best in Key West and the most consistent. Quick service too. Worth the early morning walk.

We spend two months every winter in Key West. I've been going to 5 Brothers for the past 7 years. Best Cuban coffee and best Cuban sandwich on the island. I'm a huge 5 Brothers fan and often look like an employee with my 5 Brothers tee shirts and big smile. Look forward to 2018.

Terrible service, lazy, and unapologetic for forgetting our food, then messing up the order on two subsequent attempts. The girl at the front counter could do the business a service by getting off her cell phone, stop rolling her eyes, pay attention to the orders and extend some semblance of customer service. 1 Star.

Seen this place on TV before we came here so I had to try it out. It was so good we went twice, such a friendly staff coffee was amazing and food was really good.

Fantastic breakfast sandwich and cafe con leche! Very friendly staff and a large selection of sandwiches.

Very good Cubano sandwich. Only gripe is that other than the hot roasted pork, the rest was cold...the ham, the cheese, etc. were cold. When you get it at sandys, all parts of the sandwich are hot, so sandys has a slight edge in my opinion.

Hours are correct but although it's open at 6AM.....the kitchen does not open until 7!! Stopped here to get food but none available bc kitchen hours are different from open hours. Looks cool!

Friendly service and a damn good traditional Cuban sandwich. I also tried a blt which was packed with bacon on the Cuban bread which was quite tasty.

1st of all, "grocery " is a bit of a stretch. They have like 5 shelves! Although, we did find some hot sauces and hot mustards we couldn't resist. But, this is really a sandwich shop. They close at 4pm so keep that in mind when planning a visit. Excellent Cuban Mix, but even better grouper sandwich! As the other reviews said, you need to carry out, and it's easy to find a better spot than on their bench outside. Good stuff.

Great breakfast sandwich and always good Cafe con Leche....still have to try lunch stuff here

Best Cuban sandwiches in this slightly out of the way shop. The trip is well worth it for a delicious sandwich.

We were looking for a quick breakfast around our hotel and we ran into this spot. Ordered 2 breakfast sandwiches and they were fantastic. We took the food to go, shop is pretty small but had a local feel.