Louie's Backyard

Restaurant · Key West

Louie's Backyard

Restaurant · Key West

2

700 Waddell Ave, Key West, FL 33040

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Highlights

Oceanfront Caribbean-American cuisine with wine bar  

Featured in Eater
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700 Waddell Ave, Key West, FL 33040 Get directions

louiesbackyard.com
@louiesbackyardkeywest

$50–100 · Menu

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700 Waddell Ave, Key West, FL 33040 Get directions

+1 305 294 1061
louiesbackyard.com
@louiesbackyardkeywest

$50–100 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 13, 2025

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@eater

The Best Restaurants to Know in the Florida Keys

"A Key West institution for decades (even Florida Keys royalty Jimmy Buffet used to eat here), Louie’s Backyard is a must-visit for its seafood, ambiance, and gorgeous oceanfront setting. Inside a pretty pink conch-style house, the dinner menu here includes Bahamian conch chowder, cracked conch with hot pepper jelly, a fresh catch of the day, and grilled swordfish with fried risotto. Cocktails are riffs on the classics, and there are just as many coffee cocktails to choose from as signatures. Dine on the deck if possible to best take in water views and a gentle sea breeze." - Allison Ramirez

https://miami.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-keys-dining-guide-map
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@eater

Waterfront Dining in Key West: 10 Great Spots | Eater Miami

"Housed in an oceanfront Victorian home, Louie’s Backyard offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The renovated home now focuses on seafood and brings together three different dining experiences. Guests can have tapas-style items such as fried artichokes and truffled cauliflower at The Café on the upper deck, sit down for a full meal at Louie’s Backyard or grab cocktails on the Afterdeck Bar, which sits just 25 inches above the water." - Olee Fowler

https://miami.eater.com/maps/dining-key-west-best-map-guide
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Heather Hundhausen

Google
Made reservations and we were immediately accommodated. The ambience is upscale, romantic and adorable. The service was good. Not superior. The staff was very friendly, but may have been overwhelmed, and small details were missed like returning after the food was served to see if anything was missing (like my knife that had been cleared with the appetizer). I'm still giving it 5 stars because it's not a Michelin rated restaurant, it's a Key West Beach restaurant, so I didn't expect immaculate service. I expected high end "Key West" style treatment, which I absolutely got. I recommend it. My dining partner couldn't stop talking about the Madeira Sauce on his steak all weekend. I got the shrimp and grits, which I was told, has been a house favorite for 35 years. How can you not try the house favorite? Overall it was lovely. It's not a place to catch the sunset, since it's at the Eastern end of the island, even though it's outside. You can catch the ambiance of the sunset, but you will not see the sun setting directly.

Tom Garriga

Google
Truly, an amazing spot to have drinks or dinner. The view is spectacular and unbeatable in Key West. I recommend going for drinks at the bar or dinner. We dined outside on the deck overlooking the bar and Water. It was pretty warm, but the umbrellas help to keep the direct sun light off you. The main Restaurant is extremely nice and air conditioned with large windows for the tables to view outside and then the outside dining area has a multi tier deck so that you can have a good view of the of the ocean. The restaurant is upscale in terms of menu selection and prices. The food was a little uneven the day that we dined (they had just opened) although you could tell that this place could put out some good food. My chicken with Thai rice was just slightly dry, but otherwise it was very tasty. My wife had the fish tacos and they were OK. I’ll definitely go back as I think Louie’s is creative in terms of its menu and selections and I would love to go for dinner one evening.

David Yeo

Google
Louie's Backyard did not disappoint. We got in at 7 pm on the 4th of July. We made reservations before we got into town. It's a better-known place for a nice dinner, drinks, and enjoy the oceanfront over the water patio. Food was excellent! I ordered the fish of the day which was the Ancho Chili Crusted Local Grouper with Corn Salsa, Basmati Rice and Green beans. My wife ordered the Watermelon Salad. Both were excellent. We plan to come again before we leave. A place not to be missed.

Brian Hepler

Google
Louie’s Backyard in Key West absolutely blew us away. From the beautifully presented dishes to the perfectly balanced flavors, every bite was incredible. We ordered the lamb chops and sword fish entrees & creme brulee. All are highly recommended! The wait staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home. And the atmosphere? Simply unmatched — elegant yet relaxed with stunning views. This place is a must-visit for anyone looking for a top-tier dining experience in the Keys.

A Chistol

Google
This would have been a 5 🌟 review if it wasn’t for the server and the customer service we received. From the moment we sat at our table our server was very cold and careless. We almost left but decided to stay since we already made a reservation. The food was delicious and the drinks were perfect. There’s no question about that. We would come back for the food but ask for a different service.

KJ

Google
On a 99f day we sat out on the top deck over looking the water. It was perfectly shaded with a glorious breeze. We did lunch. Bread and water was brought to the table and included Pan Dulce which made us think of a delicious pound cake. The Sand Key Sipper and Louie's Champaign Cooler were perfectly light and fruity for such a warm day. Both were excellent. We had the snapper sandwich where you could choose your side and Green Goddess Salad where you could add your choice of protein. Again amazing. Portions were perfect. Enough to be filling. Server was excellent. Would definitely recommend.

Michelle Pack

Google
Beautiful and Delicious! Lunch when the doors opened and was filling up between main house and afterdeck, so had upper porch to myself / so still quiet enough to enjoy! Came just for the bacon 🥓 wrapped grilled shrimp 🍤 and was a campfire memory to the mouth! Washed down with a Louie’s Passion - forewarn: the drinks are tall and strong! White cloth, upscale with attentive and kind service! Julie was Key West service! Pricey, but expected to splurge. Also enjoyed the cafe upstairs - definitely my choice for the early dinner!! Congrats on the 2025 Bubba award for waterfront dining! Long time coming! Enjoy!

Christopher Hack

Google
This is a wonderful restaurant with amazing food, atmosphere, and location. The outdoor bar is perfect for those walking in off the beach or for pre gaming. We got lucky not having a reservation, but I recommend getting one. The food was delicious, very casual pace for our meal and pleasant service.

Meredith K.

Yelp
We had great service at the bar outside. The food, view, and people were all wonderful! Highly recommend
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Daniel S.

Yelp
The backyard view was gorgeous, exactly what you'd be seeking for a high class beachside lunch. The banana bread might be the best I've ever had and I was impressed with how the chips were crispy yet soft. A few of us in our group got the snapper sandwich which was good and we had a key lime pie for dessert. The filling was okay but the crust was the best part. The host was a bit rude and off put by our group and was confused that we came in without a reservation even though the restaurant was empty. However our waitress was incredibly kind and warm which made up for the host being rude. Service was prompt and the atmosphere was sophisticated and relaxed.
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CJ T.

Yelp
The restaurant is right on the beach - call for reservations if you want to guarantee a seat inside. If no reservations, the back patio offers open seating. The patio is right against the back of the restaurant and definitely worth the effort to try and get a table. ** Note: even though it's a beachfront place, make sure to review the wine prices before ordering- it's not the sun in your eyes making you think you see $400 - $500 bottles of wine. We had a reservation for two, and had a nice corner spot on the porch. Great views, my date could look south, while I looked east. For appetizers my date had the beef tartare. They said it was "outstanding". My choice was the Florida lobster, braised in a truffle butter with spinach & prosciutto. The lobster was cooked to perfection. Fresh airy delicious bread was provided so one could dip in the buttery creamy sauce - and they do mean buttery. There was not much spinach to see, and indeed there were bits of prosciutto and lots of cream. For our main course, my date had the Grilled filet of beef, with horseradish crust, with twice baked potato. They said "the filet was also outstanding - cooked to a medium temperature with perfection- very tender. The sauce married all the ingredients together. The twice baked potato was cooked evenly and buttery tasty." I had the shrimp & grits, which was rich and very buttery. There were nine nice shrimps, with a few mushrooms, all floating within the grits. I would have enjoyed eating all the grits because they were smooth like farina, but due to the amount of butter, seriously think Paula Deen, I couldn't finish them. I didn't take anything off in this rating for the amount of butter, bc it was delicious. Around the plate were also a few bright green beans - I could have eaten a whole bowl of just those! For me, my choice of a creamy buttery appetizer and a buttery main dish, equaled a LOT of butter - so much so the richness stomped any appetite for dessert. However, my date suggested we try the key-lime pie. I am not a key-lime pie person, but when in Key West one should try the key-lime pie. I am glad I tried it, but would try one of the other desserts next time. The key-lime plate was decorated beautifully. The pie had a graham-cracker crust, no meringue, but instead some whipped cream on the side, with some fresh berries. A full moon rising ended the evening.
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Laurie V.

Yelp
Went here in a recommendation from the doctor I worked for in NC. Hubby and I went for lunch. This place is right on Dog Beach. We had to wait for about 30 Minutes but it was worth the wait. All tables are staggered so everyone has a perfect view of the beach. The staff was very pleasant and attentive. We ordered drinks mimosa for me and hubby had a mojito and a plate of shrimp with mango cilantro with homemade fresh still crackling chicharrones. They brought us out some fresh bread and butter which was delicious. For our main course I had the original hot fried chicken salad with caramelized onions , hubby had fried chicken with waffles and gravy. Both dishes were very good. Highly recommend and if we are in the area agin would return.
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Peter T.

Yelp
This Louie's is perfect. Great view. Outstanding staff from the great This wasn't our first time there. We had been there a couple years ago over the Christmas holiday. Everything was perfect the view was great and the staff was excellent. This is definitely a restaurant that you should check out if you're in Key West.

Herve F.

Yelp
Very disappointed "Grilled Shrimp, Octopus & Garlic Sausage with Cannellini Beans & Citrus Bagna Cauda 22" -Appetizer was sent back, burned shrimps and octopus. "Tuna & Avocado Napoleon with Wakame Seaweed & Chile-Peanut Sauce 19" -if you like tortilla chips, go for it. 4 small pieces of tuna. Extra salty sauce. "Grilled Dry Rubbed New York Steak with Herbed Gorgonzola Butter and Marinated Mushrooms 48 " (website) Actual menu "Grilled dry rubbed New York steak with mushroom Bordelaise and fennel bread pudding 48" -Steak was also burned,bread pudding was sent back (cold) "Grilled Swordfish with Fried Risotto, Pancetta Cream & Preserved Lemon Gremolata 42" -see picture... I"ce Cream or Sorbet 9" -orange sorbet (only flavor available). Below average, not the sorbet I know. Tasted more like Italian ice. The positive -Cocktail were good and the view is amazing from the outside deck Service was good considering the issues we had
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Rachel W.

Yelp
I really liked that at our indoor table both seats were turned towards the window for a view of the water. The food was good and the drinks were even better (get the island cosmo). If you can brave the humidity I would definitely recommend sitting outside because I'm sure that close up view of the water was awesome. The swordfish and risotto cake were good, as was the grouper catch of the day. Solid restaurant but food, service, and ambiance weren't enough of a standout to get the full five stars.
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Garrett B.

Yelp
Amazing food with an even better view. The outside patio is a delight when the weather is proper. The prime rib French dip was incredible, perfect bread and tender prime rib. The drinks there are okay, I recommend the Pina colada but wasn't a fan on Louie's Passion. Our server was very kind, kept asking for more water and making sure we were taken care of.
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Ariel U.

Yelp
These were the best meals we had during our stay! Yes, we enjoyed it so much and were so curious to try more items on the menu that we went twice. This is such a cute restaurant located inside a keys style house overlooking the ocean, and the food and service certainly back up the ambiance. Our first night, we were early enough to catch the sunset and sat inside. The second time, we sat outside on the patio overlooking the water. Ambiance, ambiance, ambiance. From the menu items we tried, I will list our favorites and the must haves in caps: FLORIDA LOBSTER BRAISED IN TRUFFLE BUTTER, conch chowder, BACON WRAPPED SEA SCALLOPS for apps, and swordfish, SESAME SEARED TUNA, FILET for mains. I don't feel like you can go wrong with any of their options, but those were our favorites. Additionally, Stacy was an amazing waitress with great recommendations and a funnier personality. I will be dreaming of our next trip back to the keys, just so I can dine here again!
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Angel B.

Yelp
What a beautiful setting! The views are spectacular. Right on the water next to Dog Beach. Inside and outside dining. Everything is clean. We had drinks on the After Deck before dinner. Aside from the above, this was not an impressive experience. We sat and sat and sat while the server was chatting with friends. I eventually went up to the bar for service and was given a menu and told the server would be with me soon. A few minutes later she did finally make her way to us. We were called to our table and it was a lovely spot under a tree with a view of the water. Stacey was our server and, unfortunately, we felt like we were bothering her so what should have been an amazing and unforgettable experience was just okay. The food was excellent and the portions were appropriate. Our bus boy was friendly and attentive.
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Stephanie S.

Yelp
For a fine dining, white tablecloth dinner, eat downstairs (make a reservation! They sell out fast!) The upstairs is an informal bar which I've never been. Both overlook the water for amazing views during dinner. Both times I've been to Louie's Backyard we sat downstairs for fine dining. The menu is pricy, but good. I wouldn't consider it amazing for the price, but the dishes are well plated and have a pretty presentation. The fist time was delicious, we had scallops special and another yellowtail snapper special. The second time we came it wasn't as impressive, the yellowtail snapper was prepared a lot differently and for $40 I don't think it was as good as other yellowtail I've eaten in the Keys. The cocktails are very good, service is always great. It's a nice spot for a special occasion and great waterfront views!
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Scott M.

Yelp
I cannot say enough good things about this place, especially how the bar staff made a misplaced Texan feel like a local. Ms Marci, Gage and Terry (with a Y) were the best! I went two nights in a row and should have made it 4 (the other spots I went to just didn't measure up). The drinks are amazing and the food is so damn delicious! I had recommendations from the staff on everything and they didn't miss a beat! The folks around the bar are all regulars, either from the town or from away and rush there as soon as they land! I met fantastic people from Jersey, Wisconsin and Colorado. They all had been there before and either knew the gang or the gang made them all think so! The deck is filled with happy people, the views are simply the best and what more could you ask than a former haunt of James Buffett??? When he sang, "I stumbled next door to the bar" - I now know why!!! Will definitely be back!
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Amber A.

Yelp
Everyone we knew who visits Key West told us to book a dinner at Louies Backyard. My mom was super thrilled about this because when she was a child, she played in the backyard of this house with her close friend Sam. Now it's a restuarant and supposedly good. I thought it was ok. You have to call to make a reservation. However, if you call back to double check your time and day.... it was a hassle for them to check. I made the reservation three weeks before arriving. We ate outside on the back deck. The table was tight for 5 and not a great spot but whatever, it was fine. The waitress seemed annoyed. Sorry you had to work two days before Christmas but next time; I don't want to know you're annoyed or feel rushed. We didn't get a discount for dealing with you. Food was average. I did love my tuna tar-tar but all the meat dishes were cold or luke warm. My sister hated her pork chops. Salads were dry and dissapointing. Fish items were good. Smell of the seaweed was a bummer but no one's fault. I researched a lot of restaurants before our Key West visit. This one the most disappointing.

Angela L.

Yelp
Always fabulous!! 5 stars! Our top place to eat on Key West! Great food great staff, great views!
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Lisa M.

Yelp
We came to Louie's Backyard for our official one year anniversary dinner, at the suggestion of a few people. We we seated on the patio which most tables have a very nice view of the ocean. We each ordered the Bahamian conch chowder since we could not share such a delicacy! For our entrees we ordered the tuna with glass noodles (... OMG yummy!) and the Grouper with Kimchi fried rice! Truly the food was out of this world. I will say the one complaint I have is that the tables are set up so only the ones closest to the ocean have a view. They should try to space them differently so every table can have a little bit of a view regardless of where seated... other than that, Louie's is fabulous!! Highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion while in Key West!

N D.

Yelp
What an amazing experience! The ambience. The food. Service. Excellent! We started with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc - crisp and refreshing. Then we split the Boston lettuce with Maytag Blue Cheese, Apples and Spiced Pecans ($17) Delicious. Large chunks of cheese with the right amount of dressing. My entree was the Spinach, artichoke stuffed free range chicken breast with roasted ratatouille ($29) OMG! Heaven. My wife had the evening special - Hogfish, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Dessert for me was the chocolate brownie crème brûlée ($12) my wife had the Keylime pie. Our server, Millie, was phenomenal! Highly recommend and will definitely return the next time we're in Key West.
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Christina P.

Yelp
A can't miss when in Key West!!! Have been dinning there for years and it's always perfect in every way!!! Highly recommend
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Jenni L.

Yelp
A beautiful, cozy place to have a nice dinner! Louie's Backyard is hosted in a cute little house in the neighborhoods of Key West. The backyard has a beautiful view of the ocean, and the outdoor patio seating is made magical by the string lights in the trees above. The food is delicious and tasty! We started with the steak tartare and seasonal special - the crab and avocado crostini. Both were delicious and the flavors of the crostini were especially crisp and refreshing. For entrees, we got the shrimp and grits and the swordfish with fried risotto. Portions were nicely sized and everything was delicious. We were happily stuffed and too full to try anything for dessert, but I'm sure it would've been delicious! Note: the windows/doors are open in the restaurant so as to enjoy the view but it can get pretty humid and warm so be ready for that! It didn't bother me much though.
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Gerard C.

Yelp
If you come to Key West you have to try Louie's Backyard. Sounds simple but by far an up scale experience, fresh food cooked by the chef that has been with them 30 years. Can't say enough.
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Mary A.

Yelp
The setting is gorgeous. The staff were welcoming and very friendly. We arrived early and were able to have a drink at the bar before being seated. We shared an appetizer and an entree and both were amazing. Our server was great.
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Caroline R.

Yelp
We sat at the Afterdeck bar that is behind Louie's. Everything was amazing. Great service, great food!
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Lor W.

Yelp
Not sure who Louie is, but we thank him for sharing his beach backyard with us! Our friends planned a Key West destination wedding, and the rehearsal dinner was held at Louie's Backyard. We were a small group, so we were able to comfortably fit at a table outside on the deck. This restaurant is the quintessential Key West dining experience. The views of the beach are breathtaking! Our 7:00 PM reservation included an amazing sunset. There was a warm breeze the entire evening. Picture perfect! The cocktail list is inspiring, and everything was well balanced. My group favored wine, but I enjoyed a refreshing champagne cocktail with a zesty lemon flair. The dinner menu is seafood-forward, but they have some steak and chicken dishes for the land lovers. My shrimp and grits were fantastic. I can never pass up this dish on any menu! We were too stuffed for dessert, but next time we'll save room for a slice of Key Lime Pie. Reservations are tough to come by, so be sure to make them in advance!
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Elyse A.

Yelp
Louie's was our first dinner in Key West and our favorite! Our meal was the best meal we had and it was a fabulous experience and ambiance. We sat outside and enjoyed our table and the views. Our server wasn't' overly friendly, but we had no issues. Get the bread, OMG THE BREAD was SO good. All of us had delicious meals, all 8 of us, not one complaint. A few people got the special, and enjoyed it. The food was rich, flavorful, and good sized portions. All in all highly recommend and would absolutely return!
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Emily B.

Yelp
We did not have a great experience when we stopped in for lunch. We called to make a reservation and confirmed with the hostess, even receiving a reminder VM but they said they couldn't find it when we arrived. We were set inside, which turned out to be fine. But, they are not baby friendly. The host was a little rude and said "they don't do high chairs", which is super inconvenient and creates a stressful eating experience for parents! Lastly, the duck confit had a very bad odor and the texture of jerky. The positives are they have a beautiful view and the restaurant is very classy and clean!
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Vivian P.

Yelp
Great ambiance. Away from the hustle and bustle. Next to the dog beach. Great sunset views and the food was satisfying. My fave was the conch fritters!

Manda P.

Yelp
Thank you so much to the team at Louie's Backyard for getting my purse back to me in Seattle, WA after leaving it at the restaurant. The food and views were amazing, but the hospitality shown after this incident are what will make me recommend it to anyone that is visiting Key West!
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Heather T.

Yelp
Amazing ambiance and the prettiest view in key west! The lobster app and the bib salad were both amazing. Beef tartar was not very good- over powering mustard. The shrimp entree was terrible - super bland- no truffle. But, my husband loved his pork chop entree! His favorite thing we had all week.
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Marqus R.

Yelp
Louie's Backyard has the coveted reputation of being one of the very best restaurants in Key West. So, I gave it a try for lunch and came away rather disappointed. It claims to be a Caribbean-American restaurant and its menu reflects that with dishes like Bahamian conch chowder, Shrimp and Mango Escabèche with Chicharrones. Overall, it's a delicious-looking menu with plenty of choices, some very innovative such as the Seared Miso-Glazed Tuna with Black Garlic Vinaigrette & Cellophane Noodles. I started my meal with Fried Anchovy Stuffed Olives. It was a very innovative appetizer. I enjoyed it, but would say it's not for everyone. If you do, you must enjoy olives and anchovies. For my meal, I chose their crab cake. It said jumbo lump on the menu, but when served it was anything but jumbo lump. It was basically all filler garnished with a remoulade-like sauce, not unlike the frozen ones you might find at Publix for a lot less money. On the positive side, the service is top-flight professional and the seating with spectacular ocean views can't be beaten.
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Sarah S.

Yelp
We loved this restaurant. We made reservations for outside and had the nicest waiter. I think she said she had worked there since 1988 or something like that. The Bahamian conch chowder was a great starter. I liked that it was a tomato based soup and not a creamy soup. We also got the tuna appetizer, which was delicious. We both got steaks and loved our meal. The key lime pie here was really good! The only issue we had was the bartender at the outdoor bar was so loud and obnoxious and it was hard to enjoy our dinner with his carrying on. Otherwise, we had a great time!

Darren K.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite restaurants. It never disappoints. It hits the trifecta of what a great restaurant needs. Food, Service and Ambiance which are all amazing. I will be back in the keys soon again and will visit once again
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Don W.

Yelp
Whenever we go to the end of US 1, we always make reservations to dine at Louie's. There is an endless number of eateries in KW, but Louie's is our only "must do" restaurant. We love that the service is always first class, whatever drink or food you order is always done the way you like and fresh as a new day. Of course, being in Key West, sea food dominates the offerings. Meg loves sea food and tries different dishes each time, but even an old meat-eater like me is always satisfied. This time it was Sauteed Gulf Shrimp with bacon and mushrooms, and a Pork Chop with mashed and veggie. Both meals were amazing. Meg enjoyed white wine while I had an excellent house specialty Mojito that blew me away. If you are lucky to get your reservation early enough you can dine outside by the sea. In some seats at the bar, you can enjoy the sea splashing on your feet if the tide is high. For us, everything about Louie's is just right. I recommend that you try it yourself to see. Expect premium prices for a truly premium dining experience.
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Patti C.

Yelp
A secret location behind Louie's restaraunt is their back patio. Gr RAA t bar. You are on a deck with the ocean lapping around you. A dog beach on right. Who could ask for any more paradise. You can order food at bar and just sit back watching and listening to ocean as you enjoy your drinks

Kate J.

Yelp
Great food and top notch service! We were lucky to get a last minute reservation on the deck. A few minutes after we sat, a better table became available and someone quickly moved us over to the nicer table. Great wine. Loved the crab cake appetizer. Paired with the watermelon & tomato salad it was a light but satisfying meal. And left plenty of room for coconut cream pie!
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Adrienne S.

Yelp
I was looking for a fancier place to have a romantic date night and watch the sunset. Louie's did not disappoint on the food or the atmosphere, but despite what you may read online, this is not the place to catch the sunset. I loved everything about this place. We were originally told they wouldn't be able to seat us outside but when we arrived for our reservation, they were able to make it work and I think we got the best spot in the house. It was secluded and had a great view. Our waitress was really great too, very friendly and attentive. We picked this restaurant because it has a good variety of items. We started with some pretty good bread, and split the salad with blue cheese, apples & pecans. I ended up ordering the swordfish, which was very delicious. My boyfriend ordered the pork chop which was also very good. We opted out of dessert which was probably a bad decision on our part, but that's okay, next time! I'd definitely recommend this Louie's!
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Ken J.

Yelp
Update: dog friendly on backyard bar, but no dogs after 5 pm. Right next to Dog Beach. We had sangria, pretty good. Didn't eat so can't really Report more...

Lisa P.

Yelp
Never miss a meal here when I'm in Key West. The food is consistently excellent and the service perfection.
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Jamie H.

Yelp
Nice and cozy place, little pricey but it's worth it. The food was delicious! Would visit again on the next trip to Key West.
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Brian C.

Yelp
We cannot say enough good things about our experience at Louie's Backyard. We enjoyed a wonderful Wednesday eve dinner and the food and service were outstanding. We sat on the upper outdoor deck at 5;00 pm and enjoyed the shade and oceanside view. This is our favorite in Key West
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MaryEllen B.

Yelp
All the hype was NOT lived up to. The $18 crab cakes had to be from a box as we struggled to identify any crab in them. They were flavorless and frankly considered sending them back to kitchen they were so bad. Conch chowder lacked flavor and much conch. The swordfish was well prepared but the fried risotto side had bitter, chemical taste to it, which seem to be from whatever flame source they used to finish it. My SO had the Snapper which was fine, but dish lacked flavor in general. We charged on and ordered dessert my having the flourless chocolate cake and he the coconut cream pie, neither of which were above just average. Table bread and butter were probably the best food of the night for us. We were so looking forward to an amazing dinner and frankly it fell very flat. Blackfin Bistro had far better food, recommend going there!
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Steve P.

Yelp
The atmosphere is wonderful. The staff are a delight, friendly and responsive. The food is excellent quality and it's one of the reasons we enjoy going there every time we're in KW!
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Nik H.

Yelp
Hands down the best restaurant during this visit. The building is gorgeous. It is more formal than other places. Kind of has that old world charm to it. I don't think that they have a dress code but I am glad that my wife and I wore some nice clothes as everyone else was. The server was reserved but very helpful regarding recommended food and libations. They have a Cosmopolitan cocktail that was tasty. The other attendants did a fantastic job making sure that your water glass and bread plate were full Best for last...the food was superb. I had the lobster prosciutto stew served in a truffle butter sauce with spinach. It came in a little enameled pot and was rich and tasty. I had the tilefish with a jalapeño mango salsa and red pepper sauce with basmati rice that was freakishly good Dinner for four with 2 appetizers, 4 entrees one dessert split 4 ways and cocktails and a bottle of wine was about $450 with tip
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Tyler W.

Yelp
Off the beaten path, gorgeous restaurant, beautiful views. Food and wine were stellar. Service was A+
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Amy P.

Yelp
Solid food, nice drinks with a great view. This is one of my favorite restaurants on the island. The lunch menu is surprisingly reasonable, but dinner can get pricey. Love the upstairs for sunset but lately the chef or food service hasn't been consistent.
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Brian R.

Yelp
Flavorless food. The prime rib dip was lost in a sea of aioli that overwhelmed the nice cheese that was also laid on too thickly. Blew away what was really great prime rib. The au jus was odd, but at least seasoned for the living. The Conch Fritters, in spite of the rave reviews that we read, were flavorless, full of corn, but precious little conch. The corn pancakes on the brunch had no flavor either. Maybe they do septuagenarian sunset dinners. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Great ambiance. Great location. Good service. Not much parking. Residential neighborhood. There are a lot of mediocre restaurants in Key West. This is one of them.
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Carol P.

Yelp
We love Louie's Backyard. We have eaten in the regular dining room, which you need to make a reservation for way in advance. But we also love to eat upstairs in the cafe where there are no reservations, it opens at 5, 1st come 1st serve, and the menu is different, a small plates/ tapas menu. My husband and I ordered the beet salad to share and then we shared lobster risotto and braised short ribs. I wanted dessert so I ordered the brownie creme brulee and I let husband have a little. Everything was delicious. Bteat service and great views.
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Deb T.

Yelp
We've wanted to go here for a while, but it's tricky to get a reservation without planning well in advance. 3 of us, we were all underwhelmed. My wife had the shrimp & grits, nothing special. My brother and myself had the swordfish. It was cut waaay too thin and was overcooked. I don't like to cause a scene, but we should have sent our food back because it was crap. The appetizers were good. The waitress was very good. Definitely no need to go back no matter how nice the ambience was because for way less $$ in KW there is way better food.

Pete G.

Yelp
The food, drinks and service were superb! The atmosphere on the back deck is restful and serene. You are basically on the beach enjoying the sound of the surf. It is not to be missed when in key west.
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Jeanelle W.

Yelp
I made reservations here for my boyfriend's birthday and requested to sit outside. The view and setting were very nice despite the sudden rain. They had a covering so we only received a small amount of rain mist. Our waitress Mellie suggested the Cracked Conch with Hot Pepper Jelly & Wasabi Cream, so we started off with that and two glasses of wine. I was not a fan of the starter, because I felt like it was missing some sort of sauce but my boyfriend loved it. For the entree, I had the Sautéed Gulf Shrimp with Bacon, Mushrooms & Stoneground Grits. I'm not the biggest pork consumer but it did add a nice touch to the shrimp and grits. My boyfriend loves seafood and doesn't get swordfish often and since our waitress recommended it, he got the Grilled Swordfish with Fried Risotto, Pancetta Cream & Preserved Lemon Gremolata. Overall, I give Louie's Backyard a solid 4 out of 5. There were multiple times when our waitress went M.I.A. and I literally had to ask one the servers Hector to find her which became slightly annoying towards the end of the night. I was also disappointed because I was informed by the host that a birthday dessert would be included with our reservation, however, Millie added it to my bill. By the time Hector found her to actually receive payment, I was ready to leave so I didn't bother to inquire. I absolutely loved the fact that their chef has been there for 35 years but it's not somewhere that I have to visit the next time I'm back in Key West.
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Cynthia S.

Yelp
Off the Florida Keys There's a place called Kokomo, That's where you wanna go Well there is no Kokomo but there is Louise Backyard and trust me you want to GO! One more of my "FIVE STAR" VACATION FINDS. It fit right into an amazing tropical vacation without leaving the stars! The food, service, ambiance and view was amazing! FIVE STARS in every category. Please do yourself a favor and get a reservation for a table outside and enjoy the beautiful view of the water and enjoy the ocean breeze. We grabbed the night's special and it lived up to its presentation. Don't leave without grabbing a cocktail at their waterfront bar. I cannot recommend this spot enough.
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Tim C.

Yelp
I've gone to Louie's since 1989 sept 22 nd.Today was my 48th wedding anniversary I booked ahead of time . Service was impeccable but seemed a little rushed. We ordered the catch of the day. Tried to bites! worst meal ive ever eaten in Key West!! I believe they microwaved the dinner. So goes Key West, times change life moves on. So do I. I will never return.