Hard to find this place. Everything on the ground floor is abandoned. After searching we found the place upstairs. A very long an steep handicapped ramp. Anyway, the offer outside dining. Too cold and windy for this day. A large dining room and the bar area has tables also. We thought we would try it. Dated and in need of refurbishing. But, clean as a pin. The place has been taken care of. A whole crew of older ladies came in and the place started to get loud. They were all catching up. Bartender was on the ball. Waitstaff also swift and efficient. We made a decision to have a two and done. Extensive wine list. Limited bottle beer. Nothing on tap. read more

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The food was AMAZING!!!!! Highly recommend going here! You will not be disappointed! The wedge salad, excellent. All the fish dishes we had were delicious! Nick aka "Red" was attentive, great at recommendations and very accommodating! The ambience was nice and serene. Really enjoyed our dinner and will absolutely be back! read more

Best Restaurant in the Keys! Great carpaccio. Good amount of elegance for more of a fine dining ambiance that the keys needs. Food is always so tasty here. Even have live flute musicians around the restaurant. Service is good, could be quicker at times before it gets busy but it's pretty standard for the keys. One of my top choices around these parts. Not crazy about the pizza though but I think it's very hard to find good pizza around here. Sadly Domino's beats out most of the pizza joints here and I'm not a commercial pizza lover. read more

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The food, ambiance, service and food were great. It's costly to eat there, but the quality of the food was very good!

$200 poorly spent on lukewarm salted fish. In 20 years of finding good food in Florida Keys, here's one place we won't be revisiting. The owner made it so -- unpleasant. read more

Very quaint and cute restaurant perfect for a nice dinner date or with friends and family. The food was very well made and the service was attentive. It was right next to our hotel tucked away at the top of the stairs in the plaza. We started with soup and salad with our entrees. I upgraded to a Caesar salad and added anchovies to my side salad. It was good and came with the dressing on the side which was perfect. My husband had a cup of shrimp bisque. It wasn't piping hot but the flavor was good. He got the prime rib for dinner and enjoyed it very much. It was a huge slab of meat and cooked very well. Super tender and juicy. Nice char around the edges and good fat to lean ratio. Definitely a sharing portion. My seafood pasta with red sauce was also a very big size and loaded with seafood. Flaky tender fish, lobster tail, Scallop, clams and mussels on top of a good bed of pasta. The noodles were cooked Al dented. The sauce was tangy and full of flavor. To end the evening, we got a creme brulee and a billionaires coffee. The creme brulee was too cold and hard for my taste and the sugar top was also not very hot. A little disappointing. The billionaires coffee was really good. It's made with bailey's, Kahluas, Frangelico and grand Marnier. Really good after dinner drink. read more

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What a great place. Food was phenomenal, Lots of choices for picky teens. Owner welcomed us, it's a "boss is in the house" type of place. Our sever was very professional and had been working there for years. She guided us on portions and what's what. We sat outside and had the true Keys experience. Easy parking. We actually came back after the kids were on their way doing kids stuff. Had a few cocktails at the bar. Lots of locals and tourists drink and a sharing stories. Bartender had us a chatting with each other, so much fun on a sleepy Thursday night. Go here and tell me I'm wrong,. read more

We've been coming to this place in the summer months for years. Summer of 2025 was different. Food was just ok. Nothing to make us crave to come back. The wait service and bar service made you feel like they really didn't want out of town guests. Ambiance was beautiful and clean as normal. We've been staying in Tavernier/Islamorada for a few months for 14 yrs. Old Tavernier is no longer a place we will frequent a couple times a week anymore. read more

We always have a n Amazing experience with Rene, the food, ambiance and everyone are just GREAT. Fish was Delicious, so was the crème Brûlée. read more

I have to start off by saying dawn is an amazing bartender and would never want her to be connected by this review but I experienced the worst service ever here. I experienced prejudice and customer favoritism at this restaurant to a level that I have never seen before. Will never return and hope no one has the same experience as me. read more

A down right lovely experience here at Old Tavernier restaurant. From the service to the view and especially the food! We had a romantic dinner suggested by a friend while in key largo and it did not disappoint! We started off with the best dang espresso martini ( and first for me) we've ever had ! Delicious. Then we did a calamari appetizer. Perfectly cooked, not greasy or overly friend. It was great. Then I did the lobster special ! It was huge. And such a flavorful dish. I had to take half home. My boyfriend ordered a absolutely mouth watering rib eye steak. It was cooked to perfection medium rare. My good lord. Divine. Wish we saved room for dessert but we ended up doin another round of espresso martinis. Can not wait to come back again! Highly recommended spot in key largo read more

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If I could give no stars I would. I just came home on Saturday, December 28 after having one of the worst meals I have ever had in the Florida Keys. I ordered something I've had many times before and it's been only adequate. Tonight it was horrible the entire plate of eggplant Parm was burnt. The sauce tasted burnt. I was hungry and foolishly ate half before I told the waitress And so they wouldn't do anything to make me happy that was really fine because I have never been to this restaurant where I have been 100% satisfied. It's expensive and low quality food. The Management knows us very well and decided not to give us anything which was fine But with all the Italian restaurants in the area, they should try to make good on their errors. Please avoid at all cost and go to Café Largo or one of the new family Italian restaurants if I could give no stars I would. read more

Soup was Minestrone would rather have Cambells. The Eggplant Parm was over cooked and horrible the sauce was not good either. I have gone prior and had the Strip Steak that was all fat. Guess I will just go to my usual spots. $80 you would expect descent food. Glass of Wine $15 read more

Though located on a stairway access only second floor, getting to Old Tavernier Restaurant & Lounge proved to me to be well worth the struggle. And the size of the crowd and popularity of the place seems to prove it too. For my meal I started off with their Moscow Oysters which come raw, perfectly chilled with horseradish, sour cream and caviar; a true oyster lovers delight. Next I went for their Caesar salad with black anchovy...they don't have white...which had a remarkably good dressing along with exceptionally fresh, crisp remain. For my entrée I chose Vongole (Italian for clam) pasta. Served with Little Necks sautéed in mushrooms, scallion and tomato over capellini; it was a true culinary delight. Then finishing my meal with a deliciously classic Key Lime pie, I couldn't have asked for better. read more

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I worry about giving places 5 reviews, because I may never get a table again. However it would be a crime not to give them what they deserve. Sherri was our server, and words cannot explain how wonderful she is. Pure pleasure, we were not rushed, food came out spaced perfectly. She could start her own service school. Old Tav is what a restaurant should strive to be. They have it down to a fine art. Love the atmosphere, ambiance and whole shooting match. Sherri and your team, thank you! Love to all! read more

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Place was rated high but not impressed. Food was average and service was extremely slow (perhaps we had a rare poor waiter?). For the pricing ... all should have been better. read more

Sorry, Been going for awhile and lately things have slipped. Nothing agregious but problems with reservation, and last night, really bad drinks. Small and definitely not on par with the old days. Love the staff but think the owners/managers need to be less aloof and more involved. read more

If you want good food, this is the place if you want an amazing pizza you're gonna be in for a tree. There's rules about the pizza or the rest of the food. Specially, the beef carpaccio, hands-down you will never get nothing bad from here. read more

We on a recommendation for outstanding appetizers - I must say the food was much less than expected and compared to others in the area. Overall food and service was fair at best.. Given other options I would pass. read more

Place was empty on a Sunday evening. We were the ONLY customers in this pretty big restaurant, must be accessed by walking up stairs, or a very long steep wheelchair ramp. Seeing no customers, we should have left, Loud Bar Downstairs had a LOUD BARKING DOG chained to a picnic type table. Dog Was Yelping and Dragging The Table. Dog belonged to one of the Bar 'singers'. CRUEL and Very Annoying, Staff Could Have Cared Less. read more

Ordered the New York Strip steak on Dec. 11, 2024 and was the WORST meal ever experienced in the Florida Keys. The meat was ALL FAT, impossible to eat. Spoke with the waitress, who was very nice, and said the manager would address. Waited for Manager who never showed up. Paid entire bill and left. Avoid at all costs. read more

Upon arriving, found the parking lot to be cramped and the entry to be messy, having to avoid garbage and broken furniture to get to the door of the restaurant after avoiding smokers on the stairs. Once inside, the staff was less than welcoming, acting as if they were doing us a favor by allowing us to eat there. The dining room. Was noisy and dark. Ordered chicken parm and it tasted like the freezer. Chewy as if it was microwaved. The waitress herself was nice but didn't speak favorably about her coworkers and "the Greeks" who owned or at least ran the place. The portions were generous but pricey. Not recommended. If you want d cent Italian food you'll have to travel to Key Largo. read more

Service was excellent, quick, attentive and friendly. Food was very good too- better then most places. Finally the bar; I am very critical about bars and bar tenders. The server told me they were a martini bar. While I did not want to test them on a dry gin martini, one of us ordered an espresso martini. We'll balanced and I could see the bar tenders caring of what the gave you. They had three different dining areas, outside, by the bar for casual and a nicer dining room. It is older but very well kept. I would definitely go back. read more

The service was exceptional. Our waiter was attentive and engaging without being overly present. He described the food perfectly and we were not disappointed in our selections. He also suggested a nice bottle of wine which complimented our dinner. Overall a wonderful, relaxing evening. read more

The food is awesome and so as the people working here especially The service of Mandy and Brandy. I would highly recommend this place.

The service was amazing. Our server was super sweet, very helpful, and on top of our order. The decor and menu are a time warp of the early 80's. Food was not well prepared. Food tasted as if it was sitting in the refrigerator more then a few days. I would suggest you keep driving and skip this one. read more

We only went in for a night cap, but it was great. Best expresso martini I have ever had. The place is filled with locals. Get there early or make reservations if you can. I will be going back for dinner . read more

Christina and Bobby went tonight for our anniversary Mandy was more than amazing we had an amazing dinner and dessert thank you again for an awesome evening read more

I stopped into Old Tavernier Restaurant with my in-laws for a quick drink before NYE dinner. This is a "favorite" spot of theirs, so we had to check it out. I ordered and Espresso Martini and it was WONDERFUL. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere definitely makes you want to hang out and stay a while. Not only is the staff wonderful, but the clientele welcomes you in "like family". We cannot wait to come back and enjoy dinner next time we are in the keys. read more

Old Tavernier Restaurant & Lounge - Italian Near Me - Tavernier, Florida

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Extremely average food, especially considering the price. I would have been disappointed if I had paid $10 for that meal, let alone $30. The tuna was not cooked well at all--it was supposed to be seared but appeared to be barely cooked at all. Now I like rare/medium rare tuna. But this was just not good. And the rice and veggies served with it had zero flavor or appeal. The only saving grace for this place was the espresso martini which was delicious. read more

We hadn't been back here in many years so decided to give it shot. I now remember why we stopped coming. The food was bland and room temperature. Expensive prices for average portions and quality. My daughter had the catch of the day which was dried out and flavorless. Hubby ordered the clams and pasta, the sauce was a runny watery tomato sauce. I had the Shrimp Thermidor which was probably the best dish at the table and that's not saying much. Run, don't walk away from this one. Nothing has changed! read more

Old Italian charm and delicious food! Sat at the bar and got to make friends with fellow diners while on a solo trip to the Keys. The bartender Laura is the best! read more

Oh man, where to begin?? The souvenir shop off the side of the road was what drew us in but then we made the awful mistake of going upstairs to eat here as well. From the moment we entered, we were getting snide looks maybe because they think themselves exclusive or that we couldn't afford their grossly overpriced, lackluster offerings. Well, the place looks more run-down than exclusive if you ask me. Marianne B. is absolutely right. It is a completely PRETENTIOUS restaurant with equally pretentious diners. The table beside us kept talking (pretty loudly) about his home losing equity this time if year, almost as if he wanted us tourists to hear him. When our server arrived, he didn't think we even wanted to hear the specials that day. It's NOT kid friendly at all. People seemed to be annoyed to have a 7 and a 10 year old dining with them. Utensils still needed a lot of wiping before use. Service was meh. The yellowfin tuna steak was horribly dry and salty. I couldn't even finish half of it. I was much happier with the lobster roll I had earlier that day in downtown Miami which was $30 cheaper than the crap they put in front of me here. Save for the bathrooms, their surroundings were dirty and subpar overall. This place is just stuck in the 90's in the worst ways possible. It was the epitome of my entire day at Key Largo. Rude people, jackass drivers, ugly beaches, and a complete disappointment overall. In a town full of boat houses and board shorts, you'd think they'd be more accepting. If you're planning to visit the keys, go straight to Key West and skip Key Largo altogether, ESPECIALLY this restaurant. read more

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We're staying overnight in the area and thought we'd try it for dinner. They were busy and we stood in the doorway for about 15 minutes before any staff member spoke to us. While waiting for a host to appear, we had to listen to a mouthy man making comments about all of the "F'ing tourists". When the host finally appeared -no smile, no greeting, no friendliness. He asked if we had a reservation. We said no. He said that there is absolutely no table for us and walked away. We completely understand the need for a reservation and understand that they had no room for us. What isn't acceptable is someone being rude for no reason. A little hospitality would go a long way - have a smile, say hello, give a recommendation for somewhere else. Maybe apologize and tell people that you'd love to have them back another day. And to the man complaining about tourists...pretty confident that the Keys relies on the dollars it makes off of tourism. read more

It's exactly that, Old! Service was good, but the food was just, Okay! I don't have anything else to add.

Best Espresso martinis ever!!! Everything is good! It's a local favorite! Pizza is great too! Sit in the bar, it's the place to be!

Get here early!!! I did bring my own fish but we had a wide sampler of dishes too!' All delicious, excellent service! Come here again! read more

Old Tavernier Restaurant & Lounge - Mahi-mahi - Italian Near Me - Tavernier, Florida

One of the better meals I have had in the keys! Passed here a million times and never was able to stop! Great menu full service bar with wine list. View outside is nice. Nothing fancy but get a table next to window at least . Food was well prepared and cooked perfectly ! Had there pizza before and only wished i had the chance to take some home right now !! Server Shanon was helpful in making our choice! Really appreciate her honesty . Live laugh and travel read more

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My bf and I went here last night for our monthly date night. We were really hoping to splurge on some amazing Italian food but ended up being disappointed throughout the entire meal. :/ it's a nice family restaurant with a huge dining room and outdoor space but the food is only average, especially for the price. We ordered 5 items off the menu and the tastiest one was the complimentary side house salad. The manicotti was a huge let down as the ricotta and shell were smothered in a heavy yet bland marinara sauce, rather than being the stars of the show. Pizza was alright, very cheesy. The kind of mozzarella cheese that strings forever and ever before finally breaking apart when you take a slice from the pie. Again, somehow on the bland side. Garlic rolls were hard/stale and despite all of the garlic in the bottom on the bowl, they were tasteless! Even the sprite was completely flat. Lastly, our server had a strange, condescending attitude that made us feel awkward every time she came over. Maybe it was an off day for her. The atmosphere was cute out back - they should play Italian music or something of the sort to set the tone in my opinion! Overall, pretty bland, tasteless food. We live here and will not be returning. Digorgios in Key Largo is 1000x better! read more

A must stop in Tavernier. Their apps are off the charts. Had the eggplant parm, grouper, and many more appetizers.