This was our 2nd trip to Key West and our 2nd trip the Red Shoe Bistro. We made a reservation and shared that we were visiting for our anniversary. The staff went above and beyond to give is a special night. We had beautiful window seats and received complimentary glasses of sparkling wine. The service was outstanding and the food was divine. Best restaurant in Key West, hands down. What inventive dishes!!! There isn't a "bad" thing on the menu. We would highly recommend this establishment again and again! Thank you so much for a memorable evening!​ read more

Beware! This restaurant may ruin all other Key West dining experiences for you--it's THAT GOOD! We chose the 6 PM seating and were welcomed by a happy, energetic hostess who immediately set the tone for a fun evening. Then, we were served by John, the owner and master of the house! From the daily specials and thoughtful drink options to the first bite--a crostini topped with farmer's cheese and herbs--we knew we were in for something special. The Shrimp & Mango Toast appetizer was honestly one of the best things I've ever eaten. The ingredients didn't necessarily make sense on paper, but together? AMAZING. We could have eaten another order! Both couples ordered the grilled Caesar salad, to share and it was perfectly portioned. The grilled romaine had a wonderful sweetness, topped with crispy Parmesan and a dressing with the perfect lemon-to-anchovy balance. WOW! For entrées, our table tried the bacon-wrapped ricotta-stuffed chicken, signature Yellowtail Snapper, Beef Stroganoff, and Key West Pink Shrimp with chili glaze over creamy risotto. We cleaned our plates and LOVED every bite. I rarely order dessert, but after a meal this good, we had to try their award-winning Key Lime Pie. It was truly the best I've ever had. I don't need to try another! And lastly--use the restroom! The retro ambiance and fabulous décor are part of the experience. Fantastic food, wonderful service, and a memorable Key West evening. Do not miss this place! read more

A Hidden Gem What a hidden gem! The atmosphere is catchy, unique, and perfectly set to the music & decor of David Bowie. We loved it even more because of that! The service was absolutely fantastic, and the staff's personality made the entire experience even better. Truly, some of the best service we've experienced in the Keys. A few must-tries: Start with the wine flight -- definitely a must! First course: deviled eggs and scallops -- both fantastic. Second course: seared Caesar salad -- definitely worth trying. Beef stroganoff -- absolutely a must-get! Finish with the lavender cheesecake -- the perfect ending. Every dish was beautifully presented, and the food was just as impressive as it looked. From the atmosphere to the food, service, and incredible staff, this place truly stands out. A hidden gem in the Keys that you definitely need to experience! read more

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We really enjoyed our dinner at Red Shoe Island Bistro. The service is top notch (thanks John!) and the inside is intimate and fun with its Bowie theme. Definitely great for a date night but wouldn't recommend bringing small kids here. Definitely a hidden gem. The food was great! We really enjoyed the seasonal salad and key lime pie. We got the shrimp and mango toast per our server and lots of other reviewers recommendations and thought it was just okay. The Cesar salad is something we'd skip next time as well. Both fish dishes were great if fairly standard for fine dining. The star of our meal was their Key Lime Pie. Why everyone recommends places like Blue Heaven over this for Key Lime Pie is beyond me. This pie was INCREDIBLE. Maybe the best we've ever had. Cannot recommend enough! read more

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Our quest to find the best key lime pie led us to another great gem in Key West: Red Shoe Bistro, aptly named after footwear referenced in one of David Bowie's songs. This place does not mess around. Seatings are nightly at 6:00 and 8:00. No children, no kids menu, and no parties larger than six without the owner's consent. Cancel within 24 hours and it's a $25 fee per person. The local who tipped us off while we were at Kermit's for key lime truly did us a solid. Sebastian was our server and did a great job making sure we got what we ordered (in more ways than one). From the amuse-bouche of whipped farmer's cheese with scallion and parsley on toasted crostini (which I will absolutely be trying to replicate at home), to the beef stroganoff, grouper, deviled eggs topped with scallops, lobster stuffed shrimp, and the must-order shrimp mango toast, every single dish/appetizer/entree was impeccable. And yes, the key lime pie absolutely delivered. We even took another slice back to our room for later that night, alongside a to-go slice from Kermit's, so we could make a truly final call. To eliminate any bias, we blindfolded ourselves for a taste test. The boys declared Kermit's the winner, while the ladies, including my son, gave a slight edge to Red Shoe, citing the crust and lighter texture. We sampled several key lime pies from every place we ate at that offered key lime but Kermit's and Red Shoe offer hands down the best versions. A very close call, and a delicious way to end the debate. read more

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i've been coming to Key West for 30 years and this is the best restaurant with excellent service Rob the waiter was amazing, great ambience and amazing food. It was my wife's birthday and I couldn't have asked for anything better for her. read more

What a cute little bistro . We went on Valentine's Day and they presented every couples rose . The waiters were so friendly and service was great we ordered the deviled eggs appetizer . They were light creamy and topped with a scallop . Then our main course came which we got fresh fish -yellow tail snapper and the catch of the day . Each dish was well seasoned with asparagus cooked to perfection . We were full and skipped of ed dessert . This cozy restaurant ranked high for atmosphere flavor and service .. will definitely be back read more

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Pros: Location was great. Everywhere on the island was very walkable. Ambiance is wonderful. Very dimly lit. Very romantic. A lovely candlelit dinner. Service was great. The guy was very nice, new the specials, and was very attentive. Food was delicious. High quality stuff, not just tourist food. Loved it. Cons: No real cons. Some of the proteins were a little lacking, but the flavors were all great. Tips: Lobster profiterole appetizer. Need I say more? The scallops were cooked very well. I recommend. read more

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Came to the Red Shoe for our main dinner of the Key West trip, the one we were most looking forward to. And it was really Good. Like all restaurants in town, it was very walkable to get there. Inside, it was dark, the majority of the light provided was the candlelight from the tables. Very nice, intimate ambiance. Service was very nice. We had a nice gentleman, catered to our every need, knew the specials and the catch of the day off the top of his head, and the drinks kept coming all night long. No issues there. Now for the food. We started off with the Lobster Roll Profiteroles (Classic lobster roll filling inside delicate house made profiteroles). These were Very fun. Creamy, large chunks of lobster, peppered with fresh herbs, and the roll of this lobster roll were these cute little choux buns. Pick them up, pop them in your mouth, they're delicious. Best part of the whole meal for me. My main entree was the Yellowtail Snapper (Sauteed tender filet with a lemon and parsley sauce, risotto topped with parmesan, and sautéed asparagus. Our signature dish). Flakey, glistening, perfectly cooked for how thin of a filet it was. A bright lemony sauce adorned it. Perfectly cooked, cheesy risotto paired well with it. And a classic asparagus side, only three stalks, but they were nice. I also got to try the Seared Scallops (Wild caught cold water scallops with a key lime ginger sauce with roasted walnuts. Service with a baked ricotta and feta spinach torte with pine nuts). This was nice. The scallops were seared and cooked well, the walnuts were an interesting touch. The blob of various cheeses in the middle were reminiscent of a spanakopita. A very interesting dish. We ended with some sort of floral cheesecake. I can't remember exactly what it was, I can't find the menu online, but it was a nice floral cheesecake, a sweeter, heavier cream on top, and a lovely way to end a good dinner. read more

Red Shoe Island Bistro - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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This was an exceptional meal with amazing service. I really can't say enough about this restaurant. It's the perfect size with a beautifully curated menu. Everyone was friendly, suggestions were on point, great atmosphere. If on your trip you want to stop by one excellent restaurant in between bar hopping, brunch spots, and food carts... this is the one. Oh, and don't skip the appetizers or the key lime pie. read more

Red Shoe Island Bistro - Coffee mug - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

Outstanding anniversary dinner! This is a cozy, charming restaurant right off of Duval with incredible service and delicious food. We truly enjoyed our dinner but the unexpected highlight was their fabulous lavender cheesecake and complementary celebratory champagne for our anniversary. Highly recommend this local gem. You will not be disappointed! read more

Red Shoe Island Bistro - Lavender cheesecake - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Best meal I had in Key West! #1. John, my waiter, was excellent. His knowledge of the menu was spectacular. #2. Started with the shrimp mango toast at John's recommendation ("like crack on a plate!"). So so good. Entree: I was torn between the scallops (because I love scallops) and the grouper (because, I love grouper). Almost went with the scallops just for the baked ricotta and feta torte, but in discussion with John, he said 'oh well you can just get that as a side as well if you want' because I was leaning towards grouper because it's local. So I did. Grouper, plus the torte. Phenomenal. I wasn't going to have dessert but John (again) talked me into their award-winning key lime pie (the crust has some graham cracker and some butter. And some more butter. And some butter). It, too, was excellent. Not too tart, not too sweet, and not a huge portion (which was good because I was stuffed). Get a reservation. Go. You will not be disappointed. Expensive? Yeah kind of. But worth every penny. And it's casual!! read more

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Amazing! The ambience/ decor , wait staff, food were spot on! Awesome David Bowie theme! Deviled eggs and scallops were sinfully good, Dragon Caprese salad were fire! Dragon fruit added amazing crisp , chilled experience. shrimp with red chili pepper aioli was unmatched in flavor and shrimp were perfectly done. Yellowtail snapper with lemon parsley cream sauce , Parmesan risotto and asparagus were so flavorful and satisfying. World famous key lime pie was excellent finish with homemade whipped cream and browned butter graham cracker crust. If you are a foodie this place will blow you away!!! read more

Probably the best dinner at a restaurant that I've ever had. I'm a foody so that is saying a lot! The service was incredible. It's expensive but worth every single bite. Must have the deviled eggs with scallops! read more

Red Shoe Island Bistro - Key West Pink Shrimp in Red Chili Pepper Sauce - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Definitely get reservations, although they do have five chairs at the bar and a few small tables outside for walk-ups. This place is popular. They have 6p and 8p dinner seatings, so don't expect other options. I noticed that a lot of people got there before their reservation and were ahead of the others, so they will get you started earlier. Food is delicious. The menu is very limited, but it allows the chef to do each plate right. I believe they change the menu slightly, keeping things interesting. Service is excellent. Beyond excellent. This place does what you want them to do, even changing our table candle when it went out! This place shows on many "best of" lists for a reason. Everything we ate was perfectly done. Finished the evening with truffle sweets to liven up the night for what was in store! read more

Red Shoe Island Bistro - Truffles for dessert. Yep, that good! - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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We went to Red Shoe Island Bistro for their 5th anniversary and had an incredible experience. The service was excellent and the food was phenomenal from start to finish. We started with the deviled eggs topped with scallops. I do not usually love scallops but my wife does and these were absolutely perfect and changed my mind completely. For our entrées I had the Yellow Tail Snapper and my wife had the grouper. Both were fantastic and the grouper's lobster sauce was next level. We finished with the lavender cheesecake which was so creamy and flavorful. Red Shoe Island Bistro has definitely become a staple for us whenever we are in Key West! read more

Red Shoe Island Bistro - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

The staff were spectacular! It seems the restaurant was entirely run by family and it shows in the service. The restaurant is located in the Caribbean neighborhood in Key West and the restaurant gets its name from a David Bowie song. As a result, almost all the decor is in the same theme and its kind of a fun direction they take it. The food is super decadent but thoughtfully prepared. During fantasy fest we were by the window and we had a front row view of the parade with the Caribbean dancers. Lively and fun atmosphere, great for a group. read more

Excellent service...decent wine selection good enough for this norCalifornian. We ordered the beef stroganoff, deviled eggs with scallops, shrimp risotto. Another recommendation found on reddit and a good one read more

Red Shoe Island Bistro - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Wonderful quaint romantic dinner for two. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to try a new spot in key west. The hostess was playful and attentive as well as our waiter named Simon. I decided to order a wine flight best decision if you are interested in trying a few different bottles. We ordered their signature dish the Beef stroganoff and the black grouper. Both were absolutely delicious. The dessert was really interesting and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. I love cheesecake then the lavender infused in the cake was really delightful, not over powering at all. Needless to say the next time we are in Key west we will dine here again! read more

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We had many fantastic dining experiences in Key West! One highlight was Red Shoe. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, tender, and full of flavor, and the fish was as fresh as it gets, prepared simply but beautifully to let the quality shine. The desserts were unforgettable. The LAVENDER cheesecake! So unique and delicious with just the right balance of floral and sweet, and the classic key lime pie was everything you hope for in Key West. Great atmosphere, amazing food, and friendly staff. Cant wait to visit again. read more

From the second we arrived the service was excellent, welcoming and fast, not rushed. The food was delicious, thoughtfully prepared, different and so well done! Scallops and deviled eggs were genius and my favorite! Lobster perfectly prepared. Lavender cheesecake was dreamy in a sea of key lime pies!! (Also very good). Quaint location can't wait to return!! read more

I was skeptical of the rave reviews prior to eating here, but I was wrong. It is just as good/better than the reviews. Probably some of the best pasta/American/italian food I've had in the US, and I've tried a lot of the "best" places in NYC. I don't like lime, but I devoured the key lime pie. It definitely is pricey, but the food is amazing. Our server, John, was also fantastic, and definitely persuaded us to eat more than we were planning to when entering the restaurant. The interior ambiance is also very romantic and intimate. Fantastic service, fantastic food, 10/10 read more

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I made reservations on a Saturday at 8pm to celebrate my husband's 70th Birthday. Our server, John, was amazing from start to finish with just the right amount of attention and wonderful descriptions of the food as well as being personable. My husband ordered the fish of the day, black grouper and I ordered the red snapper, but first we got the mango shrimp toast as the reviews for that were fabulous. It lived up to its expectations, so good! The fish we got and the accompanying sides were done to perfection and so tasty. Finished everything off by sharing a piece of their award winning key lime pie, which is perfect in every way! The ambiance here is wonderful as well. We had a table by the window and it is quiet and classy. Wonderful experience for a special occasion! read more

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Definitely the best, tastiest restaurant in Key West. The staff is very knowledgeable of the menu and the kindest. I highly highly recommend this restaurant and I don't work there:) read more

Stepped off a sea plane and was hunkering for some dinner with my family. Found this open rezy away from Duval and decided to try it. Did not disappoint. Food - so delish. Their key lime pie is still holding a spot in my mind that no other place has equaled (sorry y'all). As with just about every place we've tried here in the keys, this place had the chill factor dialed to on. Folks welcoming us into the restaurant were super nice, and when we came in there was only a couple tables of folks eating. Sat down with my son, waited for my hubs and daughter to come in from parking the car - but convos have already begun with the locals sitting around us. Friendly talk recs for meals, asking us where we're in town from, talking about the week's plans, almost felt like we landed in someone's living room and house party and not in a restaurant. And the bathrooms are music themed (as is their wall art). Good funk, good food - and more than anything, good people. I'd go back for just the company alone - and, well, maybe that pie too. read more

Not sure why all these raving reviews, very lackluster dining experience. We were sat immediately at a window table. Service was slow, drinks were slow. I got the shrimp with risotto, flavorless served with small shrimp. Also tried the recommended beef stroganoff. It was like left over tough scraps, this was not fresh. Not much flavor. I do not recommend this establishment. Very cafeteria style food. read more

Red Shoe Island Bistro - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

The best food we had in Key West. It started with the little bread bite, continued through the incredible Shrimp Mango Toast, our entrees of Key West Pink Shrimp in Red Chili Pepper Sauce and Black Grouper Fish of the Day with Shrimp, and ended with the delicious lavender cheesecake. And the Caymus VIneyards flight was the perfect accompaniment. Staff was friendly, knowledgeable and proud of the restaurant. When we are back in Key West, we will be back at the Red Shoe. read more

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Relatively small place in Key West, so make reservations. They have a 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm sitting. Ambiance is between escalated island vibe and fine dining. If I'm honest, the food and service was sooo good that I can't remember much about the decor. Promise to take pictures when I go back later this week. First of all, shout out to our server John. He was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and attentive! Made all of us feel welcomed and comfortable. We were a party of four and each person tried a different dish. We did start by sharing Shrimp Mango Toast and Crispy Pork Belly Crostinis. Really good and knew then we were headed for a great night. I had the Yellowtail Snapper with Risotto and Asparagus . Other guests had Stuffed Poblano Pepper, Key West Pink Shrimp in Red Chili Sauce and Fresh Fish of the Day. Needless to say, but when we were done not one grain of rice was left on those plates. Although Key Lime Pie can be found in every corner of Key West, John convinced us that their award winning pie is the best. We were skeptical, but he had been great and, although stuffed, we decided to order one slice and give it a try. I have to admit, it didn't disappoint. We actually went to another place nearby that is considered to have the best pie and Red Shoe's wins the prize. Cheers! read more

This restaurant decor is adorable. The food is even better. The yellowtail snapper is amazing. Yummy crabcake appetizers. Seafood medley & Key West shrimp in spicy chili sauce - love! And they may have award-winning Keylime pie, which was wonderful, but oh my goodness the lavender cheesecake is to die for. All the servers were so polite and lovely. read more

Wow. Simply wow. We were lucky enough to get bar seats and the whole experience was amazing. The bartender/dessert prepper/entertainer was awesome. And the food? Unbelievable. Best beef stroganoff I've ever had and the fresh fish special was on point. And deviled eggs with scallops - who knew? Finally, the vibe is too cool. Check out the bathrooms - they rock! We can't stop talking about it and we will be back for more. read more

We had a fabulous experience at The Red Shoe last week. Our 6:00 PM seating began with a warm welcome--even before we entered. Suzy and the wait staff came out from the restaurant and greeted guests by name from across the street, creating a fun and personal start to the evening. We shared the shrimp toast appetizer, the grilled Caesar salad, and the house specialty Yellowtail dish--each one outstanding. The staff worked seamlessly as a team, and their energy, happiness, and efficiency added to the vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant's lively vibe, paired with great service and a David Bowie soundtrack, made the evening truly memorable. Thank you, Suzy, for making our anniversary so special. We highly recommend The Red Shoe! read more

Red Shoe Island Bistro - Champagne at our table - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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The food was so delicious. I had swordfish and my wife had grouper. We started with the grilled Caesar salad and deviled eggs . The dessert was a yummy Key Lime Pie. Their version was really good. We sat at the Bar and Simon waited on us. He service was fantastic! Just go! You do need reservations though. It only seats 47 people The atmosphere was cozy but not tight! read more

Intimate welcoming eatery with superb food, friendly down to earth service and a cool David Bowie theme, Red Show Island Bistro ticks all of the boxes for a truly memorable dining experience. Our server Vic suggested the shrimp mango toast appetizer, a perfect mixture of heat, fruit and fresh local pink shrimp. Loved it! I'm not a beef stroganoff connoisseur by any means, in fact this was probably my first time having that dish. Prime steak tips in tasty brown gravy with a hint of sour cream resting on fresh egg noodles - fantastic, I'd love to have it again! Yellowtail snapper was fresh and enhanced by a creamy piquant sauce, greatly enjoyed by my partner who usually avoids fish at all costs. The highlight of this feast (for me) was the lavender cheesecake, a colorful creamy slab of deliciousness with just the right amount of sweetness. Deets: This place is popular so make reservations at least a few days before your desired date. They currently offer 2 seatings per evening (6:00 and 8:00), and the line was already out the door when we arrived at 5:50. read more

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Only 2 seatings a day, beautiful restaurant, great food and very knowledgeable servers. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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Hidden gem in Key West! You had me at the goat cheese amuse-bouche! The pork belly crostini with Asian slaw was out of this world, and the stroganoff was better than Oma's (shhhhhh). Exceptional service with fantastic food. read more

What a wonderful dining experience! The four of us enjoyed every bite of our meals. Cesar salad, lobster stuffed shrimp, wahoo, yellowtail snapper, seafood medley pasta and stuffed poblano peppers. For desert was chocolate cake and lavender cheesecake. The service was great and all of the employees and owner very friendly. read more

Everything was so good and the key lime pie is legit amazing. Great service. Love the David Bowie decor. Every thing we ordered was great.

Was here on Jan 10, 2026. Superb meal, great service and atmosphere. Recommend the scallops.

The 3 star rating is due to the value for what you get, it is a little on the expensive side. Red Shoe was one of the last restaurants I ate at during my time in Key West. Had the signature dish, Yellow Tail Snapper and the award winning key lime pie. It was good, especially the service, but not top of my list. I'll be going back to Kaya for the Key Lime Fish. Kaya has a more relaxed fun vibe too. The Keylime pie at both restaurants was equally good. Red shoe's award winning key lime pie is a more traditional pie, smaller slice and was the most expensive of all I tried. read more

Best food in Key West! Blown away! If you are in Key West this place is a must. Service and owner are fantastic.