We ate breakfast at the Wooden Spoon twice. Our first experience was 4 Stars. Quick friendly…read moreservice, no wait for a table even though they were busy, tasty food. Our second experience brought it down to 3 stars. We had to wait for a bit (which is not a big problem) and were eventually seated at the counter. Even though it was busier, everyone working seemed much more stressed out. We saw a lot of touching of food (toast, bacon) without gloves/washing by the servers. (Perks of sitting at the counter?) About halfway through our meal the owner? manager? started screaming at a table of customers. She said they had been disrespectful to her the day before and again that day, so she demanded they leave and told them their food was on the house. It was Waffle House level of drama, which we didn't expect from sleepy Marathon, FL. The rest of the employees didn't seem phased, so maybe this isn't a rare occurrence? It's worth a try if you want a place that's more locals than tourists, and the food is pretty decent... but be on your best behavior! :)

Stopped in with my wife, food was great and so was the atmosphere. Old school diner vibes. Next…read moretime we are in the keys, we will be back! - Jake & Lenny

Absolutely loved this place! I got the everything club on a jalapeño cheddar bagel with an iced…read morecoffee and it was honestly the best bagel I've ever had. Everything tasted super fresh and so good. There was a pretty long line when we got there, but it moved really fast. The staff was also super nice and efficient. Definitely worth the stop and I'll absolutely be back! Best bagel place we've had since living in Florida.

Always a good sign when there's a line out the door! Line went quickly and staff were helpful…read more Everything is freshly made to order. I got a breakfast sandwich with bacon cream cheese but the eggs were lacking salt even with the bacon. Also they have no sour cream for burritos bummer. Their coffee is excellent and strong. Def try their coffee and bagels.

Really good experience in late April at Island Fish Co. The food was great and service was good…read more It's an open-air casual restaurant with water views; not the best water views but better than looking at buildings or a parking lot. They have a few ceiling-mounted fans to try to keep the heat at bay. The shrimp poboy and onion rings were superb, and the wife really loved the grilled chicken sandwich and fries. Absolutely no complaints about the food or service. The cocktails left a little to be desired however; very small cups that we found lacking in flavor, but they looked tropical. Otherwise, everything was great and we'd definitely visit again.

So good we came here twice on our trip for lunch. The vibe is tropical, fun tiki bar meets…read moredelicious fresh seafood with an awesome menu selection, fun drinks , friendly service & beautiful views. We started with the best coconut shrimp I think I've ever had. It's the famous pink shrimp of Florida & the coconut breading was divine ! light, delicate crispy, served with a tasty mango chutney, dipping sauce, just perfection. by the way, this went perfectly with a crisp, white wine and my husband's tropical drink. Next, we had to get an order of the delish oysters Rockefeller, smothered with creamy spinach, and tons of lemon juice. Wow those gulf oysters are wonderful ! So Tender. For our main, we got the Grouper Fish Sammie's with fries & coleslaw. I had mine blackened, and my husband went with classic. The fish was so fresh and seasoned perfectly. Don't miss this gem on your way down the keys.

Great Stay With Some Service & Logistics Gaps…read more Overall, we had a genuinely great experience as first-time visitors traveling without kids but with service animals. The property shines in many areas, especially if you're looking for a relaxing resort atmosphere with beautiful water views, pet-friendly accommodations, and a fun, laid-back vibe. That said, there were a few frustrating misses that held this back from being a 5-star stay. THE GOOD * Beautiful beach & lagoon area - Easily one of the highlights of the property. Relaxing, scenic, and fun overall. * Salt + Ash is a must - Exceptional food and one of the best dining experiences on property. The wine selection was top-notch and the beef tenderloin was outstanding. Easily our favorite restaurant. * Incredible staff throughout the resort - Bell staff, valet, oceanfront servers, housekeeping crew, and pool staff were consistently kind, personable, and welcoming. * Staff who go above and beyond - Huge shoutout to Joshua, who helped us secure chairs near the adult pool, and Danielle, who took time to chat, swap stories, and made us feel genuinely welcome. Hospitality like that sticks with you. * Captain's Suite is worth the upgrade - Strongly recommend spending the extra money if budget allows. The added space made the trip: dining area, living room, fridge, two toilets, large balcony, and beautiful water views overlooking the pool and lagoon. It elevated the experience tremendously. * Extremely pet & service animal friendly - This place deserves serious praise here. Few resorts feel this comfortable and accommodating for travelers with animals. Staff were respectful, welcoming, and there were no awkward restrictions or friction. If you travel with pets or service animals, this property stands out. * Tiki Grill - Great atmosphere for drinks and relaxing. Perfect for unwinding poolside. * 20% off dining on property helped offset costs - Appreciated perk considering resort pricing. THE NOT-SO-GOOD * Front desk communication & housekeeping logistics need work - This was our biggest frustration. We stayed in a Captain's Suite and requested both a room cleaning and balcony cleaning (bird droppings had accumulated on the balcony) around 10 AM. The front desk wrote down our room number and assured us it would be taken care of. When we returned around 3:30 PM, neither had been done. By after 4:30 PM, the room had finally been cleaned, but the balcony still hadn't been addressed. When you pay extra for a premium room and oceanfront balcony experience, this feels disappointing. There also seems to be a mild pigeon issue, and balcony maintenance should really be part of a regular checklist. Some simple bird deterrents or more proactive cleaning would go a long way. * Concierge/text support didn't materialize - We were told we'd receive a concierge-style welcome text shortly after check-in for support/questions. Unfortunately, we never received it. To make matters worse, the room phones didn't work, meaning concerns had to be addressed in person while waiting in the front desk line. * Food quality was inconsistent - Salt + Ash was phenomenal, but not every dining experience matched that standard. Tiki Grill: Great drinks and atmosphere, but the food was forgettable, under-seasoned, and not something we'd order again. Fine in a pinch. Angler & Ale: Beautiful waterfront views and exceptional staff, but the food leaned heavily fried and felt more like average bar food than resort dining. Fish and chips were disappointing. Oddly enough, the banana split ended up redeeming the meal. * Convenience store prices were shocking - Convenient? Yes. Affordable? Not even close. A few sodas and snacks escalated to $60+ surprisingly fast. I expected a slightly easier option versus restaurant pricing, but the markup felt extreme. * Parking costs add up - Valet runs about $40/day and self-parking is roughly half, but expect around a 10-minute walk with luggage, making valet feel almost mandatory. FINAL THOUGHTS Despite some communication breakdowns and uneven food experiences, we truly enjoyed our stay. The Captain's Suite, peaceful balcony views, fire pit at night, lagoon, beach access, pickleball, and pet-friendly atmosphere made for memorable moments. My advice: upgrade to the Captain's Suite, eat at Salt + Ash (seriously, get the beef tenderloin), enjoy the tiki drinks, walk the grounds, soak in the sun, and be selective about food choices elsewhere. Use the convenience store sparingly. Fix the housekeeping/communication gaps, improve how guests can raise concerns without standing in line, and clean those balconies consistently--and this place could easily become a 5-star destination.

We recently stayed at Hawk's Cay and had nothing short of an awful experience from start to finish…read more I was so incredibly excited to stay here, as I've heard incredible things about the resort. I can confidently say I would never stay here again after our visit. We arrived about 30 minutes before checkin time (around 3:30pm) and were told our room was not ready yet. No problem. Our baby was due for a nap so I took him around the beautiful property to sightsee. At 4:05pm they called me to tell me our room was ready. We went upstairs and I was about to put him down for a nap, but I realized we were in a double queen when we had booked a resort king. Also, there was no pack 'n play set up as I had requested in our reservation. With a now crying baby in my arms, I called the front desk and let them know they had put us in the wrong room. The woman told me to come down to the lobby and she would meet me there to bring us to the last remaining king. Why weren't we put there in the first place? We went down to the lobby and waited about 20 minutes before asking to speak to a supervisor. The woman told me the original person coming to meet me was on her way. I expressed my concerns to her while she took me to the new room and she apologized politely, but after arriving in our new room (again with no pack 'n play set up), the entire checkin process took an hour and a half. My now overly tired and incredibly cranky baby was crying as I tried to get him down for a nap in our new room. We were interrupted by the woman coming back with our keys, then 10 minutes later a man knocked on our door with a folded up pack 'n play and asked, "You know how to set this up, right?" Now on the verge of tears, I asked him to please set it up for me. He cranked it open and told me there were "linens to put in the bottom for the baby." When I inspected it, it looked broken and rickety on the bottom with no padding. Linens are a serious SIDS risk for babies, so I'm not sure why such a nice resort couldn't provide us with a safe, non-broken crib. We did not end up using it. That evening when we were getting ready for dinner, there was an ironing board with no iron in the room. We called and they brought one relatively promptly. The air conditioning must have had an issue because it could not have possibly been any louder. On top of everything that had made our evening so stressful, the alarm in our room went off at 5:45am, waking the baby and myself up an hour earlier than normal. This threw off our entire next day as well. The resort does not provide "do not disturb" tags inside your room, so during his first nap of the day housekeepiAng knocked loudly and barged into our room! I tried to speak to a supervisor and all I got was an insincere, unconvincing apology. What was supposed to be a relaxing stay at one of the most highly-regarded resorts in the Keys was the most stressful (actually, the only stressful) experience I have ever had in the Keys. To have spent over $400 on a room and had such a disappointing stay was unacceptable. Do not recommend.

Best breakfast restaurant we experienced during our visit. Tasty food, ample portions, and timely…read moreservice. Large outdoor patio. FYI: cash only.

Food was pretty good, I guess but I probably would like it better if the service wasn't so…read moreterrible. My entire breakfast was cold by the time I got anyone to help us. I got the Waffle Pig, and when the food was delivered asked for a spare plate to put the waffle on (since they just place the waffle and eggs and sausage and bacon in a big pile on one single plate). The plate never came. It took asking 3 different people 4 separate times to get that extra plate. It seems like a problem with the definition of responsibilities? I think each time the person I asked just told someone else I needed a plate and no one ever actually got me a plate. We were visited by at least 5 different people during our meal - they had plenty of people working and it was not super busy yet, so it just seems like a break down of communication. They only accept cash, we needed to use their ATM to get cash - and the ATM fee was higher than if they just accepted cards and charged us the transaction fee on a credit card payment. Overall - decent food, terrible service, nothing that would encourage me to stop again though.

On our drive down to key west stumbled upon this place…read more It is very old Florida with outside seating and lots to chickens but a charming spot nonetheless. I got the shrimp bowl and my husband got the tacos. Both were super flavorful and delicious!

Two restaurants in one. On one side, açaí bowls and breakfast items…read more On the other side, Caribbean island fare. We loved the Rasta wraps and the coconut rice the most. Everything was very flavorful. It feels like you are eating in a garden.

So we came in to try the fabulous coffee that so many have reviewed here and we weren't…read moredisappointed! Coffee is delicious and we had a chocolate almond croissant which was to die for! We then walked out to our car to see that there was a flat tire. Desperately needing an air compressor to fill up our tire in order to get to the nearest tire shop we asked the employee on staff if there was any help that can be given. The owner had stepped out and so graciously returned to get us all set up, which was above and beyond what anyone needs to do! Locals are so lucky to have such an amazing place of business with an owner that is so caring!

Came here 3 times during our stay in Marathon. If that doesn't tell you how much I loved them I…read moredon't know what will! Really good lattes and love the options. Also, didn't get a chance to try their pastries but they were massive!!

this place is 10000 percent a keys vibe. one single bartender/waiter working and the "manager"…read morehelping. a few chefs in the back. we called ahead because we were a larger party and they were all set up for us when we arrived. waiter was SO NICE (forgot his name) and was super transparent when they were out of something. the bar is zero frills. no bar menu just "these are the alcohols we have, we can kind of make anything within reason" food took forever because it got crazy busy fast. when the food came everything was fantastic. zero complaints even from the children! my daughter said the burger was amazing and the owner/manager even brought us a pre dinner key lime pie slice "because I cut it too small". super hospitable and lovely people. if you come on here and complain about a wait or lack of seating, you must be new to the keys. classic rock jams, bob marley, a fruity drink, and some relaxed service IS the keys. step outside the hustle and bustle and enjoy the meal!

Spring Break!! Oh yeah Floriduh! If you have ever stayed in Marathon Key then you know options are…read morelimited... especially for me. I am a picky seafood eater. Stopped in here for breakfast and ordered at the bar; seafood omelette. Eggs was done well incorporating spinach; mushrooms and smoked salmon. Unfortunately no other fish options were available. Waffles and grits to go with it, orange juice to keep it all down. Taste was not too bad. Portions were good. Services were quick and prices are little more than I expected.. it's spring break so it ok. Would I choose to return maybe.. especially if to order a mahi sandwich for lunch. Keep expectations low and you can have a good experience it's my new Floriduh moto.

Despite the overall rating this place has, the food was pretty good! Fresh seafood, we had 4…read moredifferent kinds of oysters, scallops on the half shell (small but good), some sushi rolls, some pulled pork, the crab cake sandwich, onion rings and more. All really good. Service was friendly but slow and plates arrived haphazardly, while we had to ask for plates and flatware. Nice scene with outdoor covered eatery and live music performer who entertained the crowd too! Mini golf next door was also fun and offered a 10% discount on the meal. All in all a nice way to spend a half day or so.

We kind of came here on a whim from good word of mouth. We were all thinking BBQ but we ended up…read moreordering seafood & sushi instead! I loved the vibe of this place - think tiki bar with a beachside vibe and setting but then also a BBQ joint thrown in for good measure. The menu is extensive - BBQ, seafood, sushi, bar food, tacos, etc. The menu is huge! The happy hour is pretty good too (speciality drinks for like $8 and decently priced app specials). One very cool thing, this place sits on a marina and my family saw manatees chilling out there. We literally were only a couple feet from them and watched them float around while we are out food. So cool. Live music is offered during most nights. Some advice, get here early because this place fills up fast! I think it is quite the haunt for locals and tourists alike. We would go here again in a heartbeat. The food was pretty good, portions were perfectly sized and prices were very reasonable, especially when compared to other places found in the Florida Keys.

EASILY some of the BEST food I've ever had in my life -- no exaggeration…read more We went all in: shrimp tacos, chicken tacos, carne tacos, the shrimp po' boy, and the fried pork... and EVERY. SINGLE. THING. was unreal. Like, not one weak item on the table. But let me be clear -- that shrimp po' boy??? ABSOLUTELY STOLE THE SHOW. I'd go back for that alone. The whole place has that perfect outdoor Keys vibe -- laid back, great energy, just straight-up good times. And the service?? Top tier. Olivia and Mikey were on point the entire time -- super friendly, nailed the order, and made the experience even better. Huge respect to the kitchen too -- Marcus and Chapel are putting out some seriously special food. You can TASTE the effort and care in every bite. This place isn't just good... it's the kind of spot you think about after you leave. A spot you talk about until you go back. We'll 1000% be back. Probably way too soon

Love, love, love this place! Arrived with my family on St. Patrick's Day after 4 p.m. Parked with…read moreease in the gravel lot. Upon approaching the bar we looked over the menu and promptly ordered. A stationary food truck doled out scrumptious grub, delivered in a timely fashion. We really enjoyed all items and the beer was refreshing. It wasn't very busy when we first arrived, but it started to fill in more so during our visit. The surfer/hippie vibe throughout the grounds heightened my vacation mode. It's exactly the chill setting I was craving. Walking around the garden, hopping on the standing swing, sitting in hammock chairs, playing the hook and ring game, and checking out the shop were all leisure bliss.