Our second Key West dinner is at Cafe Marquesa. The new chef pair: Graham Dailey and John Hines. Dailey was a star at the Peninsula Grill in Charleston. He brings his low-country magic to Key West. We had a 5:30pm Open Table reservation on Saturday, December 29. When we arrived at 5:25pm, one of the two hostesses told us they weren't open yet. At first they asked us to step outside. Then when the bartender walked in, they suggested we get a drink, which we did. So now now it's 5:40pm and they are seating other 5:30pm reservations and we are ignored at bar. I finally had to request they seat us. None of this makes sense at a pricey, and supposedly sophisticated restaurant. We start with the classic Shrimp & Grits, followed by Crispy Cornmeal Oysters and Arugula Salad. A very non-traditional Shrimp & Grits and so delightful. Pan Seared Grouper and Beef Tenderloin for entrees. I'm not a fan usuallybof Grouper, but the preparation surprised me. The Tenderloin was exquisite with some amazing mushroom topping. For dessert, the Apple Cobbler and Pot De Creme were both yummy and perfect finishes. Michael, our server is a master of the menu. Blondie the bartender mixes some outstanding craft cocktails. We dinged a star for the poor way we were greeted. read more

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Great meal in Key West - service, ambiance and food. I highly recommend coming here for dinner. We started out with the shecrab soup, Bibb salad and foie gras . Then for dinner I had the appetizer scallops that was amazing and my husband had the swordfish that was perfectly cooked and dessert was the best key lime pie. read more

We came here for our first night in Key West based on a friend's recommendation. We started with a bottle of Pinot Gris that was really crisp and reasonably priced at under $50 for the bottle. We shared the carpaccio which was melt in your mouth thinly sliced and paired with a truffle egg salad. I had the pork osso bucca which came with a creamy, rich risotto and apple that all worked so well together. My husband got the steak special which had a pretty steep price tag, but was worth every penny. The steak was perfectly cooked and came with five sauces: blue cheese, horseradish, gravy, bearnaise, and foie gras. The chef checked in on us to ensure everything was to our liking. We were too full for dessert and we both took home a doggy bag, the servings were generous. I will return and recommend this to place to those visiting Key West. read more

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Got blackened yellow tilefish 8.8/10 , gnocci and shrimp 9/10, stone crab, grouper 8.4/10 , sword fish 7.3/10 and some insane pork shit 8.5/10 read more

Great food Good service Get the duck Get the fish Buy a bottle of wine Handicap accessible Beignets are the booom read more

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The food is very good, but fairly uninspired. It's, basically, refined southern cuisine; my appetizer and entrée were both delicious but a bit outdated. Service was excellent! Nice restaurant, overall - a bit froufrou by Key West standards.. read more

Amid the coronavirus pandemic the Florida Keys are opening up with certain restrictions. Restaurants and stores are opening up but require masks in order to enter. Cafe Marquesa at the corner of Simonton and Fleming has opened with appropriately spaced tables and all staff wearing masks the entire time. They have moved a number of tables into the lobby of the Marquesa Hotel to accommodate more patrons. The menu is great with a good selection of starters and entrees. We started with the baby gem lettuce salad and the beef carpaccio. Then had the crispy hogfish filet and the pan-seared scallops. All of these dishes were delicious and served with a creative set of accompaniments - parmesan grits, blue crab cole slaw and succotash. Service was superb as were the pre-dinner Negroni and Martini. read more

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Caution!!! When in Key West, eat here last because you may be disappointed at every other restaurant. We enjoyed the crab soup and salad. The soup was excellent. I chose the extra sherry that was offered. Great taste, and great texture. My wife had the pork and filet. Both were excellent, but if we had to choose, we'd choose the pork. It was cooked perfectly. Service was the best during our trip. Highly recommend! read more

The food was impeccable. We had the oysters and the yellow tail tuna with grits... to die for. Great wine list and full bar with eclectic drinks menu. The desserts... like a whole other level. Key lime pie and beignets- OMG mouth watering goodness. I'd give it 10 stars if we could. The Executive Chef came out Lawrence Gottlieb came to each table and he is a rockstar. read more

Exceptional food, service and ambiance!! The crab cake appetizer was amazing as was the swordfish and our other entrees. The service was top notch and the chef came out to ensure we enjoyed the food. Bravo team Marquesa. read more

Good service. Poor menu with extreme prices. $82 for a tiny medallion steak and 3 pieces of rotten asparagus. No plans to go back. Do not recommend. read more

I've always enjoyed the vibe of the Cafe Marquesa. My first visit here was for a wedding dinner reception and the couple had hired local a local jazz singer, Peter Diamond. It was delicious then and every visit since. As I recall the wedding was at the Gardens Hotel and the guests just walked over. It's full most nights. You won't be disappointed. The staff is friendly and professional. read more

We fell victim there to the 'daily special' scam. You hear about this scam from people traveling abroad but don't expect it in your own country. We live in the Keys and went there for our wedding anniversary a few years ago. The prices were a bit on the high side but it is Key West and expected. The waiter really pushed the 'daily special' which was a steak not on the menu and made it sound amazing compared to anything on the menu. My wife and I got it and it was really just a nice steak. Nothing that exceptional. He just never mentioned the price. When we received the bill that steak was three times higher than the most expensive item on the already expensive entire menu. My wife liked the deserts but I will never go back there. Beware of this common and well known tourist scam 'the daily special'. read more

John, Cafe Marquesa's manager, reached out after reading my last review and offered to have us back the next time we came to Key West. We went back for dinner last night and had a wonderful experience. The food was excellent - great options and very well cooked. They also have a fantastic wine list and we enjoyed a 2018 Barollo. Our server, Carmen, was top-notch. John took great care of us and I'm very happy we gave it another chance. We will keep coming back when we are in town. read more

Very nice ambience. Food and drinks were fantastic. I do wish they had a better children's menu but it's understandable at a fine dining restaurant. read more

Great place!! Excellent food and service!!! Loved our waiter Mike who was training Alex. He totally guided our culinary journey for this amazing whIte table cloth dining experience in Key West. Wish I would have worn a dress as it's probably one of the fancier places. Loved the shrimp and grits appetizer, grouper appetizer, steak entree and the lobster entree. I don't even like foie gras but it was amazing here!!!! Pics of what we are are attached. This is fine dining key west style. This probably the most fancy establishment here but I still rocked what i wore off the plane but would have with a dress...next time! read more

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I would make this a 6 star if they had it. We had 5 meals and all were amazing. The service was the best I had many trips to Key West. We all had food coma from how large the plates were. Definitely stop in and enjoy a great meal. read more

Cafe Marquesa - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

The presentation of the food 5 stars. Service 5 stars. Taste of the food 4 stars (if you don't mind very rich flavors 5 stars). This dinner was an anniversary and our table was right near the service station...the staff was over the table. I also found the restaurant to be very noisy. When I pay these prices the ambience is just as important as the meal. Though, if you don't mind a lot of noise then 5 stars all the way! read more

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Excellent service, the food is exceptional. Our table was ready when we arrived. The bartender is a master at his craft,we had a Key Lime Martini it was very tasty, I do not normally drink martinis, but I really enjoyed this one. My Steak with the crab was done to perfection. My wife enjoyed her swordfish also. Unfortunately we did not have room for dessert, next time e will. I would recommend the Cafe to anyone going to Key West. read more

Cafe Marquesa is outstanding! Bar service is creative. Wine list is great. Ambience is elegant yet relaxing. And the food is consistently creative and wonderfully put together. We had fois gras, crab cake, main course duck and tripletail. Both main courses suggested by staff, and compliments to them and chef! Plenty of wine pairing choices as well. I've recently eaten at some of the highly regarded Key West restaurants. If I had to pick one it's Cafe Marquesa. read more

The food was wonderful, the service was exceptional, and the drinks were top-notch. Joe, our bartender knows his stuff. Kate our waitress was determined to make sure our dinner was perfect. Highly recommend this lovely quaint little place. read more

To start our server es amazing he's name is Jorge he was super friendly and took very good care of us, he was patience, he care to answered and explained all the questions and details about the menu... thank you Jorge. We start we a romeo and Juliet cocktail that has a very exquisite strawberry ish taste (we loved it) The. As an appetizer we got The Rockefeller oysters were fantastic very tasty and creamy but still cheese toasty outside My plate was the pan seared scallops and key west pink shrimp, the scallops were perfectly grilled outside and very soft inside, the combination of flavors was amazing the were accompanied with grilled cauliflowers and snap peas that gave a crispy texture to the whole plate, I love it. My guy got the crispy pork osso-bucco and was fantastic, the crispy skin outside was delicious and the it was so tender after de skin that I can said it start melting in your mouth with all this amazing flavor, it was accompanied by this mushroom risotto that was creamy/cheesy and some grilled asparagus that gave a very nice touch to the whole plate. Very recommended Enjoy it And thank you Jorge again read more

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One of our best meals in Key West was at Cafe Marquesa. My sister-in-law and her fiance recommended dining at Cafe Marquesa during our visit in Key West. The menu looked incredible, but pricey so we decided not to make reservations. At the last minute we changed our mind and were thrilled to snag a table on such short notice. I wish we would have had the opportunity to change into nicer clothes at our hotel. Fortunately our waiter did not look down his nose at us for wearing casual attire to such a nice restaurant. We started off our meal with some gin martinis. The bartender made my dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives and extra dirty, just the way I like it. We split the deconstructed Caesar salad and the beef tartare. I was skeptical about the eggless Caesar dressing, but it was delicious. The dressing was just a lighter and more garlicky version of the classic Caesar dressing recipe. The beef tartare was almost a meal in itself. It was accompanied with toasted bread, baked brie, and a side of greens. There were so many great entrees that I had a problem selecting just one. The scallops, duck breast and filet mignon all sounded great. I almost ordered the grouper, simply because I wanted the pasta purses that accompanied the dish. When I told the waiter my dilemma he suggested that I order the duck and he would bring a side dish of the pasta purses. This was the most indulgent combination and I am so glad I took his advice. The duck was so tender and full of flavor and the pasta filled purses were almost as good as the ones we had in Cinque Terre, Italy. Our meal at Cafe Marquesa was a bit of a splurge, but it was worth every penny! read more

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Not what it used to be. Sadly I took my family back to Cafe Marquesa excited to share a top notch restaurant. Had gone there several times in the past and always highly recommended it. While service was top notch ( in fact surprised by all the wait staff walking around for the size of the dining area in this post Covid world), the food was a deep disappointment for the high costs charged. Two of us ordered the pork chop entree and they were both tough. My fish entree was small and almost tasteless. The filet entree (at $70+) was the lone standout at our 5 person table. I almost felt robbed for the prices - you need to be raving about your food, not feeling taken for a ride. I will never go back. read more

This is a small little restaurant on the corner of Simonton and Fleming. Don't be fooled by the size. The food is absolutely amazing (as is the presentation). The staff is very polite. Our server, Wilson, was very professional. Our compliments to the chef and each bite was delectable. We finished up with assorted desserts that melted in your mouth. I would highly recommend this cute little restaurant and will be back the next time we're in town. :) read more

With no reservation, we sat at the bar, which we are fine with, unless the bartender is unfriendly and this one (short, stocky brunette) was terrible. At first, it seemed like she did not want us at the bar. She was is the "service bar" type not "guest service" focused personality. Snappy and borderline rude, we were about to leave as she made drink after drink for the dining room long after we gave our order. When I asked about the near 20 minute wait for our cocktails, she barked "can't you see how busy I am"? WTF ? However, the taller and newer bartender rescued the night with her warm and professional demeanor, Like a light switch, it was like being transported from Denys to a Ritz Carlton. ....and the plates that came from this kitchen are sublimely exceptional. Every dish was perfectly seasoned and well executed. So - make a reservation and sit in the lively, buzzy dining room. You will likely have great service and get your drinks faster than sitting 2 feet from the bartender. read more

Came here for my birthday. Had to make reservations a few weeks in advance. Small restaurant with limited tables, so it books up quickly. We had a really fun waiter who checked in on us often but not so much so that you felt he was rushing. Great wine list. We loved the Rockefeller Oysters and my husbands steak was super good. Restaurant atmosphere was buzzy and fun. read more

Cafe Marquesa - Snapper - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

So, cafe Marquesa was less than to be desired for. We made our reservation after looking at the menu and thought it would be a pretty decent meal. The experience started with our food not being the quality I would expect for the price we paid. The steak was a tad tough. The fries were coated in some type of cheese and truffle (I would assume a truffle oil). The crispy pork was tender was tender but did not have much flavor to it and the risotto was under cooked. I personally had the seared scallops and shrimp. I found it very tasty and probably the best out of all our party had ordered. The scallops and shrimp were cooked perfectly and had great flavor. I will say the staff was friendly, especially our server! However, we got the impression we were being watched as every one of the staff stands near the expo window and acted like they didn't have anything to do. Overall, the value was not worth the price. read more

Had an exceptional dining experience at Cafe Marquesa on Thursday August 8,2019. Mike was our server and he was fantastic! I recommend making a reservation as it is a smaller restaurant, but had no problems doing so. Chef Graham Dailey really curated a wonderful menu influenced by the south and the sea. For starters we ordered the shrimp & grits and they were delicious! For entrees, my husband ordered the scallops and I got the snapper with grits. Again, both were delicious! Lastly, Mike recommended the beignets for dessert and in his words he "hadn't steered us wrong yet". And again, he was correct. The beignets were melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Crispy on the outside while warm and soft on the inside. Other things to note: -The portions were not the biggest, but because of the richness of the foods, the portions were perfect -This was also not a cheap place. The dishes are pricey so be prepared. That being said, our experience was well worth the cost and I'd do it again. -it was our wedding anniversary and Mike brought out a little sparkler which was very sweet. Be sure to INDICATE it's your anniversary in the reservation, they'll decorate your table :) read more

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Cafe Marquesa never fails to disappoint. Food is exquisitely prepared, well presented and over the top delicious. Good wine selection and professional staff. We sat at the bar and had dinner. Highly recommend the shrimp & grits. Not your typical presentation... little bit of country ham added for a slight twist. Joshua was our bartender... took great care of us. Personal and professional. You can't find a restaurant in KW that meets the high standards of Cafe Marquesa. Wish I had taken photos of the food! read more

Booked a res for our "nice" dinner while in Key West. Thankfully they were able to move us up to an earlier time. Our server was lovely. We were surprised by the price point of the entrees because everything else was reasonably priced (NYC prices, anyway). The food was very good, but not as good as the price would suggest. We ordered dessert and we're shocked by the portions! Five beignets? A huge piece of key lime pie? A heads up would have been nice; we could have ordered the trio! Great cocktails and mock tails. We'll be back for drinks and snacks at the bar. read more

The Beignets almost brought a tear to my eye, it was that good. Also, the Crispy Pork Osso Bucco was beautifully made. I had never had Foie Gras, but I know that when I go back it will be high on my list. The wait staff was attentive, the wine selection was good and the food was excellent. 5 stars all around. read more

Amazing food and hospitality! We had a set menu for a small group of friends -- every item was well thought out and delicious. Nate, the GM, and Meredith, our server, made the night extra special. The hotel is amazing as well! We will be back! read more

Cafe Marquesa - Hogfish - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

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I had read about Cafe Marquesa in Key West on Yelp and Trip Advisor, as well as from a friend's recommendation, and it did not disappoint. The place tries to be sophisticated due to the upscale type of cuisine it served, but I think they also understand that they are probably serving up to near 100% tourists who wanted a more upscale meal at Key West. They said the dress code is smart casual but plenty of folks were wearing shorts and sandals. The ambiance is island-type sophisticated, and the service is on the formal side, although the bussing of the plates were done by young women wearing shorts, which is fine by me. I decided to order 2 appetizers instead of 1 entree, which I think strained my waiter a bit, since he offered to enlarge my grouper fish appetizer, but I politely declined and it was fine. I ordered shrimp and grits and added tempura grouper appetizer and both were very good. The shrimp came with a reduction seafood sauce which was tasty and delicious, served with Andouille sausage and ham, and the quantity was substantial, as measured by my California standard. The waiter took the time to help order and separated the shrimp appetizer, which was very thoughtful. The tempura grouper was tasty, had a nice dipping sauce which is probably mayonnaise based and very delicious, served with bok choy and corn. The other entree was Osso Bucco with base of mushroom risotto. The amount of meat on Osso Bucco was very abundant and took both of us to work on it. I was glad that I decided that I ordered 2 appetizers size meal instead. I am sure if you are a big eater, you can finish it but it certainly would not leave anyone hungry afterwards. The risotto is firm and tasty. For dessert, we ordered beignets and it came with 5 sizeable beignets, freshly served with a vanilla sauce, which is again more than enough for 2. Overall, very satisfactory meal, and could be one of the best in Key West if you are looking for sophistication in preparation and service, cloth tablecloth and not next to the marina with reggae music. I would give a 4.5 stars. read more

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A very nice and welcoming Cafe. Surrounded by wonderful stylish homes lt has the feel of a local favorite. Nice wine list properly served, Duckhorn Merlot '13. Kitchen was terrific. Highly recommended read more

Cafe Marquesa - Kitchen graphics- well done - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

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This place is phenomenal! My husband and I went on Saturday night for his birthday. We had such a wonderful time. The service and food were fantastic!! We highly recommend and we will definitely be back next time we'll be down in Key West! read more

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Amazing. I can say hands down best place in Key West for dinner. We got to meet the chef; thanked him for an amazing experience. The waitress was fairly new and gave us superior service. Cannot wait to come back next time we are in Key West! read more

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My wife and I spent 5 days in Key West and this was the restaurant we had dinner in our last night. Wow, we saved the best for last! Our main dishes were phonemonal! Great flavors! If we are in Key West again, we will definitely come back here. read more

We believe this may be the best dining option in Key West. The meals are fabulous paired with superb service. We had Scottish Salmon, Pan Seared Scallops and Crispy Pork Osso Bucco. All were excellent and highly recommended. Place is small so you will need to get a reservation. They have some outside tables, which are pretty much on the sidewalk with not much privacy. read more

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Excellent food and service. Ask for the small dining room which makes the dining experience wonderful.