Chef Freda created the most delicious vegan meal. The menu says to ask about veg options and she did not disappoint. Literally and by far the best vegan dish I've had in a long time. Angel hair pasta, with a rich garlic sauce, tender vegetables and fresh herbs. So simple yet so good. My husband raved about the hogfish and fresh sides. read more

Quirky family owned spot with delicious fish but slow service and odd atmosphere inside. 3.5 stars Food: 4 Atmosphere: 2.5 Service: 3 Cost to worth it rating: 2.5 (prices in the higher side ~$40 seafood entrees, $50+ meat) Opentableable: no, need to call Return worthiness: maybe Eve award: most fantastic hogfish Highlights: - Hogfish: transcendent. Delicate, pure amazing. Light egg wash and amazingly fresh and tender local fish I've never had. One I ordered had shrimp as well (was also supposed to be scallops). Choice of pasta or veg (green beans and potatoes). 5 stars - Duck: soy glazed half duck. Hub gave 4.5 stars - Bread: fresh, warm, and slightly seasoned. Would've liked some olive oil with it. 3.5 stars - Generous pour for glasses of wine - Mother son duo was so sweet Midlights - Beef Wellington: standard. 3 stars - Escargot: nice thin cognac sauce with tender escargot but being on a plate looked like it was drowning. 3 stars - Atmosphere: inside a motel like place. Outside had a thin balcony with a few tables for 2, inside very basic and old school with music to match Lowlights: - Long wait for food; we had a 630pm reservation and apps came at 7:30pm, entrees at 8:15pm and we didn't get to leave til almost 9 and skipped ordering - Out of few items and informed us 30+ min after we ordered them (rib eye and scallops) - Restroom downstairs in the lobby and closes at 8 so was a hassle to be let in read more

AN Atmosphere you'll never forget. There is so much detail that goes into the food that is prepared here. Every guest that comes in feels special. This is a great place to go to escape the Mundane hustle and bustle of life. I had the fish special and they came with scallops as well. You get amazing scenery as well. So when you're in Marathon Florida come check it out it may be a little bit difficult to find it's right by rainbow bend hotel. I definitely a must check to see. read more

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It's one of those hole In the wall treasures. No ambiance. But it makes up for it with the beautifully voiced Chef Rita. She hummed to the lovely jazz music the whole time. So pleasurable. We had Wild red shrimp wrapped in bacon. Amazing. ! Salad with homemade dressing. Not to be missed. They dont bake their bread. But they do make their own garlic butter Blacked hog fish with capellini. And house special hog fish with vegetables. WOW WOW WOW!!! F R E S H and delicious. Home made carrot cake. Light & spicy. The wine list needs improvement. But great dinner. Going back on Thursday. They recommend The Table. And Franks Grill. We will try them too. Had dinner last night at Isla Bella's Mahina's Restaurant. So boring we knew we had to look for Better And very happily found it. read more

Chef Freda is dynamite. Highly recommend the Shrimp bisque, hogfish, & raspberry key lime mousse. Johnathan took great care of us. read more

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Hard to find, but maybe that's the point. Unassuming entry that opens up to a beautiful ocean view. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. French menu was unexpected and spectacular. Filet was tender, seafood of hogfish, scallops and shrimp over angel hair was equally terrific. Raspberry keylime mouse was over the top. Wine and beer only. Ask for outside seating. Only 5 tables out there. Get a reservation. read more

What a bummer. We went there as a party of 10, made reservations a few weeks in advance, and saved it for our last dinner of our week vacation, dressed up, and thought we'd have a special night. It was a big let down. Unfortunately, even though the reviews were good, and a couple locals recommended it, we definitely do not recommend it. The chef came out to take our order, when asking for recommendations she had none, just kept saying well depends on what you like and your taste. We got the seafood crepe as an appetizer, and that was underwhelming. Several of us got the hogfish, but a couple of us thought it tasted like swai. It was a lightly fried fish, but then they poured a butter sauce over it, so it took away the crispiness of the fry and made it a little soggy. Two people in our party ordered the steak and one only took a few bites saying it was overcooked and just didn't taste good, the other said it was mediocre at best. I gave them 2 stars because they did bring out dessert for the 3 birthdays we had in our party, and that was very sweet and fun for our group, but I do feel most restaurants would do that. Granted, coming from Southern California we do have a high food culture here, and can make us a little judgy, but the cost just didn't match the food quality or the experience at all. Super lackluster. read more

Great view great staff. The fish de jour hog fish was amazing. It's a little hard to find guess why that's called hideaway. A must try if you are in the area. read more

Hideaway Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Marathon, Florida

Won't be back. Spent over 30 minutes waiting on a table that was supposed to be reserved for me and finally left.

There is nothing special about the atmosphere the place is just a shack with plastic plates and cheap silver. We had to wait for 30 min before we could get the menus. The server couldn't speak a word in English so we had to wait again for the other server. the seafood pasta we ordered was a big disappointment the sauce was tasteless flat with running pasta water in it and there was no way to communicate with the servers. the only attention we got when we stood up suddenly asking for our Check then they rushed to us. NEVER AGAIN. read more

We have been coming to the restaurant for the last decade. Chief Frita is among the very best in the Florda Keys. Billy and Jonathan are excellent servers and I can't say enough about our favorite restaurant. We usually start with the shrimp bisk soup and either duck or hog fish franchase. by the way the view is one of the best in the keys too if you are outside on the porch. give it a try!!!! read more

Really delicious spot and definitely hidden away on the 2nd floor of a beachside motel. Follow the signs and get to this place! The garlic bread and tomatoes was a nice starter. The Caesar salad was nice too, and very very good croutons. My boo got the fish du jour which was hogfish this day. The sides were a dill mashed potatoes and carrots in a sweet glaze. I had the Seafood medley in a Florida sauce which was like a yummier vodka sauce. The scallops, the shrimp, the fish of the day was so fresh and lovely in the medley. It's a big portion too, so I shared the pasta with my boo who doesn't like dill so the mashed potatoes were not a hit for him. I liked the mashed potatoes tho! Service was very attentive, and so kind. The beach is a pretty spot, this restaurant is really lovely. read more

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Chef Frieda has a good thing going in this small charming restaurant with killer views and delicious French inspired fare. She's Caribbean, British and lived in Ohio making her dreams come true in the Keys. She was the hostess, server and likely in then kitchen at some point during our visit. We enjoyed the fish en papillote, the coq au vin and hogfish. All very delicious. It may not be the prettiest presentation or the fanciest dining room but the flavors, perfectly cooked dishes, attentive service and wonderful views makes this place a must visit them and again. A few improvements to the dining room, a little beautification here and there can make this place truly magical. read more

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Don't look any further for a great dinner stop! We were pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere, the food was delish and the service was great! You won't regret eating here. read more

This is a place totally hidden within grassy key. A must try!l a Locally owned restuarant's on the water on the oceanside. Has a wine list with good variety and selection. Food is flavorful, fresh and fulfilling. The restaurant is small, limited seating indoor and outdoor. Reservations is recommended ahead of time. read more

Hideaway Cafe - Catch of the day with shrimp and scallops. (Hog fish) yummy!!!! - Cafes Near Me - Marathon, Florida

Great food just make reservations worth the effort Wonderful wine selection location with s convenient read more

Wow!!!! What an amazing hidden gem. Beautiful views, great atmosphere, stellar service and phenomenal food!!! Chef Freda is the best!!! read more

Hideaway Cafe - Crème brûlée - Cafes Near Me - Marathon, Florida

We arrived on a Saturday night. We had a reservation, and requested "outdoor" seating but all we were shown was a narrow balcony in the front. We did not see that there was a more open balcony/seating area in the back. They acted like it was a big deal to move us inside and "had to ask the boss" despite there being 5 open tables inside. It is not very big, so maybe we threw a wrench in their reservations. Anyway we did get seated inside. The menu was really nice, especially for a meat eater The food was great, and the chef who I believe might be the owner came out and talked to us. She was wonderful. I have to knock one star off for the service, for when we first got there and at the end of the meal when we would've loved to have ordered dessert, but we waited so long for a check that, we were ready to go home. read more

I was only able to eat breakfasts there as a part of staying at the Rainbow Bend hotel. It was just ok. They had only few items available to chose from, nothing really that was vegan except bagel and whatever my husband ate it was very basic and the portion size was very small. No coffee refills, nobody really cares of you after you get your food. Few times the order was incorrect or there were items missing. read more

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Amazing food! We loved the chef/owner and the atmosphere was wonderful! Food was phenomenal, definitely a place to come back to. A must stop if you're in the area! read more

Our time honored tradition is to dine at the Hideaway Cafe at least 2-3 times while we spend a month in the Keys, and we are always delighted! There is nowhere in the Keys that serves the delicious quality of food that Hideaway consistently prepares! We've tried to find an alternative and no place ever measures up! Go and you will be ecstatic at the food, service and atmosphere! read more

Everything here is 10/10 top to bottom. The bread and tapenade, the Caesar salad, the French onion soup as starters were just amazing. We had a bottle of the Vouvray wine and it was SO delicious. Johnathan, the waiter was so so kind and attentive and very clearly busting his butt to serve all of the tables. For mains, we got duck, New York strip, and the seafood medley with flamingo sauce. All of the above were UNREAL. The seafood medley had hogfish in it and WOWWWWW I can't get over how good it was. Freda, the chef and owner, is so kind and gave me a dessert for my first time too!!! The view is also just the cherry on top. Could not recommend enough! read more

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Chef Rita is Awesome! We were last here in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and had an equally wonderful meal and experience. This being Thanksgiving, prefix Turkey dinners with all the trimmings were featured. Not just any turkey dinner, but a WHOLE TURKEY (6-8lbs) of golden brown deliciousness. Sides were mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes , peas with pearl onions and a whisper of cardamom, dressing, and savory brown gravy. . . and yes, cranberry making an appearance as a special Cranberry Chutney. Chef Rita takes extra care in this preparation and it is deliciousness defined! Pumpkin pie and Apple pie are choices for dessert. Open Thursday through Monday, Chef Rita enjoys seeing you and pleasing your palate. Our first trip here I had a Pasta Putanesca and my wife had a wonderful Crispy Duck. Food Service Ambiance read more

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Referred by our boat captain and it didn't disappoint. Went for breakfast. Had delicious blueberry pancakes and smoked salmon. Pancakes were fluffy and full of blueberries. The salmon was very tasty! The atmosphere is casual but looking over the meals brought out they all looked delicious. Definitely will be trying dinner too. read more

I went here based on the duck reviews. Large portion, very tasty, but somewhat dry and overcooked. I will likely give them another try. There was a loud table of 6 in a very small room with bad acoustics. Every other table had to shout at each other to converse. We gave up most talking to avoid having to shout across the table. After the loud table left, the noise level went from extremely loud to just loud. I wish I had eaten outside. My wife had the Hog Fish Franchese. If was extremely good. We got a bottle of the house Pino Nior, which was quite acceptable. Service was 5*, and I liked the cloth table coverings. I really disliked their payment system. They are unable to print a receipt, and the waiter stands over you while you have to pick a tip on an electronic screen. Points taken off for this. read more

One of, if not, the top restaurant in the Florida Keys. This venue oozes authentic, Florida Keys charm with a superb oceanfront view. If your seeking typical Florida Keys' fare (i.e. conch fritters, conch chowder, etc., don't go to the Hideaway. But if you're looking for a unique dining experience, with incredible continental-style cuisine exquisitely prepared by Chef Freda, this is your place! The French onion soup is simply the best I ever have had. Anywhere! I keep coming back for the charbroiled lamb chops and my wife loves the hogfish. I'm not a big fan of duck, but everyone raves about it. And the desserts.... oh my! Don't rush the dining experience at the Hideaway. It is to be celebrated. read more

This was one of the absolute best restaurants I have ever been to. Freida was such a hard worker and one of the nicest people ever. We will return to this restaurant every single time we are back in town read more

Absolute must! My husband and I can be very bougie foodies and this did not disappoint. This has the "little place in New England" type of feel. Rustic New England vibes, great choices of wine, the staff is amazing, and the food might be the best food in marathon. read more

Worst. Meal. Ever. And an awful dining experience. They ran out of everything and the "chef" had no recommendations for alternatives. It also took over 3 hours for us to have this awful experience. Don't go. read more

Do not miss the Hideaway Cafe if you are in Marathon. We enjoyed an amazing dinner to celebrate my birthday. Everything that came out was amazing. Our waiter told us to pace ourselves, and he wasn't wrong!! Chef Freida's dishes were some of the best we ate on our week long trip. read more

I came for an experience and I got one ok. It i wasn't a positive experience either. The bartender was complaining about gas coming in without reservations right after I said we didn't have reservations. The best of the food was the bread. read more

Amazing food. This is a hidden gem. Service and food were top notch. This was the best meal we had all week and we wished we had tried it sooner! We will definitely be back on our next trip to the Keys! read more

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What a delightful experience we had on our last night in Marathon at the unassuming Hideaway Cafe! We would never have found this place if it wasn't for Yelp. Quaint beach front restaurant serving French inspired fare that is made with love from Chef Freda. Who is as delightful as her food! The outside patio made for a romantic finale to our weekend getaway! read more

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Food = 10 Service = 10 Small, quiet restaurant with 5 star food. It's one of those hidden spots that you love to find. I recommend this above any other within 30 miles. You will not be disappointed. Call for reservation! read more

Came here for my Anniversary dinner. You guys the view is amazing. The food is fresh and the service is top notch. Please dont sleep on this establishment as it's tucked off the main road, but you will not be disappointed. High end food with out the super super high end cost. Our waiter had wonderful suggestions. The Caesar salad was fresh. The dressing was very tasty. YUMMY. The chef took our reservation over the phone and we got a chance to meet her "Love Her!!," the dessert were had was the rum berry butter cake OMG melt in your mouth DELICIOUS read more

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Perfect name, but would prob add hidden gem as well! Cozy spot with great food, good wine selection.

This place is a definite hidden gem. And so well worth the trip. It's not the easiest to find. Follow the GPS to the Rainbow Bend Resort. When you enter the driveway, you may wonder if you're in the right place. Park the car and look for the "new" set of wooden stairs going up to the second floor by the beach. There weren't any signs, but we saw someone coming down the stairs and asked. Once inside, you're in a cozy romantic restaurant. There's a narrow porch/balcony with seating looking directly over the ocean, too. We chose to sit inside. We were warmly greeted by the owner/host. I had no idea they'd been here for over 20 years, but I'd read that they recently reopened. Turns out they were closed for over a year and a half after sustaining hurricane damage. So glad we got to experience its rebirth. The service was very good. The food excellent. We passed on the appetizers and went right to the entrees. Each entree comes with a Caesar salad to start and warm garlic bread. For my main dish, I had their duck. It was a whole duck -- two full halves -- a huge portion. It was perfectly cooked and crispy. The sauce was aromatic and tasty -- a combination of soy and honey. It came with a side of mashed potatoes, green beans, and carrots. My concentration was on the duck. I only managed to eat half and took the other half home. My husband had their seafood puttanesca. They even asked how spicy he'd like his food. The mix of seafood and puttanesca sauce was served over pasta. He ate every bit. We were both too full to try their desserts -- which sounded wonderful. I'm so glad we "discovered" this place. You will too. Make sure you make reservations. read more

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This place never disappoints. The food was outstanding... appetizers, dinner, and dessert. Loved it all. Jonathon works crazy hard as he handles all tables. The visits from Chef are always enjoyed. The location is very small with lots of windows to enjoy the views. Of coarse you could arrive and have that one loud patron on the phone but the food and ambiance quickly erases him. I've been coming to Hideaway for over 8 years and will continue to frequent this fabulous restaurant. read more

Excellent food. I had the duck & it was wonderful. The view at sunset is fabulous. Nice wine list and service was great. A beautiful teacup held delicious coffee to go with Chef Frieda's awesome desert. read more

Hideaway Cafe - The Hideaway - Cafes Near Me - Marathon, Florida

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The view from the outside seating is gorgeous. The food was good . The service was slow and not up to par with the prices you charge . We met the chef or cook she was awesome! I would love to be able to have a cocktail with dinner . read more