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    LJ’s Cafe

    5.0 (70 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Authentic Cuban coffee, great souvenir
    Stacy S.

    The best Cuban coffee! Or if coffee isn't your thing they will make you fresh squeezed orange juice. Excellent breakfast sandwiches, pastries and welcoming service, LJ's is the best breakfast in Marathon. Family owned and operated, wonderful people!

    Menu
    Christine T.

    Cuban coffee at its best. Open at 7-2/3 pm only. Service was quick. Didn't get a chance to try their pastries but egg and cheese bread on Cuban bread is good. One order is good for 2 peeps. Definitely will be back.

    Exterior
    Dell O.

    This is a delicious, clean and efficient little Cuban restaurant on Marathon Key. We had departed Key West very early on a Monday morning in October after a few days vacation. We wanted to make some time heading back to NE FL from Key West but definitely wanted to stop for to go breakfast and coffee well before Florida City. We were looking for a good to go restaurant without having to wait too long. We also didn't want to stop at Starbucks unless we absolutely had to. We definitely didn't want gas station food or a chain restaurant. LJ's hit the spot and didn't disappoint! First, upon entry everything was clean. Second, the counter service was courteous and efficient. We ordered two breakfast sandwiches, a Cuban coffee and an American coffee; all were flavorful and excellent! Lastly, the bathroom was spotless and stocked. I would love to try more meals from this fine establishment upon a return trip to the Keys!

    Bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich
    Glenn R.

    The point of this whole review: go to LJ's Cafe as often as possible! I highly recommend it and thank you, fellow Yelpers, for putting this place on my radar. We are so glad we went. The cafe is super clean and well-lit, especially the restrooms. The family clearly takes great pride in their establishment. All staff members are pleasant and happy and greet you as soon as you walk in the door. The food.... OMG it was perfect! She had a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich served on the most light and airy bread. Nothing short of amazing! The bread-to-egg-to-meat-to-cheese ratio was perfect! The sandwich was huge, enough for two easily. I had steak and eggs with toast. The platter included 3 eggs cooked to order and Lord knows how I feel about a 3-egg breakfast! The steak was tender and seasoned so well I skipped the addition of salt and pepper. My meal came with coffee and you can select any of the coffees on the menu to be part of your meal. It's Cuban coffee and I loved it. About the coffee: it's all made fresh in plain sight, right behind the counter. Again, a lot of pride goes into what they serve and sell. You can eat-in or take-out. We ate inside - there is plenty of seating and the atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. There are tables outside if you like. Check my pictures for the latest menu. They serve lunch too as well as fresh made pastries. I would like to come back until I've tried one of everything! I wish LJ's Cafe many years of success and I hope my review convinces you to go there!

    Cuban bacon, egg and cheese sandwich
    Jason P.

    Adorable family run spot. We went for breakfast and everything was super tasty. Friendly staff, service w smiles, makes you feel eight at home. We got the homemade apple and coconut/pineapple pastries. The pastries were all all sooo airy and flaky. I especially loved the coconut/pineapple one. Definitely don't miss it. The cuban breakfast sandwich with it's oozy cheese and soft bread was what we needed to ppwer our morning. Don't miss this awesome breakfast spot while down in marathon.

    Chicken with rice and black beans and cuban sandwich

    Please note I only give 5 stars to Michelin star restaurants. LJ's cafe is a very good home cook type of cafe. Had the cuban sandwich, coffee and home cooking chicken lunch meal with black beans. The sandwich bread was a little soft, but the meat was very good. Overall, it was good.

    Bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and the ham and cheese press. Amazing coffee!!!
    Beth K.

    Wow! Most amazing coffee we've had all trip long. The food was amazing. The Cuban bread was fantastic. We will definitely come back here. The next time we come through.!!! We ate the bacon egg and cheese sandwich and I had a ham and cheese press and we have enough leftovers for another meal. They are huge. So good!!!

    Cortadito con leche de avena sin azúcar!  (Cortadito with oat milk, no sugar)
    Lane L.

    This little cafe is absolutely perfect- Very laid back. Super relaxing. The outdoor seating is really cute, service is super fast too. ++ The owner is extremely kind and helpful- The cortadito con leche de avena is to die for! Both sweetened + unsweetened are delicious. My dad + sister tried the breakfast sandwiches- 10/10!!! They loved them! Highly recommend this restaurant! :)

    Mike K.

    The best Cuban coffee in the Keys! We stopped in this cozy and friendly little place due to the great reviews I read. Friendly service with a smile our coffees were made lickity split. The breakfast sandwich was amazing. Fresh Cuban bread grilled up with ham egg and cheese. They're big so if you're not a big eater it's enough to share. My only comment is that I wish the coffees were a little bit larger or they had free refills. We wanted to come back for lunch but it never happened. The menu looks delicious however.

    Cuban sandwich with cafe con leche
    Laura D.

    Friendly service and delicious homemade Cuban breakfast! The best coffee! Will come back again for lunch!

    Palomilla Steak

    Food was amazing, friendly service and vibe. My partner had rhe Cuban sandwich and I had the Steak Palomilla. Delicious!

    Cuban Sandwich
    Nichole B.

    One of the best cuban sandwiches I've ever had! Large sandwich so shared with my husband. We also got a side of black beans, which were so flavorful and amazing! Pastries are also really good and flaky. Cuban coffee also very delicious. Staff was very friendly and restaurant was clean and cozy. Will definitely be back multiple times!

    Cuban sandwich - a half
    Debbi N.

    Cute little cafe. Super friendly owners Louis and Jackie...yummy Cuban sandwiches and cafe con leches. Happy customers.

    Breakfast sandwich on Cuban roll

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    2 years ago

    Amazing service and amazing food. So good we came every morning while staying in Marathon

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    2 years ago

    Guava pastry is so so good. The steak and eggs is great. The kids tore it up as well as the adults. The toast is so moist. Highly recommend.

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    2 years ago

    Great food and wonderful service. Great place to relax and enjoy the slow pace of the islands.

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    2 years ago

    Absolutely delicious authentic cuisine! Very close to my MIL's cooking! Highly recommend.

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    2 years ago

    The food and coffee is AMAZING! Super clean and the staff is so friendly. Must try the Cuban. We will definitely be back.

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    2 years ago

    Kind folks running this shop! Excellent quick breakfast (don't skip the meat pie and guava pastry!). Excellent coffee.

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    Hideaway Cafe

    4.4(325 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$$

    Chef Freda created the most delicious vegan meal. The menu says to ask about veg options and she…read moredid 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.

    Quirky family owned spot with delicious fish but slow service and odd atmosphere inside. 3.5 stars…read more 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

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    LJ’s Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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