We made a reservation at Louie's Backyard, but unfortunately it rained heavily and the outdoor seating wasn't available. We ended up going upstairs to Café at Louie's, and honestly, it turned out to be such a great experience! The food was absolutely amazing, the cocktails were delicious, and the atmosphere was beautiful and unique. Everything was high quality and full of flavor. And the octopus was probably the best I've ever had! Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Key West and a place I would love to come back to! read more

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Louie's Backyard is a beautiful building with both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor area offers an incredible ocean view, but we chose to sit inside because of the heat. My entrée and dessert were both delicious and beautifully presented. The chicken practically fell off the bone and was incredibly flavorful, while the desserts were simply outstanding. During our meal, Louie came out to check on everyone and told us we should call him "Big Louie." He even promised that if we ever shouted his name while in trouble around town, he would come bail us out, just once. As fate would have it, my girlfriend and I were later surrounded by seven seashell-wielding gangsters, two suspicious pelicans, and a man dressed entirely in inflatable flamingos. The gangsters demanded our wallets, our leftovers, and proof that we had properly enjoyed the ocean view. Just as I prepared to defend our honor, I shouted, "BIG LOUI!" into the night. A foghorn blasted, a nearby conch shell began playing the opening notes of "Eye of the Tiger," and a black 1969 Chevy Camaro came roaring around the corner. It had flame decals, orange dice in the mirror, and what appeared to be a tiny disco ball hanging from the antenna. Big Louie stepped out wearing a sequined tuxedo and carrying two limited-edition baseball bats signed by Babe Ruth, Elvis Presley, and possibly one of the pelicans. He tossed me one, struck a heroic pose, and together we performed a ten-minute, perfectly choreographed defensive dance routine that sent the gangsters fleeing into the mangroves. The pelicans applauded. The inflatable flamingo joined our party. Big Louie charged us exactly one rescue and then disappeared into the night as confetti fell from the sky. It was a wonderful experience. read more

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This restaurant used to be my absolute favorite stop in Key West. Their shrimp and grits were so incredible that I bought their cookbook just so I could recreate the dish at home. I've made it countless times over the years, and every trip to Key West included a return visit because it was that memorable. Unfortunately, that era is clearly over!! The last few visits have been a huge disappointment.. What was once a beautifully presented, flavorful dish now looks like it was carelessly thrown together. The shrimp and grits that inspired me for years no longer resemble, or taste like, the original. I don't know if the restaurant has changed ownership multiple times or simply lost its way, but the quality has fallen dramatically. To make matters worse, our most recent dining experience was just as disappointing as the food. The restaurant was nearly empty, yet our party was told we had to leave because our reservation time was up. There was no one waiting for our table, and with so many empty tables throughout the restaurant, they easily could have accommodated us elsewhere. It felt unnecessarily rigid, cheap, and frankly arrogant. It's sad to see a place that was once a true Key West gem decline so dramatically. Between the disappointing food, lackluster presentation, and poor hospitality, it simply isn't worth the price anymore. Sadly, this restaurant has gone from being a "must-visit" on every trip to the Keys to a place I'll never return to. There are far better restaurants in Key West that deserve your time and money. read more

Louie's Backyard - empty restaurant - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

Initially walking into this place, I couldn't help but think it was so gorgeous. Decided I wanted to sit outside by the water during sunset and it was picture perfect. The waiter that took care of me was so enthusiastic but soft spoken, kind and knowledgeable. The filet mignon was what I went with for my main dish, I got how the waiter recommended it be cooked and to me, it was so yummy. This dish comes with a baked potato and asparagus which were okay in comparison to the steak with its charred outsides. Overall, I enjoyed dining here and would come back. Thank you! read more

We stopped by on a not humid KW day for a cool drink. Staff treated us very well and the drinks and food were excellent. Selena took excellent care of us and was very nice. She talked us into the homemade key lime pie for dessert after we shared fresh bread with the caprese salad. Everything tasted great. Selena was five star. read more

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Our favorite restaurant for lunch in Key West. Be sure to make reservations.......unless you enjoy punishing waits. For clarity reservations are really easy, and Nina (our waitress) made some perfect suggestions based on our tastes. Enjoy! read more

Louie's Backyard - Key lime pie to celebrate a birthday - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

Dining on the waterfront is the selling point and reason to go here. The menu, while solid is not spectacular but a good cocktail and sunset views make up for it. read more

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First timer here at Louie's and my goodness the view was perfect. Definitely need to make reservations for dinner here, open table App. worked well. We started at Louie's patio bar along the waterfront and the old fashion was great and my wife said espresso martini was OK. read more

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Louie's Backyard is a beautiful upscale restaurant tucked out of the way and adjacent to the Key West beach dog park. Louie's is set inside a spacious historic home with inviting indoor seating and an outstanding outdoor bar and dining area right along the water's edge. The setting alone makes it worth the visit. We stopped in for drinks, appetizers, and the atmosphere, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The bartenders were welcoming, the service was excellent, and the small plates were perfect for relaxing and snacking while taking in the ocean views. Since we didn't try the main courses, I can't comment on the full dinner menu, but everything we did have was memorable. After visiting Key West for seven straight years, we were surprised we had never discovered Louie's sooner. It truly feels like a hidden gem. Make a point of grabbing a seat at the bar -- it's the kind of place where great conversations and new friendships are made. read more

We were excited to get reservations here for my birthday dinner earlier this week. Overall the atmosphere and service was great. We started with the bacon wrapped scallops - they were the best I had ever had. Melt in your mouth delicious! My bf isn't big into seafood but tried it and also really loved it! I had the Beef Filet, while I found the amount of sauce on the plate unnecessary - I really enjoyed this dish. The filet was cooked perfectly. My bf had the pork chop and was disappointed. It was so fatty that it just ruined the meal for him. (This is why I deducted a point). We ended with the Creme brûlée - it was good. Not the best I've had but still good. We didn't tell them it was my birthday, so no candles but they do offer that. The drinks were good- again not the best but good enough. I'd go back for lunch and enjoy the views! read more

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Loved visiting this quintessential location. Visited for lunch with dear friends and thoroughly enjoyed our time and our food. The staff is super friendly and attentive from the host to our server. The dining room is beautifully laid out with views to the waterfront throughout. This spit must be on everyone's list and with the read more

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Café de Louie's (upstairs - no reservations needed) Great lil hidden gem in Key West. Different menu from downstairs. Great selections, smaller portions at a affordable price. Indoor and outdoor seating available. My fav dish so far is the shaking Vietnamese beef. So good we came back 4 days later read more

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Didn't eat here; only took in the view and vibes on the afterdeck bar late afternoon. Terry is an asset. While busy, he always acknowledges people waiting. I have seen bartenders put their heads down and ignore. Not Terry. He has certainly built up a following with locals and returning guests. Restaurant nicely decorated inside read more

Louie's Backyard - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

AMAZING food and views!!! Ok so we came here for a nice dinner and unfortunately needed to make reservation and the place was booked. Wish we had called before as we walked to the restaurant. Host let us know that there was no space. Wish the host was a bit more professional and also a bit more positive. We asked if we could sit at the bar and in his words "I doubt it but you can check" Glad we did "check" we had an amazing time at the bar bartender was awesome very knowledgeable and service was great! We were able to enjoy full menu right from the deck. Appears alot of tourist come back to this place a see why. The food AMAZING! Great atmosphere! Next time I come will get a reservation for sure. But if you want to just walk back out and see there is a spot for you. Thank you! read more

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My sister and I were on vacation in Key West. We went out after sunset for a stroll and came upon this restaurant. We walked in and were looked upon like aliens b/c we had no reservation? Well, just two hungry old ladies, we were seated at the bar after about a 30 minute wait. And we had the best dinner on our entire trip! I don't remember her name but I'm going to call her Angel. She made us some excellent cocktails and really made us feel welcome. Fresh warm bread with butter, to tide us over. We ordered the fresh catch dinner which was yellow tail with a potato croquette and fresh asparagus it was all amazing! We both cleaned our plates! I really wanted to try the key lime pie so we got dessert to go! It was very good pie and I would definitely go to Louie's backyard again! With reservations this time. Even though we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the bar Thank you to the Angel read more

Mostly a lovely night here on the back porch for a late dinner. Here's the good: --I got a reservation through a day of the dinner phone call. The person answering the phone at 9 am was wonderful and we were delighted to get a reservation --it's beautiful and well-tended building and space. The table and the views surpassed our expectations. --the service was professional, perfectly timed, and warm --the menu is diverse with lots of choices and the cocktails were outstanding --the bacon wrapped scallops appetizer was tasty--we'd get this again The slightly off: --we both ordered the filet of beef and caramelized onions--it was served hot, with a twice-baked potato, and delicious asparagus. Sadly, it was all swimming in demi-glaze that dominated the dish. There was no getting away from this salty bath--it touched everything. The potato was already salty, and it became unedible and soggy where the sauce drenched it. --A little sauce (about a quarter cup) under the filet would have been good. But the chef went full commitment and drowned out the other flavors with this brined addition, which wasn't mentioned on the menu. Bummer. --the table just below ours featured a young man with a loud voice talking non-stop about his views on everything. They were done with dinner when we were seated so we assumed he would move on. Alas, he had a captive audience at his table, and they lingered with his commentary. Truly, it was hard to tune out. I get that this isn't the restaurant's issue and we could have switched tables from our stunning view to something inside. We decided to wait it out and did enjoy 40 minutes of a stunning evening after Chatty McGee finally left. We'll try this place again if we return to Key West. I do recommend asking questions about dishes on the menu. I would have requested all the sauce on the side. The atmosphere is beyond stunning. Truly, go for that and cocktails on the deck. It's romantic and unique. read more

This was the best food we had on island all week hands down, also the most expensive (but worth it). Service was wonderful. We did show up for dinner (and I didn't look up to see if there was a dress code but we were by far the most under dressed compared to other guests but no one said anything). My friend and I shared the mahi special and shrimp/grits/green beans/mushrooms. It was so delicious, a little rich I couldn't finish it but would highly recommend, 10/10! read more

Louie's Backyard - Sauteed Key West Pink Shrimp - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

Great place for a little more upscale meal in Key West. Reservations book up quick so call a day or two in advance if possible. Career chefs and wait staff, so all pro experience. Pro Tip: get the Snapper entree and chocolate brownie brûlée. When in Rome, eat pizza. When in Key West, eat the freshest seafood anywhere. read more

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We had a great experience overall. The Grilled Shrimp, Octopus & Garlic Sausage with Cannellini Beans & Citrus Bagna Cauda was excellent--well balanced, flavorful, and one of the highlights of the meal. The yellow snapper (fresh catch) was also very well prepared. The Crab Cake with Sweet Corn Guacamole & Charred Jalapeño Aioli was average compared to the other dishes. The key lime pie was a solid 4.5/5 and a nice way to end dinner. The service was great, ambiance was awesome, attentive and professional. A good Key West spot, especially if you focus on the seafood and fresh catch. read more

Love! The food and views are amazing!! Not the restaurants fault but only negative currently is the sulfur smell from the red tide/seaweed

I have been coming here for 30 years and have never been disappointed. The food, service, and Ambiance has always been fantastic. We have dined in the main dining area, The Cafe and at the afterdeck bar. It's has always been fantastic. I would also like to thank Blonde who is just awesome. This is a fantastic place. read more

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Great views of the ocean from the dining area on the deck. We came for her birthday celebration at the recommendation of a friend - we left a bit disappointed after all the Yelp hype. Let's start with the good - service was excellent. Professional, friendly and fast. Already mentioned the view. Bar service offered an excellent martini. Wine list was great. Bacon wrapped Scallop appetizer was awesome. Entrees were good, portions just right. And the not so good - both our dinners were served cold. The appetizer came with 2 scallops - that's $10 per shell. Prices were VERY expensive - even for Key West. If I'm going to drop $100 per plate on a meal, it's gotta be perfect to earn 5 stars. We enjoyed other locations in Key West for much less money and had a better meal. Can't say the upcharge for the ambiance is worth it a Louise's. read more

The fresh fish sandwich was amazing. It came with homemade potato chips. The French dip was one of the best I have ever had! If you bring a dog, you have to eat at the outside bar. I wish they would let you eat at one of the outside tables. read more

We were able to walk to Louie's from our hotel. We were welcomed warmly and seated in a great corner spot. It was like we were floating on the ocean while dining. The drinks, meal and dessert were delicious and we enjoyed the evening fully. read more

Louie's Backyard was one of the most special nights of our Key West trip. It's the kind of place that feels like a true treat -- beautiful ocean views, incredible food, and top-notch service -- but also welcoming and relaxed, even for families like ours. We came with our 4-year-old twins and didn't feel out of place at all, even though we weren't super dressed up. The setting is stunning -- right on the water with a breezy, peaceful vibe. We sat on the back patio (definitely request it if you can), and the kids were able to explore the little beach area nearby while we waited for our food. It made the whole evening feel effortless. The food was absolutely fantastic. I had the filet mignon, which came perfectly cooked and was served with truffle mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus -- rich, flavorful, and one of the best steaks I've had in a long time. My partner went for the New York strip with a red wine demi-glace, roasted shallots, and duck fat potatoes. It was just as impressive. The bread basket was fresh and addictive, and the wine list was excellent -- I had a glass of cabernet that paired beautifully with the steak. We really appreciated that they had a thoughtful kids' menu too. Our son had grilled chicken with veggies, and our daughter got the shrimp -- both solid options that made them feel included in the experience (and gave us grown-up time without complaints!). Our server was incredibly attentive and kind -- just the right mix of professional and warm. From the moment we walked in to when we left, it was clear that this is a place that knows how to make people feel taken care of. If you're looking for a beautiful, upscale dinner in Key West that's still approachable (even with kids in tow), Louie's Backyard is it. Book in advance -- we could only get an 8 PM reservation when we called -- but it was 100% worth it. read more

It's been years, but based on current Yelp reviews, in April I recommended it to some honeymooners. We went many years ago for an anniversary dinner. It was a very romantic restaurant with great food in a gorgeous setting (historic, waterfront home). read more

Fantastic menu, excellent service with incredible view! Highly recommend. Lovely restaurant to watch the sunset. read more

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Ok here goes an honest review. I ordered the shrimp and grits. The shrimp was cooked until it was like rubber. The cheese grits with mushroom and bacon were good. I told the waitress the shrimp was severely overcooked. She did offer to replace it but I didn't want to wait. I hadn't eaten all day. My daughter got the stuffed chicken. She said it was good. I saw another table send their order back also. I guarantee there is no chef in the kitchen because a chef would not have overcooked the shrimp so badly. That's the sign of a cook. I hear the waitress tell the other table something about it going through the deep fryer. If two tables have problems with the food. Then the restaurant needs to take note. read more

Great spot. Service, ambience, food all wonderful. Outside table (in April) was perfect.

Enjoyed fine dining Key West style at Louie's Backyard. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. Service was attentive and helpful. Our server had recommendations for the table. We started with the Lobster braised in truffle butter - wow! What a decadent app and we used the bread to sop up all the melted goodness. Our table enjoyed the sautéed shrimp, grilled swordfish and a special I can't remember . Ended with the chocolate cake and a most delicious and refined key lime pie. read more

Louie's Backyard - Sautéed Gulf Shrimp - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Amazing is so many ways 1st people-many have been there since opening in the 1980s. Like Flick-she is awesome. 2nd The perfect location if you want a formal dinning room or a more casual outdoor experience or a beach bar. 3rd OMG the food is amazing, fresh, well-made, with amazing sauces and complex in flavors. The vinegar based hot pepper sauce is amazing. So good, so perfect i recommend it for lunch and dinner. read more

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It was very unassuming when we pulled up. Found it accidentally. So glad we did. Our server was absolutely wonderful. She was a little blonde and filled us in on local life. Food food so good. I had a salmon salad, and my husband had duck. We had the brownie Brulé and coffee to finish off our wonderful meal. We had driven down from Key Largo to check out the drive. The best thing about it was Lily's backyard. We sat on the patio looking at the ocean. The only thing disconcerting was the bartender at the lower bar. Some customers wanted to have the umbrella and while it was being moved to provide shade for them, she got into their business and was so rude and obnoxious they left. So without her chasing off customers, the place was wonderful. I would highly recommend it to anybody in the area, our server, let us know that Jimmy Buffett used to live next-door. We could picture him sitting on the sea wall on the sea wall writing tunes. read more

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This venue is superb. But the food, drinks & service are beyond. I would give more stars if I could. We saved the best for last as this is our last night in Key West. Could not get a reservation. But did not let that deter us. At 5 pm we were at the bar. Spoke to our server & other patrons. We were told definitively to go scope out the bar and restaurant upstairs. We snagged an awesome table at the veranda with a fantastic view of the Atlantic. Beautiful beach. We had cocktails & wine. The Sancerre I had was so memorable. I want to order a case when I get home. For starters we had truffle fries with melted smoked Gouda. Totally decadent We split a wedge salad that was chock full of bacon & avo. For entrees we had scallops with pork bellies and I had the lobster risotto. Sounds like a lot of good. But there are small plates. Dessert was the flourless chocolate cake with luxardo cherries. Amazing. read more

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Such a pleasant experience all around. I called the day before for an outdoor lunch reservation for 2 and was seated at a nice shaded table with a view of the beach when we arrived. Our waitress was super knowledgeable (I wish I remembered her name, she was terrific). Our drinks, food, and key lime pie were phenomenal. We can't wait to come back! read more

Louie's Backyard - Snapper sandwich - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

Location is great. Perfect place for early evening drink and appetizer. But restaurant is super expensive and food is just average.

We enjoyed a cocktail on the waterfront then moved inside for our dinner. Wonderful Stone Crab claws and a must have lobster soup! My entree was garlic roasted shrimp and grits - scrumptious! Our server was very helpful and informative. Cannot wait to return! read more

Louie's Backyard - Shrimp and grits - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

We stop here every trip. And it has been fine. Today, we stopped by the beach bar to have drinks, it was blazing sun, and there was only one umbrella up. I asked the bartender if I could open an umbrella and she told me no they're all broken. Well we left because I had to have some shade however, when we were at Casa Marina, we could see over there and there was at least three of the "broken"umbrellas that were now opened. Utter bullshit! read more

Louie's Backyard - Island Cosmo, Pina Colada - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

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A lovely spot to eat. We always try to make it our first meal when we arrive in Key West. The location is spectacular. The food is just good.we arrived a couple of hours before our reservation, and we were seated anyway. I had the snapper sandwich which was light and well prepared. Great bread, on the table and on sandwich. The table bread was warm with a thick slab if butter. The sandwich was soft but held the sandwich together. My wife did the French Dip. It was flavorful with great au jus. A great meal and a great experience. read more

Louie's Backyard - From our table - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

Came here with a couple of my friends for lunch and it was great! They got the Louie's lemonade, flatbread, and tuna burger, which they said were good and I enjoyed the snapper sandwich. The server was really attentive and the service was quick as well! It wasn't too busy when we went but we did make a reservation since that was suggested. The place is also right on the beach which made it really nice to eat by, take pictures, and could also go swimming if you wanted to! It didn't have the sulfur smell that some Florida beaches can have which always makes the experience more pleasant read more

Louie's Backyard - Snapper sandwich - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

Excellent service and excellent food. We had the filet and lamb chops. The cocktails were very good.