Hands down the best restaurant during this visit. The building is gorgeous. It is more formal than other places. Kind of has that old world charm to it. I don't think that they have a dress code but I am glad that my wife and I wore some nice clothes as everyone else was. The server was reserved but very helpful regarding recommended food and libations. They have a Cosmopolitan cocktail that was tasty. The other attendants did a fantastic job making sure that your water glass and bread plate were full Best for last...the food was superb. I had the lobster prosciutto stew served in a truffle butter sauce with spinach. It came in a little enameled pot and was rich and tasty. I had the tilefish with a jalapeño mango salsa and red pepper sauce with basmati rice that was freakishly good Dinner for four with 2 appetizers, 4 entrees one dessert split 4 ways and cocktails and a bottle of wine was about $450 with tip read more

Louie's Backyard - Lobster and prosciutto in truffle butter - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Our favorite "nice dinner out" spot in Key West. We came here for our daughter's 21st birthday during COVID in early 2021 and they made the evening special for her. read more

Had an excellent meal with amazing service from JR. the lobster bisque is Devine. One of our go to's while in Key West.

The setting is gorgeous. The staff were welcoming and very friendly. We arrived early and were able to have a drink at the bar before being seated. We shared an appetizer and an entree and both were amazing. Our server was great. read more

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We love Louie's Backyard. We have eaten in the regular dining room, which you need to make a reservation for way in advance. But we also love to eat upstairs in the cafe where there are no reservations, it opens at 5, 1st come 1st serve, and the menu is different, a small plates/ tapas menu. My husband and I ordered the beet salad to share and then we shared lobster risotto and braised short ribs. I wanted dessert so I ordered the brownie creme brulee and I let husband have a little. Everything was delicious. Bteat service and great views. read more

Louie's Backyard - Best table upstairs in the Cafe - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

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We loved this restaurant. We made reservations for outside and had the nicest waiter. I think she said she had worked there since 1988 or something like that. The Bahamian conch chowder was a great starter. I liked that it was a tomato based soup and not a creamy soup. We also got the tuna appetizer, which was delicious. We both got steaks and loved our meal. The key lime pie here was really good! The only issue we had was the bartender at the outdoor bar was so loud and obnoxious and it was hard to enjoy our dinner with his carrying on. Otherwise, we had a great time! read more

Our meal at Louie's was outstanding. The service was exceptional and the food was superb. We were able to fill in for a cancelled reservation and had an indoor table which was not ideal, but the food and service more than made up for the seating. Highly recommend for an exceptional dining experience. read more

I have had many amazing meal here for many years. Great ambience. Great service. Cool venue. Awesome food

Amazing ambiance and the prettiest view in key west! The lobster app and the bib salad were both amazing. Beef tartar was not very good- over powering mustard. The shrimp entree was terrible - super bland- no truffle. But, my husband loved his pork chop entree! His favorite thing we had all week. read more

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

Fantasy setting a beautiful Victorian home and terrace on the beach, excellent service with superb food read more

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

I've eaten here several times and they never disappoint. The views are incredible- I like sitting outside with the beach views. This visit I sat at the bar for drinks well waiting for them to open and our table to be ready and the bartender made me a delicious coconut mojito! She nailed it. Our server was a very kind intelligent man that name has slipped my mind- very helpful throughout the night. I chose the special that was a yellow snapper and it came with an avocado salad and mango sauce. The conch chowder was delicious and was perfectly paired with their house made bird pepper hot sauce- unfortunately you can't buy their hot sauce BUT I was told you can buy their cook book that has the recipe. Dessert was key lime pie and was a perfect way to end the night. Highly recommend read more

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Incredible food, views, and service! Could not have asked for a better weekday lunch expierence.

Great vibe, food is some of the best to be found in Key West. If you allow them to take care of you, they will. read more

Louie's Backyard - Very relaxing vibe. Food is some of the best to be found in Key West. - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

Great food and great service. Sit out on patio as right on the ocean. Had the seared tuna for dinner and it was a nice portion and well prepared. Excellent restaurant read more

Whenever we go to the end of US 1, we always make reservations to dine at Louie's. There is an endless number of eateries in KW, but Louie's is our only "must do" restaurant. We love that the service is always first class, whatever drink or food you order is always done the way you like and fresh as a new day. Of course, being in Key West, sea food dominates the offerings. Meg loves sea food and tries different dishes each time, but even an old meat-eater like me is always satisfied. This time it was Sauteed Gulf Shrimp with bacon and mushrooms, and a Pork Chop with mashed and veggie. Both meals were amazing. Meg enjoyed white wine while I had an excellent house specialty Mojito that blew me away. If you are lucky to get your reservation early enough you can dine outside by the sea. In some seats at the bar, you can enjoy the sea splashing on your feet if the tide is high. For us, everything about Louie's is just right. I recommend that you try it yourself to see. Expect premium prices for a truly premium dining experience. read more

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A secret location behind Louie's restaraunt is their back patio. Gr RAA t bar. You are on a deck with the ocean lapping around you. A dog beach on right. Who could ask for any more paradise. You can order food at bar and just sit back watching and listening to ocean as you enjoy your drinks read more

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We did not have a great experience when we stopped in for lunch. We called to make a reservation and confirmed with the hostess, even receiving a reminder VM but they said they couldn't find it when we arrived. We were set inside, which turned out to be fine. But, they are not baby friendly. The host was a little rude and said "they don't do high chairs", which is super inconvenient and creates a stressful eating experience for parents! Lastly, the duck confit had a very bad odor and the texture of jerky. The positives are they have a beautiful view and the restaurant is very classy and clean! read more

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

Ambience if you sit outside is just great. JR was our server and he did a fantastic job. Everything we had food wise was just great. Try the lobster appetizer you will not regret it. read more

AMAZING! Mahi Special with Roasted potatoes was top 5 best thing I have ever eaten. Sunset was great and we enjoyed a nightcap at the outside bar after dinner read more

Ww have been there multiple time-excellent service and fabulous food! The views are beautiful and exemplary service!! It's accessible to small and larger parties, which is difficult to find in KW. I cannot wait to return!!! read more

Overall one of the best dinners out ever -- ambiance, service, all oceanfront . Romantic .

A beautiful, cozy place to have a nice dinner! Louie's Backyard is hosted in a cute little house in the neighborhoods of Key West. The backyard has a beautiful view of the ocean, and the outdoor patio seating is made magical by the string lights in the trees above. The food is delicious and tasty! We started with the steak tartare and seasonal special - the crab and avocado crostini. Both were delicious and the flavors of the crostini were especially crisp and refreshing. For entrees, we got the shrimp and grits and the swordfish with fried risotto. Portions were nicely sized and everything was delicious. We were happily stuffed and too full to try anything for dessert, but I'm sure it would've been delicious! Note: the windows/doors are open in the restaurant so as to enjoy the view but it can get pretty humid and warm so be ready for that! It didn't bother me much though. read more

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We loved this restaurant - a definite crowd pleaser in Key West! First off, the ambiance is amazing - both inside and out - it's one of the few restaurants in Key West that are on the water - I wish we had sat outside, but seats are limited (as you might expect). We did end up sitting at a really nice table in the corner and the service was very good. We started off with a special appetizer of crab, and chips over seaweed salad, and the Boston lettuce and watercress salad with blue cheese, apples, and spiced pecans. Both were delicious. After that, we split their King Salmon dish which was cooked to perfection - nice and crisp on the outside and medium on the inside - delicious. Everything looked amazing. Of all the restaurants I went to in Key West, this was a definite favorite - highly highly recommend! read more

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

We went to Louie's Backyard for a fiftieth birthday celebration. Our table for 12 was outside under a scrim. Once seated, the fantastically capable older waitress arrived to take drink orders, as the outer bands of hurricane-like winds, moved overhead. Nonplussed, she did her best to keep things on the table rather than in the wind, as she took our cocktail and appetizer orders. By the time she returned with drinks, the storm looked to be getting the best of both her and our table. "We are setting a table inside for you," she saId loudly fighting the noisy weather. We sipped, munched and waited. As it often happens, by the time she came to take us inside, the worst of the storm had passed. The steak, fish and shrimp dishes were solid, as were the accompaniments. You get exactly what you expect from louie's, but the star of the show was the weather and the nonplussed old lady and the sea. read more

Amazing food with an even better view. The outside patio is a delight when the weather is proper. The prime rib French dip was incredible, perfect bread and tender prime rib. The drinks there are okay, I recommend the Pina colada but wasn't a fan on Louie's Passion. Our server was very kind, kept asking for more water and making sure we were taken care of. read more

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Beautiful place shame the first drink bill turned us off. 28$ for a double Patron and club. read more

Louie's Backyard - Ouch double patron 28$ :( - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

Favorite restaurant in Key West. Great view. Great food and drink. Staff very helpful.

Imagine a birthday celebration for your wife where you fly down to KW just for dinner . Imagine that you spoke to the restaurant Three times about the reservation and the Birthday. Imagine that you have been to Louie's on every visit to KW for many years. Imagine that you have left very positive reviews in the last. Imagine a beautiful night, a rude host on check in, a great server, excellent food and wine, a beautiful evening and otherwise delightful experience. Then imagine that NO ONE bothers to even say HB to my wife. Imagine all that happened because it did. This was my last visit to Louie's. Totally unacceptable. read more

The staff was surprisingly unkind. We walked in on a Monday night at 6:30 during off season and the first thing I said was "we are happy to wait." They laughed at us and said we'd wait for a while but never offered a spot to wait for the table. We checked out the bar to find an empty patio, dining room and bar. We were happy to wait for a casual evening but they laughed us out...seemed odd. View wasn't even that nice...I'd recommend Dorada at Casa Marina for stellar service, ambiance, and food. read more

We had a very high bar coming into Louise because we know what it used to be. Tonight it was good but not great.. we were excited to try the grouper special, however, the preparation was just average. Instead of light delicate fillets that we expected it , was a dense loin with a clunky sauce. The Keylime pie was obviously not fresh. The crust had gone soggy. Overall, just an average night out. Not worth the price tag.. read more

This is the best restaurant I have eaten at since Merrimans in Maui!!! The food is so delicious with generous helpings, the service is wonderful, and the views are spectacular. Did I mention the food was delicious?!?! You do need a reservation to eat here and I did mine 30 days out (and you'll see why when you eat here!). If you want a romantic place to eat with prices comparable to those on crowded, open air bars on Duval street, you want to eat here. Highly recommended!! read more

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Beautiful views and impeccable service ! Most of us had the grouper (not a piece left on the table ) and I had shrimp and Grits which was amazing ! Now if I had to really be nit picky I would say the bread was very average but then again I'm a huge bread guy (now the bread pudding was 10/10). read more

Beautiful atmosphere and loved the. Iew and watching the Pelicans dive for their food. Service was outstanding and food was out of this world. Definitely recommend eating there if your I. The keys!!!!!! read more

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10/10!!! We ordered the filet and shrimp and grits and I couldn't stop eating either one of them! The service wasn't anything special but the atmosphere was very quant. Highly recommend the downstairs restaurant. read more

Solid four or more for delicious beachy nearly haute Keys cuisine but with prodigious portions paired with exceptional expert waitstaff. Front of house and bar staff could use some work, though. They're clearly not on the same level. Lamb chops were everything I'd imagined and I'll just leave it at that. Exceptional. Some say it's some of the best food on the island and they're not wrong. read more

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The views were immaculate! Omg, totally breathtaking My boyfriend and I came here on our first night In the keys and this meal did not disappoint! I was so happy initially coming here because of the arrangement of our seating. It was the perfect spot near the tree that you could see the sunset. For an app, we ordered the lobster braised in truffle butter- not shown but 10/10. I would have filled my tummy in just that, that's how good it was! My bf got the swordfish and I got another app because I was already full with the fresh bread and butter. This place delivers quality food and the scenery is an added bonus! I highly recommend this restaurant and will for sure be visiting again next time I am in the keys read more

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One of the best dining experiences on the island. Excellent service and beautiful waterfront view. Make reservations in advance as it is one of the most popular restaurants in Key West. The patio is definitely where you want to be. I came here a little early but I imagine it must be a nice spot to watch the sunset. If you can also enjoy some drinks at the bar while you wait for your table. I ordered a crab appetizer and my main entree was the swordfish with orzo. Both were wonderful. And oh my God! The chocolate creme brûlée is spectacular. 4 stars. I highly recommend Louie's. It is a classy property with a gorgeous ocean view. Great food, desserts, and service. read more

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Perfect restaurant by the water!!! The owner (I think he's the owner) is an amazing fella! We got there very hungry, we were seated in the next 10 mins with our dog on the back patio with ocean as our view. What we ordered: 1. Fish tacos for me - they were cold and not enough chipotle sauce but I was hungry so didn't bother. 2. Lemon chicken with Thai rice - husband loved it!! Temperature and flavors were all amazing! 3. Lemonade - we both got fresh non-boozy lemonades - so good!!!!! 4. Dessert - lime cheesecake with blueberries - husband loved it, me not so much because of the texture of the cheesecake. Would love to visit the place again if we come back! read more

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We had dinner at Louie's to celebrate a friends birthday. From the moment we arrived we were snapping photos of the restaurant. Every aspect is really unforgettable. After being seated inside the dining room, looking around and enjoying the view of water I felt like I was in a novel! Actually, we all did! Our server was absolutely amazing. I wish I could remember his name. It was back in May when we visited the restaurant. He made our experience 10x better just with his warm personality. I ordered the steak and it was fantastic! My friends liked their meal as well. One friend had the pork chop and the dish is just picture perfect! I have had wine with my dinner at other restaurants but the pinot noir I ordered was ..so unbelievably delicious. Of course we had to order the key lime pie which was also so wonderful. Everything was perfect from the service, to the meal to the atmosphere. If I am ever in Key West again.. definitely will return. Make reservations and go for the great food & experience! read more

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For our short Key West visit, I made reservations to this restaurant for lunch (primarily for their beachfront views)... We were the 2nd to arrive for lunch, and even had to wait in the bar area. When the restaurant opened, we were led to the patio area to be seated. You'd think that we should have the first pick of the seats (being one of the first to arrive...and having made reservations in advance)...but NO. We spoke with our hostess, as well as at least 2 older ladies (??), as we were being seated, and they were VERY reluctant to let us get the seats with a decent view of the ocean. They kept insisting that we sat on the upper level (there were 3 levels of patio seating...the bottom for the bar area, second level with the closer view of the ocean, then the third level...which was basically their porch, at door level). They tried to convince me that all those tables were reserved (Yeah, RIGHT!). This made no sense to me whatsoever...especially given that nearly all the tables were empty. At this point I was beyond ticked. I felt sure at this point that there was some subjective bias (to put it mildly?!?) involved in their odd, reluctant behavior. No matter, I basically insisted on moving to the 2nd level...and ultimately, that's where we ended up! Talk about an ordeal for a decent patio seating...especially given the situation at hand (again, prior reservations...first to arrive...empty tables). I mean, WTF?!? Luckily, we ended up liking what we ordered. If not the best foods we've had, I thought the appetizer, this Sourdough Corn Pancakes, as well as my entree, Beef Satay with Udon Noodles, were very unique. Also, I came expecting amazing views of the ocean. However, the view just wasn't as great as I had anticipated. Seemed the best views were limited to the bar area...and although the second level of the patio had better views than the first level, the views were somewhat limited. BTW, our waitress did a fine job...no issues there. If the seating process wasn't so reluctant and restrictive (by these 2 older ladies??) in the beginning, I might have given them a better rating. However, thanks to their LACK of cordiality and fairness in the initial seating process, I'm giving them the ratings that I feel they deserve. I, for one, don't care to ever return. read more

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