We had a family birthday celebration at SALT last night with six of sharing small plates and entrees. While eating in the Keys is often great due to the abundant fresh fish and casual ambience, we all found SALT to be a wonderful addition to the mix. The ambience is still casual but a a bit more contemporary. I'm not a good amateur food critic but everything we ordered was delicious and most plates were combinations of foods, spices, sauces, etc. that you will have rarely if ever eaten together. All were very tasty and beautifully presented. I will also add that the entire staff was friendly, provided great service, and did nothing but add to our whole evening. If you want to try a place a solid cut above most "finer" restaurants you should try SALT!
(5)
John D.
Wow!!! We have two kids with severe food allergies, and are also foodies. The sword fish was the best I have ever had!! My son couldn't eat some sides due to his allergies so the chef made him tater tots- those were the best that 11 year old ever had. The dark and stories were incredible as they make their own ginger beer. Great place! Highly recommended.
(5)
Kristyn S.
This place is amazing and unexpected for being located in the Keys. Good for families or for a romantic dinner. Service is always great and servers are knowledgeable. We have been back a few times just because we can't get enough. My favorites are the homemade ginger beer, the scallop entree and the steak - which was incredible! I have tried many things on the menu and haven't had a single thing I didn't like. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Annette R.
What an unexpected surprise! I didnt think there would be an upscale restaurant anywhere in the Keys, yet while we stayed at Cheeca Lodge & Spa we had a pleasure to speak with the wife of the owner of Salt restaurant. From the street you would never guess that this building is a restaurant, still as you walk in you discover a great cozy upscale atmosphere, amazing crew and fantastic food. It was such a pleasure! The managers and staff care deeply about their business and their customers. Fusion cuisine gives you a variety of choices; I had scallops and my partner had a grouper dish nicely paired with a bottle of rose champagne. I would definitely visit them again once I travel to the Keys.
(5)
Meera A.
The stars don't lie - this place rocks! Islamorada has a surprising density of good restaurants, and SALT is at the top of my list. When we entered, we were met with immediate greetings, and my seating preferences were courteously honored. The person waiting on us (wish I remembered his name!) was polite, cheerful, and was totally able to peg how off-the-beaten-path we were willing to go with our food. I ordered a cocktail off the menu (something with grapefruit and jalapeno) and it was delicious! My husband requested a custom cocktail reminiscent of something he had had in the Bahamas, and the bartender not only obliged, but nailed it. We had a beet salad (spl of the day), the pork belly, filipino rolls and mussels to start. Salad was fresh and delicious, the pork belly plate was excellent, with perfectly cooked meat, and the composition was spot on. The Filipino roll I could have lived without. Mussels were again delicious, with the miso & mirin adding a very delicate richness to its flavor. The excellent service, checking on us, and being attentive without being in our way - all these things continued as we moved on to entrees, and all the way till we walked out. I had the shrimp & grits for dinner. My husband had a fish special. They were both out of this world. As a Texas girl, I've had my fair share of grits, but these manchego grits elevated it out of boredom, into something I would serve proudly at my table. At this point we were bursting at our seams, but got talked into the creme brulee trio. Which was, again, delicious (though, being a creme brulee purist, I have to say that nothing compares to vanilla bean). SALT was the best dinner experience we had on Islamorada, and I would definitely recommend it.
(5)
Jesse L.
Worst experience yet in Islamorada. Came in for dinner and left with a side of disappointment. For a birthday dinner we were feeling like something unique and upscale and ended up walking out feeling confused and insulted. As someone who frequents and appreciates a variety of unique "fusion" restaurants, seeing the menu prices and reviews at SALT we expected a higher level of dining experience. To begin, the waiter told us that the wine we ordered was the wrong choice and didn't "go with" anything on the menu (why have it on there?!). Next, we sent back a milky, "coconut" ceviche (not the description on the menu), the manager suggested we try his more "casual" restaurant upstairs... (Casual being code for "less expensive") So after being completely insulted by the owner/manager, he offered us business cards to his other restaurants that were more "casual." Not to mention that 3 different wait staff offered to take our drink and food orders. Take the review for what it is but I might think twice about spending $100+ at this restaurant.
(1)
Russell W.
It would have been nice to be more positive about SALT, but the combination did not work for us. On the plus side: The service was pleasant and appropriate when we were unhappy with one of our orders. On the negative side: The cuisine tries too hard to be creative and not hard enough to deliver especially pleasing taste. What's more, the decor is decidedly unattractive. None of the dishes stood out as special or even worth ordering again. Bottom line: Not recommended.
(2)
Brenda P.
Drove by S.A.L.T several times while in the area. I decided to look it up on Yelp and reserve (for eight) based on the few reviews it had then. By the time dinner neared, our small group grew (when the rest of the group I was visiting the keys with now wanted to come as well). OY! I called to see if they could now accommodate our new group of 24. "No problem," they said. I felt bad for a couple near us who I'm sure wanted to have a romantic dinner. Sorry! To make matters worse, this group is not the foodie type. They wanted to eat and go. If you know me, you know that's a really hard thing for me to do. I love savoring each part of a meal slowly and enjoying some leisurely wine. I HATE to be rushed. That said, the restaurant was able to somehow have this large group in and out in a little over an hour. Wow. Everything my side of the table ordered was delicious. The food is all very rich and savory. This is not a place to go if you are watching calories! To my horror, someone summoned the bill and I hadn't even ordered dessert yet. Urgh. Oh no, not having any of that nonsense. I ordered my dessert and although I had to eat it quicker than I wanted to, it was well worth it! These are some of the things we ordered: Filipino Rolls- Pork, Shrimp, Chicken, Water Chestnuts, Snow Peas, paired with Black Vinegar and Sesame Vinaigrette. These were just OK, but I did love the accompanying sauces. Kurobuta Pork Belly- Manchego Grits, Apricot & Jalapeño Jam, Fried Green Tomato, and a Molasses Soy Pork Jus. DO IT! Crazy good! Chef's Grilled Cheese- Braised Short Rib, Gruyere and Cheddar, Red Onion Jam, with a Side of Homemade Tomato Soup. RIDICULOUSLY GOOD! Special Fish of the Day- I think it was Pompano stuffed with maybe crab? Whatever it was, it rocked! PB&J bread pudding- cannot wait to have this again one day. It's definitively worth the calories. The restaurant decor is a little bit all over the place. A lot modern. A little Asian. Some touches of nautical. They definitively need to figure this part out to have a more cohesive concept. What is very cool is that it's definitively NOT a place you expect while in the keys. Much needed IMHO. S.A.L.T. stands for Southern Asian Latin Taste. I found it more Asian than Latin though. I also had a hard time choosing what to order because everything sounded great. I guess that's a good problem to have! I will definitively be back the next time I'm down in the keys. This time on my own (slow) terms so that I can truly savor every minute (and that bread pudding!)
(4)
William D.
Great place. Unique and tasteful offerings. We went with our middle school aged child and were treated very well. Service was excellent ! Very attentive staff and a visit from the chef. I liked the music however the ambient noise was a touch more than I would've hoped for given all the other great things about this place. I'd go back the next time we are in the area.
(4)
Steve L.
Small group of us sat at the bar for happy hour drinks and appetizers. A friendly bartender took great care of us - shared lots of tips and tricks and made a few custom drinks for us after learning what we all liked. + Liked the bar area - Didn't like the A/C blasting on us the entire time - had to get sweatshirts + Happy hour menu offers a wide variety of options + Portions on the HH menu are quite small and a bit pricey + Foods were all excellently prepared + Favorites: chorizo flatbread, spring rolls + Happy Hour offers a reasonable deal - 4 drinks and 3-4 appetizers came to under $40.
(4)
Charlie G.
I usually do not care about the atmosphere and service because to me if the food is good, I could careless about other things. However, this place is an exception. The atmosphere, service and food are wanna be upscale but they are not. The price is upscale though. We ordered ceviche, hogfish, grouper and fried bananas. Ceviche which was horrible came right about on time. However, we waited for our fish for a long time. I was about to ask where our food was when I saw our food being served. Wait a minute, my wife did not order Lobster Mac and Cheese. Ohh wait, it was the other table's order. They took it back. And brought the same order to the original table. Well, that table did not want their food (rightfully so) because it was served to our table and went back. We waited another 15 minutes to get our food. Fine, mistakes do happen and I understand. However, one thing I did not understand was our waiter who sounded like he was the king of waiters, did not say one word about this whole mixed up. No exaggeration here, NOT ONE WORD and he acted like nothing happened. For a place who charges arm and a leg for wanna be upscale restaurant, this is not acceptable. I have never had hogfish before so I have no way of comparing it to others but it was tasty I must say. My wife's (I also had a bite) grouper was awful. No taste to it whatsoever. The fried banana was delicious though. The best we have had. This place is way overpriced for what they offer. Service 1 Atmosphere 2 Food 2,5 Price 1
(2)
Omi D.
Salt is now closed but if you like fine dining try oo-tray on MM 80.5. It's wonderful!
(1)
Sel H.
Went to SALT while on vacation in the keys and I'm in love the food is Top Notch.. The service is Amazing I highly recommend this Place to all that want a Modern take on classic foods! Had the Tenderloin with Mashed potatoes and Green beans with the Slow Burn craft cocktail! I don't know what to do with myself! The plate arrangement alone has me wanting to take pictures and not eat because it is so beautiful! Art on a Plate!!!
(5)
Ken J.
I had softshell crabs for dinner-best I have ever had.My wife had the bouillabaise which was also excellent.Small ,but good selection of wines,and a knowledgable staff wine expert.Service was good.Would definitely return.
(4)
Milly M.
SALT surpasses with it's food, presentation, sophisticated ambience, yet staff so friendly and accommodating you feel like you've come home to dine with family after a long hiatus away, that it is the only place I would say is a must on your dining stops in islamorada, Florida. The restaurant has a gourmet menu from which our group tasted several of both their small plates kind of Tapas options at their lounge, and their dinner sized meals. Everyone of our choices was amazing. SALT will certainly have me back on every trip to the keys. Excellent, you won't be disappointed, as it's poultry fish, or meat dishes all proved spectacular for this foodie.
(5)
Ami S.
Great food. The only reason they don't get a 5 star is because their room is very dark.
(4)
chris k.
I'm pleased to be the first Yelp contributor to post a review of SALT Fusion Cuisine in Islamorada. After spending a couple hours in the Caña lounge above the soon to be open SALT I'd like to offer the following thoughts. First, Chef George is not one to shy away from using ingredients that some wouldn't even consider and putting new twists on old favorites. He's always looking for new and tasty ways to improve his recipes and always succeeds. Second, because he goes to such efforts to use locally sourced and grown ingredients whenever possible his food is of a consistently high quality. Third, Chef George is one of a few standout chefs that is transforming the upper Keys from the gastronome's desert that it was in years past into a foodie's wonderland. We plan on returning this Saturday night for dinner at SALT but our experience at the Caña lounge tonight with the full SALT menu was outstanding on every level. We started with the SALT Jalapeño Blood Orange Margarita and the Lavender Martini. Tony at the bar makes a mean cocktail and both drinks were outstandingly flavorful. The Margarita had just a hint of the jalapeño heat and the martini wasn't overwhelmingly lavender in flavor but rather very subtle. For appetizers, we shamefully had four... The Filipino rolls, the ceviche, the quinoa fried "rice" and the pork belly. I'm not sure which was my least favorite. Perhaps the ceviche. I've had ceviche in a dozen countries and my mother used to make the best I've ever eaten so of course I'm jaded. That being said, just because it was my least favorite doesn't mean it wasn't very good. The pork belly was flavorful and accompanied with a couple of delightful sauces including a hot pepper jelly that was reminiscent of my mother's. The Filipino rolls were deliciously flavorful and I was even able to detect both the pork and the shrimp in the filling, a rarity considering that many Asian rolls of this type are typically overwhelmed with one particular flavor. The duck fried "rice" was actually red quinoa with julienned vegetables and a fried egg on top. Delicious. The texture of the quinoa paired with a light hint of sesame oil, the crunch of the vegetables and the richness of the egg was the epitome of a perfect marriage of ingredients. We enjoyed our main courses which were the skirt steak and the ancho chili grouper. My wife's skirt steak was tender and flavorful. It had obviously been marinated in a very flavorful blend of ingredients both acidic and sweet. The effect was subtle yet exquisite. The steak was served with chimichurri sauce and an amazingly flavorful mixture of sweet corn, diced roasted potatoes and lardons. The smoky taste of this mixture was divine and it was set off with several glazed roasted carrots that I couldn't get enough of. My grouper was perfectly cooked. I emphasize this because so often fish is overcooked. Overcooked fish is never a good thing and with grouper, a light fleshed fish with wide flakes, it is very easy to overcook. The coconut infused rice it sat upon was the perfect foil to the richness of the fish and the marinated mushrooms and ancho chili sauce balanced the whole dish out perfectly. Finally we opted for the thai donuts with caramel creme dipping sauce. Wow. I joked that they were obviously low calorie.... Amazing flavor. Rich and pastry like with a hearty mouth feel. The sauce was exquisite and I was about to ask for a spoon to polish it off when I caught myself. All in all it was a great night at SALT's Caña lounge. I see big, big things in the future for Chef George and SALT. I suggest you stop by. You won't be disappointed. Chris
(5)
Wandering R.
Salt tries hard. No one could question their attempt at inventive dishes. But the finished product is in the end fine but not great. The initial hummus and chips are not good....they need to be replaced with something less greasy. Our watermelon and feta cheese salad was the highlight of the meal. The small piece of grouper in the main dish was fine but overwhelmed by the sweet sticky sauce. Also, the bamboo rice that came with it was like eating uncooked cloves of garlic. So strong it was unpleasant. Key lime pie was just what you'd expect. The one surprise from the dinner was that the waitress substituted a South African sauvignon blanc for the New Zealand one we ordered, and she didn't seem to understand that the substituted wine was not the same. She needs a bit more training.
(3)
Mich A.
Wasn't a huge fan of this place. we tried ordering three different plates and they didn't have it. I ended up ordering a filet mignon and it wasn't good. It had no taste to it. The Brussels sprouts were too greasy but they weren't too bad. the best plate we had was the tuna tataki. there's better places in the keys to eat than here for the money we spent.
(3)
Ron W.
Given all of the positive reviews, took a chance on SALT for a celebratory dinner last night. Perhaps it was an off night, as the chef was not present, but it was a disappointing experience all around. Particularly given the prices. Won't go into too much detail, because it was just an off experience on pretty much every level. The room is industrial and the acoustics quite loud, the staff just had an odd vibe, the plates were dirty (2 had to be returned) and the food was frankly subpar. Somehow, they made bone marrow bland, the grouper portion was comically small, and the whole hog fish was covered in a sweet Thai sauce that tasted like it was bought at WinnDixie. Again, maybe an off night, but it was an expensive and frustrating one for my family. For a guaranteed good meal at these prices, we should have returned to Michaels.
(2)
Ian N.
Went to ISL on July 18th and went to S.A.L.T. for dinner. Was so good that we went back the next evening. We ate at the bar BOTH nites (Friday and Saturday...with the chef cooking our catch on Saturday evening.) Bartender was terrific (Amber) and the food was outstanding. We had been to their sister property (M.E.A.T.) in Tavernier a couple times previously...this was a first visit and genuinely exceeded expectations. We'll definitely be back and, in our estimation, this is the best of Islamorada dining at the present time.
(5)
Meg P.
This is a convenient location, surrounded by endless foodie possibilities. However, I was incredibly disappointed with the lack of fresh fish and seafood options. Even the ceviche covered up the authentic fresh flavor with a concoction of coconut milk and unnecessary spices. I would love to see a fusion restaurant play up the local delicacies and capitalize on the flavors that are characteristic of the keys.
(1)
Richard H.
Our fishing guide Capt. Dave Morris ( great guide by the way) recommended this restaurant to us. There were only 3 Yelp reviews as the place is very new, but we decided to take a chance and showed up with fresh Mutton Snapper we caught a couple of hours before. We knew nothing about the chef or the sommelier but soon discovered that we had gone from paradise on the water to an absolute culinary nirvana. Chef George prepared an absolute feast for the three of use with family style South Asian and Latin tastes - hence the acronym S.A.L.T. From the jalapeño orange Margaritas, to the unique and outstanding salad and on to our own fish cooked in 3 delicious styles, this was amazing! As sides we had melt in your mouth Brussels Sprouts, Bok choy was tender and delicious, lo mein also original and very special. The wait staff were all excited to work with the award winning chef and sommelier. The place has great food and great atmosphere. Lovely in every way. I'd give more that 5 stars if I could. This meal ranks in my upper 10 of all time.
(5)
Ashley T.
Great service and great food. Check out the happy hour for half priced drinks and $5-6 small plates. Bartender at their upstairs bar was very friendly and talkative. Down stairs at salt we got equally good service. Drinks are a little overpriced but very tasty. Pork belly and grilled cheese was amazing! For w couple who got 2 drinks and 4 small plates and salad we spent $100. Was a nice way to end our vacation.
(5)
Jen K.
The good - a gluten free menu!! Always delighted about that. The bad - it's an exciting menu that looks like it will be terrific - but when you get it, it's just blah. We had 6 items and ALL were just ok. We craved rich SALT flavors in the duck fried rice, ceviche, special of the day fish and maple Brussels etc., but they didn't exist. :( will not be returning until the aggressiveness and ambition of the seasoning and flavors match their intent on the menu.
(2)
Dana R.
Incredible meal from start to finish. I loved everything about my experience at SALT! The scallops are out of this world delicious! We are in islamorada for 3 days and we will be dining here again during our stay. outstanding!
(5)
Ric M.
We have sat at the bar twice and had small plates and salads. The food is wonderful. The servers were personable and very nice. The room is swanky in an understated kind of way. Only issue was the A/C was up so high that it was chilly at the bar. The bartender told us she would go into the kitchen and stand by the stoves to warm her hands. The lighting in the bar was also so low that reading the menu and check was very difficult for older eyes. Bring your sweater and your "cheater glasses". We also love their other restaurant, MEAT. Don't miss that if you are dining in Isla. Well SALT has closed, probably because people got sick of being cold while they ate. Several more visits after the above review were exactly the same. Good food, nice servers but froze our butts off. I just don't get it.
(5)
William L.
Fantastic. Unique to the keys (ie no tiki torches, Jimmy Buffet singers). Great service. Terrific small plates (Mac and cheese w tomato soup. Hint ... It has short ribs in it. ). Shrimp and grits and beef tenderloin were out of this world. Good beer selection.
(5)
Chris B.
Everything is great! An kids were happy! I live in Miami thinking about driving back down for another great experience.
(5)
Ben K.
delicious and unique. Great service. Drinks, appetizers and entrees that you can't find anywhere else in the keys. All for prices similar to restaurants with the usual fried fish sandwich.
(5)
Dee M.
All we could say after each course was wow. Salt will knock your socks off or bust your pants after all we ate. We focused on the appetizers since they were so intriguing. The deviled eggs with kimchee were just perfect. The smoked tartar had a hint of citrus from the yuzu. Cut in larger pieces served with homemade chips it was not your traditional dish. The ceviche was a beautiful concoction swimming in thick coconut milk. I enjoyed it, my hubby had a bit of an issue with the consistency. The star was the korobuta pork belly(love the fried green tomato sauce) ..that earned a big wow. We shared the scallop entree..which at first glance you might think there was a lot going on the plate but it all complemented each other. The sweet corn pudding in a skillet is a must. To finish we had the creme brulee trio.. a foie gras, nutella and key lime..savory, sweet, sour. This is a very thoughtful chef who is not afraid to experiment.. The only reason for the 4 star is that when you have a diner trying to span the menu and taste a number of dishes, the kitchen should be mindful and not bring all the dishes out together..so a few got cold before we got to them. Talented chef, gorgeous restaurant, attentive staff.. I guess the secret is getting out
I'm a bit confused by some of the negative reviews here, as they were the opposite of our experience. I was putting together a team dinner for 14 on a Tuesday night and Tom, one of the owners, was awesome to work with! He called me personally and we worked up a great evening. We started with a cocktail hour with a sampling of 4 or 5 flatbreads and ceviche, both of which were outstanding. The mixed drinks were outstanding, loved the dark and stormy, and my colleagues loved the wines. We picked a limited menu, the chicken, beef, or grouper and everyone loved their meal, I went with the grouper and it was fantastic. We were there in the keys for three days and this was unanimously voted as meal of the week.
(5)
Caroline W.
We ate here when vacationing on Islamorada. Really tasty food and cocktails. I particularly enjoyed the lavender martini and lobster coconut ceviche.
(5)
Miriam K.
Absolutely delicious! I wanted to try the whole menu, but we settled for marrow bones, spinach salad and duck quinoa rice for starters. They all had wonderful flavors. The whole hogfish was clearly a top favorite as everyone around us also had at least one order at their table too. Definitely worth a stop to enjoy the cuisine!
(5)
Laura V.
Beautiful place. We walked in with 8 children and realized it wasn't quite the place for a large group with kids, but very nice. Friendly staff as well.
(4)
Julie B.
We went here based on other Yelp reviews and were very happy with our choice. The flavors and textures of the food were really nice and well planned. We had the spring roll appetizer, the duck fried "rice" and split the steak as well as the maple brussle sprouts. Everything was amazing. Food portions are actually normal, so we tried to split the entree and had to order the fried "rice" because we were still hungry. Nice atmosphere as well.
(5)
Kathy C.
Fantastic find in the Keys. I had the ceviche with fish and spiny lobster and a coconut based curing marinade, with crispy banana chips. Followed with shrimp and manchego grits. The shrimp were an inspiration, just perfectly done, and the chorizo cream sauce savory and rich. The place doesn't mess around either. When I asked for salt ( I'm a salt fiend) the server brought fleur de sel. Intriguing cocktails too--I had the blood orange jalapeño Marguerita. Don't let the unprepossing exterior put you off. Inside all is goooood.
(5)
Dave D.
Fabulous and unexpected place in the keys. I was between the fried snapper an pork chop, but they had Fried Lionfish as a daily special. I eat local and sustainable (which SALT proudly touts), but there is nothing better than eating an invasive species!. It was a fabulous meal. The Mac and cheese was excellent. Check out the live music upstairs. They had a great jazz/blues band the night we went, and the blueberry Cosmo was excellent. Highly recommend!... Will definitely come back next trip to the keys.
This was our first visit to S.A.L.T and all I can say is WOW. The menu and drinks and drinks are artistically executed, the staff are some the most friendly we have ever experienced and the decor is fabulous. I can't wait to come back and bring friends!! Islamorada needed this place!!
(5)
Laura S.
Went to Salt for a late dinner since we saw they closed at midnight, however the kitchen was closed by the time we got there (after 10:30.) No worries! The Somm personally escorted us upstairs to their lounge to make sure we could get some "light bites" along with our cocktails. The chef's grilled cheese was the winner, we also had the tempura shrimp and a few other dishes that were amazing. The banana foster cheesecake was so good and a healthy portion, and the dark and stormies are top notch as they make their own ginger beer daily. Everyone there was super friendly and nice to spend time with, from the owner, chef, bar manager, we felt so at home we didn't want to leave.
(5)
Allison M.
My boyfriend and I stopped here for dinner the first night of our vacation and boy were we spoiled. My boyfriend started with the Miso soup which was served in traditional fashion and tasted great (I stole a bite!). After finishing his soup, we split a the Mac and Cheese small plate which was to die for. It was creamy and hot with just a little spice and crunch to set it apart from traditional Mac and Cheese. For dinner, he had the pan-seared scallops which were cooker perfectly to his liking and amazingly flavorful and I had a beef tenderloin. My meat was more tender than any piece of beef I have ever had in the past. It was served with green beens and mashed potatoes which were just as good as the main course. What sets SALT apart from other restaurants are their hand-crafted cocktails!!! They infuse all their own liquors, make their own ginger beer and offer a selection of unique beverages that you cannot find anywhere else. For example, they offered a blood orange and jalepeno margarita, blueberry cosmo and slow-burn made with habenaro liquor. This is definitely a place we will be going back to if we find ourselves escaping to the Florida Keys again!
(5)
Sandra R.
WOW!!! The keys has a spectacular restaurant. It was an amazing experience and you do not find places like this at all in the keys. The food was beyond words. Kuddos to the amazing chef and staff. We were heading to Islamorada fish company (yuck), when we saw SALT fusion cuisine, and I told the hubby make a U-Turn. Best call ever. We will definitely be coming from Broward back to this Jewel in the keys.
(5)
Laurie S.
The atmosphere is very hip and a little edgy but cool for islamorada. We made reservations a day ahead for 14 people they had a table for us upstairs. We had 1 server and a bartender upstairs. The restaurant was very slow and service was TERRIBLE!! Apparently they only know how to cook for 2 at a time because each couple at the table was served with about 15 min apart from the next couple and if you can imagine from the first couple to the last we were eating about 2 hrs apart!!!! No apologies no offers to provide bread or drinks...Just to get a glass of water took like 15 min we had 7pm reservations and the last couple was served at 9 pm while we watched others get seated and served as normal. The food was ok but only the last couple was comped eventhough we all had to sit and wait... Again we called a day ahead and it was a horrible evening and dinner I would never recommend. Overpriced and WAY under served..
(1)
Gio G.
The place is just great. Ambiance a+. Good for kids. I have not seen a service like this on the keys. The food is tasty with good variety of dishes, full of flavor. I would recommend the ceviche... One of the dishes was not to my liking and without saying anything the team noticed and turn everything around. From our waitress to the manager i will give the team and the place an A+++ I would come back anytime. Thank you to the team for such a great dinner. Gio
(5)
Tuscan T.
This is a great find in the keys for higher end dining. The wait staff were very friendly and attentive. Natali our waitress was wonderful. I had the Fried Whole Hog Fish and it was one of the most flavorful savory dishes I ever had. The empanadas appetizer was light and flaky and one of the best I've tasted. The wahoo over lobster risotto was done perfectly. Highly recommended.
(5)
Monica F.
SALT is a great take on asian and latin fusion food. I've had a great experience the couple of times I have gone for dinner. The restaurant is very cool and trendy. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgable on the menu. My favorite items have been the Filipino Rolls and the Beef Tenderloin. Never have I had a steak quite as flavorful as I did at SALT. They prepare the steak in a unique way by vaccum-packing the meat with a bunch of herbs and letting it sit in cool water. A M A Z I N G. The mussels are also very good and prepared in a non-traditional way-- more on the sweeter side. Drink selection is great. The lavender martini was so refreshing after spending a hot day out on the boat. Beer and wine selection is also very very good! Overall, SALT is definitely one of my favorite restaurants to eat in the Keys. Yes, it is pricey but quality is outstanding. You will not find a restraunt in the Keys quite like this one. My only gripe would be that it is very very cold inside! I cannot wait to return!!
(5)
Amanda P.
This place was quite a surprise. Here in the keys it's VERY hard to find good restaurants, especially that are open past 10:00pm. Everything we ate from the curry tofu soup to the scallops was surprisingly very good. I think you should definitely check this place out for yourself and don't let the "different" menu style scare you. Every plate from the taste to presentation is spot on!
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Glen D.
We had a family birthday celebration at SALT last night with six of sharing small plates and entrees. While eating in the Keys is often great due to the abundant fresh fish and casual ambience, we all found SALT to be a wonderful addition to the mix. The ambience is still casual but a a bit more contemporary. I'm not a good amateur food critic but everything we ordered was delicious and most plates were combinations of foods, spices, sauces, etc. that you will have rarely if ever eaten together. All were very tasty and beautifully presented. I will also add that the entire staff was friendly, provided great service, and did nothing but add to our whole evening. If you want to try a place a solid cut above most "finer" restaurants you should try SALT!
(5)John D.
Wow!!! We have two kids with severe food allergies, and are also foodies. The sword fish was the best I have ever had!! My son couldn't eat some sides due to his allergies so the chef made him tater tots- those were the best that 11 year old ever had. The dark and stories were incredible as they make their own ginger beer. Great place! Highly recommended.
(5)Kristyn S.
This place is amazing and unexpected for being located in the Keys. Good for families or for a romantic dinner. Service is always great and servers are knowledgeable. We have been back a few times just because we can't get enough. My favorites are the homemade ginger beer, the scallop entree and the steak - which was incredible! I have tried many things on the menu and haven't had a single thing I didn't like. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Annette R.
What an unexpected surprise! I didnt think there would be an upscale restaurant anywhere in the Keys, yet while we stayed at Cheeca Lodge & Spa we had a pleasure to speak with the wife of the owner of Salt restaurant. From the street you would never guess that this building is a restaurant, still as you walk in you discover a great cozy upscale atmosphere, amazing crew and fantastic food. It was such a pleasure! The managers and staff care deeply about their business and their customers. Fusion cuisine gives you a variety of choices; I had scallops and my partner had a grouper dish nicely paired with a bottle of rose champagne. I would definitely visit them again once I travel to the Keys.
(5)Meera A.
The stars don't lie - this place rocks! Islamorada has a surprising density of good restaurants, and SALT is at the top of my list. When we entered, we were met with immediate greetings, and my seating preferences were courteously honored. The person waiting on us (wish I remembered his name!) was polite, cheerful, and was totally able to peg how off-the-beaten-path we were willing to go with our food. I ordered a cocktail off the menu (something with grapefruit and jalapeno) and it was delicious! My husband requested a custom cocktail reminiscent of something he had had in the Bahamas, and the bartender not only obliged, but nailed it. We had a beet salad (spl of the day), the pork belly, filipino rolls and mussels to start. Salad was fresh and delicious, the pork belly plate was excellent, with perfectly cooked meat, and the composition was spot on. The Filipino roll I could have lived without. Mussels were again delicious, with the miso & mirin adding a very delicate richness to its flavor. The excellent service, checking on us, and being attentive without being in our way - all these things continued as we moved on to entrees, and all the way till we walked out. I had the shrimp & grits for dinner. My husband had a fish special. They were both out of this world. As a Texas girl, I've had my fair share of grits, but these manchego grits elevated it out of boredom, into something I would serve proudly at my table. At this point we were bursting at our seams, but got talked into the creme brulee trio. Which was, again, delicious (though, being a creme brulee purist, I have to say that nothing compares to vanilla bean). SALT was the best dinner experience we had on Islamorada, and I would definitely recommend it.
(5)Jesse L.
Worst experience yet in Islamorada. Came in for dinner and left with a side of disappointment. For a birthday dinner we were feeling like something unique and upscale and ended up walking out feeling confused and insulted. As someone who frequents and appreciates a variety of unique "fusion" restaurants, seeing the menu prices and reviews at SALT we expected a higher level of dining experience. To begin, the waiter told us that the wine we ordered was the wrong choice and didn't "go with" anything on the menu (why have it on there?!). Next, we sent back a milky, "coconut" ceviche (not the description on the menu), the manager suggested we try his more "casual" restaurant upstairs... (Casual being code for "less expensive") So after being completely insulted by the owner/manager, he offered us business cards to his other restaurants that were more "casual." Not to mention that 3 different wait staff offered to take our drink and food orders. Take the review for what it is but I might think twice about spending $100+ at this restaurant.
(1)Russell W.
It would have been nice to be more positive about SALT, but the combination did not work for us. On the plus side: The service was pleasant and appropriate when we were unhappy with one of our orders. On the negative side: The cuisine tries too hard to be creative and not hard enough to deliver especially pleasing taste. What's more, the decor is decidedly unattractive. None of the dishes stood out as special or even worth ordering again. Bottom line: Not recommended.
(2)Brenda P.
Drove by S.A.L.T several times while in the area. I decided to look it up on Yelp and reserve (for eight) based on the few reviews it had then. By the time dinner neared, our small group grew (when the rest of the group I was visiting the keys with now wanted to come as well). OY! I called to see if they could now accommodate our new group of 24. "No problem," they said. I felt bad for a couple near us who I'm sure wanted to have a romantic dinner. Sorry! To make matters worse, this group is not the foodie type. They wanted to eat and go. If you know me, you know that's a really hard thing for me to do. I love savoring each part of a meal slowly and enjoying some leisurely wine. I HATE to be rushed. That said, the restaurant was able to somehow have this large group in and out in a little over an hour. Wow. Everything my side of the table ordered was delicious. The food is all very rich and savory. This is not a place to go if you are watching calories! To my horror, someone summoned the bill and I hadn't even ordered dessert yet. Urgh. Oh no, not having any of that nonsense. I ordered my dessert and although I had to eat it quicker than I wanted to, it was well worth it! These are some of the things we ordered: Filipino Rolls- Pork, Shrimp, Chicken, Water Chestnuts, Snow Peas, paired with Black Vinegar and Sesame Vinaigrette. These were just OK, but I did love the accompanying sauces. Kurobuta Pork Belly- Manchego Grits, Apricot & Jalapeño Jam, Fried Green Tomato, and a Molasses Soy Pork Jus. DO IT! Crazy good! Chef's Grilled Cheese- Braised Short Rib, Gruyere and Cheddar, Red Onion Jam, with a Side of Homemade Tomato Soup. RIDICULOUSLY GOOD! Special Fish of the Day- I think it was Pompano stuffed with maybe crab? Whatever it was, it rocked! PB&J bread pudding- cannot wait to have this again one day. It's definitively worth the calories. The restaurant decor is a little bit all over the place. A lot modern. A little Asian. Some touches of nautical. They definitively need to figure this part out to have a more cohesive concept. What is very cool is that it's definitively NOT a place you expect while in the keys. Much needed IMHO. S.A.L.T. stands for Southern Asian Latin Taste. I found it more Asian than Latin though. I also had a hard time choosing what to order because everything sounded great. I guess that's a good problem to have! I will definitively be back the next time I'm down in the keys. This time on my own (slow) terms so that I can truly savor every minute (and that bread pudding!)
(4)William D.
Great place. Unique and tasteful offerings. We went with our middle school aged child and were treated very well. Service was excellent ! Very attentive staff and a visit from the chef. I liked the music however the ambient noise was a touch more than I would've hoped for given all the other great things about this place. I'd go back the next time we are in the area.
(4)Steve L.
Small group of us sat at the bar for happy hour drinks and appetizers. A friendly bartender took great care of us - shared lots of tips and tricks and made a few custom drinks for us after learning what we all liked. + Liked the bar area - Didn't like the A/C blasting on us the entire time - had to get sweatshirts + Happy hour menu offers a wide variety of options + Portions on the HH menu are quite small and a bit pricey + Foods were all excellently prepared + Favorites: chorizo flatbread, spring rolls + Happy Hour offers a reasonable deal - 4 drinks and 3-4 appetizers came to under $40.
(4)Charlie G.
I usually do not care about the atmosphere and service because to me if the food is good, I could careless about other things. However, this place is an exception. The atmosphere, service and food are wanna be upscale but they are not. The price is upscale though. We ordered ceviche, hogfish, grouper and fried bananas. Ceviche which was horrible came right about on time. However, we waited for our fish for a long time. I was about to ask where our food was when I saw our food being served. Wait a minute, my wife did not order Lobster Mac and Cheese. Ohh wait, it was the other table's order. They took it back. And brought the same order to the original table. Well, that table did not want their food (rightfully so) because it was served to our table and went back. We waited another 15 minutes to get our food. Fine, mistakes do happen and I understand. However, one thing I did not understand was our waiter who sounded like he was the king of waiters, did not say one word about this whole mixed up. No exaggeration here, NOT ONE WORD and he acted like nothing happened. For a place who charges arm and a leg for wanna be upscale restaurant, this is not acceptable. I have never had hogfish before so I have no way of comparing it to others but it was tasty I must say. My wife's (I also had a bite) grouper was awful. No taste to it whatsoever. The fried banana was delicious though. The best we have had. This place is way overpriced for what they offer. Service 1 Atmosphere 2 Food 2,5 Price 1
(2)Omi D.
Salt is now closed but if you like fine dining try oo-tray on MM 80.5. It's wonderful!
(1)Sel H.
Went to SALT while on vacation in the keys and I'm in love the food is Top Notch.. The service is Amazing I highly recommend this Place to all that want a Modern take on classic foods! Had the Tenderloin with Mashed potatoes and Green beans with the Slow Burn craft cocktail! I don't know what to do with myself! The plate arrangement alone has me wanting to take pictures and not eat because it is so beautiful! Art on a Plate!!!
(5)Ken J.
I had softshell crabs for dinner-best I have ever had.My wife had the bouillabaise which was also excellent.Small ,but good selection of wines,and a knowledgable staff wine expert.Service was good.Would definitely return.
(4)Milly M.
SALT surpasses with it's food, presentation, sophisticated ambience, yet staff so friendly and accommodating you feel like you've come home to dine with family after a long hiatus away, that it is the only place I would say is a must on your dining stops in islamorada, Florida. The restaurant has a gourmet menu from which our group tasted several of both their small plates kind of Tapas options at their lounge, and their dinner sized meals. Everyone of our choices was amazing. SALT will certainly have me back on every trip to the keys. Excellent, you won't be disappointed, as it's poultry fish, or meat dishes all proved spectacular for this foodie.
(5)Ami S.
Great food. The only reason they don't get a 5 star is because their room is very dark.
(4)chris k.
I'm pleased to be the first Yelp contributor to post a review of SALT Fusion Cuisine in Islamorada. After spending a couple hours in the Caña lounge above the soon to be open SALT I'd like to offer the following thoughts. First, Chef George is not one to shy away from using ingredients that some wouldn't even consider and putting new twists on old favorites. He's always looking for new and tasty ways to improve his recipes and always succeeds. Second, because he goes to such efforts to use locally sourced and grown ingredients whenever possible his food is of a consistently high quality. Third, Chef George is one of a few standout chefs that is transforming the upper Keys from the gastronome's desert that it was in years past into a foodie's wonderland. We plan on returning this Saturday night for dinner at SALT but our experience at the Caña lounge tonight with the full SALT menu was outstanding on every level. We started with the SALT Jalapeño Blood Orange Margarita and the Lavender Martini. Tony at the bar makes a mean cocktail and both drinks were outstandingly flavorful. The Margarita had just a hint of the jalapeño heat and the martini wasn't overwhelmingly lavender in flavor but rather very subtle. For appetizers, we shamefully had four... The Filipino rolls, the ceviche, the quinoa fried "rice" and the pork belly. I'm not sure which was my least favorite. Perhaps the ceviche. I've had ceviche in a dozen countries and my mother used to make the best I've ever eaten so of course I'm jaded. That being said, just because it was my least favorite doesn't mean it wasn't very good. The pork belly was flavorful and accompanied with a couple of delightful sauces including a hot pepper jelly that was reminiscent of my mother's. The Filipino rolls were deliciously flavorful and I was even able to detect both the pork and the shrimp in the filling, a rarity considering that many Asian rolls of this type are typically overwhelmed with one particular flavor. The duck fried "rice" was actually red quinoa with julienned vegetables and a fried egg on top. Delicious. The texture of the quinoa paired with a light hint of sesame oil, the crunch of the vegetables and the richness of the egg was the epitome of a perfect marriage of ingredients. We enjoyed our main courses which were the skirt steak and the ancho chili grouper. My wife's skirt steak was tender and flavorful. It had obviously been marinated in a very flavorful blend of ingredients both acidic and sweet. The effect was subtle yet exquisite. The steak was served with chimichurri sauce and an amazingly flavorful mixture of sweet corn, diced roasted potatoes and lardons. The smoky taste of this mixture was divine and it was set off with several glazed roasted carrots that I couldn't get enough of. My grouper was perfectly cooked. I emphasize this because so often fish is overcooked. Overcooked fish is never a good thing and with grouper, a light fleshed fish with wide flakes, it is very easy to overcook. The coconut infused rice it sat upon was the perfect foil to the richness of the fish and the marinated mushrooms and ancho chili sauce balanced the whole dish out perfectly. Finally we opted for the thai donuts with caramel creme dipping sauce. Wow. I joked that they were obviously low calorie.... Amazing flavor. Rich and pastry like with a hearty mouth feel. The sauce was exquisite and I was about to ask for a spoon to polish it off when I caught myself. All in all it was a great night at SALT's Caña lounge. I see big, big things in the future for Chef George and SALT. I suggest you stop by. You won't be disappointed. Chris
(5)Wandering R.
Salt tries hard. No one could question their attempt at inventive dishes. But the finished product is in the end fine but not great. The initial hummus and chips are not good....they need to be replaced with something less greasy. Our watermelon and feta cheese salad was the highlight of the meal. The small piece of grouper in the main dish was fine but overwhelmed by the sweet sticky sauce. Also, the bamboo rice that came with it was like eating uncooked cloves of garlic. So strong it was unpleasant. Key lime pie was just what you'd expect. The one surprise from the dinner was that the waitress substituted a South African sauvignon blanc for the New Zealand one we ordered, and she didn't seem to understand that the substituted wine was not the same. She needs a bit more training.
(3)Mich A.
Wasn't a huge fan of this place. we tried ordering three different plates and they didn't have it. I ended up ordering a filet mignon and it wasn't good. It had no taste to it. The Brussels sprouts were too greasy but they weren't too bad. the best plate we had was the tuna tataki. there's better places in the keys to eat than here for the money we spent.
(3)Ron W.
Given all of the positive reviews, took a chance on SALT for a celebratory dinner last night. Perhaps it was an off night, as the chef was not present, but it was a disappointing experience all around. Particularly given the prices. Won't go into too much detail, because it was just an off experience on pretty much every level. The room is industrial and the acoustics quite loud, the staff just had an odd vibe, the plates were dirty (2 had to be returned) and the food was frankly subpar. Somehow, they made bone marrow bland, the grouper portion was comically small, and the whole hog fish was covered in a sweet Thai sauce that tasted like it was bought at WinnDixie. Again, maybe an off night, but it was an expensive and frustrating one for my family. For a guaranteed good meal at these prices, we should have returned to Michaels.
(2)Ian N.
Went to ISL on July 18th and went to S.A.L.T. for dinner. Was so good that we went back the next evening. We ate at the bar BOTH nites (Friday and Saturday...with the chef cooking our catch on Saturday evening.) Bartender was terrific (Amber) and the food was outstanding. We had been to their sister property (M.E.A.T.) in Tavernier a couple times previously...this was a first visit and genuinely exceeded expectations. We'll definitely be back and, in our estimation, this is the best of Islamorada dining at the present time.
(5)Meg P.
This is a convenient location, surrounded by endless foodie possibilities. However, I was incredibly disappointed with the lack of fresh fish and seafood options. Even the ceviche covered up the authentic fresh flavor with a concoction of coconut milk and unnecessary spices. I would love to see a fusion restaurant play up the local delicacies and capitalize on the flavors that are characteristic of the keys.
(1)Richard H.
Our fishing guide Capt. Dave Morris ( great guide by the way) recommended this restaurant to us. There were only 3 Yelp reviews as the place is very new, but we decided to take a chance and showed up with fresh Mutton Snapper we caught a couple of hours before. We knew nothing about the chef or the sommelier but soon discovered that we had gone from paradise on the water to an absolute culinary nirvana. Chef George prepared an absolute feast for the three of use with family style South Asian and Latin tastes - hence the acronym S.A.L.T. From the jalapeño orange Margaritas, to the unique and outstanding salad and on to our own fish cooked in 3 delicious styles, this was amazing! As sides we had melt in your mouth Brussels Sprouts, Bok choy was tender and delicious, lo mein also original and very special. The wait staff were all excited to work with the award winning chef and sommelier. The place has great food and great atmosphere. Lovely in every way. I'd give more that 5 stars if I could. This meal ranks in my upper 10 of all time.
(5)Ashley T.
Great service and great food. Check out the happy hour for half priced drinks and $5-6 small plates. Bartender at their upstairs bar was very friendly and talkative. Down stairs at salt we got equally good service. Drinks are a little overpriced but very tasty. Pork belly and grilled cheese was amazing! For w couple who got 2 drinks and 4 small plates and salad we spent $100. Was a nice way to end our vacation.
(5)Jen K.
The good - a gluten free menu!! Always delighted about that. The bad - it's an exciting menu that looks like it will be terrific - but when you get it, it's just blah. We had 6 items and ALL were just ok. We craved rich SALT flavors in the duck fried rice, ceviche, special of the day fish and maple Brussels etc., but they didn't exist. :( will not be returning until the aggressiveness and ambition of the seasoning and flavors match their intent on the menu.
(2)Dana R.
Incredible meal from start to finish. I loved everything about my experience at SALT! The scallops are out of this world delicious! We are in islamorada for 3 days and we will be dining here again during our stay. outstanding!
(5)Ric M.
We have sat at the bar twice and had small plates and salads. The food is wonderful. The servers were personable and very nice. The room is swanky in an understated kind of way. Only issue was the A/C was up so high that it was chilly at the bar. The bartender told us she would go into the kitchen and stand by the stoves to warm her hands. The lighting in the bar was also so low that reading the menu and check was very difficult for older eyes. Bring your sweater and your "cheater glasses". We also love their other restaurant, MEAT. Don't miss that if you are dining in Isla. Well SALT has closed, probably because people got sick of being cold while they ate. Several more visits after the above review were exactly the same. Good food, nice servers but froze our butts off. I just don't get it.
(5)William L.
Fantastic. Unique to the keys (ie no tiki torches, Jimmy Buffet singers). Great service. Terrific small plates (Mac and cheese w tomato soup. Hint ... It has short ribs in it. ). Shrimp and grits and beef tenderloin were out of this world. Good beer selection.
(5)Chris B.
Everything is great! An kids were happy! I live in Miami thinking about driving back down for another great experience.
(5)Ben K.
delicious and unique. Great service. Drinks, appetizers and entrees that you can't find anywhere else in the keys. All for prices similar to restaurants with the usual fried fish sandwich.
(5)Dee M.
All we could say after each course was wow. Salt will knock your socks off or bust your pants after all we ate. We focused on the appetizers since they were so intriguing. The deviled eggs with kimchee were just perfect. The smoked tartar had a hint of citrus from the yuzu. Cut in larger pieces served with homemade chips it was not your traditional dish. The ceviche was a beautiful concoction swimming in thick coconut milk. I enjoyed it, my hubby had a bit of an issue with the consistency. The star was the korobuta pork belly(love the fried green tomato sauce) ..that earned a big wow. We shared the scallop entree..which at first glance you might think there was a lot going on the plate but it all complemented each other. The sweet corn pudding in a skillet is a must. To finish we had the creme brulee trio.. a foie gras, nutella and key lime..savory, sweet, sour. This is a very thoughtful chef who is not afraid to experiment.. The only reason for the 4 star is that when you have a diner trying to span the menu and taste a number of dishes, the kitchen should be mindful and not bring all the dishes out together..so a few got cold before we got to them. Talented chef, gorgeous restaurant, attentive staff.. I guess the secret is getting out
(4)Sara S.
Food was exceptional but a couple of issues with the service and ambiance, specifically the Sommelier who seemed to have a hard time recommending a pairing to our small plate and entree orders of the Pork Chop and Beef Tenderloin. He probably didn't realize that he was dealing with two wine snobs. He stood next to the table while browsing the wine list, settling on a Rosé that he explained "he didn't know how to pronounce." The decor is tasteful but sparse and I wish, as we were there to celebrate an anniversary, we had the option of a booth or more intimate seating option. Again, everything we ordered was great, but would love to see those minor issues fixed.
(4)Mike H.
I'm a bit confused by some of the negative reviews here, as they were the opposite of our experience. I was putting together a team dinner for 14 on a Tuesday night and Tom, one of the owners, was awesome to work with! He called me personally and we worked up a great evening. We started with a cocktail hour with a sampling of 4 or 5 flatbreads and ceviche, both of which were outstanding. The mixed drinks were outstanding, loved the dark and stormy, and my colleagues loved the wines. We picked a limited menu, the chicken, beef, or grouper and everyone loved their meal, I went with the grouper and it was fantastic. We were there in the keys for three days and this was unanimously voted as meal of the week.
(5)Caroline W.
We ate here when vacationing on Islamorada. Really tasty food and cocktails. I particularly enjoyed the lavender martini and lobster coconut ceviche.
(5)Miriam K.
Absolutely delicious! I wanted to try the whole menu, but we settled for marrow bones, spinach salad and duck quinoa rice for starters. They all had wonderful flavors. The whole hogfish was clearly a top favorite as everyone around us also had at least one order at their table too. Definitely worth a stop to enjoy the cuisine!
(5)Laura V.
Beautiful place. We walked in with 8 children and realized it wasn't quite the place for a large group with kids, but very nice. Friendly staff as well.
(4)Julie B.
We went here based on other Yelp reviews and were very happy with our choice. The flavors and textures of the food were really nice and well planned. We had the spring roll appetizer, the duck fried "rice" and split the steak as well as the maple brussle sprouts. Everything was amazing. Food portions are actually normal, so we tried to split the entree and had to order the fried "rice" because we were still hungry. Nice atmosphere as well.
(5)Kathy C.
Fantastic find in the Keys. I had the ceviche with fish and spiny lobster and a coconut based curing marinade, with crispy banana chips. Followed with shrimp and manchego grits. The shrimp were an inspiration, just perfectly done, and the chorizo cream sauce savory and rich. The place doesn't mess around either. When I asked for salt ( I'm a salt fiend) the server brought fleur de sel. Intriguing cocktails too--I had the blood orange jalapeño Marguerita. Don't let the unprepossing exterior put you off. Inside all is goooood.
(5)Dave D.
Fabulous and unexpected place in the keys. I was between the fried snapper an pork chop, but they had Fried Lionfish as a daily special. I eat local and sustainable (which SALT proudly touts), but there is nothing better than eating an invasive species!. It was a fabulous meal. The Mac and cheese was excellent. Check out the live music upstairs. They had a great jazz/blues band the night we went, and the blueberry Cosmo was excellent. Highly recommend!... Will definitely come back next trip to the keys.
(5)Greg S.
We hit SALT on an exceptionally slow night (Sunday in October). I'm told that typically reservations will need to be made in advance. We had grilled oysters, ceviche, and seared sea scallops. Everything was phenomenal -- it was a perfect dinner. The ambiance is calming and inviting. The lighting and décor is very cool and from the moment you step into the restaurant you know that you are in for a treat. The servers was very helpful and described the dishes and the flavors with great enthusiasm and knowledge. We started our meal with the oysters which were grilled with some delicious seasoning and melted manchego. The ceviche was a cut above any other ceviche I've tasted. The flavors infused in that sauce were amazing. This only set us up for the best scallops I have ever tasted. The flavors of the accompanying lamb, corn, gnocchi, and lemon sauce were incredible! The scallops were seared to perfection, retaining an outstanding amount of juice and flavor. We finished with the chocolate decadence dessert which came with a homemade mint infused whipped cream. This meal altogether was absolute perfection. I have had only one meal that comes close this and it was from a James Beard Award winning restaurant. If you are in Islamorada do not leave without dining at SALT Fusion.
(5)Amy W.
This was our first visit to S.A.L.T and all I can say is WOW. The menu and drinks and drinks are artistically executed, the staff are some the most friendly we have ever experienced and the decor is fabulous. I can't wait to come back and bring friends!! Islamorada needed this place!!
(5)Laura S.
Went to Salt for a late dinner since we saw they closed at midnight, however the kitchen was closed by the time we got there (after 10:30.) No worries! The Somm personally escorted us upstairs to their lounge to make sure we could get some "light bites" along with our cocktails. The chef's grilled cheese was the winner, we also had the tempura shrimp and a few other dishes that were amazing. The banana foster cheesecake was so good and a healthy portion, and the dark and stormies are top notch as they make their own ginger beer daily. Everyone there was super friendly and nice to spend time with, from the owner, chef, bar manager, we felt so at home we didn't want to leave.
(5)Allison M.
My boyfriend and I stopped here for dinner the first night of our vacation and boy were we spoiled. My boyfriend started with the Miso soup which was served in traditional fashion and tasted great (I stole a bite!). After finishing his soup, we split a the Mac and Cheese small plate which was to die for. It was creamy and hot with just a little spice and crunch to set it apart from traditional Mac and Cheese. For dinner, he had the pan-seared scallops which were cooker perfectly to his liking and amazingly flavorful and I had a beef tenderloin. My meat was more tender than any piece of beef I have ever had in the past. It was served with green beens and mashed potatoes which were just as good as the main course. What sets SALT apart from other restaurants are their hand-crafted cocktails!!! They infuse all their own liquors, make their own ginger beer and offer a selection of unique beverages that you cannot find anywhere else. For example, they offered a blood orange and jalepeno margarita, blueberry cosmo and slow-burn made with habenaro liquor. This is definitely a place we will be going back to if we find ourselves escaping to the Florida Keys again!
(5)Sandra R.
WOW!!! The keys has a spectacular restaurant. It was an amazing experience and you do not find places like this at all in the keys. The food was beyond words. Kuddos to the amazing chef and staff. We were heading to Islamorada fish company (yuck), when we saw SALT fusion cuisine, and I told the hubby make a U-Turn. Best call ever. We will definitely be coming from Broward back to this Jewel in the keys.
(5)Laurie S.
The atmosphere is very hip and a little edgy but cool for islamorada. We made reservations a day ahead for 14 people they had a table for us upstairs. We had 1 server and a bartender upstairs. The restaurant was very slow and service was TERRIBLE!! Apparently they only know how to cook for 2 at a time because each couple at the table was served with about 15 min apart from the next couple and if you can imagine from the first couple to the last we were eating about 2 hrs apart!!!! No apologies no offers to provide bread or drinks...Just to get a glass of water took like 15 min we had 7pm reservations and the last couple was served at 9 pm while we watched others get seated and served as normal. The food was ok but only the last couple was comped eventhough we all had to sit and wait... Again we called a day ahead and it was a horrible evening and dinner I would never recommend. Overpriced and WAY under served..
(1)Gio G.
The place is just great. Ambiance a+. Good for kids. I have not seen a service like this on the keys. The food is tasty with good variety of dishes, full of flavor. I would recommend the ceviche... One of the dishes was not to my liking and without saying anything the team noticed and turn everything around. From our waitress to the manager i will give the team and the place an A+++ I would come back anytime. Thank you to the team for such a great dinner. Gio
(5)Tuscan T.
This is a great find in the keys for higher end dining. The wait staff were very friendly and attentive. Natali our waitress was wonderful. I had the Fried Whole Hog Fish and it was one of the most flavorful savory dishes I ever had. The empanadas appetizer was light and flaky and one of the best I've tasted. The wahoo over lobster risotto was done perfectly. Highly recommended.
(5)Monica F.
SALT is a great take on asian and latin fusion food. I've had a great experience the couple of times I have gone for dinner. The restaurant is very cool and trendy. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgable on the menu. My favorite items have been the Filipino Rolls and the Beef Tenderloin. Never have I had a steak quite as flavorful as I did at SALT. They prepare the steak in a unique way by vaccum-packing the meat with a bunch of herbs and letting it sit in cool water. A M A Z I N G. The mussels are also very good and prepared in a non-traditional way-- more on the sweeter side. Drink selection is great. The lavender martini was so refreshing after spending a hot day out on the boat. Beer and wine selection is also very very good! Overall, SALT is definitely one of my favorite restaurants to eat in the Keys. Yes, it is pricey but quality is outstanding. You will not find a restraunt in the Keys quite like this one. My only gripe would be that it is very very cold inside! I cannot wait to return!!
(5)Amanda P.
This place was quite a surprise. Here in the keys it's VERY hard to find good restaurants, especially that are open past 10:00pm. Everything we ate from the curry tofu soup to the scallops was surprisingly very good. I think you should definitely check this place out for yourself and don't let the "different" menu style scare you. Every plate from the taste to presentation is spot on!
(4)