Kaya Island Eats
3100 Overseas Hwy, Key West, FL, 33040
Kaya Island Eats Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Key West for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Key West for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Key West for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3100 Overseas Hwy
Key West, FL, 33040 - Phone (305) 896-2450
- Website https://kayaislandeats.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Heather P.
If you want a mix of keys feel and five star restaurant food, this is the place. You may have to wait but there is corn hole to entertain you while you wait. The wait staff greets you warmly and has water before you even order your drinks. Food and apps come quickly. The kids ate all their food they loved it!!! The best part for family's is they have a wii for the kids. My husband and I felt like we had a date night. This is a must go kinda place for the lower keys!!!
(5)Tom C.
Hands down the best dinner we have had in Key West in our week here. We walked in and the hostess/waitress told us to sit where we liked so we took a very cozy table for two. Immediately , the owner Scott came over and introduced himself and asked if we would like a bigger table, worried that we were assigned the smaller table. We started with the Korean BBQ steak tacos which came with steak fries which were def made in house. My gf left me the tacos and just ate the fries as an appetizer which was fine by me! As a main course I had the Cuban roast pork with rice and beans and plantains . The pork was roasted in a banana leaf- a added bonus in had never tried before. It was delicious and would have been worth 3 or 4 stars on its own but it really paled in comparison to the "Rasta Pasta" that my girlfriend ordered. This is hemp oil macadamia nut pesto over angel hair pasta with added shrimp. Delicious and I'm sorry I didn't order it for myself!! We ended with a slice of the key lime pie which was huge, delicious and came with an awesome raspberry swirl to dip with. This place is a must eat restaurant when in the keys!
(5)sugarplum p.
This restaurant was the highlight of all the amazing food of Key West. You must come here! The staff were so friendly the owner even greeted us and thanked us. The food was delicious the chicken was so juicy and seasoned to perfection along with the coconut rice and vegetables (Chicken Cheryaki) I kept talking about this meal for a while. If I ever go back this is the place I am heading to. I asked our server if he had pink lemonade and the clever man replied "i can make it pink" and ehh I got a pink lemonade =). Even their bathrooms are cute! and they have some game by the lot where you need to get a sand bag into a hole which was a lot of fun.
(5)Carly O.
I didn't believe all the amazing reviews but we had to try it and my goodness they were all true. Everything about this place is amazing: the location, the food, the service...Everything. The portions were extremely generous and well worth every penny. Highly recommend the macadamia nut Mahi with tropical salsa, it was out of this world and hand delivered by the nicest business owner I have met. Took less than 20 minutes to get to from the main key west area. Will definitely go again!
(5)J H.
We just had a meal here and are trying to figure out how it could have been given 5 stars. Both of our meals-the lobster and the mahi special were absolutely awful. The sauce that came with the lobster tasted terrible, but even with the regular butter I asked for, it was bad. The vegetables and plantains on the side tasted like they had been cooked yesterday, sat out for a day, then been reheated and allowed to sit for another hour before being served. There are numerous other restaurants that blow this one away. By far, the worst meal I have ever had in the Keys.
(1)Ilana C.
Fabulous! Just let your server know if you are vegan - the owner came out to say hi and explain the 4 course vegan meal he has available. Price was incredibly reasonable. Everything was delicious. Great view too.
(5)Janice S.
Arugula salad was heavy on the arugula & very light on the good stuff including dressing. Flatbread was tasteless, soaked in smoked tomato sauce. Disappointing meal.
(1)Tarran C.
We are a tough crowd. One vegetarian and one gluten free in our party of four. After posing several questions to the server regarding gluten free and vegetarian options, the owner came to chat with us. Scott suggested an amazing custom vegetarian dish to be prepared to meet the tastes of one guest and confirmed that the special offered that evening was gluten free. The food was amazing, service was perfect, sunset was beautiful and it was a pleasure meeting Scott. This is not a tourist trap restaurant. Kaya Island Eats is a must do if you are in the lower keys. You will not be dissapointed!
(5)Susan B.
I went here with a local, or I might never have discovered this gem! I've driven by it, pedal to the metal, to get to Key West. The food is fresh, well prepared, and interestingly spiced. The shrimp curry is to die for! They treated us well when we popped in with some newlyweds from the beach. They even saved a table for us when I said it was wedding weekend!
(5)Joe B.
Overpriced! Even for the Keys in Winter. Put in an order for fish tacos, fish & chips, and Kayla's fish. Server returned to say they were out of Mahi Mahi (for fish tacos and fishnchips), but mentioned they could substitute yellowtail for AN ADDITIONAL $4. WTF?! That's a simple bait & switch! I guess the wine was kicking in so we all agreed to this. The portions were pitiful. Likely about 4oz of fish per plate. That's $20 for each plate of fish tacos and fish n chips. It was a lot of sides with tiny portions of fried/grilled fish. And the Kaya's fish plate was nearly fishless FOR $30 (again the approximately 4oz of fish was lost in a lot of sides of rice and salads) It's tourist season so maybe they're trying to take advantage of all the snowbirds. Leaving 3 stars only because the quality of the fish (what little of it there was) was very good. The server was very nice also. NB: wine was served WARM, so if we're gonna pay inflated prices, please invest in a wine fridge.
(3)Brendan O.
Bring your own fresh caught fish and they will cook it 4 different ways of perfection. We brought black grouper and mahi. The Macadamia nut encrusted grouper with mango salsa is proof they know how to cook fish Hawaiian style.
(5)Teresa N.
Omg this is definitely a must eat. The customer service is amazing and the food is out of the world. The Jamaican jerk chicken and the calamari is delicious and the coconut mojito is a must.
(5)Glenn J.
All I have to say is coconut mojito, civeche, calamari and jerk chicken wings !!! Great service !!!
(5)Eric M.
Had a really nice dinner there last night. Creative good food, nice views, good service, descent beer selection. Well be back. The Ahi Tuna was spectacular. The fish and chips were okay, probably because I'd rather a batter on my fish than panko; just a personal preference. The Hawaiian rolls were fantastic.
(4)Ariel R.
Nice place to have lunch or dinner. The service is great and the view is amazing! I thought the food was just ok..
(4)Lindsay W.
I was browsing Yelp on my way down to Key West last week, and stumbled upon this gem! Definitely worth checking out! The food was unique and delicious! Don't be scared away by the run down exterior. The interior is much cleaner and lighter than you would expect from the outside. We asked to sit by a window, although it would have been nice if the restaurant had larger windows to take advantage of being on the water. I ordered the Mahi fish tacos and added guacamole (for about $0.75 extra). The tacos had a delicious flavor! They came a side of beer battered fries and tropical coleslaw, which were both also good. My husband ordered the wings which he really enjoyed. My only complaint about this restaurant was the service... To give the restaurant and our waiter some credit, they did get a pop right after we were sat and I think the server was fairly new. However, I think our server was either high or needed a nap. He was very pleasant, but should look into a different career choice. He kept forgetting things, didn't tell us items he suggested we order cost extra (this happened twice), tried at least 4 different times to bring me a glass of wine (the first two times they were out of what I ordered, the second time he brought me a glass with a huge lipstick stain, and the third time he brought me Sauvignon Blanc when I ordered Rose... I just drank it!). Hopefully if you decide to stop in to this restaurant - which you should - if you are driving down to Key West, you will have the same excellent food but a better service experience.
(4)Ashley W.
The best meal I've had in awhile!! The group I was staying with in Sugarloaf Key went here for our last night in the keys dinner. I have never eaten so much food, and been so happy as I was at Kaya. They first start with a variety of cocktails that are delicious. My friend got the mermaid martini and it was delicious. I ordered the kaya capirini and it was also very good and very strong haha. Then out come the most amazing coconut rolls I have every tasted! I had to have two. We also got the tuna appetizer and calamari and licked the plates clean between just me and my boyfriend. Everyone else in the group got their own orders. Even though we were completely stuffed we still got our own entrees. My boyfriend ordered the macadamia/coconut crusted mahi, and I ordered the asian sesame snook. We were supposed to share, however my boyfriend loved his so much it was a struggle to get a bite. Both were amazing, but I'm still dreaming of the coconut crusted mahi. By this point our whole table is about to explode, however we got two of each of the desserts! Each one was amazing! I was able to find more room to try each one and each one was finished completely! The Key Lime pie was amazing, and the hula girl pie was a huge hit at our table. I have never left a place so full and so happy! If you get the chance to check out Kaya GO! do not miss out on this amazing dinner! You won't regret it!
(5)Joe W.
Customer service has been the best in Key West I have found. However the portions to what we were charged was what caused me to give this 3 stars. I really don't think I got my $ worth here. Appetizer: Tuna Carpaccio $11 - This is thinly sliced tuna which is drizzled in a wasabi style sauce/oil. If there were more tuna with this dish it would be worth it, but I can't recommend it, at this price. Entree: Island Style Roasted Pork - $14, Fish & Chips - $12, If they knocked $3 off each of these dishes I would recommend the Fish & Chips, but not the Roasted Pork. We got both "platter" versions of these dishes and were not impressed with the quality of either. This is a good spot to relax and watch the water to get away from Key West, but that's all I can comment that was positive about our trip here.
(3)Mark G.
WOW!! A gem of a restaurant.. Food was top notch, Service was excellent and the servers was very informed. GF does not eat garlic and our waiter made sure that the dishes she ordered were either garlic free or he would tell her not to order any that were prepared with garlic.. We had a heck of a time finding the place, My Garmin had us routed into Key West around and around. No idea how it got screwed up but we called the restaurant and got directions to it... I wish we had more time in Key West because I would have gone back to try some of their other dishes... GO THERE!!
(5)Chris K.
This was a surprise find as we traveled from Key West up to Key Largo. Stopped and had lunch. It was so wonderful. The view from the restaurant is spectacular. It's worth it just to sit, have a cup of coffee and take in the view. The menu has a very "keys" feel, which, if you don't know what that is then think of it as an island feel to it. It's a good thing!. The prices are very appropriate. The service was wonderful. I highly recommend stopping by if you ever get the chance.
(5)Zach T.
The staff was friendly and we just had desert but it was superb. I had the chocolate polenta and the ball and chain (aka- my sweet wife) had the key lime pie. Wow....fabulous!
(5)Dan N.
Phenomenal is an understatement. We saw the place on our way to Key West and I liked the name, and couldn't stop singing the hook from the Marley song "Kaya". We looked it up as a dinner option and saw awesome ratings on yelp. Definitely not the wrong choice! Fresh herbs, mouth watering, spicy and sweet sauces danced across our taste buds and nourished us completely. This is primo food pleasing to the body and soul. I'm a new vegetarian and was looking for delicious vegetarian food. Along comes Kaya and makes me realize being vegetarian has super delicious hearty options. Rasta Pasta and Portobello Jerk. I think there's more but those two are what we ordered and were absolutely amazing. Home made desserts always a sign of a good place, and theirs are amazing. A bit much ice cream on the hula girl pie, and the key lime tasted more like lemon meringue but still Delish. Their coffee is great too and they have raw sugar. Perfect after a delicious dinner. I hope to find a cookbook of delicious caribbean style cooking like this. If youre reading this and know of one, id be grateful to hear of it! We all walked out feeling so happy and healthy. Servings are perfect size! I am seriously in love with Kaya! Got to have kaya now!
(5)Stephanie A.
I never write reviews but this place was the best restaurant that I've been to in The Keys. I started out with a coconut mojito and that delicious, sweet and tangy drink set an amazing tone for the rest of the meal. For lunch I got the mahi mahi fish and chips. It was moist and the panko breading was crunchy. I asked for a cilantro lime aioli instead of the sauce that came with it and our waitress was more than accommodating. My aunt got a portobello dish with saffron rice that was also to die for. We ended the meal with their key lime pie that was delicious, although not as tart as I prefer. The meringue on top was a pleasant change from the massive amounts of standard key lime pie I've eaten. I have never been so infatuated with a restaurant and its atmosphere the instant I walked in. The service was friendly and fast. The food was absolutely amazing, and if I wasn't returning home I would definitely visit Kaya Island Eats again and again.
(5)Lauren H.
One of our favorite meals from our recent vacation to the Keys. Nice atmosphere, great service. We had the edamame, Rasta Pasta, and Grilled Chicken Cherryaki. Even though we were full, we had to try the Chocolate Polenta Cake. Everything was delicious.
(5)Rick R.
Great food slow service. Had conch steak,interesting. Great coconut buns. Great salad. Worth a visit if you have time.
(5)Sean C.
This is one of the best restaurants in the Keys... The tomato salad was delicious and the Tuna tataki was outstanding... We love this place.. Make sure you stop in and try the amazing food
(5)Mark P.
Everything was amazing, even had truffle ketchup for my fries! The best tasting things were probably the asparagus (seasonal veggies) and boom shakalaka shrimp. Chicken wings were mind-blowing too. Piña colada was also great, and I'm usually a craft beer guy.
(5)Patricia M.
Went here after a weekend getaway in the keys for a special friends bachelorette party. As we were on our way to key west I noticed this very interesting looking restaurant off the side of the road which was so packed. I promised myself I'd convince the other 8 girls we had to go there for brunch on the Sunday back home. So I did, and I did not disappoint!!!! Everyone loved every single item!!! I ordered two mimosas and and a fish sandwich with a side of perfect fries. And the key lime pie which I shared with my best friend was excellent!!! Yummm can't wait to be back in key west!!! Ohhh and in the bathroom they have this amazing scrub for your hands which they sell for a whooping 25 dollars!!!! Amazing!!!!
(5)James C.
Went here New Years Eve. As busy and hectic as things were, our waitstaff was very attentive and the wait for food was not long. Their chicken wings with feta cheese are a great appetizer and their house wines were reasonably priced and flavorful. The Coconut Macadamia nut encrusted Mahi Mahi was absolutely delicious! Love the ambience, openness, sunset view and friendly staff. Will continue to patronize this competently run establishment and to enjoy their happy hour!
(5)Arlene H.
The best place to eat in the lower keys!
(5)Pazinhim B.
This was a perfect ending to our stay in Key Lago. Highly recommend the Coconut Specialty cocktails and Key Lime pie.
(5)Chelsea K.
Wish I could eat here all the time. Tuna poke and Jamaican jerk chicken wings to start. It was delicious! We did wait a little while between the starters and the entree but it was worth the wait. A must try best meal on this vacation thus far!!
(5)Deanna S.
Wow! An awesome place to eat! We stopped here on our way to our hotel in Key West and we are so glad we did. From appetizers to dessert, the food was fantastic! Service could have been better, our Server was a little forgetful, but manager/owner was very attentive and came out to every table to make sure everyone was happy. We had just gotten into town after a long car ride, so we didn't complain. He recommended the Hula Girl Pie - an awesome piece (ok, more than a piece - it was enormous) of vanilla ice cream pie, with an oreo cookie crust, topped with coconut. My kids are not the biggest fans of coconut, but they loved it on this dessert and 3 of us devoured it!
(5)Roger T.
We stopped by for an appetizer and drinks mid afternoon. We had friends that used to manage the exclusive waterfront RV park close to the restaurant, that told us to go by. The owner, Scott, is very nice and all the staff was friendly, great drinks and nice views of the water. Next time we'll be having dinner for sure.
(5)J B.
Ate here last night and I was full and happy when I left. Driven by a lot but never gave it a try until now. I had the Chicken Satay and the Dos Killer Fish Tacos. The Satay was perfect and had a great original peanut sauce/ mousse. The tacos were good but they needed something more like some shredded cabbage or other type of veggie inside. They were just fish and cheese. My wife had the Pacific Tuna Poke (?). That was awesome. The perfect raw tuna appetizer.
(4)Haig S.
This is a cool,laid back, Hawaiian style restaurant with great service. My girlfriend and I have been here 4 times so far and it just keeps getting better. I have had the cuban steak, grouper, snapper, simple salad and the key lime pie (Mmmmmm). Just tonight we went and watch the sunset there after dinner. The staff is very friendly and strives to make you feel welcome. I get the feeling when I am there that I am being served by some hang ten surfers. They are all down to earth. It is about 15 miles up from Key West but it is worth it in my opinion. Don't forget to try the coconut rolls.
(5)Rick D.
Awesome place. Service was top notch. Food was well thought out. Definitely a must dine
(5)Dale J.
My family was staying at the blue water RV resort, and after a day of travel we wanted a good meal. We had time so we looked around in old key west, but all the good spots sounded very loud with live music. We noted them for another night and headed back planning on hot dogs by our RV. We missed our turn and we to turn around in the kaya island parking lot , and decided to check it out. A delightful 2nd story Restaurent (on stilts), by the ocean, with the bar facing the sunset, and the dining area the ocean. My 86 year old mother loved the elevator. I loved wonderful hostess that greeted us, and the sweet Hawaiian server Lisa that took care of us. A dozen large shrimp in my appetizer and huge bowl of mussels (also an appetizer!) for my main with key lime pie for desert. My wife had the calamari as an appetizer and the red curry and coconut shrimp as a main. Mom just had the lobster in a coconut cream sauce. We all had more than enough food, and could not finish our $25 bottle of wine (the second bottle anyways). Good view, good food, sweet service, what more do you want on holiday? Yeah, the prices were more than small town anywhere else, but way less than big town keys, let alone a big city elsewhere, We will be back!
(5)Nicole K.
So incredibly good. The coconut and macadamia nut crusted catch of the day was fantastic- I absolutely recommend it. Our server was fantastic as well. A great end to our stay at key west. Well worth the drive.
(5)Chris M.
A must have! Whether your a local or just passing through, Kaya is one of the best restaurants in the area!! Stopped in with friends here as the sun was going down. Probably one of the best decisions we made during the entire trip. Staff was very friendly and attentive! The food is fresh and prepared nicely. The menu has something for all and the place is comfortable. I will definitely come back!
(4)Jason P.
Great fish, very fresh. Well worth the stop.
(4)Kerry S.
Fantastic restaurant. We are so thankful we have another option for great food outside of Key West. Just had lunch here for the first time. Service was great. We got the Rasta Pasta and Fish tacos. Both were absolutely delicious. We can't wait to go back for dinner.
(5)Everett W.
Island Hopping I absolutely love everything about this restaurant.... the inventive menu, freshly-prepared food, excellent staff and refreshingly different atmosphere. It is a different kind of "island living," Don't miss dining around sunset to enjoy the great views. Worth the short drive from Key West. Is now my new favorite.
(5)Angela S.
We read a review for Kaya Island Eats in the local paper and decided to check it out. We are glad we did as it is now a favorite! Both lunch and dinner are wonderful, with so many options to choose from. The service has been great as well and the ambiance is casual, but not too much so (if that makes sense!). Make sure to try their key lime pie. It is fabulous!
(5)Cassandra W.
We flew our little plane into Sugarloaf and stayed at the lodge right there. Since we were on foot, we had few options for dining. After looking through the brochures the lodge had on hand, we decided this place sounded good. The atmosphere could have been a little more upscale to go with the prices. It wasn't that bad, but the clouds on the ceiling were a little weird, and the blue painting on a blue wall really didn't go-they needed to have some contrast there. Anyhow, I decided to order the Korean tacos, my husband picked the fish and chips, and we got iced tea to drink. The tacos were definitely the best part of the meal; very tasty with just the right amount of kick. The only issue I had was how messy they were. It was impossible to keep my hands clean with all of that sauce dripping out! That's really nothing the restaurant could have rectified, of course. My husband got two very small fish fillets that had been battered in panko, which I sampled. We are fans of panko for some things, but it just didn't taste right for fish in a fish and chips platter. I understood his fish coming with fries since that's the "chips" part of the dish, but I found it strange that my Asian-themed tacos came on top of french fries as well. I was told they were beer-battered fries. They tasted kind of like mashed potatoes that had been shaped into fries, and then deep fried in something weird. Neither of us cared for them. The tea had a very strange taste, and we mentioned it to the manager when he came around to ask how things were. He said he would check on it for us, so initially we were impressed with his caring attitude, but when he never came back to our table with his findings, we stopped being impressed. So in summary, the only part of our meal that was actually good and worth the money was the tacos themselves. For the prices they ask for their food, I honestly would have thought we would have had a better meal. I will say we did have great service from our waitress.
(3)Kristina L.
Small, quaint, great service, food, and drinks. 11 in our party seated immediately with water (in cups with lids for the kids) already on the table when we were seated. Coconut mojito was a hit. All food was delicious. Nice views too.
(5)Katherine B.
Great hospitality, great dessert. Appetizer ok, dinner B+. Kids food should not be spicy though unless requested. Cocktail was not good. Overall, would come back bc they made us feel so special.
(4)Leanne G.
What a fantastic place. My parents went here and loved it, then my husband and I went with them the following week when we came to join them in Sugarloaf Key. The staff is super friendly and helpful, our waitress Tiffany was very sweet, even recommended another awesome restaurant in Key West (Santiago's Bodega), which did not disappoint either! I had the coconut macadamia catch (mahi mahi). It was definitely island food, my favorite kind, fresh flavors and cooked perfectly. We went at 6;30, early bird hours for island time, but early enough in February to catch some of the beautiful view before the sun set and beat the dinner rush. Highly recommend!
(5)Annie K.
Echo the many before us: We also loved it and thought it our best meal in the keys during our two week stay. We came in after a long day at the beach trying to cool off and just relax. We were seated immediately and when we asked to be changed to a booth the hostess was very accommodating. I asked about a wine and our server, Jason, immediately brought me a sample. I realized it was the wrong wine and he brought another. Three samples later and I finally found my wine. There was never any hesitation in the offer and he had a smile on his face the whole time. He recommended the market fish and so we ordered the Mahi Mahi. The fish, the rice, the veggies were all excellent. We were so happy. Then we had to try the key lime pie it was also excellent though the meringue on top was a little dry but the flavor of the pie was wonderful. We felt so taken care of we will be back again tonight. Such a perfect meal and Jason was such a good host to us!
(5)Jeni K.
The Hawaiian themed atmosphere inside is incredible and very clean. The service was outstanding and the food was absolutely delicious. The prices were extremely reasonable. I would have paid a lot more for that meal. Defintely the best place we ate during our week stay in the Key West/Key Largo area.
(5)Jeff And Laurie Q.
Great wings!!! Loved the food. We stayed at the campground down the street and went here for the wings 3 out of 5 days, loved them!!!!!All of their food is realy good and the manager is a super nice guy.
(4)Chris A.
Great place with awesome food and great service! Don't miss this place if you are in the Keys!
(5)Bob L.
Stopped here for lunch on the way out to Key West. It was fabulous. My wife and I both had the fish tacos. We upgraded from the standard catfish to mahi-mahi. I had mine blackened. My wife's was not. My fish was moist and very flavorful. The blackening had just enough kick to make a great taco. For desert we shared a chocolate polenta cake. Light and Wonderful...and gluten-free. The restaurant is bright and airy. Our table overlooked the water. Great music played...and the drinks were good. Service was quick, friendly and unobtrusive. Highly recommended !!
(5)Donna K.
You must go! We drove past this place and it was packed so checked it out on Yelp. So glad we did. As promised by other reviewers the jerk wings were great and the coconut mojito is out o f this world. The service was friendly and attentive without being pushy. Best of all was the food. Excellent fish, vegetables were cooked to perfection and everything was obviously cooked fresh and to order. One of the best meals we've had.
(5)Meg Y.
Kaya Island Eats was recommended to us by Jen and Harry, owners of Deer Run Bed and Breakfast on Big Pine Key. My partner and I are both vegan and while it looked like there were a couple things on Kaya's menu that could be vegan, we went thinking that the selection would be fairly limited. We arrived just before sunset and were able to get a table on the balcony. We were both blown away by how gorgeous the sunset was over the water and between the palms, and the vantage point from Kaya's balcony was simply spectacular. We reviewed the menu and mentioned to the server that we were both vegan. Generally, my partner and I simply try to find a vegan option to order; we don't want to be difficult customers who demand accommodation. We were so glad we said something this time because Scott, the owner, came out to our table to talk to us about our preferences. He asked if we would give him permission to get creative, and we were more than willing to try new things. Scott surprised us with the most incredible four-course meal. My partner and I were in agreement - it was the best dinner we had experienced in at least 6 months. We began with a unique version of a Miso soup, moved on to delightful won-tons with a bit of a kick, LOVED the Jerk Portabello, and concluded the meal with grilled strawberries with pepper and a balsamic reduction. The bottom line is that Kaya Island Eats is incredible and provided not only the best dinner we had on our honeymoon, but the best dinner we'd had in a long time. The service is great, the management is superb, the atmosphere is fun - it is a phenomenal restaurant. We can't wait to revisit on our next trip to the Keys!
(5)Susan R.
Awesome food, terrific service. Everyone went way out of their way to make sure we were happy, and the food was really great. The hamburger was great, and the crab cake sandwich (very fresh, as you'd expect). The jerk chicken wings (can't remember exact name) were unusual and really tasty (tho only mildly spicy), but my favorite was the fried plantains. I've had them many times but these were the best, with a terrific sauce. Yummy. Would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)Christina L.
If you want to get amazing service, delight your taste buds with Asian fusion cuisine (and I'm Asian) and leave a happier person, eat at Kaya. A few moments after entering the restaurant, the owner Scott preceded to show us several options for outdoor seating, wanting to make sure we were satisfied. We felt like royalty. The food was spectacular and pleasing to the eye. Definitely try the chocolate polenta.
(5)Dennis O.
Just moved into town! Wanted to stop at local spot. Happened to get there for happy hour (5-7). Great drink prices and had the Jamaican Jerk wings which was the best I have ever had. Owner came out and said welcome and also trough in another appetizer no charge. Great place to watch sunset. This is a must place stop. The service was outstanding! Looking forward to many for trips over my next 3 years living here. Only reason for 4 stars and not 5 was because I did not have dinner yet.
(4)Sonia D.
I was visiting the keys from Hawaii and went to Kaya for lunch! What can I say it was absolutely delious I got the pork plate it was so good!!! This place is definitely on my list when I go back to KW again
(5)brittany m.
I don't write too many reviews, but I can't stop thinking about how delicious my Polynesian salad was last night. We have eaten here 6 times in the last month. The food always exceeds my expectations and keeps us coming back for more. My two year old is allergic to peanuts and before I order the food I always let the server know. They also assure me the chef's will use clean equipment. The chocolate polenta cake is probably my favorite dessert ever!! We have made special trips just for it. I swear the owner never leaves because he is always there greeting people at the door and running food to the tables. The resturant has a beautiful view of the sunset. The inside is very open and bright. Down stairs there is a bean bag game that we like to play and work off some of our cake after dinner. It may be a little pricey, but you are paying for what you get. EXCELLENT food, a relaxed cool environment, and a very accommodating and friendly staff. I think I'm having Kaya with-drawls!!
(5)Jamie S.
Excellent daily special, pan seared snapper. White conch chowder was flavorful and rich. "Simple salad" sounds like it would be small and not too exciting but was wonderfully flavorful. Great place to dine close to sunset. Spectacular view. Owner, Scott Taylor, was previously the chef at Blue Heaven. Very appreciative and attentive of our patronage.
(5)Jim K.
I have never stopped to write a review of any sort prior to our visit at Kaya Island. Simple decor with great food. Staff and owner, however, make it exceptional! Worth the short drive from Key West.
(5)Dan B.
Ok, we all hear about good food in Key West. Well, the best food is just a few miles north. This place is fantastic. Good service, GREAT food! When you see the owner (Scott) not only greeting folks but bussing tables and bringing food to customers, you have an owner that gives a darn. THE best grub in the Lower Keys, kinda like Louie's Backyard without the attitude or their prices. STRONGLY recommend.
(5)Amanda L.
Incredibly fresh and delicious. By far, our best meal from Orlando to Miami to the Keys!
(5)Stephanie D.
Good place! The special was grouper with lightly dressed pasta...a perfect lunch. My husband ordered the fish of the day and it was cooked properly and was moist and tasty. The menu looked interesting with an "island" theme. We'll go back :-). Portions were just a bit small but the preparation made them yum.
(4)Ximena J.
Best place in the entire Key West area! Have been there many times and have never had anything that wasn't delicious! Service is the best in town! Is one of those places that will always make you feel welcome and appreciated as a costumer. Familiar treatment with a gourmet flavor and a perfect Keys environment! Love it!!!! It is great for a romantic night as the view is BEATIFUL (sea view) and is great for families with kids. Very versatile place. It has a bar section too and a Wii playing location, and cornholes and hammocks downstairs next to the water!!! Believe as a local THIS PLACE IS ON THE TOP 3 IN KEY WEST!
(5)Michele F.
Quality, fresh food and drinks...beautiful view...great!
(5)Sherry L.
Fantastic food! Stopped here when another restaurant we wanted to eat at was closed. We would have chosen it over the other anyway. Our waiter, Bob, was great. Kept the drinks coming and recommended dishes. Grouper and Ahi were delicious. Try the conch ceviche and Hula Girl pie! Can't go wrong at this place.
(5)Michelle R.
Went to this awesome restaurant recently & was surprised to see all the positive reviews I had previously read we're 100 Percent correct! The food was fantastic. Service superb & Scott the owner so accommodating & gracious. I am on a strict Gluten Free Diet & he assured me that anything I choose on the menu (almost) the chef would & could prepare Gluten Free!!! Did I forget to mention the GORGEOUS VIEW!!!
(5)Cole G.
While in the keys we found Kaya.. WOW!! Now we eat every meal out mostly so it's not hard to become immune to the mediocre, BUT this place KNOCKED our socks off! So far we have had the pleasure of two delightful meals. Each was an adventure for our taste buds, and the key lime pie is the best we have EVER tasted. The owner Scott is always present in the dining room and will help you go on an exotic flavor exploration. To date we have met Lisa and Katie Lynn who made us feel as though they are happy to see you and are engaged in your every need. The pleasant conversation and wonderful ambiance makes this a must visit..
(5)Lisa T.
Fantastic place to eat! I normally don't write reviews, but this restaurant had great fresh food and the service was amazing! They made some arrangements on a few appetizers for my gluten allergy. We will be sure to to visit for our next trip to Key West!
(5)Anthony H.
Living in the Keys it can be hard to find good places to eat at times; everywhere is flooded with food for the masses. When I go out I want to enjoy quality food with a good atmosphere. The food was just right! Drinks kept coming, which is very important to me when I am eating as I never want to be thirsty with out a drink. The staff was very friendly and always ready to serve. As a local I highly recommend this place for family friends and even kids.
(5)ej a.
The food is excellent. Tonight's special, almond crusted yellowtail snapper, was cooked to perfection. But the thing I am most impressed with is the owner. He's out on the floor assisting his staff and making sure his patrons are taken care of. We ordered edamame for an appetizer. They weren't steamed all the way and had a bit of a funny taste. I ate some of them, but most of them were sitting in the bowl untouched. I wasn't going to say anything to our server because I didn't feel like making a big deal of it. When the owner came to clear some plates off our table he noticed the bowl was still pretty full and humbly said "if these weren't to your liking I'll be happy to take them off the bill." I said thanks (after I explained why I didn't care for them). He came back a bit later and said he had tried one of them and they indeed weren't properly prepared by the kitchen and he apologized and had the kitchen staff adjust the preparating of the edamame accordingly. Never in all my restaurant experiences (as a patron or a server in my younger days) have I encountered a manager, much less an owner, of a restaurant who not only politely understands if something is off and doesn't make an issue of removing the item from your check, he comes back to explain what happened and thank you for your constructive criticism. I will probably go back to Kaya just for that alone! But also, the rest of the food my family and I ate there was really tasty... the rasta pasta was rich and just the right amount of spicy with very unique flavors. I am impressed and will recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for creative and delicious food. WORTH IT! To the owner: thank you for caring about your business, I wish you much success.
(5)Julio M.
We came here from Key West because of the perfect Yelp rating. It's a very quick drive because there are no red lights or stop signs to contend with. The restaurant is on the ocean side and is built on stilts with the parking underneath. The theme is Hawaiian and is very casual as are almost all restaurants in the Keys. The staff was very friendly and we got to choose where to sit. The jerk chicken wings were great--just the right amount of kick and not greasy. The coconut macadamia crusted hogfish was the catch of the day. It was served with coconut rice and was delicious and bargain priced at $22. The owner, Scott, brought our food out and he was very friendly. He confirmed that the restaurant has plans to move to Coral Gables. It's great news for me since I live in Miami!
(5)Gary G.
So sad to see this closed permanently. Mahalo. Will still be a benchmark for rating other restaurants. Hope to visit the new version in Miami.
(5)Glenn G.
It sure says a lot about a place when you look it up on Yelp to learn they have almost 100 reviews with a five star overall rating... not too shabby. SCOTT TAYLOR: Kaya Island Eats owner To truly understand why and how they have managed to remain so highly rated you should know the general background of owner Scott Taylor. Hopefully my information is accurate or at least close to accurate as possible... Seems that every potential tourist to Key West comes to the island with a game plan and preparations to where to go and what to eat is something dedicated foodies spend plenty of time trying to get right. Being one of the few Elite Yelpers that has spent an exorbitant amount of time down here, I get asked very often "What do you recommend"... Ironically I have never recommended Blue Heaven... let's just say it's "too" touristy to me but it's overly popular nonetheless and it's the one place that is on just about every tourist's "must do".... Why is that important? Before opening Kaya Island Eats, Scott spend the previous (plus/minus) 10 years as the general manager at Blue Heaven. While I avoid Blue Heaven due to be too touristy, I must admit they have customer service and that attention to "ALL" details is what I believe makes Kaya Island Eats such a success. Of the 10 or so times I have been here, I have seen Scott working the room every single visit... I had a dish that I inquired what the base of the sauce was and the waiter told me and I was satisfied but Scott still came over to give more detail and make sure I was okay with the sauce or if I wanted my dish replaced (I actually loved the sauce but couldn't figure out the flavor)... SCOTT'S ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS SUPERB KNUCKLEHEADS BAR and GRILL I remember running over to Baby's coffee one day on Saddlebunch Key (Bay Point) and seeing this building on stilts being built and shortly thereafter opened for business under the name Knuckleheads Bar and Grill and before I could blink it was out of business... I don't know how long it was open but I honestly believe the time it took to build was longer than the time it was actually open. Then after sitting vacant for a really long time, we heard rumors of this "new" restaurant planning to open with a unique twist on what Keys Folk would refer to as ISLAND FOOD. I was hesitant to even be interested as the first restaurant attempt here died so fast... but there really aren't that many options to eat once you leave Key West until you get up to Marathon so one more place could be a welcome addition to the community. THE FOOD Turns out Kaya Island Eats' idea of ISLAND food more of a "Hawaiian MEETS Jamaican" cuisine... and while I don't love every dish, there are some truly solid dishes and something on the menu for everyone to be pleased. Before I mention the dishes that I often order, let me tell you my one food issue I have... some dishes feel commercial... kinda hard to explain but the presentation on all the dishes is excellent but some plates just seem like something I would get at TGIFridays or Ruby Tuesdays (and those are not my thing) but that is not the standard by any means (just some dishes)... By far my favorite appetizer is SCOTT'S TOMATO SALAD... the kitchen deconstructs a large, ripe tomato and puts back together in layers with mascarpone/mozzarella mousse with a drizzle of basil oil and strawberry infused balsamic... Don't think I've even been here without ordering this dish. Kaya Island Eats also does a lot of Fusion dishes (mixing two distinct food styles)... one such dish is the ASIAN / CAJUN FUSION CATCH... another interesting one is the NO WORRIES SHRIMP CURRY (island glazed shrimp skewers with a coconut curry sauce). When ever I see skirt steak on menus in the lower keys you can be fairly certain it's being prepared with some sort of latin style (cilantro, chopped onions, lime, chimichurri sauce, et cetera)... but never expected to see the SOUTH PACIFIC SKIRT STEAK (grilled with ginger soy marinade and topped with a teriyaki sauce. And if you're a fan of teriyaki dishes, then you should order the GRILLED CHICKEN CHERRYAKI (sauce is based on teriyaki sauce mixed with black berry preserves). ATMOSPHERE I've only eaten here at night but if you do manage to come during sunlit hours then I can only imagine the view would be nice as the restaurant overlooks the water... The interior is decorated (as you could imagine) with caribbean / island flair... it's nice but it does tend to feel a bit commercial... but with that said, the interior is spotless... very clean... even the bar area is always neat and orderly. Plus, where else can you play Corn-Hole once you finish dinner or while waiting for a table...
(4)Keith B.
This is one of our top 2 restaurants in the Keys (El Siboney is our other) :). We come here once or twice a month and are never disappointed! When you bring your own fish, they prepare it up to 3 ways for the table and present it on a huge round platter laid out perfectly. Their conch chowder is great as well. To be honest, we have never had anything here not prepared perfectly.
(5)Bonnie A.
I definitely liked this place, and see why it's rated so high. It probably deserves more than 5 stars. It's rated as the best place to eat in Key West, and it's 20-25 minute drive out from Key West. We happened to be staying right down the street (behind the restaurant), so it was super convenient for us. The service is wonderful... we sat at the bar (only seating available, which is fine by us), and the bar tender was very friendly and helpful with ordering. The coconut mojito was amazing, and strong. The dinner buns they give you and a traditional white dinner roll, but they put something sweet on top and coconut which makes them amazing! I got the coconut macadamia nut mahi mahi... as good as it sounds! For sure! The BF ordered the seared sesame ahi tuna and he was really into it! The servings are not stingy! I had lots of leftovers. I ordered the Key Lime pie as well. It was good, not exceptional, but good.
(5)E S.
Kaya is a great choice for any diner in the Keys. My wife and I were especially happy with the attention and care they took in creating some custom vegan dishes for our enjoyment. The entire staff was friendly and welcoming but we were impressed when Scott, chef / owner, came out to personally offer to create special dishes for us. As we watched the sunset we dined on the fantastic spicy arugula in the vegan version of the famous Kaya salad. Then followed by an entree of pineapple and portobello in a delightfully spicy glaze. Not to be out done Scott finished off the meal with spoonfuls of chili mango! A nice wine list, great customer service and delicious food will make Kaya your go to in the Keys. Don't be shy about saying you're vegan!
(4)Amy L.
Omg!! Yummy! I got the Rasta Pasta! It can be ordered either mild, medium, or HOT! I ordered it HOT. I don't suggest it unless you like your mouth on fire!! The other guests at my table ordered the fish and chips. I tried it and it was REALLY GOOD! We all liked the "exotic" beer on tap!! By the way, the service is beyond EXCELLENT!
(5)Justin M.
PRO TIP: Go on Wednesday to get 10 bucks off a bottle of wine. Aces all around. The atmosphere here is light, airy, beachy, and simple. The table graphics are a nice touch and add a dash of uniqueness to each seating arrangement. I had fish and chips with both snapper and mahi and they were outstanding. French fries were also tasty and salted well. If you are staying in the Cudjoe Key/Sugarloaf Key area, this is a must stop.
(5)Chill W.
Only 2 restaurants have EVER earned the esteemed 5 stars IN MY LIFE (thus far). Kaya is hands down a 5 star/5 star! The short: Food: 7/5 Service: 5/5 Decor (I don't watch HGTV, so my minimal credibility comes from being a living, breathing, happy human): 5/5 Price: 5/5 Owner: 5/5 Drinks: Yes. The long: The cuisine is EXQUISITE - perfect blending of spices, citrus, and delicious flavors. The service is fantastic, helpful, courteous, and always available. The decor is elegant and peaceful. Apparently the drinks are good - I've seen some happy people come out of Kaya at all hours of the day. Very happy people! Sometimes even dancing happy people! The owner, Scott, is a master of his craft and makes sure that everything is made from scratch and comes out amazing. No MSG, and will be able to meet your dietary needs. Just look at the menu! Everything is amazing! Aaaah! The prices are reasonable too! P.S. Get the jerk wings. P.P.S. Now, if possible. P.P.P.S. Goat cheese.
(5)Whitney H.
A solid dinning experience! We finally settled on the shrimp and calamari appetizer. The shrimp are very lightly battered/fried and served with a sweet BBQ sauce. The calamari (both kinds...the circles and the "legs") are served with two sauces. I preferred the cilantro sauce. However, I am a bit traditional and always prefer to see lots of lemon and or a tomato/basil dipping sauce. For my entree I decided on the Cajun snapper. The snapper was light, flaky and delicious. I didn't really care for the rice but was too full to eat any of it anyway. My friend ordered the macadamia nut/coconut encrusted snapper. Again, very good and a very large portion. The owner is super friendly and greets all the patrons. The view is very nice. I will absolutely return to this restaurant! They offer a variety of menu options for meat eaters as well as those looking for fish. One last comment_i enjoy my wine. When I purchase a glass or Cabernet, I do expect it to come out in a proper Cabernet glass. I'm sure if I had mentioned something to our server, they would have been happy to accommodate me; but, I never did. Really not a complaint.....more of a lesson learned.
(4)Lisa P.
During a two week stay in Key West I have now eaten at this restaurant 4 times, and am looking forward to picking up my take-out tonight for my last meal here before heading north. All of the items I have ordered have been Gluten Free, which contrary to my typical GF food choices on the road, consisted of FAR better options than the usual steak and baked potato. First though, drinks...There is a WIZARD behind that bar! My favorite is the coconut mojito with a toasted coconut rim. Delicious! Next - the food: - Boom Shakkalaka Shrimp - sweet fresh shrimp with a light crunchy GF coating and spicy sauce. Perfect. - Thai Fire Chicken - again GF and crispy and delicious. BTW, it is the sauce that is spicy, not so much the chicken, which I prefer. Everybody loved it, including those who liked spicy food and those who did not. - Miso soup - deep flavor, very meaty. - Rasta Pasta - GF - can order at personalized levels of spicy. Very very good. - Coconut Curry Rice bowl GF - again excellent - I am not always a fan of curry and found it to be extremely well controlled and flavorful. - Polynesian Salad - GF - a big salad with very well balanced ingredients and dressing spicy enough for my CA husband but at the same time not too spicy for my MA tastes. Lots of shrimp, big enough that 4 of us split one with our dinner and all felt like we had decent salad. - GF fish and chips was very good - same coating as on the shrimp which I think is a rice flour. Nice to have GF fish and chips. I have also seen the food my family members ordered and it all looked fantastic, everybody loved what they got. Dessert: I did not try but saw my family split the key lime pie and the hula girl, and they are huge and were both raved about. Service: Service was outstanding every time, and we all enjoyed the atmosphere. The owner Scott seems to be there all of the time and gives his personal attention to everyone, but not in an intrusive way. All in all, this is one of the best restaurant experiences I have had in years, and I will only be more disappointed when we go home to leave this behind. Thank you for the great meals - looking forward to my salad tonight!
(5)Ady O.
Believe the hype! Great food and wonderful ambiance. Heard from the waitress that this will be closing in a month and relocating to miami. Ordered the rasta pasta it was available gluten-free and was great. The tomato salad with mascarpone cheese was awesome. Would definitely recommend.
(5)Erica J.
So delicious! I had the coconut curry rice with mushrooms and it was really good, and a huge serving. My son had the burger and loved it. My daughter had the grilled cheese and ate every bit. I also had the Kaya Kolada and it was fantastic! Perfect for a coconut lover. Best meal of my trip to Key West!
(5)Boisty M.
Could not be better, in every way. In no particular order: the view, service, food, vibe, drinks, ambiance... Amazing variety of food, made in innovative ways. Sunset views. Coconut rolls at dinner. Great. Just great.
(5)Anna N.
Let's me begin by saying I'm not much of a a reviewer, but after stopping at this place i felt compelled! This place is a MUST before going to Key West, during the keys & after the keys!! Great servers, great service, and AMAZING food with BEAUTIFUL presentation!!! We had the jerk chicken, conch ceviche & the calamari. Literally, everything was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!
(5)Rick R.
Stayed in Key West area for 1 week. Kaya's is a gem at MM15. Dinner was excellent. We started with the calamari (very good) and the ahi tuna (think thats what it was called but it was excellent!). We had 4 different meals ranging from a burger, to steak, to fish. All were delicious and well presented. Service was also excellent. Kaya's is a ways from Key West but it is so worth it if you are looking for a great meal and a sunset view at dinner. We ate at several restaurants in KW and none were as good.
(5)Jerry H.
We went back tonight for the jerk wings and coconut mojitos, and to try the island pork based on the owner's recommendation. The wings and mojitos were still perfect, as was the pork. The kaya colada and chocolate polenta cake were great also. Topped off with excellent and friendly service. We had not planned to eat anywhere twice during our 1 week in the keys, bit Kaya made us change our minds!
(5)Jolie W.
Amazing fresh fish! Everything was made to perfection, good portions and just a great meal. The desserts are good, too. The owner, Scott, was very nice and accommodating.
(5)Elizabeth W.
Is there an option for 500 stars???? This place is amazing and we're still raving about it a year later. Found it on Yelp as we drove up the coast and figured we'd try it since not many places get 5 stars anymore. We were there at a weird time so we had our pick of table and our servers full attention. It was nice to order a couple Mojitos and go hang on the patio while we waited for our meal. Watch out for the iguanas! We can't remember what type of fish we had but it was fantastic. The sides were all super tasty and had lots of flavor. The tomato with marscapone mousse was unbelievable. Definitely get the shredded/shaved carrots as a side- yummo! This is one of those places you'd drive by because of the location and appearance but your HAVE to go here!!! It's not far from Key West and totally worth the drive- maybe 15 minutes away. This restaurant is one of the top 3 reasons for us to go back to KW. Can't wait!
(5)Kate W.
Great service (even on a very busy night), great food and view
(5)Karin H.
One of the best places to eat in the lower Keys. And to top off a fantastic meal, the Hula Girl pie is the best!!
(5)Huan R.
The food is amazing, apart from that the service is great as well. These are two great ones we took, hoping I can come again
(5)Alexander C.
Let's start off by saying that eating a plant-based diet and going out to eat don't often go well together, especially on vacations. So, enter Kaya Island Eats. Scott, the owner and chef is probably the most accommodating business owner I've ever met. He not only personally greeted my wife and I when we asked if there were any vegan options, but arranged a three course meal and went to great lengths to ensure an optimal experience. The service from our waitress, the ambiance and the speed of food coming from the kitchen was all beyond our expectations. Upon our last visit before returning home Scott asked us if he could be our personal chef when we're in the Keys. I told him absolutely, consider it done. And we will be going back next time! :-)
(5)