Where to Get the Best Cuban Coffee in Key West

The histories of Key West and Cuba have long been intertwined. The first waves of Cuban immigrants arrived on the island in the 1830s, bringing their rich culture, food and industries with them. Today that heritage is woven into the very fabric of the island, and countless spots serve up authentic Cuban coffee and food. When you stay in a vacation rental with Rent Key West Vacations, that local flavor is right outside your door, with cafés and coffee counters tucked into the neighborhoods all around you. Find the best Cuban coffee in Key West and start your morning with a bold, sweet and unforgettable drink that has become a classic across the Florida Keys.

What is Cuban Coffee?

Cuban coffee is not a single drink but a whole brewing style. Broadly, it refers to the strong, sweet, espresso-based coffee that took root in Cuba and traveled with Cuban immigrants to places like Key West and Miami. It is traditionally brewed dark and served in small portions, and its defining trait is sweetness: sugar is added right as the coffee is made rather than stirred in afterward. It comes in several popular variations:

Café Cubano: A shot of Cuban espresso whipped with sugar until it forms a layer of caramel-colored foam called espumita, served on its own. Also known as a cafecito.
Café con Leche: Cuban espresso combined with a generous amount of steamed milk, similar to a latte.
Cortadito: A small serving of Cuban espresso cut with a splash of steamed milk, essentially a mini café con leche.

Where to Get Cuban Coffee in Key West

Cuban Coffee Queen

For a reliable cup near where you are staying, the Cuban Coffee Queen is hard to beat. The company roasts its own beans and leans into a Havana-inspired experience, with a focus on quality and community that shows in every order. With several locations around the island, from Clinton Square to Duval Street, you are never far from a fresh cup.

5 Brothers

A true Old Town institution, 5 Brothers has been serving authentic Cuban coffee for nearly 50 years. The name is no misnomer: Heriberto Paez and his four brothers opened the corner shop back in 1978. Three generations later, the family still runs the place, and it remains a beloved gathering spot for coffee, food and Key West conversation.

Ana’s Café Cubano

Near Mallory Square, Ana’s Café Cubano is a convenient stop for a quick café con leche to go. Prefer to linger? Grab a seat and pair your coffee with a freshly pressed, made-to-order Cuban sandwich.

Sandy’s Café

Tucked beside a laundromat on White Street, this family-run hole in the wall has been a local favorite for decades. It is the kind of unassuming counter where you can refuel with a strong cup and a plate of authentic Cuban fare alongside the regulars.

Book Your Key West Vacation Rental Today

The best Cuban coffee in Key West is best discovered one café at a time, and there is no better basecamp for the hunt than a home right in the middle of it all. Stay in one of our Key West vacation rentals, many located in Old Town on Duval Square within walking distance of the island’s best cafés. Enjoy all the comforts of home, including a fully equipped kitchen where you can brew your own cafecito. Start planning your Florida escape today!

Where to Shop for Groceries in Key West, FL

Staying in a vacation rental in Key West is like having your own home away from home. Like home, every property comes with a fully equipped kitchen, giving you the freedom to make meals during your stay. Whether you want to make a quick breakfast before hitting Duval Street or enjoy a freshly prepared seafood feast after a day on the water, we have everything you need. Stock up at one of the many Key West grocery stores, or skip the errand entirely and have groceries delivered straight to your vacation rental. Then plate it up, head out to your patio or balcony, and savor a meal alfresco in the island breeze. Book your stay with Rent Key West Vacations and make yourself at home on the island.

Locally-Owned Grocery Stores in Key West

We love encouraging our guests to support local businesses during their stay. By shopping at these locally owned grocery stores, you’ll not only find fresh ingredients and unique local products but also help support the Key West community.

Fausto’s Food Palace

Fausto’s Food Palace is not just a grocery store; it’s the oldest running business in Key West. They have two locations, one on Fleming Street and another on White Street. Stop in to support this local institution and shop for gourmet and local meat, seafood, produce, deli, and wine. Or reserve their grocery delivery and have someone else do the shopping for you.

Date & Thyme Organic Cafe and Market

Date & Thyme Organic Cafe and Market is the perfect option for health-conscious travelers looking to pick up a few essentials for their stay. This local market on Fleming Street offers organic produce, non-GMO groceries, and organic dairy and meat. They also have a grab-and-go cooler where you can pick up delicious ready-made meals if you don’t have time to cook.

Eaton Street Seafood Market

Eaton Street Seafood Market isn’t a traditional grocery store, but it is the best place to get fresh seafood during your stay. Stop in to pick up fresh seafood caught by local fishermen, like grouper, snapper, hogfish, lobster, and stone crab. Bring your fish back to your vacation rental and make a delicious seafood meal together.

Supermarket Chains on Key West

There are also a few supermarket chains on the island where you can pick up your groceries:

Publix Super Market

Publix Super Market is the largest grocery store on the island, offering two locations at the Key Plaza Shopping Center and the Searstown Shopping Center. They have everything you need with a wide selection of groceries, deli, and bakery items.

Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie is another popular supermarket chain option located off Roosevelt Boulevard. They offer a variety of groceries along with fresh produce, meats, and seafood. They also offer grocery delivery services, so you can place your order online and have your groceries delivered directly to your vacation rental.

Book Your Key West Vacation Rental

The Key West grocery stores are the perfect place to stop and pick up any food, snacks, or drinks you need during your visit. And Rent Key West Vacations offers the perfect place to bring them. All of our kitchens come with everything you need to prepare meals, including cooking basics, stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and coffee machines. Find the perfect vacation rental on Key West for your needs and book with us today!

The Top Activities to Experience at Key West Beaches

Key West is famous for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back island atmosphere. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or an adventure-filled escape, spending time at the Key West beaches is a must. When you stay with Rent Key West Vacations, you’ll be close to some of the island’s most popular shorelines, each offering something unique. From swimming and snorkeling to water sports and relaxing in the sun, here are the top ways to have fun at the beach:

Swimming

By far one of the most popular beach activities here is swimming. The shallow, clear, and calm waters surrounding Key West offer the perfect conditions for everyone to enjoy swimming on the island.

Best Beaches for Swimming

Smathers Beach is the largest public beach in Key West and features a long stretch of sandy shoreline and gentle waters ideal for swimming. Nearby Higgs Beach is another excellent option, offering calm conditions and easy beach access for families.

Snorkeling

Home to North America’s only living coral barrier reef, Key West offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. Access snorkeling right off the beach and swim with tropical fish in the vibrant coral reefs. There are even more fantastic snorkeling opportunities offshore if you are interested in going beyond the beach.

Best Beach for Snorkeling

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is widely considered the best shore-snorkeling spot in Key West. Its rocky shoreline creates the perfect conditions for snorkeling.

Relaxing

Sometimes the best Key West beach activity is doing absolutely nothing. Bring a beach towel or chair from home, or rent one on the beach and set up your spot for the afternoon. Bask in the sun, listen to the sound of the waves, stroll along the shoreline, watch the sunset, and read a book.

Best Beaches for Relaxing

All of them!

Play Games and Enjoy the Amenities

Key West beaches offer much more than sand and surf. Many feature recreational amenities like picnic areas, playgrounds, and volleyball courts for active travelers looking to mix relaxation with fun.

Best Beach for Activities

Higgs Beach is packed with amenities, including volleyball courts, tennis courts, a children’s playground, picnic areas, and walking paths.

Water Sports

Adventure seekers will find plenty of opportunities to get out on the water. Popular activities include paddleboarding, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, and sailing. Select the adventure that matches your interests and splash into the water for a day of fun.

Best Beach for Water Sports

Smathers Beach is the island’s hub for beachside water sports. Several vendors operate directly on the beach, making it easy to rent equipment or book guided adventures.

Book Key West Beach Rentals Today

After a day of sun, sand, and adventure, return to the comfort of your vacation rental with Rent Key West Vacations. Our Key West beach house rentals place you close to the island’s most popular beaches, allowing you to spend less time driving and more time in the sand. Book with us today and find your perfect retreat!

7 Key West Attractions to Add to Your Vacation Itinerary

For an island of only a few square miles, Key West has an impressive number of attractions and activities that keep visitors coming back year after year. If this is your first time visiting Key West, there are a few must-see attractions that will help you make the most of your island getaway. From the vibrant atmosphere of Duval Street to the beautiful beaches of Fort Zachary, there is something for everyone. Stay close to the island’s top attractions with Rent Key West Vacations and enjoy the perfect basecamp for your adventures!

1. Southernmost Point Buoy

Key West is famous for many things, including being the southernmost city in the continental United States. Make a stop at the Southernmost Point Buoy and snap your picture at this iconic landmark!

Important Note: The roads around the buoy are undergoing repairs. The temporary location is at 1499 Duval Street.

2. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

See the residence where Ernest Hemingway lived and worked during his time in Key West: Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Stroll through the gardens, meet the adorable six-toed cats, see photos from his fishing adventures, and shop for unique mementos.

3. Key West Lighthouse

Just across the street from the Hemingway Museum is the historic Key West Lighthouse, opened in 1848. Climb the stairs to the top and admire the panoramic views of the island. Then visit the museum to learn more about the history of the Florida Keys.

4. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor has something for everyone, blending history and nature in one destination. Tour the historic fort, learn about its important role in the Civil War, and see artifacts like cannons and port guns. Beyond the fort, you can access a scenic beach perfect for swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and fishing.

5. Smathers Beach

Smathers Beach is the largest beach in Key West and a must-visit during your vacation. Plan a classic beach day and relax in the soft white sand, and soak up the sunshine. You can also access several water activities with Sunset Watersports from here, including parasailing, jet skiing, and sunset cruises.

6. Duval Street

Duval Street is the heart of downtown Key West and the hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment in town. Take the Old Town Trolley and hop on and off the trolley to grab a drink at famous bars like Sloppy Joe’s and Green Parrot. You are also close to the shops and attractions of Mallory Square!

7. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Walk amongst hundreds of colorful butterflies at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. Stroll through the tropical gardens, observe over 60 butterfly species, and learn about butterflies’ role in the natural world.

Reserve Key West Vacation Rentals Today

Book your trip with Rent Key West Vacations and add these Key West attractions to your itinerary. Find even more things to do in Key West during your stay on our blog page. Browse our Key West vacation homes and find the perfect rental for your Florida Keys getaway. Whether you want to stay near the beach or close to Duval Street, we have you covered!

Experience the Florida Keys Art Scene: Key West Theater Guide

The swaying palm trees, warm temperatures, and vibrant community have long attracted artists to Key West. So, it should come as no surprise that we have an impressive arts scene on the island. Support the local arts and attend a show at a Key West theater during your vacation. Whether you want to catch a live concert, laugh along to a comedy show, or see a dramatic play, there is something for everyone’s interests. Choose Rent Key West Vacations as your lodging partner and access the island’s theaters near your vacation rental!

Key West Performing Arts Theatres

Waterfront Playhouse Theater

See a show at the historic Waterfront Playhouse Theater in the heart of Mallory Square. Entertaining audiences for over 80 years, each season brings new and exciting performances to Key West.

Key West Theater

The Key West Theater offers world-renowned performances on the mainstage for everyone’s interests. See everything from music concerts to comedy shows just one block from Duval Street.

Red Barn Theatre

The building that houses the Red Barn Theatre is more than just a place to see a show; it’s a living piece of Key West history. Originally built as a carriage house in 1829, today the theatre offers several exciting shows throughout the season.

Tennessee Williams Theatre

Famous playwright Tennessee Williams called Key West home for over 30 years. To honor his legacy on the island, the Tennessee Williams Theatre was born. This is the island’s largest venue, offering three theatres that allow for a wide variety of performances. Check their schedule and enjoy musicals, dramatic plays, dance performances, and concerts.

Key West Movie Theaters

Tropic Cinema

Visit Tropic Cinema for a fun movie night in Key West. This independently owned movie theater is as vibrant as the community of Key West, painted a bright turquoise and featuring a statue of Marilyn Monroe outside. Catch blockbuster movies, independent films, international favorites, and cinematic classics here!

Regal Key West

Key West also has a movie theater chain on the island if you are looking for more showtimes. Catch the latest blockbuster films at Regal Key West.

Reserve Your Key West Vacation Rental Today

Book one of our Key West vacation rentals in the historic district and stay close to the island’s best theaters, museums, and historic sites. Enjoy all the comforts of home in our rental homes, like fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, WiFi, and community pools. Find the rental that works best for your group and book with us today!