This Mom-And-Pop Florida Restaurant Serves Homemade Pies Locals Say Are The Best In The World
Craving a slice of Florida sunshine that actually tastes like Key West? At Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop on Elizabeth Street, sweet, tangy, and creamy come together in a dessert that feels like pure Florida in pie form.
This iconic Key West stop has been winning hearts for decades, drawing in locals, road trippers, and travelers who happily plan their day around a slice.
The moment you step inside, bright citrus aromas, cheerful colors, and free samples make it dangerously easy to say “just one more bite.” Outside, the breezy courtyard delivers instant vacation vibes, where palm trees, warm air, and sugar-dusted smiles set the mood.
This is not just a pie shop. It is a Florida tradition, a photo stop, a flavor memory, and a reason to slow down and savor the moment.
Keep reading to discover what to order, how much to budget, and why this sweet Key West classic belongs on every Florida bucket list.
Exact Location And How To Find It
Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop sits at 200 Elizabeth Street, Key West, FL 33040, a quick stroll from the Historic Seaport. Plug the address into your maps and watch the pin land just off the water, near docks bobbing with boats and streets humming with scooters.
The storefront is hard to miss, painted in fresh citrus hues that match the brand’s playful mascot and bright signage.
Arriving on foot is easiest in Old Town, though bikes and scooters are everywhere. If driving, prepare for limited nearby parking and consider a garage or paid lot to skip circling the block.
The shop opens daily at 10 AM and runs until 9:30 PM, so there is plenty of time to swing through before or after a sunset at the harbor.
Inside, staff welcome you with samples and quick guidance toward the pie cases and gifts. A shaded courtyard just to the right offers a breezy seat for enjoying slices without rushing.
The phone number is (305) 296-0806, and the website keylimeshop.com helps with shipping questions or flavor previews.
History, Ownership, And Community Roots
Locals will tell you the shop feels like a true Key West original, built on a simple premise: make excellent key lime pie and treat people kindly. Public reviews frequently mention meeting Kermit himself outside, dressed in signature attire and happily sharing the shop’s origin story.
Over the decades, the brand has grown, yet the Elizabeth Street location remains a friendly hub tied closely to the neighborhood and the seaport.
Exact founding dates and full ownership details are not comprehensively published in official sources, so expect storytelling over strict timelines. What is clear is the sense of continuity, from the mascot to the consistent recipe and approachable staff.
The shop’s growth beyond one storefront has not erased its small-shop mood.
You feel it in the way employees chat through flavor choices and packing tips for travel. You sense it in how visitors return year after year, treating a slice here like a ritual.
That blend of loyalty, hospitality, and Key West character is the real legacy, even if plaques and footnotes remain out of view.
Decor, Ambiance, And Setting
Inside, color leads the way. Citrus greens and sunny yellows bounce off cheerful wall art and branded prints, lending the space a lighthearted, island-market vibe.
Refrigerated cases display slices and whole pies like jewels, while higher shelves brim with cookies, candies, and key-lime themed snacks.
The flow is casual and efficient. Visitors often grab a sample, pick a slice, and head to the courtyard, where shade trees, fans, and little nooks make lingering irresistible.
Even on busy afternoons, the space keeps a relaxed beat that matches the nearby harbor’s gentle clatter.
It is the kind of place where you can regroup after sightseeing, cool down, and trade bites with your crew. The decor is bright without being fussy, and the mascot adds just enough whimsy to charm photo-takers.
Whether you sit inside for the air conditioning or outside for the breeze, the mood lands squarely on vacation joy with a neighborhood soul.
Menu Overview And Notable Items
The headline is, of course, classic key lime pie: tart, creamy, and balanced, with that Florida citrus snap. Beyond the original, you will often find variations like coconut key lime and chocolate key lime, plus the crowd-pleasing frozen pie on a stick, sometimes dipped in chocolate.
Slices tend to hover around a friendly price for the location, while whole pies cost more yet travel well with a little planning.
Not into pie today? Try key lime cookies, taffy, jelly beans, nuts, and candies, all leaning into that fresh, limey profile.
There are often free samples, which makes choosing easy and sparks lively debates about which treat to send home as gifts.
For sweet-tooth pacing, consider a slice now and a frozen stick for later, then grab a box of cookies for the road. The shop is also known for gluten-free key lime pie options at times, a welcome surprise for sensitive eaters.
Even if you come determined to order just one thing, the display case tends to change your mind.
Signature Pie: Taste, Texture, And Portion Details
Expect a pale-yellow filling that leans tart first, then creamy, with a smooth finish that feels refreshing rather than heavy. The crust brings a graham crunch that supports without stealing the spotlight, and the whipped topping is restrained, letting the citrus sing.
Each slice is sized for a satisfying treat, not a marathon, which is perfect in the warm Key West air.
Fans praise the clean lime flavor that avoids cloying sweetness, and the texture holds together nicely on the fork. If you prefer extra tang, the original checks that box.
For a twist, coconut key lime adds a tropical roundness that softens the sharper edges.
Frozen pie on a stick is a clever option for walking the seaport, especially when dipped in chocolate for a cool snap. Those who ship pies home should follow the store’s packing guidance to preserve the crust and freshness.
However you slice it, the signature pie delivers the bright, coastal profile that built the shop’s reputation.
Service Style And Customer Experience
Service here feels upbeat and practiced, with staff quick to offer samples and gentle suggestions based on taste preferences. If you are deciding between classic and coconut, they will happily talk you through textures and tartness, then help pack slices for the walk or your cooler.
Guests frequently praise the attentiveness, calling out associates by name for extra care and thoughtful wrapping.
Even when the line grows, movement stays steady thanks to clear displays and a straightforward pay-at-the-counter flow. Courtyard seating is a nice buffer, turning a quick errand into a mini break.
When schedules allow, you might even catch Kermit greeting visitors, which adds a burst of local charm without slowing the queue.
In short, the experience is casual, warm, and efficient, with the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like a regular by the second visit. Ask questions about shipping, gluten-free availability, or best-kept flavor secrets.
The team is used to first-timers and eager fans alike, and the energy stays bright all day.
Prices, Hours, And Practical Tips
Hours at the Elizabeth Street location are listed as 10 AM to 9:30 PM daily, which conveniently brackets beach mornings and sunset walks. Prices land in the moderate range for Key West: slices around a few dollars and whole pies higher, especially if you add insulated packing.
For exact current prices, check the in-store signage or the website before you go.
Lines come and go, but mid-morning or late afternoon often means a shorter wait. If you are transporting a whole pie, bring a cooler or spring for a frozen bag to keep the crust crisp.
Staff can advise on the best method for your trip length and hotel fridge situation.
Shipping is available through keylimeshop.com, helpful for gifting or craving-driven emergencies later. Keep the store phone number, (305) 296-0806, handy for quick questions.
With a little planning, you can taste now, ship later, and still have a slice for tonight’s courtyard breeze.
What To Order First And How To Enjoy It
Start with a classic slice to calibrate your taste buds, then add a second slice in a fun flavor like coconut key lime for contrast. If the day is hot, grab a frozen pie on a stick to eat in the courtyard or on a harbor stroll.
The combination covers creamy, tart, and crunchy, with a bonus cold snap.
After you settle on your favorite, pick up a box of cookies or taffy for later. Samples make decisions easy, and staff can pack everything securely for bikes or long walks.
If gluten-free options are available that day, ask early because they can sell quickly.
Give yourself a few extra minutes to relax in the outdoor space and watch Key West roll by. The shaded seats, palm fronds, and gentle chatter give your slice a setting that makes it taste even brighter.
When you are ready, tuck a whole pie into your cooler and call it a vacation victory.