10 Florida Key Lime Pies Every Citrus Lover Needs To Experience

The Florida Keys are the ultimate destination for key lime pie lovers. These sweet, tangy treats highlight the region’s famous tiny limes, known for their bold citrus flavor.
Whether you’re craving a classic slice or something with a creative twist, you’ll find unforgettable pies at these must-try spots throughout the Sunshine State.
1. Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe

The holy grail of key lime pies awaits at this iconic Key West institution. Their perfectly balanced sweet-tart filling sits atop a buttery graham cracker crust that crumbles just right with each forkful. What makes Kermit’s special?
Their pies are dipped in Belgian chocolate on a stick for a portable treat! I still dream about biting through that chocolate shell into creamy lime heaven during my last Keys vacation.
2. Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach

Seafood legends Joe’s Stone Crab might be famous for their claws, but their key lime pie deserves its own standing ovation. The contrast between the velvety lime custard and the crisp crust creates pure magic on your palate.
Established in 1913, Joe’s serves a classically executed pie with just the right amount of lime zing to cleanse your palate after their signature stone crabs.
The towering meringue topping is whipped to cloud-like perfection!
3. Blue Heaven’s Mile-High Meringue

Sporting a meringue topping that reaches for the sky, Blue Heaven’s legendary key lime pie has achieved cult status. Located in Key West’s colorful Bahama Village, this quirky spot serves slices that look like fluffy clouds floating above tangy lime perfection.
The first time I tried this pie, I was convinced they’d served me a small mountain! The meringue stood nearly six inches tall, towering majestically over the zingy lime filling.
Roosters roam freely around the outdoor tables, adding to the authentic Keys experience.
4. Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen in Key Largo

License plates cover the walls at this beloved local joint where the key lime pie recipe hasn’t changed in decades. The filling strikes the perfect balance between creamy and tart, making taste buds dance with delight. Mrs.
Mac’s uses freshly squeezed key limes in their custard, giving it an authentic punch you won’t find in mass-produced versions.
The whipped cream topping is hand-piped into perfect swirls, then garnished with a lime wheel and a sprinkle of zest.
5. Old Town Bakery’s Deep Dish Delight

Tucked away on a quiet Key West street, Old Town Bakery crafts a deeper-than-average key lime pie that allows for more of that tangy, creamy goodness in every bite. Their crust has a hint of cinnamon that elevates the entire experience.
The bakery’s French-trained pastry chef adds a touch of vanilla bean to the filling, creating subtle flavor notes that dance behind the lime’s tartness.
During peak season, they sell over 100 pies daily to lime-crazed tourists and discerning locals alike!
6. Pepe’s Cafe’s Century-Old Recipe

Key West’s oldest eating establishment serves a key lime pie recipe that’s remained virtually unchanged since the early 1900s. The filling is notably yellower than most modern versions, reflecting the authentic use of real key limes rather than Persian varieties.
Eating pie at Pepe’s feels like time travel to Old Florida. My grandmother swears their recipe tastes identical to what her mother made in the 1940s!
The slightly saltier crust perfectly balances the sweet-tart filling in a way that makes you close your eyes with each bite.
7. Key Lime Pie Factory’s Chocolate-Bottomed Bliss

This Tavernier hotspot lines their graham cracker crusts with a thin layer of dark chocolate before adding the lime filling. The chocolate barrier not only adds decadent flavor but also prevents the crust from getting soggy.
The contrast between bitter chocolate, sweet graham crackers, and tart lime creates an unexpected flavor symphony.
Their pies come in various sizes, from bite-sized minis perfect for sampling to full 10-inch beauties that serve a crowd.
8. Mattheessen’s Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Sandwich

Not technically a traditional pie, but Mattheessen’s famous key lime pie ice cream sandwiched between two sugar cookies deserves a spot on this list. This Key West institution transforms the classic dessert into a handheld treat perfect for strolling Duval Street.
The creamy key lime ice cream contains actual pieces of graham cracker crust folded throughout. These frozen delights are particularly life-saving during those sweltering August afternoons when the Florida sun shows no mercy to overheated tourists.
9. Lazy Days Restaurant’s Meringue Masterpiece

Perched on the water in Islamorada, Lazy Days serves a key lime pie crowned with perfectly browned meringue peaks. The filling is notably creamy with a custard-like consistency that melts in your mouth.
What makes this pie extraordinary is how the kitchen achieves a delicate balance between sweet meringue and tart filling.
Sunset is the magic hour to enjoy a slice on their deck, watching the sky turn pink while dolphins occasionally leap in the distance – a true Keys experience!
10. Midway Cafe’s Lime in the Coconut

This Islamorada cafe puts a tropical twist on traditional key lime pie by incorporating coconut milk into the filling and topping it with toasted coconut flakes. The result is a creamier, more complex flavor profile that transports you straight to paradise.
Their pie features a macadamia nut crust instead of graham crackers, adding buttery richness and textural contrast.
The cafe sources their key limes from a local organic farm just a few miles away, ensuring the freshest possible flavor in every silky-smooth slice.