I Explored The Coast Of Florida To Taste 9 Key Lime Pie Cafes (And 3 Were Sheer Sunshine)
Key Lime Pie isn’t just a dessert in Florida; it’s practically a constitutional staple. My mission was delicious: travel the lower half of the Sunshine State and sample the allegedly “best” slice at nine distinct, highly-rated establishments.
I packed my stretchy pants and a serious notebook dedicated solely to crust texture and lime acidity. Over one long, sun-drenched week, I drove hundreds of miles, chasing that mythical, perfect balance of sweet and tart.
While all were good, I can confidently tell you that three of these contenders delivered genuine, unforgettable sunshine on a plate.
1. Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory – Tavernier (Sheer Sunshine)
Tucked away in the Upper Keys, Blond Giraffe stands as a temple for anyone who worships at the altar of key lime. This factory churns out more than just your standard slice.
They offer chocolate-dipped frozen versions, key lime pie on a stick, and even key lime cookies that crunch with buttery satisfaction. Walking through their doors feels like entering a tropical wonderland where every surface celebrates the mighty key lime.
The traditional pie here strikes that perfect balance between tart and sweet, with a graham cracker crust that holds together without crumbling into sandy disaster. Locals swear by this place, and after one bite, you’ll understand why they make the drive.
2. Pepe’s Café – Key West
Since 1909, Pepe’s Café has been feeding hungry souls in Key West, and their key lime pie has earned legendary status among islanders. The slice arrives at your table looking almost cloud-like, with a fluffiness that defies gravity.
Each forkful delivers that signature tartness that makes your taste buds stand at attention. What sets Pepe’s apart is the texture of their filling, which manages to be both light and rich simultaneously.
The meringue topping gets torched to golden perfection, adding a slightly smoky sweetness that complements the citrus punch below. This isn’t just dessert after a meal here; it’s the main event that keeps people coming back decade after decade.
3. Midway Café – Islamorada
Positioned perfectly between the chaos of Key Largo and the laid-back vibes of Marathon, Midway Café lives up to its name in more ways than one. Their key lime pie hits that sweet spot where homemade meets professional, with a filling that wobbles just slightly when the plate hits the table.
Visitors rave about the generous portions that could easily feed two people, though good luck finding anyone willing to share. The café itself radiates that authentic Keys charm, with weathered wood and fishing nets decorating the walls.
My server told me they use a family recipe that’s been tweaked over the years, and whatever adjustments they made clearly worked magic.
4. Mangrove Mama’s – Summerland Key
Hidden among the mangroves on Summerland Key, this quirky spot serves up key lime pie that divides pie purists into camps. Their version leans heavily into creaminess, with a filling so smooth it almost melts on your tongue.
The graham cracker crust provides that necessary crunch, though some traditional fans argue for a pastry base instead. What you can’t argue with is the tartness level, which hits hard and fast, making your cheeks pucker in the best possible way.
The outdoor seating area, surrounded by lush greenery, creates an atmosphere where eating pie feels like a tropical adventure. Whether you prefer traditional or modern interpretations, this slice deserves serious consideration on any key lime tour.
5. The S.S. Wreck + Galley Grill – Marathon (Sheer Sunshine)
Marathon hides many secrets, but The S.S. Wreck might be the best-kept one of all. Locals whisper about this place like it’s a classified treasure map, and they’re not wrong to guard it so fiercely.
The key lime pie here achieves something remarkable: it tastes exactly like the platonic ideal you imagine when someone says those three magical words. During my visit, I watched a couple at the next table order three slices to take home, which tells you everything you need to know.
The filling strikes that impossible balance between creamy and firm, while the crust provides structural integrity without stealing the spotlight. This is the pie that haunts your dreams and makes you plan return trips to Florida.
6. Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop – Miami
Before Derek hung up his firefighting boots, he was already famous among his station crew for his baking skills. Now his Miami bakeshop draws crowds who line up for that famous key lime pie, which manages to be both tart and sweet without choosing sides.
The buttery graham crust crumbles perfectly with each bite, leaving golden crumbs on your plate that you’ll definitely scrape up with your finger when no one’s looking. What makes this version special is the careful attention to proportions, where no single element overpowers another.
The lime flavor shines bright without making your face scrunch up, and the sweetness rounds everything out without turning cloying. This is pastry engineering at its finest.
7. Fookem’s Fabulous Key Lime Pie – Coconut Grove (Sheer Sunshine)
With a name like Fookem’s, you expect something bold, and this Coconut Grove spot delivers on that promise. Their secret weapon is the salted graham cracker crust, which adds a savory dimension that makes the tart lime filling pop even brighter.
Locals treat this place like their personal dessert headquarters, stopping by for whole pies or just a single slice to brighten their afternoon. The filling achieves that ideal consistency where it holds its shape but still feels luxuriously creamy on your tongue.
Each bite delivers waves of citrus sunshine that remind you why Florida became synonymous with this dessert. The salt in the crust isn’t just a gimmick; it’s the stroke of genius that elevates good pie to unforgettable.
8. Joe’s Stone Crab – Miami Beach
Since 1913, Joe’s Stone Crab has been a Miami Beach institution where politicians, celebrities, and regular folks all wait in the same line for a table. While most people come for the namesake crabs, the key lime pie has quietly built its own devoted following.
This version respects tradition without being boring about it, delivering that classic balance of tartness and sweetness that defined the dessert decades ago. The presentation is elegant but unfussy, arriving at your table looking exactly like key lime pie should look.
No fancy garnishes or architectural stunts, just honest-to-goodness pie that tastes like Florida sunshine in edible form. Sometimes the classics don’t need improvement, just proper execution.
9. dBakers Sweet Studio – Miami
Sometimes dessert needs to make an entrance, and dBakers understands this assignment perfectly. Their key lime pie arrives topped with a meringue so tall it requires architectural planning, torched to golden-brown peaks that look almost too beautiful to destroy with a fork.
But destroy it you must, because underneath that impressive crown sits a key lime filling that justifies all the visual drama.
The tartness here doesn’t hold back, hitting your palate with the confidence of someone who knows they’ve nailed the recipe.
The meringue adds textural contrast and a touch of sweetness that tames the citrus bite without neutralizing it. This is the pie you order when you want your Instagram feed and your taste buds equally satisfied.