Very unassuming buildings around but you will have the absolute best water front dining experience while visiting Marathon Key in Florida.
So you are visiting Florida Keys, specifically Marathon Key. You are renting a vacation rental home and last thing you want to do while you are on vacation is to worry about cooking. You are not particularly interested in fast food either. So what do you do? You search for the best restaurants in the area and here you are. Many years of visiting & now owning a vacation rental home in Marathon Key, we have experienced all the good, the bad and the ugly and we created a good list of recommendations for you.
Although it is a small island, Marathon, FL has a vast variety of cuisine options. First of all, if you are a seafood lover, you are at the right spot. Some of the best seafood restaurants are here in Marathon. If you do not care much about the seafood, you can also find Italian, French, Cuban and Mexican kitchens around here.
You have already spent a considerable amount for your vacation here so the last thing you want is to break the bank for dining. You are lucky because our suggestions below are not only delicious, but also easy on the wallet.
7 Best Restaurants In Marathon FL - Good Food, affordable prices as well.
The Stuffed Pig - Breakfast Specialty
The Stuffed Pig is one of the best options for early morning dining. This is the spot where locals go when it is not the busy season.
The Stuffed Pig is well known for their breakfast sandwiches and omelets. You can customize your omelet with seafood, meat and veggie ingredients. All fresh choices. Choose between fresh brew coffee or orange juice and you are ready to hit Sombrero Beach.
Their signature item on their menu is the Pigs Breakfast. It is two delicious pancakes, two eggs, bacon, sausages, home fries and served with a great piece of toast.
I do not care about seafood during breakfast but if you do, I recommend trying lobster or crab options with your eggs or omelet.
Burdines - Views & More
Water front dining is not unusual in Marathon Key. In fact, most restaurants will be facing the Gulf side, offering great food and scenery at the same time. Burdines is one of them.
This family owned restaurant has a great variety for your palate. If you do not mind the few extra calories, we recommend their hushpuppies. They fry their hushpuppies in a very unique, soft dough, served with cheese and a home made sauce.
Their list of burgers are extensive. Seafood, beef, chicken everything. Their tuna poke is also delicious.
I particularly enjoy their shrimp sandwich and recommend it. Burdines is known for their Key Lime pie (fried) which I do not care much about but if you are a Key Lime Pie person, I would recommend it.
Barracuda Grill - Locals Favorite
Here is another local's favorite. Their food is so good that they do not even have a website to sell their menu. You need to try Barracuda grill if you are a foodie, especially if seafood is your favorite.
My wife enjoys every dish here but I go for their famous tomato soup and meatballs. From appetizers menu, I would recommend the Wahoo spread and Tuna Tataki. They are to die for.
From their entrées, Mahi Mahi and Beef Short Ribs are my top choices.
This is another spot that offers not only a great evening but also great ambiance overlooking at beautiful water views. They are known for their escargot selections and their French Onion soup. You can pair every dish with one their extensive selection of wines.
Their creative menu offers something for everyone. Lobster & Seafood, Crepes, Roasted Whole Duck, Blackened Shrimp and fresh local seafood, just to name a few. Hideaway cafe specials change frequently so make sure to ask the staff about their special.
If you love your steak, you will love this place. Their Ribeye especially. Rack of Lamb is also another dish that I would recommend.
This is a white table cloth, cozy, fine dining style restaurant so it is perfect for date nights while you are on vacation at Marathon.
Wooden Spoon
Here is another spot very unassuming from outside but offers great breakfast option. You will find a lot of "fried" options here so if healthy food is your thing, this may not be the place for you. On the other hand, if you let go while you are on vacation, you should certainly try it out.
Eggs & bacon, gravy, biscuits, pancakes and all. This is a smaller joint and it gets very busy in the mornings so plan ahead.
The menu offers several omelets as well which you can customize to your liking.
Their specialty is seafood. Great ambiance, water front dining. Prices are very affordable. This is one of the two restaurants I like the most if we went on fishing that day. They cook your catch. They cook it in several different ways such as coconut crusted, deep fried etc. They also prepare not only entrées but also starters/appetizers with your catch.
If you are visiting the Marathon Key for fishing, you must take your catch here.
I am not particularly big fan of their other menu items like their calamari dish or their steak menu but I love their catch of the day cooking.
This is one of my wife's favorite restaurants in town. It is located inside the Faro Blanco Resort.
The Lighthouse Grill is great with their seared scallops and smoked fish dip. If you’re looking for something other than seafood, try the skirt steak or the “Keys Kickin’ Chicken” sandwich. My wife enjoys their lobster dishes the most.
This is also a great spot for date night outings while you rent a vacation home in Marathon.
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