If you’re planning a trip to Marathon, Florida, and wondering where to eat, we’re excited to share with you our picks for some of the best places to eat in Marathon. There are so many restaurants offering great food and atmosphere in the Middle Keys of Florida. From casual light bites to gourmet meals and everything in between, here are a few of our favorite contenders for the best restaurants in Marathon, Florida. While we haven’t been everywhere, these are a few of our favorite spots to visit each year.
The Best Places to Eat in Marathon, FL
We are fortunate to have spent the past three winter seasons in Marathon, camping in the Florida Keys at Jolly Roger RV Resort. While we try to cook some meals in the camper, going out to eat and sampling local fare is one of our favorite things to do. Not only does it get us out of the confines of our small RV, but it also helps us experience the cuisine and culture of any place we visit.
Since we stay for several months at a time in Marathon, we’ve had the chance to sample many of the local Marathon restaurants from Grassy Key to the Seven Mile Bridge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We hope our picks for dining in Marathon will help you enjoy many meals during your stay. We’re presenting these restaurants simply in alphabetical order since ranking these would be a difficult task.
Bongo’s Botanical Beer Garden
59300 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 ridethelagoon.com
Bongo’s Cafe is an amazing watersports park and tropical cafe in Grassy Key.
Bongo’s is a place you need to visit at least once while in Marathon. In addition to a beautiful tropical garden seating area, tiki bar space, murals, and artwork from local artists, the property features a one-of-a-kind cable park lagoon for wakeboarding and watersports. There, you’ll see people of all ages learning or practicing holding on to what looks like a ski lift cable while wakeboarding over jumps.
The welcoming entrance to Bongo’s tropical bar and outdoor dining space.
At the bar area, they serve tiki cocktails that are crafted with local ingredients and garnished with fruit from the on-site gardens. The food offerings are out of a permanent food truck onsite. Dining options vary a bit day-to-day, but often include small plates for sharing, Caribbean and Polynesian-inspired bowls and wraps, breakfast, brunch, and sandwich offerings, as well as daily specials. Everything we’ve tried or seen on neighboring diners’ tables looks beautifully prepared with fresh and healthy local ingredients.
The garnishes and fresh ingredients make Bongo’s Bloody Marys special. (We remembered to take a picture only after taking several sips!)
Bongo’s is a great spot for starting your weekend or having brunch since there is usually a fun crowd and a local musician on stage. You can also take your cocktail and walk through the little garden pathways looking at the wild banana plants and other fruits growing from the trees around the bar or head down to watch the water sports. There’s also a shop onsite full of wakeboarding gear and merchandise to commemorate your visit.
When dining there for brunch, we loved the guava mimosa and the Bloody Mary with special spices and calamodin orange garnish. We also enjoyed their Mojo Pork bowl, split a breakfast sandwich, and enjoyed a delicious guava and cheese pastry that was the special of the day. We haven’t been there yet this year, but we can’t wait to visit. We have no excuse not to since it’s just a quick walk from where we stay at Jolly Roger.
Burdine’s Waterfront
1200 Ocean View Ave, Marathon, FL 33050 burdineswaterfront.com
The entrance to Burdine’s Waterfront
Burdine’s Waterfront is a Marathon restaurant fixture and a fantastic place to check out if you’re seeking a great beach bar atmosphere with a water view. Burdine’s offers an outside open-air tiki deck bar that is situated on the waterway near Boot Key Harbor with a panoramic view of the mangroves there.
We visited with friends one day to sample the two types of key lime pie they offer as well as the famous fries and hamburgers. We returned for a second year to try the fries and the key lime pie again. As we noted in our best key lime pie in the Florida Keys article, Burdine’s serves one of our favorite unique takes on the fried key lime pie.
The fries at Burdine’s are some of the best we’ve ever had. Bottle of Old Bay not included — but recommended!
Burdine’s is also one of the best places in all of Florida for a huge plate of fresh-cut fries. As Marylanders who are known to tote a small bottle of Old Bay with us to various restaurants, we think the fries become even more perfect when we topped them with a sprinkle of this spice.
Perhaps our only disappointment with the setup at Burdine’s is that they only serve beer and wine, and the relaxed waterfront tiki location seems like the perfect place to slip a frozen drink cocktail.
We’ve heard that it’s a great spot for lunch, with plenty of seafood and non-seafood sandwiches and handhelds to try. We’d think we’d like to try their take on the Mahi Reuben the next time we’re there. The very friendly, efficient, and hard-working bar staff and the relaxed atmosphere make it a welcoming spot to spend a sunny afternoon.
Castaway Waterfront Restaurant and Sushi Bar
1406 Oceanview Ave, Marathon, FL 33050 castawayfloridakeys.com
Entrance to the legendary Castaway restaurant in Marathon, Florida. Known for lionfish and fresh sushi
Castaway is the place to get fresh seafood including sushi or the lionfish they are famous for. It’s rumored that the owner often dives for this spiky and invasive fish and gives it to the kitchen to cook for that same day in creative ways. If you’re looking for an afternoon early happy hour, this is also the place to try with an extra special deal on half-priced drafts from 2-3 pm with sake and 52 beers on on tap.
The fish dip and a snifter of happy hour beer at Castaway Restaurant
The happy hour includes decent food specials like tuna nachos, crab rangoon, and a nice selection of sushi rolls. The full lunch and dinner menu is extensive with many sandwich and seafood offerings, creative sushi rolls, as well as their famed pink Key West shrimp, prepared lobster roll style.
The famous Bloody Wilson from Castaway
We’ve tried the smoked fish dip, and the crab rangoon, but perhaps what we love most is getting a few sushi rolls to split. We also tried their legendary take on the Bloody Mary; the Bloody Wilson which is a snack in itself. This bloody mary is topped with shrimp, bacon, and a blue cheese-stuffed olive. That’s enough garnishes to help you survive on a deserted island. As a bonus, if you’re lucky enough to sit next to the owner, as we once were, you’ll get to hear some interesting stories about his life on the sea and how Castaway Restaurant came to be.
Dockside Bar And Grill
35 Sombrero Blvd, Marathon, FL 33050 facebook.com/docksidebkh
A view of the stage for live music on the deck of Dockside at Boot Key Harbor
Dockside is called a hidden gem, and that may be because it’s a little bit off of the path of the usual Overseas Highway spots, and incredibly difficult to find a parking spot. Dockside at Boot Key Harbor is set up on the waterfront area of Boot Key Harbor next to a marina and off the road to Sombrero Beach behind Publix. It’s the perfect spot for enjoying affordable happy hour drinks and food at the bar or under the waterfront-covered canopy with many outdoor tables. It’s a very popular spot almost every day of the week, so go early if you have hopes of finding a seat at the bar.
We have been 2-3 times and there has always been live music that ranges from country to rock classics to upbeat yacht rock style standards. When you’re there enjoying the drinks and music, it’s a great place to grab a casual bite to eat. The food is simple, tasty, and budget-friendly. We look forward to the combination of tasty bar comfort food and affordability which is a nice break for our dining budget since we eat out all the time. We loved the Philly Cheesesteak, the hamburger, the sweet potato waffle fries, and the fish dip at Dockside. While the bar fare food is very good, it isn’t destination dining, but the combination of food, music, drinks, friendly and hardworking bartenders, and waterfront atmosphere makes this spot special.
Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House
3660 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 flkeyssteakandlobster.com
If the packed-full parking lots each day are any indication we’d venture to say that people really like Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House. One reason many love it is because their famous Happy Hour starts at 11, and goes until 6. The happy hour offers many appetizers, sushi options, and drink specials. However, it’s also well known as the place to get fantastic entrees as well. We hear that there’s an early bird dinner from 3:30 to 5:30 that offers one of their fantastic entrees, along with soup or salad, 1 side, and flan or key lime pie. That deal alone would pack any parking lot. Florida Keys Steak and Lobster is also one of the few spots to have a classic steak house experience complete with attentive service and beautifully presented plates. Florida Keys Steak and Lobster, as the name suggests, offers some impressive cuts of meat, surf and turf dishes, as well as filet mignon, and exciting plates like Hawaiian coconut shrimp.
While we haven’t yet had any of these dinners, we’re told people enjoy so many of the signature entree here. The reason we don’t go very frequently is that we tend to gravitate towards the light and bright outdoor tiki-style places to eat with water views that truly make you feel like you’re on vacation. By contrast, Florida Keys Steak and Lobster is quite dark inside, and beyond happy hour it’s a bit out of our daily dinner budget. But if you’re looking for a special occasion spot, a meat lover tired of all the fried fish options in the Keys, or a family looking to appease a variety of tastes while on vacation, this slightly upscale dining option might be the spot for you.
Frank’s Grill
11400 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 franksgrillmarathon.com
Catch of the day prepared Francaise style at Frank’s Grill in Marathon, FL.
Frank’s Grill is one of our favorite restaurants in all of Marathon, Florida, and a meal that we think of frequently when we’re not in the Keys the rest of the year. Frank’s is an unassuming little restaurant from the exterior, but the Italian food rivals that of any major city restaurant. All of the sauces are well-balanced and they have the added benefit of being able to add local fresh-caught seafood to favorite preparation styles like piccata, Francaise, and poached in clam sauce.
The Osso Bucco at Frank’s Grill in Marathon, FL is an unforgettably delicious dining experience!
Because of the quality of food and service, we have now made it a tradition to visit Frank’s for special events like Valentine’s Day when we’re in Marathon. Everything on the menu is probably fantastic but in particular, we have enjoyed two piccata seafood plates; scallops and grouper, as well as the veal parmesan, and the showstopping Osso Bucco. The Osso Bucco was both a gastronomically and visually impressive plate. At least four other diners asked us about this impressive dish and even took pictures. All dinner entrees come with a salad, Italian bread, and a side of your choice of pasta.
Frank’s also offers an excellent wine list full of favorites like Caymus, Opus One, and steaks, so if you want a fine dining experience while you’re on vacation, you don’t want to overlook this little gem situated off of Overseas Highway in the corner of a huddle of small businesses and professional offices in a building that appears to have been a motel in a past life. The service at Frank’s is also delightful. We had the witty, warm, and engaging Linda as our server two years in a row, and her quick wit and excellent service just add to the delight of this place.
Frank’s restaurant is small in square footage with just a few tables both inside and outdoors, so you’re going to want to make a reservation for this place. We’ve made reservations sometimes a month ahead of our stay, especially for big events like anniversaries or Valentine’s Day. We do have one little trick in case you forgot or were unable to make a reservation: order your food to go and take it to a sunset view somewhere nearby. If you are getting tired of the same fried seafood offerings and tiki hut standards, your taste buds will thank you for the variety of cuisine at Frank’s.
Irie Island Eats
4540 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 irieislandeats.com
Irie Island Eats is one of our favorite spots to eat when we are in Marathon.
Irie Island Eats became a favorite spot of ours on the last day of our first year in Marathon and it has now become the first place we stop for food when we arrive.
Irie Island Eats can be easy to miss when driving by car with the windows up, because it is best found by the smell of smoking meats from a billowing grill that sits outside by the road. It was that tantalizing smell that led us to discover this amazing spot while biking past one day. Irie Island Eats is a food truck that is situated in a tropical garden space next to a thatched roof building, which was a farmers’ market for years, and is now a prepared food market that is part of the Irie Eats establishment as of winter of 2024. The thatched roof market section of Irie Island Eats now serves grab-and-go breakfast bowls, coffee, empanadas, sandwiches, and salads, as well as fresh fruit, vegetables, and eggs in addition to vegan ice cream options, honey, and other local treats and gifts.
Floriditos are filled with Kalua pork and plantains – one of the amazing appetizers from Irie Island Eats.
The main Irie Eats restaurant is a food truck that is set back in amongst a variety of tropical plants past swinging gates from the parking lots, or in the gardens behind the storefront. The lush tropical garden seating creatively camouflages the nearby highway and makes the garden dining area feel like a vacation within a vacation. The collection of tables, chairs, and lounging couches offers an enjoyable eating oasis.
The new dinner menu (after 4) at Irie Island Eats in Marathon
There are usually many specials offered each day as well as build-your-own bowl, salad, and taco options. To order a bowl you can select from the special bowls of the day, or create your own. To create your own you’ll first pick a base or rice, slaw, or veggies, then pick a style with more seasoned veggie add-ins like slaw and pickled onions, and then pick a favorite protein from their wide selection of smoked meats, seafood, and vegan options. Our favorite bowl creations usually include the coconut rice, the Key Lime Cilantro slaw, and the Mango BBQ ribs. We also love the Sunshine Salad.
You can’t beat the combination of coconut rice, smoked meat, and fresh veggies found in the bowls at Irie Island Eats.
Lunchtime is the perfect time to visit Irie, the portions are generous so you’ll have enough to share for two or have a second bite at dinner time. However, if didn’t go at lunch and you’re craving Irie Eats for dinner, thankfully the restaurant is now open later, and shifts to a dinner menu at 4 pm on Thursday-Saturday. Whether you eat-in or are waiting for your name to be called for your order, there’s usually a pleasant seat available in their tropical setting of patio couches, surfboard bar tables for two, and other outdoor seating. When we are in Marathon we often will eat more than two meals a week here.
The unique garden seating options and pathway flanked with tropical greenery at Irie Island Eats
There are also smoothies and an excellent selection of classic hard-to-find bottled sodas and aloe juice. There’s no liquor license, so you won’t be coming to this place for a tropical drink, it’s just the destination in Marathon for some incredibly prepared meals for lunch and dinner. We think it’s wonderful to have such a healthful and flavorful food option during our stays in Marathon.
Island Fish Company
12648 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 Islandfishco.com
The tall sign out front marks the entrance to Island Fish Co, one of the most popular restaurants in Marathon.
Island Fish Co is one of the most popular spots in Marathon. They have outside seating with a beautiful view of the water and are known for their happy hour, oysters, tropical cocktails, and Caribbean-inspired dishes and seafood offerings.
While riding past on the bike trail, we’re always extra careful near here because the parking lot is full of cars coming and going, and it’s an area where both motorists and cyclists need to be very cautious. We have been for a couple of meals and enjoyed them, but it was during our first year in the Keys, and we haven’t been back lately, but we need to return to give a more detailed review.
We think we had the Mahi sandwich and shrimp tacos and were more impressed with the Mahi Sandwich. They make several nice cocktails including a fantastic Key lime colada, which we do remember! If you do opt for one of those cocktails, please let someone else do the driving, and use extra caution in and out of the busy and tight parking lot. We’ve also heard that they serve a fantastic breakfast, so we’ve added that to our list of places to try for breakfast.
Key Colony Inn
700 W Ocean Dr, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 kcinn.com
The legendary Key Colony Inn
The Key Colony neighborhood is one of our favorite communities in Marathon. The Key Colony Inn – known just as The Inn to locals – is a classic fixture of the community. The Inn is right next to the Key Colony golf course and has a definite old-school Floridian country club feel. One can easily imagine it being the biggest destination for dining back with Key Colony was first developed and when the Inn was one of the few restaurants in the area.
This pizza is just $5 during happy hour at the Key Colony Inn! Pair it with a shrimp cocktail or espresso martini those are only $5 too!
People continue to flock there for the unbelievable happy hour specials that run all week long. The happy hour offerings are legendary for a reason; they include a full-size cheese pizza for $5, Caprese salad, and $5 espresso martinis, and that’s just the start of it! The full menu offers classic Italian dishes as well as a multitude of sauces and preparations for seafood options. We get so excited about the happy hour specials that we have yet to eat a true meal here, but when we do we can’t wait to try some of the classic Italian offerings like spaghetti and meatballs and chicken marsala.
The bar seating is tight and goes quickly, but thankfully there are two large dining rooms, and one has a huge atrium that overlooks the golf course and offers plenty of seating for large groups and families.
Keys Fisheries
3502 Gulfview Ave, Marathon, FL 33050 keysfisheries.com
The freshest seafood can be found at Keys Fisheries in Marathon, Florida.
If you’re looking for the freshest and best seafood restaurants in the Keys, and perhaps in all of Florida, you’ll want to pay a visit to Keys Fisheries. Keys Fisheries provides fresh caught seafood for many of the local restaurants, as well as restaurants in Florida and up and down the East Coast. At their location in Marathon, you’ll be sitting right next to the docks where all the fresh catches come in.
This access to amazing seafood means they let their menu shine with simple and super fresh seafood dishes. Seating in the restaurant is picnic-table style covered casual outdoor dining. You order at the window and then collect your order once it is called. From appetizers like the fresh and famous pink Keys Shrimp to the world-famous Lobster Reuben.
You only need to decide if you want to get your fresh seafood in raw ceviche, sandwich, or fried basket form. If you’re an accomplished fisherman, they also offer preparations for your own catch! The lobster Reuben in particular completely lives up to the hype. If you love a traditional Reuben, and you love seafood, we think you’ll love this combination of fresh sweet lobster meat and sauerkraut on a perfectly grilled sandwich. They also offer a great and reasonably priced slice of key lime pie.
The happy hour deal of the century might be these 5 stone crab claws for $20 at the Keys Fisheries happy hour, but it’s only available when seasonal catch conditions have been favorable.
Keys Fisheries became a favorite spot of ours to visit during our stays for the amazing views from the Keys Fisheries upstairs rooftop bar and deck, the fantastic happy hour specials, and delicious cocktails.
They usually offer an unbeatable deal on their most famous and sought-after catch the fresh stone crabs are served at happy hour as an order of 5 along with a mustard sauce at a very happy price (around $20). However, due to seasonal environmental conditions, the stone crabs have been unavailable in the 2023-2024 winter season. Instead, they offer other sizes of stone crab during happy hour. The last time we wentthey had jumbo available when we were there, for a reasonable market price.
We also love getting the conch ceviche and fish dip during happy hour along with a “Lime in Da Coconut” or other tropical drink. While sitting at the bar enjoying the sunset, don’t be surprised if you’re given a complimentary sunset shot to toast the sunset with your fellow patrons right when the sun sets. Great service, food, and views make this one of our favorite spots.
La Isla Taco Grill + Tiki 61
243 61ST Street, Marathon, FL 33050 tropicalcottages.net
The menu at La Isla Taco Grill has something for everyone!
La Isla Taco Grill is a permanent food truck in front of the Tropical Cottages and Tiki 61 Tiki Bar off of Overseas Highway. It’s open from 11 to 8 with a break from 3-4. La Isla Offers authentic Mexican tacos, burritos, and more. They offer excellent fish tacos, handmade fresh salsas steak al pastor tacos and burritos, and even a few vegan options.
If it’s Tuesday, you’ll likely find us at this unique establishment and neighboring Tiki Bar Tiki 61. Usually, you’ll want to find a seat in the tiki bar area first, then place an order from La Isla Tacos and settle in to listen to live music from the Tiki Seekers or other local musicians. It’s also a great spot to enjoy conversations with the friendly bartenders the bar regulars.
After you place your order from the La Isla food truck they will then call your number while you wait. The number calling happens on a terrible old speaker, so it can be a challenge to hear your order but it’s (part of the charm), we think! We usually go around 5 and wait in Tiki 61 and enjoy a margarita, beer, or specialty cocktail.
The Tiki Seekers always provide the perfect soundtrack for Taco Tuesday
If you’re there on Tuesday, it’s probably time for the Tiki Seekers to take to the stage. This singing and songwriting team has been at it for years belting out covers and originals so well-known that people will be singing along. Don’t go home before they play their original song, “Cargo Pants”. If you stay at the bar after most of the people have gone home you might even get to say hi to Midas, a handsome golden retriever who will sometimes make an appearance at the bar.
Parking is available but very limited, and use caution when leaving the parking spaces as there are often many folks waiting for their food order.
Lighthouse Grill
Located in the Faro Blanco Resort, the Lighthouse Grill is one of the places that has been recommended to us a few times. We finally had the chance to stop there while writing this article. As we usually do with any new-to-us place, we went in to take advantage of the Happy Hour from 3 to 6 to see if the atmosphere, food, and drinks warranted another visit for more of a meal. As boaters, the beautiful open-air modern bar overlooking the water, lighthouse, and marina felt right at home. It was an uncharacteristically cold Keys evening when we visited, so the staff fired up the outdoor heaters and dropped the sides of the bar enclosure to keep the place toasty. This resort bar is modern and coastal chic, and in keeping with the upscale resort. They serve classic dishes along with some that highlight traditional Keys flavors. We enjoyed the happy hour offering of Cuban Rice Balls for an appetizer as well as a cocktail and a few of the nice selections of beers on tap. We also ordered a Caesar salad, since we’re always trying to get a few more vegetables in. It was cold and crisp, just like we like it! The happy hour prices for appetizers and beer were reasonable and a great way to take a break from some of the fast-casual spots. We met up with a friend who encouraged us to order a martini, and that was a budget breaker for sure, coming in at $19 when we asked for Ketel One. It was delicious but certainly not in our normal budget.
Service was efficient and friendly, and the gorgeous views of the marina and really pleasant atmosphere will keep us coming back for more happy hours in the future.
Porky’s Bayside Restaurant
1400 Overseas Hwy MM47.5, Marathon, FL 33050 porkysbaysidebbq.com
Porky’s Bayside Restaurant is one of the last stops in Marathon just before the Seven Mile Bridge. It’s an open-air tiki-style restaurant and bayside marina, with bar and table seating, and some great offerings in terms of seafood, sushi, happy hour specials, and decadent desserts. Even after a few visits, we haven’t really haven’t even made a dent in their large menu which is so many pages long that we’re sure it offers something for everyone.
Usually, we are there for the unbeatable happy hour specials and excellent service at the bar. On the Happy Hour menu, the small bites including slider BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Mahi Quesadilla, Chef’s tacos, and Smoked Chicken Wings are worth a try. We tried the Pork Belly Bites once and that was a total miss – a basket of hard-to-eat fatty, chewy bits that we didn’t finish. The pina colada, painkiller cocktail specials are also delicious and worth a try. They normally have decent live music that’s not too loud while sitting at the bar so that we can still hear your conversations. We don’t eat out much for breakfast but we’ve been told that Porky’s does it right, so we’re going to try to check out their breakfast options. We also love their unique take on the key lime pie as detailed in our Best Key Lime Pie article!
Sparky’s Landing Fish N Cocktails
13205 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 sparkyslanding.com
The welcoming entrance to Sparky’s Landing, one of our favorite restaurants in Marathon
Sparky’s was one of our favorite restaurants in all of Marathon, Florida on our first and second years in the Keys. We visited several times throughout our stay and always tried to make it by biking the nearby bike trail via our e-bikes to enjoy the happy hour specials that they offer every day they are open (they’re closed on Mondays). If you’re staying at the Fairfield Inn, then Sparky’s is right next to your hotel, and you’ll be within a long walk or short bike ride if you stay in Key Colony.
The happy hour is a modest offering compared to some, but it does include a few beer, well-drink specials and the crowd favorite of chicken wings and peel-and-eat shrimp from 4 to 6 every day. We’re not big wing and shrimp fans, so what keeps us coming back is the warm and welcoming service, the staff that is hustling every minute, and the clean and welcoming huge tiki hut bar and grand dining space. Sparky’s bar looks out onto the water in the harbor across to Coco Plum Drive. Each night right when the happy hour ends, local musicians will take to the stage. The live entertainment, view, atmosphere, and great service will make you want to stay longer and enjoy the rest of the evening.
On many visits, we were quite sure we saw the owner on site, serving customers as well, and it was apparent that Sparky’s is an exceptionally well-run restaurant that values great food and friendly and expeditious service.
The Freuben Sandwich at Sparky’s Landing Fish N Cocktails is one of our favorite dishes.
For full entrees, one of our favorite dishes is the Cajun Pasta with blackened Mahi Mahi. They refer to it as ‘dolphin’ on their menu, but it’s not the sweet and smart mammal dolphin you’ll find performing at the Dolphin Research Center, it’s Mahi Mahi. Also, you can’t go wrong with their wood-fired 3 Little Pigs pizza, we love their Fried Green Tomato BLT sandwich, and the Sparky’s Steak Salad. Another mahi mahi (dolphin) dish we love is the Freuben Sandwich, which is fried mahi served Reuben style with their delicious slaw. While they offer fried seafood, one of the great things about Sparky’s is the you have the option of taking a from the fried fish dishes once in a while. We’ve also had delicious desserts here including the tres leches cake. We hear they make a great key lime pie, and somehow we’ve missed trying it, because we’re always full after our meal!
The Sparky’s Steak Salad, is topped with perfectly prepared steak and a hearty dollop of greens with tangy balsamic dressing.
This year in 2024, we’ve noticed that the word is definitely out about Sparky’s and we’ve struggled to grab a seat at the bar, especially during happy hour. Usually, some seats open back up around 6 or 6:30, but getting there before 4 with time to spare has been something we’ve had to strive for. If you have your sights set on the dining room, they don’t take reservations, so it’s good to get there early for that as well. To get a little more room going, Sparky’s has recently widened the wraparound outside the deck, so that you have a bit more elbow room to enjoy a drink, however, according to our server, food is no longer available at the deck area – only at the bar. The fact that Sparky’s is always packed, is a testament to the excellent food and service.
The newly remodeled deck at Sparky’s Fish N Cocktails
Sparky’s is a family-friendly place and a great spot to feed a crowd and one of the few spots in the Keys that can seat a large party, so if you’re heading to the dining room there’s also usually a line out the door and a bit of a wait especially on the weekends around dinner hour, when it’s clear lots of people decide to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and food. While you wait you can take a photo in the iconic oversized Adirondack-style Pilar beach chair, duck into their on-site airstream, and grab a t-shirt or other Sparky’s merch which will serve you well as a conversation starter and a tribute to your good taste in restaurants if you wear it on your travels.
S.S. Wreck + Galley Grill
58835 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 sswreck.com
The S.S. Wreck and Galley Grill was one of the first spots we ate when we arrived in Marathon. The Wreck, as it seems to be known by locals, is conveniently located within walking distance of our RV resort. It offers happy hour and dinner specials as well as an extensive menu of surf and turf. While the happy hour deals weren’t our favorite offerings, The Wreck does a great job with seafood and is also well known for its prime rib specials. Overall, the S. S. Wreck is casual seafood and bar fare with a range of items on the menu that is likely to offer something for everyone in your party.
We brought our own freshly caught fish to the S.S. Wreck where it was wonderfully prepared by their chef.
One of our favorites is the Coconut Shrimp, which were wonderfully light and well battered with an excellent real coconut taste and coating. We also loved the fresh Tuna Poke Nachos which combined delicious fresh tuna, fresh wonton chips, fresh avocado, and mango salsa on top.
S. S. Wreck’s Tuna Poke Nachos
In the past, we have also enjoyed the fajitas that we ordered after seeing a fellow diner’s order and seeing that it was a sizzling plate with an incredibly generous portion. We also brought a fresh catch there and had it prepared by the chef. We were happy with how both the fried and Keys preparations turned out as well as the sides that were offered.
A mango colada at the S. S. Wreck. One of the many tropical cocktails that are available.
We have had both good and bad experiences with service as well as food. The experience varies greatly from completely excellent bar service, and a hearty and warm welcome from the hostess, to sometimes and somewhat inattentive service in the dining room and at the bar seats. Usually, a seat at the bar will guarantee great service from the hard-working bar staff. The Wreck is located next door to the Dolphin Research Center, making it an ideal spot to grab a bite to eat before or after your visit there.
Our biggest reason to recommend the S. S. Wreck is the key lime pie! We think it’s the best key lime pie in the Florida Keys!
More Marathon Restaurants We Want to Try
Between returning time and time to some of our favorite spots, and being busy with trying new places, we’ve missed a few restaurants along the way. Here are a few of the restaurants that we’ve heard good things about, we just haven’t made it there yet! We’ll plan to update this post when and if we get to try these places.
Brutus Seafood
Mile Marker 51 Bayside, 6950 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 brutusseafood.com
We pass Brutus Seafood often on our trips north and south on Overseas Highway, but we just haven’t made the stop yet, since we try for waterfront dining as much as possible. The menu seems to have lots of great options including the Mahi Rachel and the Vaca Salad.
Butterfly Cafe at Tranquilty Bay
2600 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 tranquilitybay.com
A few of our family members stayed at Tranquility Bay for Christmas several years ago, and they raved about the experience. We’ve heard that the onsite restaurant Butterfly Cafe is a wonderful spot for upscale dining and a delicious brunch. We’d also like to try the outdoor bar, TJ’s Tiki Bar which looks like a beautiful place to enjoy a drink at sunset.
Herbie’s Bar and Chowerhouse
6350 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 herbiesbar.com
While we didn’t have the chance to have a meal at the legendary Herbie’s, we rode our bikes there and brought back a slice of their famous key lime pie to try. While there we drank a couple of craft beers from their decent draft list. People around us in the bar area seemed to be regulars and most of them were having drinks. We’d like to try the Chicken Sandwich made famous by Diners Drive-ins and Dives, and the Cheeseburger in Parafries as well as the Chowder when we visit.
Hideway Cafe
57784 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 rainbowbend.com/hideaway-cafe
When we mention that we love food and that we love to go out to eat, Hideaway Cafe comes up again and again as one of the best fine dining spots in Marathon. The sign for the Hideaway Cafe is easy to miss, and visible only when cars aren’t parked in front of the sign. We’ve heard that if you can find it, behind the lodging at Rainbow Bend, the Hideaway Cafe offers a true fine dining service experience and truly gourmet cuisine. We’ve been so tempted by descriptions we’ve heard of the food and service that we’ve added this to our must-try list!
The Cracked Conch
4999 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 facebook.com/TheCrackedConchCafe
We’ve heard this is a great spot to try for breakfast and is known for the Key lime pie. It also seems to be a good option if you’re craving some diner-style meals!
The Rhum House
58182 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 grassyflats.com/the-rhum-house
The Rhum House is a new addition to the dining and cocktail offerings in Marathon for the 2023-2024 season, and we’re excited to try it. It’s on the grounds of the Grassy Flats Resort, and from the advertising we’ve seen it looks like it will have an amazing atmosphere, upscale food offerings, and elegant cocktails. We’re excited to visit sometime soon.
More Florida Dining and Travel Ideas
Looking for more details about dining in the Marathon? Check out our thoughts on the best Happy Hour deals in Marathon! We’re also planning on sharing our picks for best Key Lime Coladas, as well as the best places for breakfast in Marathon in two upcoming articles. After Marathon we head to St. Augustine where we will soon share our picks for camping in St. Augustine and the best restaurants we’ve found during our time in St. Augustine.
As with all of our posts, the information provided here was accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of our visits to these restaurants. However, menu items, locations, hours, and product availability are always subject to change. You may want to double-check restaurant locations and hours. All opinions are our own.
Except where noted, all images are photographed by and copyright of the editors of Currently Traveling. Use of our photos is prohibited without permission. None of this content was sponsored. unless otherwise noted, we purchase our own food and beverages for all the places mentioned in this article.