Sunset Key is an island about 500 yards from Key West, only accessible by boat. The 27-acre island is full of cottages, beach houses, and a spectacular dining spot: Latitudes Restaurant on Sunset Key. It overlooks the beautiful bay with a perfect view of the sunset and passing sailboats.
Latitudes Restaurant on Sunset Key labels its cuisine as Caribbean, focusing on seafood. Meanwhile the atmosphere blends a laid-back island vibe with a fine dining restaurant. The staff, however, is fine-dining all the way. Yet the often-found pretentiousness replaced with genuine friendliness.
Officially named Tank Island, the U.S. Navy originally owned Sunset Key and used as a fuel spot during the Cold War. Now it’s full of beach houses and owned by its residents.
Latitudes Restaurant on Sunset Key in Key West
The entire reason (excuse?) for going to Key West was to exchange Chicago’s winter for Key West’s warmth for my birthday. Just being in warm weather was celebration enough, but my boyfriend surprised me with a sunset dinner at Latitudes. Since it was February, the sun sets early so we had early reservations for 5 pm. We jumped on the ferry in Key West and floated on the turquoise waters for 15 minutes before reaching a palm-tree covered paradise full of small cottages and empty beaches.
We were seated at a small table adorned with a white tablecloth overlooking the pier we’d just arrived on. Palm trees framed our view, opening up to calm waters where sailboats swayed peacefully and a paraglider floated in the distance. Our waiter understood our fascination with the view, allowing us to take our time perusing the cocktail menu. , debating between a fantastic Old Fashioned or a refreshing glass of white, plus what to have for an appetizer.
Appetizers
Eventually we settled on burrata cheese served on top of fried green tomatoes with an arugula and red onion salad. The simple and light dish allowed us to focus on our view rather than dissect our meal. Next we shared a bowl of lobster bisque with a generous garnish of lobster chunks. The rich and creamy soup was perfect to share, setting the stage of our taste buds for what was to come next: more lobster.
Entrees
Latitudes serves local spiny lobster, which was on my list of foods to eat in Key West but doesn’t hit peak season until late summer, so I was ecstatic to see it on the menu. Other Key West local staples were there, too: yellowtail snapper spiced with cumin, Key West Pinks (shrimp) in a seafood pasta and black grouper in a saffron crust and smoked paprika oil. Airline chicken breast, grilled wild boar, wagyu beef skirt steak and grilled tenderloin with gruyere rounded out the land animals.
The spiny lobster doesn’t have claws so only the tail is served, grilled, with a navel orange beurre blanc sauce on a bed of mango cilantro couscous with jicama slaw. It was as delicious as it looks — rich with sparks of citrusy undertones, perfectly complemented by the couscous.
The evening’s special combined the grilled lobster tail with wagyu beef skirt steak. The honey and ancho chile crusted steak was topped with fried onion rings and came with a side of roasted garlic potato puree and a goat cheese corncake. Rich, hearty and overall amazing.
By this point the sun had begun to set, casting a bold yellow glow on our table. More diners arrived, filling up the restaurant around us. Still, the service was impeccable, and still they allowed us to take our time with our evening, enjoying every color the sky morphed into. More sailboats appeared from the horizon, headed for the best spot to view the impending sunset.
Dessert
When the sunset show was over, our key lime pie arrived to end the evening. It came out glowing with a birthday sparkler. Our server Michael claimed it as the best key lime pie in Key West. “Everyone says that, but this really is the best,” he added. Made from hand-squeezed fresh key limes and topped with toasted meringue, the pie was amazing. It was the best key lime pie we had in Key West, and will likely ever have anywhere.
Thoughts & Details
Latitudes is more than a restaurant with a view. It’s a beautiful restaurant serving incredible food with outstanding service. It was easily the best birthday dinner I’ve ever had and one I won’t forget anytime soon.
Go to Latitudes for :: a memorable meal all-around — food, service and atmosphere. Notes :: Latitudes is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Daytime attire is casual, evening is “country club casual.” Reservations are required and available online here.
