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Straddling both the warm Gulf waters and the rollicking waves of the Atlantic, the Florida Keys have been known to convert unsuspecting visitors to permanent residents thanks to its enchanting natural beauty and funky, come-as-you-are vibe.

While the drive down the 113-island archipelago offers over 125-miles of spectacular sun-kissed views, don鈥檛 let that distract you 鈥 the food you鈥檒l find along this mainland escape is worthy of its own postcard. Whether you鈥檙e wrangling a massive hogfish sandwich into your mouth or cooling down with a rum-splashed tiki drink, here鈥檚 a checklist of seven things you must eat (and drink) while you鈥檙e there.

Seafood plate with Key West Pink Shrimp, Conch Ceviche, Fried coconut shrimp and hogfish, Hogfish Bar & Grill
You can't go wrong with a Key West Pink Shrimp and Hogfish plate from Hogfish Bar and Grill 漏 Blaine Harrington III / Getty Images

Hogfish sandwich

Sweeter than grouper and flakier than Mahi, the reef-dwelling hogfish is a Florida Keys delicacy that鈥檚 relatively obscure in other parts of the U.S. The fish belongs to the wrasse family and can be found digging up crustaceans in the Gulf of Mexico using their long, pig-like snout (hence, the name). Locally, this mild, delicate fish is cut into a tender filet that鈥檚 typically stuffed in between two slices of fresh Cuban bread with all the fixins. Stock Island鈥檚 is ground-zero for the infamous sandwich, but you can find hogfish filets as a daily special throughout the Keys, including in Islamorada and in Key West.

Related article: First-time Florida Keys: island hopping along the Overseas Highway

Tropical restaurant called Blue Heaven Andy's cabana, jungle style architecture in Florida on travel, sunny day, bar
Blue Heaven is a popular spot for most must-eats in the Keys 漏 krblokhin / Getty Images

Key West pink shrimp

Known locally as 鈥減inks,鈥 this wild-caught variety of shrimp is native to the Gulf waters around South Florida and makes up over 80% of the country鈥檚 shrimp harvest. But there鈥檚 something to be said for enjoying these sweet, tender decapods directly from the source. Pinks, who get their distinctive blush color from feeding on the Keys鈥 pink coral sands, are in season from November to June and can be found in everything from egg benedict at Blue Heaven to the zesty Cajun jambalaya at the 鈥 although it鈥檚 hard to beat a simple peel-and-eat basket from any number of local Keys joints.

Three deep fried conch fritters, a specialty of the Florida Keys, served with lime and dipping sauce.
Pair a conch fritter with a cold beer 漏 sbossert / Getty Images

Conch fritters

It isn鈥檛 called the Conch Republic for nothin鈥 鈥 mollusk with captivating spiral shells were once plentiful in the waters surrounding the Keys, but due to overharvesting, is now a protected species. Still, locals know their way around the Queen Conch, even if it鈥檚 being imported from nearby Carribbean waters. That means a nearly flawless version of the conch fritter, a battered-and-fried nugget stuffed with aforementioned conch meat. Your best bet is to pair it up with a cold beer at in Key Largo, Keys Fisheries in Marathon or in Key West.

Rum runner cocktail set on a wooden railing over the sand
No stop in Key West is complete without at least one frozen drink 漏 RodrigoBlanco / Getty Images

Frozen drinks

With all due respect to Jimmy Buffet, the Keys run on rum drinks 鈥 preferably with a screaming-red maraschino cherry floating up on top. In fact, ordering a rum runner at the is practically a rite of passage. But there鈥檚 plenty of other frozen concoctions to be found along the Florida Keys. Icy daiquiris, creamy key lime coladas and the crowd-favorite pi帽a colada are prime contenders for your next drink 鈥 and case of brain freeze.

Cuban food

Miami may have cornered the market on U.S.-based Cuban cuisine, but the Keys hold their own with plenty of standout options for succulent mounds of roast pork, delicately fried plantains and heaping portions of black beans and rice. And it鈥檚 no surprise 鈥 there鈥檚 an oversized buoy in Key West marking its 90-mile distance from Cuba. While you鈥檙e there, pop into or El Siboney for gut-busting plates of affordable Cuban classics.

Related article: Unlocking the Florida Keys

Lobster tail served on a white plate on a bed of green beans and yellow rice
A plate of spiny lobster on a bed of yellow rice 漏 Bruce Yuan-Yue Bi / Getty Images

Spiny Lobster

If you鈥檙e looking for succulent claw meat from Florida's spiny lobster, keep walking. Unlike its cousin in Maine, this warm water crustacean is known for its soft, delicate tail meat 鈥 a prized catch for divers from all around the world (spiny lobster season runs from August 6 to March 31). The local crab is used in a hearty rendition of mac-and-cheese at and dished up next to a thick-cut steak for a Keys rendition of surf 鈥榥 turf at .

Colorful storefronts named Coconut Factory and Key Lime Pie Bakery with two bicycles parked in front
You're likely to find an ode to key lime pie on every street corner 漏 MichaelWarrenPix / Getty Images

Key Lime Pie

Ask a group of locals about the best slice of key lime pie in the area and you have the makings of a lengthy and heated debate. Keys residents are particular about this creamy and tart confection, most of which fall into one of two camps: Team Meringue and Team Whipped Cream. (There鈥檚 also a pastry crust versus graham cracker debate which has been responsible for its fair share of feuds.) You鈥檒l find various versions in shops and restaurants throughout the islands, with honorable mentions going to 碍别谤尘颈迟鈥檚 in Key West, Mrs. Mac鈥檚 Kitchen in Key Largo, the in Cudjoe Key and the abominable meringue monster served up at Blue Heaven in Key West.

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