It’s called the No Name Pub, and it’s billed as “a nice place if you can find it.” The quirky eatery lies off the Florida Keys Overseas Highway on Big Pine Key, down a long winding road and just outside an individualistic haven known as No Name Key. The out-of-the-way location doesn’t keep determined people from discovering the local landmark — or falling in love with its historic “Old Keys” charm, world-class pizza and ramshackle décor that includes interior walls papered with a massive collection of dollar bills. The Keys shrimp pizza at the No Name Pub heads the list of delicious offering ..read more

An unnerving practice is eroding the joy and discovery of visiting new places (or returning to old favorites). It’s known as “business travel,” and it has become so pervasive that more and more work-obsessed souls feel guilty if they take a trip purely for pleasure. Reagan Fountain is “dressed for success” in a sundress and sandals on Key West’s Smathers Beach. Frankly, that’s a miserable state of affairs. Traveling should be an escape from “real-world” business pressures, and an unstructured interval to remember that personal priorities are WAY more self-defining than professional ones. If ..read more

They look like the claws of a “Jurassic Park” creature — some kind of weird prehistoric bird. But these claws, orange-red and pale yellow and black, aren’t prehistoric and they come from the ocean instead of the sky. About 40 percent of Florida’s stone crab harvest comes from Florida Keys waters, and the sensational crustaceans appear prominently on Keys restaurant menus. They’re stone crab claws, offering sweet and scrumptious meat that’s among the Florida Keys’ most popular (and rightfully famous) delicacies. Once the stone crab harvest season begins each Oct. 15, these savory claws appea ..read more

Some people who come to the Florida Keys are hungry for on-the-water adventures where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic Ocean. Some are hungry for time to recharge amid nature’s seclusion, or share sun-splashed romance with that special someone. Guest blogger Ashley Serrate offers personal insights into the Upper and Middle Keys’ cuisine experiences. And others are hungry for something more elemental: the chance to discover and enjoy the island chain’s enticing seafood-based cuisine. Visitors to the Keys can savor their way through the destination on a culinary journey that can’t be fou ..read more

In a previous Keys Voices blog, we chronicled places and activities in the Upper Keys that are ideal for renewing the spirit and revitalizing the body. Now it’s time to explore opportunities in the Middle and Lower Keys, including Key West, where personal renewal, wellness and mindful pursuits, and enriching experiences take center stage to help create an unforgettable vacation. Seen often along roadsides in Big Pine Key at dawn and dusk, tiny Key deer are protected within the Lower Florida Keys’ National Key Deer Refuge. (Photo by Rob O’Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau) The Middle Keys and M ..read more

Want to be part of the once-in-a-lifetime commemoration of the Florida Keys’ 200th birthday? You can — by taking part in a sunset celebration on the Middle Keys’ Old Seven Mile Bridge, a gala sea-to-table dinner in Islamorada, a family-style waterfront picnic in Key Largo, and Lower Keys festivities and fireworks featuring the creation of the world’s largest Key lime pie (yes, really!). The four events salute the 200th anniversary of the Florida Territorial Legislature’s founding of Monroe County (which contains the entire Florida Keys) on July 3, 1823. And in addition to recognizing the hist ..read more

John Mirabella, owner of off-the-beaten-path Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Marathon, could well be called the “Lionfish King” of the Florida Keys. John is recognized throughout the universe of lionfish for spearheading efforts to remove the voracious and wildly invasive non-native species from Keys waters. John’s Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar is deservedly famous for its innovative preparations of lionfish, like the sushi roll displayed here. (Photo courtesy of the Castaway) The affable natural storyteller is known as a pioneering lionfish hunter an ..read more

To start the New Year off on a tasty note, Keys Voices presents a VIP preview of an upcoming culinary extravaganza written by travel blogger, cookbook author, adventurer and longtime Key West resident Donna Shields. Donna’s own blog, Open Mind Adventure, is for those seeking the hidden gems of travel. For example, check out her 17 Best Key West Happy Hours for 2023 … but first, tempt your appetite with her insights here on one of Key West’s leading annual events. Guest blogger Donna Shields, shown here with companion Gary Remmert, has cooked up a delicious preview of festival events for ..read more

Maybe it’s because the Florida Keys, the southernmost islands in the continental United States, have never experienced a traditional white Christmas. Or it might be simply because Keys residents love to celebrate special occasions. Attendees at a past Holiday Fest marvel at the lighted and decorated tree blowing “magical” snow. (All photos courtesy of the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce) But whatever the reason, despite our subtropical climate, we go a little overboard with our holiday decorations (if you’ve ever seen an inflatable 10-foot-tall reindeer perched atop a small houseboat, you’ll ..read more

If you’re a foodie seeking authentic casual dining experiences in the Upper Keys, you’re in luck. That’s because Upper Keys food trucks offer creatively crafted cuisine that provides a quick-serve, fun alternative to oh-so-boring fast-food joints. Florida Keys food trucks — each with personalized freshly made specialty fare — are generally operated by hands-on locals who are owner-chefs. One Grind specializes in breakfasts and caffeinated wake-up drinks crafted from ground-to-order whole beans. For them, the outlets are a creative way to showcase culinary talent without the investment of a ..read more