Vegan Guide to the Florida Keys

Enjoy the water: There are so many ways to experience the water in the Keys, and Robbie’s Marina of Islamorada is a great place to start. They offer kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, jet skis, snorkeling and everything else you can think of. Robbie’s offers guided and self-led tours (they do provide a map and guidance if you chose to DIY).

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the water that don’t require as much physical effort (you’re on vacation, after all). The most popular are glass-bottom boat tours and sailboat rides. (A sunset sail is always a good choice.)

Indian Key State Historic Park: Indian Key is an 11-acre island accessible only by kayak or canoe. Now deserted, this island has been home to many different groups, including Calusa Native Americans, Bahamian fishermen and pirates. Eventually, a man named Jacob Housman arrived from Staten Island and set up a permanent community. This didn’t last long; Housman and the law didn’t quite mesh. However, the remnants of Housman’s town are still there. Visitors can walk the streets and get a feel for how the small community was set up.

Eat on the sand: The idea of picnicking on the beach sounds fun, but the reality of eating a sand-filled sandwich isn’t that great. The Florida Keys have perfected on-the-sand dining and have eliminated the “sand in the food” situation. The most popular of these is the Morada Bay beach café.

Key-lime pie: If you don’t try key-lime pie, have you really been to the Keys? Vegans don’t need to miss out on this rite of passage! The Café and Moondog Bakery & Café have plant-based key-lime pie, while Date & Thyme offers a dairy-free, key-lime-pie smoothie.

Find the Key deer: The endangered Key deer are very small (about the size of a medium dog) and can only be found in the Florida Keys. These adventurous little fellows go island hopping by swimming from Key to Key. Big Pine and No Name Keys are their prime destinations. Something about seeing an animal that is only in the Keys feels special, kind of like finding a unicorn. (Note: it is illegal to feed the deer!)

Catch the green flash: The green flash is, real although rare, as conditions must be just right. The Florida Keys are a prime spot to catch this phenomenon.

Visit Key West: Key West has a lot to offer, especially in the way of adult beverages and souvenir shops. If you’d like the traditional touristy hot spots, check out the Southern Most Point, Duval Street, Mallory Square and Earnest Hemingway’s house. For those who aren’t interested in tours, wandering the streets of Key West is fun on its own. Make sure to glance at the tropically colored historic homes and watch out for the chickens that wander the streets. If you’d rather ride than walk, scooter and golf cart rentals are plentiful.

Drive the bridges: Unless you fly directly into Key West, you’re going to end up on the bridges that connect the islands. In addition to their functionality, the bridges offer fantastic views of the water. (Part of the original bridge, built in 1912, has been resorted for walkers and bikers to enjoy. It was initially considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World” because of the numerous challenges involved in building it.)

Grati Café (Key Largo): Vegan wraps, smoothie bowls and salads abound at this healthy little shop.

Sundowners (Key Largo): Grab a seat on the sand at this vegan-friendly café. A sunset salad (skip the feta) and an Impossible burger sound like a great combination.

Calusa (Located at Baker’s Cay Resort in Key Largo): Guests who are not staying on the property are welcome if a reservation is made either on OpenTable or by calling the resort directly.

Midway Café and Coffee Bar (Marathon): Midway Café offers breakfast, lunch and coffee. I suggest the hummus wrap. The staff at Midway Café has happily accommodated my dietary restrictions every time I’ve stopped by. (This is close to Robbie’s Marina, in case you’ve worked up an appetite kayaking.)

Meze Morada (Islamorada): This little Mediterranean café is quite the find. Vegan and vegetarian items are clearly labeled on the menu, and the choices are plentiful.

The Café Key West (Key West): There are so many vegan options at this colorful little café. I love the Pancho’s Huevos Rancheros done vegan. Of course, grab the (vegan) key-lime pie for dessert.

The Koffee House (Key West): The Koffee House has everything you need to start your day. Coffees, smoothies, juices, vegan breakfasts (like chia seed pudding and granola) and grab-n-go salads. The smoothie add-ons are top notch. They offer lion’s mane mushroom powder, maca powder, spirulina and many more.

Date and Thyme (Key West): Open for breakfast and lunch with lots of vegan and gluten-free options, including a vegan key-lime-pie smoothie. If you’re stocking up on dinner options, Date and Thyme offers some prepared meals you can save for later.

Moondog Café & Bakery (Key West): Suitable for omnivores and vegans alike, this colorful, mural-filled café has breakfast through dinner and pastries galore.

Blue Heaven (Key West): Everything about this restaurant makes it a must-do. It’s very vegan friendly (one of the items is a Macro Bowl with sweet potatoes and quinoa), open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a storied past that includes Hemingway, a playhouse and more.

Mellow Café and Gastropub (Key West): This is a one-stop shop for eco-tours, water sports (paddle boards, kayaks, etc.) and delicious food (both vegan and non).