Key lime pie is basically Florida’s official dessert, and folks here take it seriously. The real deal is pale yellow, never bright green, with a tart punch balanced by creamy sweetness and a buttery graham crust.
From tiny bakeries in the Keys to famous factories that ship pies nationwide, there are spots people will happily drive an hour or more to reach. Below are seven shops known for turning out slices worth the gas money.
Grab a fork and start planning your route.
1. Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, Key West
You might recognize the smiling man out front holding a pie, since Kermit himself became something of a Key West landmark. The shop sits at the corner of Elizabeth and Greene Streets, right in the historic seaport area.
The signature item here is the chocolate-dipped key lime pie on a stick, frozen and coated in dark chocolate. It travels well and makes for an easy walk-and-eat treat.
Beyond the famous pie bars, the store stocks key lime everything, from cookies and candies to sauces and salad dressings. It is a fun spot to load up on edible souvenirs before heading home.
2. Kelly’s Caribbean, Key West
Tucked into a lush garden setting near Whitehead Street, this restaurant offers a shaded escape from the busy sidewalks of Key West. The property has deep roots in local aviation history tied to Pan American Airways.
The kitchen serves a classic key lime pie with a graham cracker crust and a smooth, tangy filling. It fits neatly at the end of a Caribbean-style meal.
Because the seating is spread through outdoor courtyards and covered areas, it works well for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Pair a slice with a stroll around the surrounding old town streets.
3. Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory, Tavernier
Few names in the Keys carry as much pie loyalty as Blond Giraffe, which built its reputation on a family recipe. The Tavernier location keeps that legacy going in the Upper Keys.
The pies are known for a real key lime filling and are often topped with a golden meringue rather than plain whipped cream. That meringue is a signature detail that sets the pies apart from many competitors.
Frozen key lime pie on a stick, dipped in chocolate, is another popular pick for eating on the go. If you are driving down U.S. 1 toward the lower Keys, it makes a natural pit stop.
4. Key West Key Lime Pie Co., Key West
Chocolate-dipped frozen pie bars are the calling card at this Duval Street favorite, and they have become a bit of a Key West rite of passage for visitors.
The company makes its pies with real key lime juice, and the frozen bars are hand-dipped in chocolate to order. Watching them get dipped is part of the appeal.
Regular whole pies and slices are available too, along with an assortment of key lime treats to pack up. The central location makes it an easy addition to a day spent wandering downtown.
It is the kind of spot where you grab a bar, keep walking, and immediately regret not buying two.
5. Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, Key Largo
Decorated with walls full of license plates and roadside charm, Mrs. Mac’s has been feeding hungry travelers in Key Largo for decades. It is one of the first stops many people hit coming into the Keys from the mainland.
The menu leans into hearty comfort food, and the homemade key lime pie is a longtime favorite way to finish a meal.
Because Key Largo is the closest island to Miami, this is often where road trippers get their first real taste of Keys pie. The casual, no-fuss vibe keeps regulars coming back year after year.
Come hungry, since the portions here are not shy.
6. Joe’s Stone Crab, Miami Beach
Long before the stone crab claws made it famous, this Miami Beach institution earned praise for its dessert menu. Operating since 1913, it is one of the oldest restaurants in the area.
The key lime pie is a standout, made with a graham crust and a bright, creamy filling topped with whipped cream. It has become nearly as iconic as the seafood.
You can dine in at the South Beach dining room or grab pies to take away from the adjacent shop. During peak season the main restaurant gets busy, so plan around the wait.
If you only try one dessert in Miami Beach, this is a strong contender.
7. Key Lime Pie Company, Islamorada
Sitting in the heart of the sportfishing capital, this Islamorada shop is a handy break between Key Largo and Marathon. The Overseas Highway location makes it easy to spot along the drive.
The store focuses on key lime products, from classic pies to cookies, cakes, and other lime-forward treats. It is a good place to sample the flavor in more than one form.
Frozen slices and whole pies are available for takeaway, which helps if you have a cooler in the car. Given how spread out the Keys are, having a mid-route stop like this is genuinely useful.
Stock up here and you will have dessert covered for the rest of the trip.
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