Real key lime pie is one of those Florida treats people argue about with real passion. It should be yellow, not bright green, with a tart custard, a graham cracker crust, and a topping that keeps things balanced.
The good news is that the state is full of shops and bakeries that get it right, from Key West all the way up to Sarasota. Here are seven Florida spots that take their key lime pie seriously and know how to do it well.
1. Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop – Elizabeth Street, Key West, FL
Right in the heart of Key West, this shop has become a first stop for anyone chasing the real thing. Sitting at 200 Elizabeth Street, it puts out pies made fresh every day, and the classic slice is exactly what an authentic version should be.
The pie here is yellow, not green, with a tart custard that stays creamy without turning sour. The graham cracker crust holds it all together, and a fluffy white topping keeps the sweetness in check.
The chocolate dipped key lime pie is the one that turns skeptics into fans. Beyond pies, the store leans fully into the theme, selling key lime ice cream, soaps, and lip balm alongside items like Key Limeade and bottled key lime juice.
Open daily from 10 AM to 9:30 PM, it works well for a quick visit. Dogs are welcome inside, and there is paid parking nearby.
If you want a benchmark slice, this is a strong place to start.
2. Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory, Tavernier, FL
Driving down the Overseas Highway toward Key West, you will pass through Tavernier, and this pie factory is a smart reason to pull over. The setting is a colorful garden with outdoor tables, which makes it an easy break from the road.
Both classic and unique versions of key lime pie fill the case. The texture is smooth and firm, creamy and velvety, and never too sweet.
The meringue key lime pie is the standout, with a perfectly cooked meringue sitting over flavorful filling and a buttery crust. For travelers who cannot sit still, the Pie on a Stick is a clever grab and go option.
Coffee is available, including iced coffee, and there is free wi-fi if you need a moment to plan the rest of the drive. Whole pies are sold too, so you can bring one home.
Hours run daily from 9 AM to 8:30 PM, with both free and paid parking around.
3. Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop, Miami, FL
Miami’s Wynwood area is known for art and dessert, and this bake shop grew from food-truck roots into a full bakery and cafe. The key lime pie has earned a Miami New Times Best Key Lime Pie title, and it lives up to the name with a tart, creamy filling and a flaky graham cracker crust.
What sets this spot apart is variety. The counter is stacked with pies, cheesecakes, cookies, and milkshakes, so key lime is just one of many reasons to stop in.
People who do not like overly sweet desserts tend to appreciate the balance here, and the guava cheesecake is another favorite. The menu also runs playful, with names like Krack Pie, Cookie Monster Pie, and a build-your-own ice cream cookie sandwich.
Open until 11 PM every night, with weekend hours starting at 9 AM, it fits a late dessert run. Delivery, takeout, and dine-in are all options, and parking is easy to find around the shop.
4. The Florida Key Lime Pie Company, Cocoa Beach, FL
A short walk from the surf in Cocoa Beach, this shop leans all the way into a beachy, laid-back Florida vibe with a hangout area for enjoying a slice. The specialty is a creamy deep dish key lime pie built on a buttery graham crust.
The pie is traditional, made with that slightly tart taste it is supposed to have, though it runs on the sweeter side. Free samples make it easy to taste before you commit, and the family-friendly setup keeps kids happy.
Beyond the signature pie, the shelves hold key lime yogurt pretzels, salt water taffy, hot sauce, and beef jerky, so there is plenty to browse. The peanut butter pie slices and amaretto cheesecake are worth a look too.
Hours are simple, running daily from noon to 6 PM, which makes it an afternoon stop. Free wi-fi and easy parking round out the visit, and it slots neatly into a Space Coast day trip.
5. Sister Honey’s, Orlando, FL
Far from the theme park crowds, this artisan bakery in Orlando’s SoDo area handles pie the old-fashioned way. The key lime pie carries a buttery, slightly salty graham crust that makes it stand apart from a standard slice.
Cakes, cupcakes, pies, and pastries all share the case, so the key lime shares space with heavy hitters. Coconut cream pie and strawberry cream pie made with real strawberry jam are two of the most talked-about, and the pistachio cake and hummingbird cake keep company nearby.
You can buy cakes whole or by the slice, which is handy whether you are grabbing a treat or planning a gathering. Pecan pie bites are a nice little extra if you want to sample more than one thing.
Keep the schedule in mind before you go. The bakery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM and closed Sunday and Monday.
There is no dine-in or restroom here, so plan it as a quick pickup with free parking.
6. J. J. Gandy’s Pies, Inc., Palm Harbor, FL
Over on the Gulf side in Palm Harbor, this casual bakery has built its name around key lime pie, and it commits to it fully. Alongside the classic version, there is a frozen key lime pie for anyone who wants a cool twist.
The pies come out creamy and generous, and there is even an Oreo key lime pie for a different spin. The rest of the case backs it up with cream pies, fruit pies, cheesecakes, and seasonal pies.
Cookies are a real draw too, with freshly baked key lime, orange, and decorated cookies, plus pistachio muffins for the morning crowd. Dutch apple and pecan pies give you plenty of reasons to add a second box.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, closed Sunday and Monday, with on-site parking that keeps things simple. If restaurant versions of key lime pie have let you down, this bakery is a solid reset.
7. Yoder’s Restaurant, Sarasota, FL
Sarasota’s Pinecraft neighborhood is home to an Amish community, and this old-fashioned restaurant has served hearty American and Amish cooking there for years. Homemade pies are the headline, and the Florida key lime pie fits right in with the rest of the lineup.
Unlike the shops on this list, Yoder’s is a full sit-down spot with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That means you can make a whole meal of it before dessert, then close things out with a slice.
The pie case is deep, with peanut butter cream, banana cream, coconut cream, chocolate cream, and Dutch apple crumb all in the mix. Whole key lime pies are sold in a 10-inch size if you want to take one home.
The atmosphere is casual, cozy, and historic, and the place is family-friendly with high chairs and a kids’ menu. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 8 PM, closed Sunday, and there is usually a wait, so reservations help.
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