"A rooster-strewn courtyard in Bahama Village famous for its Mile High Key Lime Pie — come to Blue Heaven for brunch and the meringue."
About Blue Heaven
Blue Heaven sits in a Dade County pine building at 729 Thomas Street in historic Bahama Village, the most characterful corner of Key West. The current restaurant opened in 1992, run by Suanne (an artist) and Richard Hatch (a writer) who lived on a houseboat nearby, and the courtyard around it carries layers of island history.
That courtyard once hosted weekly Friday-night boxing matches — sometimes refereed by Ernest Hemingway — back when it was the ‘Blue Goose’ arena. For other Key West tables, compare the Cuban cooking at El Siboney and the fine dining at Cafe Marquesa, or browse the wider seafood picks.
The Kitchen
The dish people line up for is the Mile High Key Lime Pie — a tart custard under a towering, baked meringue mountain that dwarfs the standard Keys version. Around it, brunch runs to tropical-fruit pancakes with real maple syrup, lobster Benedict and shrimp & grits (about $19); dinner moves through Caribbean BBQ shrimp deglazed with Red Stripe, jerk chicken, and steaks and local fish.
Most plates land in the $20–40 range at dinner, with brunch cheaper — fair for a sit-down spot this iconic and this busy.
The Room
The whole experience is the open-air courtyard: mismatched tables under tropical trees and string lights, live music, and roosters and cats wandering between the chairs. It is loud, lush and unmistakably Key West — expect a wait at peak brunch, because no amount of fame has made Blue Heaven feel polished, which is exactly why regulars love it.
Best for a leisurely tropical brunch or a laid-back Key West dinner
Blue Heaven suits a leisurely tropical brunch or a laid-back Key West dinner — the courtyard and the live music make it a natural first-date or birthday spot. For more of the island's tables, see Azur or browse the full Key West dining guide.
Not for
Not for a quiet, climate-controlled fine-dining evening — this is a busy open-air courtyard with roaming roosters, live music and brunch queues, charming but never hushed.
Frequently Asked
What is Blue Heaven known for?
Its Mile High Key Lime Pie — a tart custard under a towering baked meringue — and its open-air Bahama Village courtyard, complete with roaming roosters and live music.
What should I order at Blue Heaven?
The Mile High Key Lime Pie is the signature. For food, tropical-fruit pancakes and shrimp & grits at brunch, or Caribbean BBQ shrimp and jerk chicken at dinner.
Does Blue Heaven take reservations?
Most seating is walk-in only; arrive early for brunch, as the courtyard draws long queues at peak times.
What is the history of the Blue Heaven courtyard?
The site once hosted Friday-night boxing matches sometimes refereed by Ernest Hemingway, when it was known as the Blue Goose arena. The current restaurant opened in 1992.
Where is Blue Heaven located?
At 729 Thomas Street in the historic Bahama Village neighbourhood of Key West.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Blue Heaven
No reservations for most seating — walk in and expect a wait at peak times.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address729 Thomas Street, Bahama Village, Key West
NeighbourhoodBahama Village, in a Dade County pine landmark
CuisineCaribbean-American
PriceBrunch and dinner; shrimp & grits around $19, dinner mains roughly $20–40
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingOpen-air courtyard; walk-in, expect a wait at peak brunch
ReservationWalk-in only for most tables; arrive early for brunch to beat the queue
