"Key West's Cuban institution — no frills, no pretence, just enormous plates of puerco asado and palomilla steak at honest prices. Order by number and come hungry."
About El Siboney Restaurant
El Siboney has been serving Old Town Key West since 1984, and has been voted the island's Best Cuban Restaurant every year since 1993 — a four-decade institution a few blocks off the Duval Street crush. The de la Cruz family has owned and run it since 2004, keeping many of the same cooks and the same plates that built its reputation. The name comes from Siboney, a town near Santiago de Cuba.
This is a no-frills Cuban dining room rather than a destination restaurant: plastic-cloth tables, BYOB, and a menu you order by number. The appeal is honesty — generous, well-made Cuban home cooking at prices that have stayed sane while the rest of Key West has not. It is the local antidote to Duval Street.
The Kitchen
Order the classics. The puerco asado — slow-roasted pork that falls apart — is the signature, with the crispy masitas de puerco fritas close behind; the palomilla 'Siboney Steak' is thin, garlicky and grilled hard. Vaca frita and ropa vieja round out the Cuban canon, all of it served with black beans, rice, sweet maduros and buttery yuca. The Paella Valenciana is worth calling an hour ahead for.
Plates are large and prices are modest — most diners eat well for $15 to $25. There is local seafood too, but the heart of the kitchen is Cuban comfort cooking done the same way for forty years. Save room for flan or the guava-and-cheese dessert.
The Room
The room is plain and proud of it — a busy, brightly lit dining room that turns tables fast, with a queue out the door at peak times and no reservations taken. Service is quick and friendly, used to feeding both regulars and the tourist overflow, and the BYOB policy keeps the bill down further.
Expect a wait at lunch and dinner peaks; it moves quickly. This is somewhere to eat well and cheaply rather than to linger over wine, which is exactly the point.
Best for Solo Dining
The counter-style ease, fast service and order-by-number menu make El Siboney a genuinely good solo meal — you eat well, quickly, without ceremony. It is an unfussy, low-stakes first date for anyone who values substance over polish, and a reliable, well-priced working lunch away from the Duval Street crowds.
Not for
Not for a romantic occasion dinner, a quiet table or anyone after table service with wine — El Siboney is a busy, no-reservations, BYOB Cuban diner where you queue, order by number and turn the table fast.
Frequently Asked
What is El Siboney known for?
Being Key West's Cuban institution — voted the island's Best Cuban Restaurant every year since 1993. The signatures are slow-roasted puerco asado, crispy masitas de puerco fritas, palomilla steak and a Paella Valenciana you call ahead for.
How much does it cost?
It is one of the better-value tables in Key West — most diners eat well for about $15 to $25, with large plates and a BYOB policy that keeps the bill down.
Where is El Siboney in Key West?
At 900 Catherine Street in Old Town, a few blocks off the Duval Street strip. It is a casual neighbourhood dining room rather than a waterfront destination.
Does El Siboney take reservations?
No — it is first-come, first-served, and there is often a queue at lunch and dinner peaks. The line moves quickly, and the kitchen turns tables fast.
Is El Siboney BYOB?
Yes — El Siboney is bring-your-own, which is part of why the bill stays modest. For the Paella Valenciana, call about an hour ahead so the kitchen can prepare it.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at El Siboney Restaurant
No reservations — first-come, first-served, expect a queue at peaks. BYOB. Call ahead for paella.
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
Address900 Catherine St, Key West, FL 33040
NeighbourhoodOld Town, Catherine Street
CuisineCuban
Price~$15–25 per person; cash-friendly, generous plates
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingBusy indoor dining room; no reservations
ReservationNot accepted — walk-in only
