Latitudes

About Latitudes

A seven-minute boat ride is the only way in. Latitudes sits on Sunset Key, a private island just off Key West, and every table faces west over the Gulf of Mexico for the sunset. The launch leaves from the Margaritaville Resort dock at 245 Front Street roughly every half hour. The Key West pink shrimp carbonara at $44 is the dish people come back for, the chilled local pinks open most meals, and the key lime pie closes them. Entrees run about $38 to $72, and the room has been the resort's special-occasion table since the cottages opened in 1999.

The Kitchen

Latitudes is the dining room of Sunset Key Cottages, the private-island resort that opened in 1999 and now sits in the Opal Collection. The kitchen plays to its setting rather than chasing trophies: local seafood, tropical fruit, and a menu that reads coastal-American with a Florida accent. The Key West pink shrimp carbonara, tagliatelle with applewood bacon and egg yolk, is the signature at $44; the chilled Key West pinks, the tuna poke, and the char-grilled octopus are the openers, and the grilled center-cut tenderloin tops the list at $72.

The draw here is the place itself, a barefoot-luxury island where lunch is served on the sand and dinner runs at golden hour. Entrees sit in the $38 to $72 range, with a market-price Caribbean lobster risotto for a splurge. It has been Key West's go-to special-occasion table since the resort opened in 1999. See it on our best Key West restaurants for a proposal, compare the best seafood restaurants worldwide, and plan with the full Key West dining guide.

The Room

Latitudes is the rare dining room where the setting outranks the plate, and that is the point. You can sit in the air-conditioned Ernest Hemingway Room or, better, al fresco on the lawn and beach with the Gulf a few steps away. Sound is open-air and easy, lit by the sunset and then by candle and string light. Tables are spaced for privacy, dress is resort-smart, and the seating spreads across the terrace and sand. Time your booking for thirty minutes before sundown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Latitudes in Key West worth it?

Yes, for the setting above all. Latitudes sits on Sunset Key, a private island reached only by a short ferry, and every table faces the Gulf sunset, which makes it Key West's signature special-occasion room. The Key West pink shrimp carbonara at $44 and the local stone-crab and snapper dishes are the highlights. Entrees run about $38 to $72. You are paying for the island and the view as much as the food, and on a clear evening it is worth it.

How do you get to Latitudes and how hard is it to book?

Latitudes is on Sunset Key and is accessible only by the resort's private launch, which leaves from the dock at 245 Front Street about every thirty minutes. You need a reservation to board, so book ahead through OpenTable, especially for sunset seatings and weekends in high season. Aim to arrive at the dock fifteen minutes before your ferry, and time the booking for just before sundown for the view.

What is the dress code at Latitudes?

Resort-smart. Latitudes is a beachfront dining room, so think linen, sundresses, and collared shirts rather than swimwear or athletic gear. Lunch on the sand is more relaxed; dinner dresses up a touch for the sunset. There is no jacket requirement. Comfortable shoes help on the ferry and the lawn, and a light layer is wise once the breeze comes in off the Gulf after dark.

Is Latitudes good for a proposal?

Yes, it is one of Key West's best proposal settings. The ferry ride, the private island, and the unobstructed Gulf sunset give you a backdrop few restaurants can rival. Book a lawn table about thirty minutes before sundown and let the staff know in advance so they can help with timing. Order the carbonara and the key lime pie, and let the light do the rest.