Every year during slow season, a stretch of Key West restaurants lock the doors for a few weeks. Staff vacations, renovations, hurricane season, or no good reason to stay open while the island is quiet.
People ask every year which places are closed, so this is the running list for 2026. Most announcements land between July and September; I update this page as they come in. If you have a fall trip planned, bookmark it.
Slow Season Closings Announced for 2026
Antonia’s Restaurant was on its summer break, closed June 28th through July 12th. Reservations resume July 13th. Shorter and earlier than their 2025 break, which ran into mid-August.
Little Pearl is taking a summer break July 26 through August 9, reopening August 10. Their last pre-break week runs a $65 four-course dinner with a 5 PM seating if you want to sneak in before they lock up.
Island Tingz Bar and Grill closes July 26 through August 3 for a staff vacation, back to normal hours Tuesday, August 4.
The Alamo is closed for the summer and will be back in the fall. Their live music, food, and happy hour all go quiet until then.
That’s the list so far. It will grow. Check back, or see the next section for the ones I expect to join it.
The Regulars: Breaks Expected but Not Yet Announced
A handful of places close every year like clockwork, usually in September. None of these have posted 2026 dates yet, but if your trip depends on one of them, plan around their usual window until they say otherwise.
Blue Heaven takes an annual vacation. In 2025 they were closed most of September and reopened October 8th.
Louie’s Backyard closes every September for annual maintenance. The 2025 break ran September 2nd through the 24th; the Cafe upstairs took a longer one, August 31st to October 3rd.
Tavern N Town takes a regular late-August break. Their 2025 dates were August 21st through the 31st.
DJ’s Clam Shack will close for vacation; they do every year. The 2025 closure was September 1st through the 21st.
Cafe Sole closes for the month of September annually. Expect the same.
Dates will move to the announced list above as they’re confirmed.
Smokin’ Tuna Is Coming Back (in the Old Hard Rock Space)
Last year I wrote that Smokin’ Tuna Saloon had shut down, changed location, and we’d see if they made it back. They’re making it back. Smokin’ Tuna is moving into 313 Duval Street, the former Hard Rock Cafe building, and hung their banner at the end of May.
No official opening date posted yet, but they’re already booked to host the Just A Few Friends after-party with Will Kimbrough on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th. The new setup includes a dedicated concert space behind the restaurant, which the old location never had. I’ll post details as they firm up.
Permanent Closings in Key West 2026
Hard Rock Cafe Key West has closed for good. The Duval Street building isn’t staying empty, though; that’s where Smokin’ Tuna is setting up (see above).
Glazed Donuts is gone for good. A rough one; their spot at 420 Eaton, right next to the Tropic Cinema, had been a fixture for years.
The Cafe on Southard has also closed. For years it was the reliable answer to “where do we take the vegetarian,” with a menu that ran from tofu and veggie plates to seafood, at 509 Southard.
Doner on Wheels food truck closed up shop. They had the best gyros on the island in my opinion.
Aquaplex has closed its doors. The Duval Street complex was the island’s biggest late-night entertainment venue, home to drag shows, cabaret, and lively bars.
The 2025 Break Schedule: What to Expect This Fall
Restaurants here tend to repeat their break schedules year to year, so until 2026 dates are announced, the 2025 calendar below is your best planning guide.
| Restaurant | 2025 break |
|---|---|
| 5 Brothers | Aug 3–10 |
| Origami Sushi Bar | Aug 13–26 |
| Mac’s Place | Aug 15–17 |
| Antonia’s Restaurant | Summer break, reopened Aug 19 |
| Tavern N Town | Aug 21–31 |
| Thirsty Mermaid | Month of August |
| Chico’s Cantina | Aug 30 – Sep 16 |
| The Cafe at Louie’s Backyard | Aug 31 – Oct 3 |
| Smoked BBQ | Sep 1–29 |
| Azur | Sep 1 – Oct 12 |
| DJ’s Clam Shack | Sep 1–21 |
| Louie’s Backyard | Sep 2–24 |
| Old Town Mexican Cafe | Sep 2–18 |
| Stinkin Crawfish | Sep 2–17 |
| La Grignote | Sep 2–26 |
| Square Grouper | Sep 2 – Oct 3 |
| Little Whitehouse Subs | Weekends of Sep 6–7 and 13–14 |
| Southernmost Sandy’s Cafe | Renovations, reopened Sep 10 |
| Red Shoe Island Bistro | Sep 13 – Oct 5 |
| The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar | Sep 14 – Oct 2 |
| Fisherman’s Cafe | Sep 14–28 |
| Little Pearl | Sep 15 – Oct 2 |
| Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| White Tarpon | Sep 17 – Nov 1 |
| Bel Mare | Sep 17 – Nov 1 |
| Moondog Cafe & Bakery | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Rock Key Cafe | Sep 27 – Oct 6 |
| Sarabeth’s | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Seven Fish | September, reopened Oct 1 |
| Cafe Sole | Month of September |
| Bruschetta Francesca | September, reopened Oct 9 |
| Mangrove Mama’s | Late Sep, reopened Oct 2 |
| Blackfin Bistro | September, reopened Oct 3 |
| Sunny Eggs | Reopened Oct 3 |
| Blue Heaven | Annual vacation, reopened Oct 8 |
| Macdoo BBQ (food truck) | May through Oct 19 |
| La Creperie | Oct 9 – Nov 1 |
Not on the table: Hard Rock Cafe and Glazed Donuts took breaks last year but have since closed for good (see above).
New in 2026
Slow season giveth as well, and this year’s new arrivals have a theme: filling the spaces we said goodbye to last year.
Dragon & Rooster opened in January at 626 Duval, the old Pho King Awesome corner at Angela and Duval. Pan-Asian bistro from Scott Taylor, the Kaya Island Eats owner.
Conchiglia opened in February at 816 Duval, the former Croissants de France building. Coastal Italian with a chef from Rome; breakfast and dinner daily.
Doc’s on Duval opened January 13th at 708 Duval, in the old Pinchers spot. Burgers, BBQ, and seafood, with a balcony over Duval.
La Pincha opened in the spring.
Fishwife opened May 12th on Petronia Street, a sister restaurant to The Docks. Already covered in the Happy Hour Food Guide and on the Summer Dining Specials page.
Maroon’s Seafood & Smokehouse opened July 1st at 1000 Eaton Street, across from Old Town Bakery in the old Eaton Good spot. It’s the sister restaurant to The Jerk restaurant on Southard St.
And from 2025’s class, all still going: Square Grouper Key West, Lolita’s Coastal Cocina at the Opal, Dorada at Casa Marina, Key West Poke House, and Island Tingz Bar and Grill, plus Milagro settled into its new Duval Street home.
Plenty Stays Open
Most of the island keeps serving right through slow season, and the places that stay open tend to run their best deals of the year while they’re at it. The Summer Dining Specials page tracks seasonal offers, and the slow season is when many of the deals on the Local Dining Specials page also show up. The Happy Hour Food Guide covers the year-round standbys.
If you know of a closing I’ve missed, pass it along, and I’ll add it.