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 occur 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
Closings announced so far, listed alphabetically. The first column is the first day they’re closed; the second is the day they’re back.
| Restaurant | Closed from | Reopens |
|---|---|---|
| Azur | Sep 1 | Mid-Oct |
| Blue Heaven | Sep 8 | Oct 16 |
| Bruschetta Francesca | Aug 30 | Oct 12 |
| Cafe Sole | Sep 1 | Oct 1 |
| DeLuna’s Cafe | Sep 20 | Sep 26 |
| Fisherman’s Cafe | Sep 13 | Oct 5 |
| Fishwife | Sep 28 | Oct 14 |
| Forks & Stix (Big Pine Key) | Aug 29 | Early Oct |
| Frenchie’s Cafe | Aug 31 | 3rd week of Oct |
| Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe | Sep 15 | Oct 1 |
| La Grignote | Sep 8 | Oct 9 |
| La Pincha | Aug 12 | Early Oct |
| Little Whitehouse Subs | Sep 8 | Oct 1, 11 am |
| Red Shoe Island Bistro | Sep 13 | Oct 1 |
| Salute! on the Beach | Aug 24 | Early Oct |
| Seven Fish | Sep 1 | Oct 1 |
| Smoked BBQ | Sep 1 | Oct 1 |
| Square Grouper Cudjoe Key | Sep 6 | Oct 8, 11 am |
| Square Grouper Key West | Sep 8 | Oct 9 |
| The Bent Prop (Cudjoe) | Sep 28 | Oct 8 |
| The Cafe at Louie’s Backyard (upstairs) | Sep 6 | Oct 1 |
| The Koffie House | Sep 21 | Oct 1 |
Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar stays open, with dinner service paused Mondays and Tuesdays from August 17 through mid-October. Dinner runs Wednesday through Sunday during that stretch.
That’s the list so far. It will grow. Check back, or see the 2025 break schedule further below for the ones I expect to join it.
Back open:
Antonia’s reopened July 12.
Island Tingz Bar and Grill is back to normal hours as of Tuesday, August 4.
One Love Key West summer break and renovations ended; reopened Thursday, August 6.
Little Pearl reopened August 10 with a new menu.
La Te Da is back from their annual end-of-season break, reopened August 14.
Mac’s Place closed for a deep clean and a staff break. They reopened August 14 at noon.
Mr. Z’s closed for a short break and reopened August 14 during regular hours.
Thirsty Mermaid reopened after its annual summer break on August 17.
Margaritaville Key West on Duval was closed for repairs and reopened August 21.
South of the Seven was closed for a mini vacation and reopened on August 28th.
The Lobster Shack was closed for summer break. Back open: September 1.
Moondog Cafe reopened September 3 after closing for a refresh.
One Love Food Truck was closed for a private catering event. Reopened September 5 at 11 AM.
Bel Mare reopened after their refresh September 11th
Mangoes is back open as of September 15th after a little time off
Mangrove Mama’s has reopened after a couple days on Sept 16th.
Pepe’s is back open and waiting to see you bright and early on September 16th.
Chico’s Cantina reopened for business on September 21st.
Bagatelle was only closed for a day and are opened back up September 22nd.
Stinkin’ Crawfish has been on break since Labor day. They have reopened Sept 22nd.
First Flight opened back up September 23rd and are waiting to serve you.
Southernmost Sandy’s Cafe has opened the doors to the food truck September 24th
Point5 is back from their refresh so head on upstairs and enjoy from September 24th
Louie’s Backyard opens for dinner Sep 24th at 5pm. Lunch on the 25th starts at 11:30.
DJ’s Clam Shack is open and serving up lobster rolls and more as of 9/25
The Docks is back from their “fishing” vacation and open for business Sept 25th
Smokin’ Tuna Is 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 made it back. Smokin’ Tuna moved into 313 Duval Street, the former Hard Rock Cafe building, and hung their banner at the end of May.
The soft opening is Thursday, September 3 at 11 am, and the Duval Street stage is running from day one. They are also hosting the Just A Few Friends after-party with Will Kimbrough on Labor Day, Monday September 7. The new setup includes a dedicated concert space behind the restaurant, which the old location never had.
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 has closed. The spot at 420 Eaton, right next to the Tropic Cinema, had been a fixture for years. There is a sign on the door that says “coming soon”.
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, however word is they may be reopening soon with the original owners. The Duval Street complex was the island’s biggest late-night entertainment venue, home to drag shows, cabaret, and lively bars.
Bad Boy Taqueria & Tequila left Stock Island, but you can find them at their sister location in Islamorada.
22&Co has closed its doors while they work out some things. They hope to reopen at some point. There have been some positive murmurs.
The Alamo has not reopened. The website is down and the property is listed for lease. Same owners as Viva, and people are pointing Alamo regulars and booking musicians there for now.
Blackfin Bistro is closing for good on September 25. Seventeen years they have been around, and they are serving lunch and dinner right up to the last day, so there is still time to go. Get that wagyu burger while you can.
The 2025 Break Schedule: What to Expect This Fall
Restaurants here tend to repeat their break schedules year to year. Until 2026 dates are announced, the 2025 calendar below is your best planning guide, and any place on it that isn’t in the table above hasn’t posted this year’s dates yet.
| Restaurant | 2025 break |
|---|---|
| 5 Brothers | Aug 3–10 |
| Origami Sushi Bar | Aug 13–26 |
| Tavern N Town | Aug 21–31 |
| Old Town Mexican Cafe | Sep 2–18 |
| White Tarpon | Sep 17 – Nov 1 |
| Rock Key Cafe | Sep 27 – Oct 6 |
| Sarabeth’s | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Sunny Eggs | Reopened Oct 3 |
| 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.
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 at 101 Fitzpatrick Street.
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.
Bad Boy Burrito can be found in the kitchen at Mary Ellen’s
Baby’s Coffee opened at their Key West location at the end of August. 518 Fleming Street
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.