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
La Pincha closed Wednesday, August 12 for a few weeks. Early October reopening date announced.
One Love Food Truck is closed Thursday September 3 and Friday September 4 for a private catering event. Back open Saturday September 5 at 11 AM.
Chico’s Cantina closed after dinner service August 28th for their vacation. Reopening September 21st.
Forks & Stix on Big Pine Key closed August 29 and stays closed for the month of September. No reopening date announced.
Bel Mare is closed this week for kitchen equipment upgrades. They haven’t announced a reopening date yet.
Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar pauses dinner service on Mondays and Tuesdays from August 17 through mid-October. Dinner runs Wednesday through Sunday during that stretch.
Seven Fish has closed for their annual September break and will reopen on October 1st.
Cafe Sole will be closed for the month of September. Back open: October 1.
Smoked BBQ is closed for annual vacation September 1 through 30. Back open: October 1.
Salute! on the Beach closed after service Sunday for a break and renovations, August 23. Back open: the beginning of October; they haven’t named a date.
Bruschetta Francesca is closed August 30 through October 8. Back open: October 9.
Azur closes September 1 for six weeks. Back open mid-October.
Frenchie’s Cafe is closed for the rest of September through the third week of October. No exact reopening date announced.
The Cafe at Louie’s Backyard (upstairs) last night is Saturday, September 5, and it doesn’t reopen until Thursday, October 1.
Square Grouper Cudjoe Key is closed for annual vacation September 6 through October 7th. Back open: October 8th at 11 am.
Stinkin’ Crawfish will be closed from September 7th to the 21st. They’ll reopen on the 22nd.
Mangoes is closed September 8 through 14 for renovations, including a new dining room, a redone outdoor bar, and new tables and chairs. Back open: September 15.
Little Whitehouse Subs closes September 8 for staff vacations, renovations and a menu refresh. Last day open is September 7. Back open: October 1 at 11 am.
Louie’s Backyard closes for annual maintenance on Tuesday, September 8. Dinner returns Thursday, September 24, and lunch on Friday the 25th.
Square Grouper Key West is closed for annual vacation beginning September 8 and they will reopen on October 9th
Blue Heaven is closed for vacation September 8 through October 15. Labor Day, September 7, is their last day open. The online store closes earlier; last day to order is September 6. They should be back open: October 16.
DJ’s Clam Shack will close for their vacation from September 7th through the 24th. They will be back open on the 25th.
Red Shoe Island Bistro will be closed for annual vacation September 13th-30th. Have fun in Philly.
Fisherman’s Cafe is closed for vacation September 13 through October 4. Back open: October 5.
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 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 at 7:30 am for bakery, coffee and food to go, after closing for a refresh. The dining room follows once the finishing touches are done.
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. Word is they are coming back.
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 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 list 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 |
| La Grignote | Sep 2–26 |
| The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar | Sep 14 – Oct 2 |
| Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| White Tarpon | Sep 17 – Nov 1 |
| Rock Key Cafe | Sep 27 – Oct 6 |
| Sarabeth’s | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Mangrove Mama’s | Late Sep, reopened Oct 2 |
| Blackfin Bistro | September, reopened Oct 3 |
| 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.