Some of the best bites in Florida come from places you would drive right past without a second look. A pie counter at the back of a grocery store, a tiny bakery with no tables, or a barbecue joint by the marina can hand you a slice so tart and creamy it stops the conversation cold.
Key lime pie is our state dessert, so finding one that still tastes like somebody’s kitchen feels like a small treasure hunt. Grab a fork, because these nine stops are worth the gas money.
1. Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop – Elizabeth Street, Key West, FL
Walk toward the corner of Elizabeth Street and you will smell graham cracker crust before you see the sign. Kermit’s is the island’s best-known key lime headquarters, and it leans into the theme with everything from pies and ice cream to soaps and lip balm.
The pie itself is the reason to stop. The filling runs a little more tart and a little firmer than the sugary versions sold in plenty of tourist spots, sitting on a crisp graham cracker base that holds its shape.
If a classic slice feels too simple, try the chocolate-dipped pie on a stick, the coconut key lime slice, or the strawberry key lime version.
Out back, an open-air garden patio with a koi pond makes a calm spot to eat before heading back into the Old Town bustle. Most treats land in the $1 to $10 range, so a snack here barely dents the vacation budget.
Hours run daily from 10 AM to 9:30 PM, with evenings usually quieter than afternoons. Dogs are welcome inside, and parking is paid, so walking or biking over is the easy move.
2. Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory ®, Tavernier, FL
Frozen, dipped in chocolate, and served on a stick. That one treat explains why so many Upper Keys road trips include a quick pull-off at this cheerful pie factory along the Overseas Highway.
Blond Giraffe bakes both classic and creative takes on key lime pie. The standard slice is creamy and tangy, balanced nicely against its graham cracker crust, while the menu stretches into tarts, meringues, key lime cookies, candy, and whole pies to carry home in a cooler.
Coffee drinkers get a bonus, since the espresso here holds its own next to dessert. Grab a seat at an outdoor table, enjoy the free Wi-Fi, and slow down for a minute before the drive continues.
Fun extra: the shop sells heart locks for about $18.95, so couples can leave a little keepsake behind. Doors open daily from 9 AM to 8:30 PM, and weekday mornings tend to be the calmest window.
3. The Trading Post w/Key Lime Pie Lady, Islamorada, FL
Nobody stumbles onto pie heaven in the back of a grocery store on purpose. Yet that is exactly where the Key Lime Pie Lady sets up shop, tucked inside The Trading Post in Islamorada.
Treat it like an Old Florida secret handshake. There is no fancy dining room, just a to-go counter turning out smooth, tart pies, key lime bars, and ice cream.
What earns it a spot on this list is the filling. It tastes bright and clean, the kind of homemade flavor that locals compare to the pies their grandmothers made, and travelers who taste-test their way down the Keys often rank it near the very top.
Practical perks matter too. The store lists itself as open 24 hours, so a midnight pie run is actually possible, and slices travel well back to a rental or a boat.
Expect to spend roughly $10 to $20, then find a spot by the water to eat it.
4. Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop, Miami, FL
Born from a food truck and powered by a firefighter’s sweet tooth, this Miami bakery proves that a small storefront can carry a huge dessert lineup. Pies and cheesecakes are the specialty, and the key lime is among the most famous items on the board.
Expect a creamy, well-balanced slice that stands confidently beside crowd favorites like crack pie, peanut butter pie, grasshopper pie, and guava cheesecake. Craving something savory first?
Quiche and chicken pot pie are on hand, too.
Late hours set it apart from almost every other stop here. The shop stays open until 11 PM every night, with weekend doors opening at 9 AM, so it works for breakfast with coffee or an after-dinner sugar fix.
Plan on $10 to $20 per person. Delivery and pickup are both available, though grabbing a warm cookie in person is half the fun.
5. J. J. Gandy’s Pies, Inc., Palm Harbor, FL
Ask around Pinellas County about key lime pie and one family name keeps coming up. J.
J. Gandy’s has been a Palm Harbor standby for years, building a steady reputation on its key lime pies and key lime cookies.
Consistency is the magic trick. Families who have lived nearby for decades still count on this casual bakery for holidays, birthdays, and plain old Tuesday cravings, and even folks who claim they do not love key lime pie make an exception here.
A frozen version of the signature pie is a smart pick on hot Gulf Coast afternoons. Beyond key lime, look for chocolate fudge and blueberry pies, sugar cookies, and coffee cake muffins, often with friendly samples offered at the counter.
There is no dine-in seating, so think of it as a grab-and-go stop. The shop runs Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with a free parking lot out front.
6. Yoder’s Restaurant, Sarasota, FL
Pie for dinner? At Yoder’s, that is practically tradition.
This old-fashioned Sarasota restaurant serves hearty Amish and American cooking, and its homemade pies have earned prize-winning bragging rights.
Meals come in generous portions, think fried chicken, meatloaf, country fried steak, Amish noodles, and potato cakes. It feels like Sunday supper at a relative’s farmhouse, except you do not have to wash dishes.
Save room, though. The pie case is the real draw, and a slice of key lime here carries that unhurried, made-by-hand character that runs through the whole kitchen.
Breakfast starts at 7 AM Monday through Saturday, with the doors closing at 8 PM and Sundays off. A wait is common, especially Saturday afternoons, but parking is plentiful and prices sit around $10 to $20 per person.
7. Sister Honey’s, Orlando, FL
Far from the theme park crowds, a cute little shop on East Michigan Street quietly turns out some of the most admired baking in Central Florida. Sister Honey’s is an award-winning artisan bakery, and even professional bakers point to it as a city standout.
Key lime pie headlines a lineup that also includes coconut cream pie, strawberry cream pie, hummingbird cake, and a much-loved pistachio cake. Out-of-state visitors have been known to plan stops just for the key lime and coconut cream slices.
Buy by the slice to sample a few, or take a whole pie home for a gathering. There is no seating and no restroom, so bring an appetite and a plan for where to enjoy your haul.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PM. Saturdays get busy, while weekday mornings are calm.
8. Porky’s Bayside Restaurant and Marina, Marathon, FL
Smoke from the barbecue pit, boats bobbing in the marina, and a plate of deep-fried key lime pie. Few desserts in the Middle Keys come with a better backdrop.
Porky’s is a laid-back, funky waterfront spot known for big portions of barbecue and seafood. Dessert is no afterthought here, as the key lime pie is made with real key limes and hits a satisfying blend of tart and sweet with eye-catching presentation.
Feeling adventurous? Order it fried for a crispy, warm twist on the classic.
Live music, outdoor seating, and dogs welcome inside and out make it an easy stop for families and groups. The kitchen opens at 8 AM for breakfast and stays open until 10 PM, with free parking on-site and plates running around $20 to $30 per person.
9. Mattheessen’s Candy Kitchen, Key West, FL
Here is a fun fact: this little Duval Street candy kitchen has been serving Key West for over two decades as a true mom and pop shop. Every dessert in the case is homemade, and the crust proves it.
The star is the chocolate-dipped key lime pie on a stick. A thick, dark chocolate shell wraps around a smooth, creamy, slightly tart wedge, with a crunchy graham cracker base made in-house.
Prefer it plain? The classic slice is just as satisfying.
Fudge, coconut macaroons, giant cookies, and ice cream studded with bits of pie crust round out the temptations.
Hours are generous, running daily from 9 AM until midnight, which makes it a perfect sweet ending to an evening stroll through Old Town. There is no restroom, so treat it as a quick grab-and-wander treat stop.
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