Some of the best bites in Florida come from little shops you could easily drive right past. You pull over for a quick slice, expecting nothing special, and suddenly you are planning your next trip just to come back.
Key lime pie is a big deal here, and the right one is tangy, creamy, and worth every mile of highway. These nine bakeries are the ones locals happily make the drive for.
1. Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory ®, Tavernier, FL
Walk through the door and the air smells like fresh lime and sugar. That citrusy welcome sets the tone at this Tavernier pie shop along the Overseas Highway in the Upper Keys.
It is often the first serious pie stop for drivers heading south from the mainland.
The classic slice balances creamy, sweet, and tangy flavors over a light, thin crust. Beyond that, the menu gets playful with frozen key lime pie on a stick, a chocolate-dipped version, tarts, meringues, and key lime cookies.
Whole pies are available if you want to bring one home for the family.
Outdoor tables sit in a pretty garden where hummingbirds sometimes zip around, making it an easy place to slow down. Coffee and packaged sweets round things out, and free wi-fi is a nice bonus.
Expect roughly $10 to $20 per person.
Hours run 9 AM to 8:30 PM daily. Weekend afternoons get busy, so a weekday visit is the calmer choice.
2. Pinecrest Bakery – Key Largo, Key Largo, FL
Cuban coffee and key lime pie make a surprisingly great team. At this Key Largo bakery, the mini key lime pie has earned a loyal following among travelers who try slices all over the islands.
The shop is a Cuban bakery first, so the display cases are packed. You will find pastelitos, empanadas, cake slices, flan cheesecake, and the Sunshine Croissant.
A cortadito or cafe con leche pairs nicely with something sweet.
Early risers will love the 5:30 AM opening, and the doors stay open until 10 PM every day. Breakfast, dine-in, takeout, and even delivery are options.
Parking is easy, with a free lot available.
Weekends can get lively, so swing by on a weekday evening for a quieter visit.
3. Sweet Savannah’s of the Florida Keys, Marathon, FL
Gluten-free fans, rejoice. Sweet Savannah’s in Marathon offers a gluten-free key lime pie, so more people at the table get to share the fun.
The regular version comes topped with whipped cream and keeps things simple and classic. Key lime ice cream, milkshakes, inventive cupcakes, bread pudding, and cookies fill out the menu.
Custom birthday and wedding cakes are made here too.
Families will appreciate the relaxed vibe, with garden seating, board games, and a little play area for toddlers. Staff are known for being helpful, even offering ice to keep a pie cool for the road.
Hours start at 11 AM daily, closing at 9 PM most nights and 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Evenings fill up, so mornings and early afternoons are quietest.
4. Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop – Elizabeth Street, Key West, FL
Ask around Key West about pie and one name comes up fast. Kermit’s on Elizabeth Street is an island icon, and the slices back up the fame.
The crust has great texture, and the ratio of filling to cream to crust lands just right. Beyond the traditional pie, try the strawberry key lime or coconut key lime slices.
The chocolate-covered pie on a stick is a fan favorite, and the shop also sells key lime pound cake, candy, cookies, and bottled juice.
Prices are friendly, often $1 to $10 per person, which helps in a pricey tourist town. An open-air eating area with a koi pond makes a pleasant break from Old Town crowds.
Dogs are welcome inside.
The shop is open 10 AM to 9:30 PM daily. Parking is paid, so walking or biking over is easiest.
5. Key Lime Pie Bakery, Key West, FL
Pie nerds call it technically excellent. This Greene Street shop turns out a smooth, well-balanced slice with a sharp tart-to-sweet ratio and bold lime flavor.
The thin crumb crust lets the filling shine, and you can grab a slice or a whole original pie. Key lime cheesecake, chocolate-dipped pie, and a key lime coconut option add variety.
Shelves also carry fun key lime products like coffee, taffy, avocado oil, and juice, making it a handy souvenir stop. Most visits cost $1 to $20 per person.
Open 9 AM to 9 PM daily. Mornings are calm, while Friday and Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
Street parking is paid.
6. Key West Key Lime Pie Co., Key West, FL
Hot afternoon on Greene Street? A frozen, chocolate-covered slice from Key West Key Lime Pie Co. might be the best fix around.
This handmade pie leans dense and creamy, almost like ice cream, sitting on a thick graham cracker crust with whipped cream. Pie in a Cup is perfect for strolling, and the chocolate-dipped pie bar travels well.
Thirsty? The key limeade and key lime milkshake keep the citrus theme going.
Delivery and in-store pickup are available, which helps if you are staying nearby.
Hours run 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM every day. Weekday nights tend to be quiet.
7. Old Town Bakery, Key West, FL
Breakfast and pie in one stop sounds like a dream, and Old Town Bakery on Eaton Street makes it real. This old-fashioned spot bakes bread and sweets from scratch.
The key lime pie earns plenty of praise as one of the best on the island. Yet the croissants deserve attention too, from almond to chocolate.
Sticky buns and danishes add to the nostalgic charm.
Breakfast sandwiches make it a smart morning visit, paired with iced coffee. Plan on $10 to $20 per person.
Hours are 7 AM to 3 PM daily, and weekday mornings are busiest. There is no restroom, so plan ahead.
8. Mattheessen’s Homemade, Key West, FL
Late-night sweet tooth? Mattheessen’s on lower Duval Street stays open until 11 PM most nights and midnight on weekends.
This family-owned shop serves key lime pie topped with a touch of whipped cream. The chocolate-dipped version is a popular pick.
Giant homemade cookies, like chocolate chip and peanut butter, are hard to resist.
Ice cream rounds out the lineup, so a pie-and-scoop combo works well. Prices sit around $10 to $20 per person, a little higher than some, but convenient for evening strolls.
Parking is paid nearby.
9. Croissants de France French Bakery, Key West, FL
Bonjour, key lime. This French bakery on MacDonald Avenue gives the Keys classic a fresh twist with key lime beignets and key lime croissants.
A traditional key lime pie is on the menu too, alongside almond and chocolate croissants. Bistro breakfasts include eggs Benedict and breakfast croissants, plus espresso and cappuccino.
The airy room and patio feel calm, and dogs are welcome inside. Free parking makes it easier than downtown spots.
Hours run 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM daily, with $10 to $20 per person typical.
Whichever bakery you choose, the drive down the Overseas Highway gets sweeter at every stop.
Share this story
