Lazy Days Islamorada

Right on one of Islamorada’s beautiful beaches, Lazy Days is the unequivocal “must-visit” of the Upper Keys — where impeccable service meets unexpected culinary abundance, engulfed by Atlantic breezes and fresh seafood. The view is among Islamorada’s best: the Tea Table Key Relief Channel, Alligator Reef, and the distant Alligator Reef Lighthouse. The two-tiered setup offers casual downstairs dining where you can put your toes in the sand, and a more formal sit-down dinner experience upstairs. Service was perfect — unhurried, generous with time to explore the menus, and helpful with selections.

Start with a handcrafted drink: the classic Lazy Mule or the tropical Lazy Days (in da Keys), with Malibu Coconut Rum and Bacardi Gold — both well mixed and quite tasty. Entrées from the daily specials menu deliver robust flavors and portions far beyond expectation: the Grilled Tuna Sandwich, thick-cut and cooked perfectly, and the Panko Fried Hog Fish sandwich, which was better than people hyped it to be — so good, in fact, that it warranted a repeat order the next day. Don’t miss the appetizer ritual, which can include their excellent Hook and Cook service for the freshest possible catch. Stop by the gift shop on your way in or out, and note the daily happy hour at the bar (4–6 PM, as of our review).