Kaya Island Eats

Inside The Key West EmPOURium at 618 Duval Street, Kaya Island Eats blends Caribbean, South Pacific, Asian, and Latin cuisines into one big island party. The venue is immense — indoor and outdoor seating, two dozen TVs for the game, a tropical Backyard Bar for live music, even a karaoke lounge — and the welcome is the real deal: pure, immediate island warmth, with staff who greet you like locals.

The appetizers are the way to go, and every one is a clean, fresh flavor bomb. The Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings come tossed in jerk sauce and topped with goat cheese and green onion; the Signature Tuna Poke Nachos layer fresh poke, wasabi pickled ginger aioli, and sesame seeds over crispy wonton chips; the Bang Bang Fish is pan-fried mahi mahi bites with Thai chili sauce; and the Hawaiian Pork Sliders bring mango pineapple salsa, Key lime slaw, and a kick of guava lava sauce. Start with Juju’s Maui Mai Tai — silver rum, real passion fruit, almond syrup, and lemonade — truly “the islands in a tiki glass.” The kitchen also takes real care with allergies, with many vegan and gluten-free options.

Featured in our Florida Keys locals’ guide — We actually eat there.