Cuban Coffee Queen Waterfront — Restaurant in Key West

We’ve been coming to Key West for a long time so we are no strangers to Cuban Coffee Queen. That I’ve worked in specialty coffee for close to thirty years (and in customer service for even longer) can certainly be why this morning’s coffee experience left a bitter taste in my mouth. It’s a weekend morning so it was busy. We waited patiently for our turn to order two small dark roast drip coffees as we did yesterday. The woman taking orders was brusque and unfriendly demanding our names before we even placed our order (again, for just two small drip coffees). She then quoted us a total that seemed outrageously high and different than what we had paid yesterday. When we asked her if that was correct she rolled her eyes and rudely stated that she charged us for small coffees. Not wanting to hold up the growing line behind us we paid (and foolishly tipped as we customarily do at all coffee spots) and moseyed down the walkway to get some shade. The coffee was as delicious as the day before but I was annoyed at the rudeness of the person who took our order and miffed at what I was certain, being overcharged. Turns out my husband grabbed the receipt and we were indeed charged incorrectly. And listen, we’re on vacation and the $3 overcharge is not a big deal in this amazing land that is Key West. And maybe the person behind the counter had too much of their own caffeine and in haste was just doing stupid things faster. I just wish that she had slowed down for the two minutes it would have taken to give us a memorable positive experience as opposed to me trying to decide where to get coffee...

After spending a beautiful day exploring Key West, hunger struck, and we started looking for a cafe to grab a quick coffee and some to-go food before our scheduled boat tour. That's when we came across Cuban Coffee Queen--a highly recommended spot known for its authentic Cuban flavors.

We decided to order a mix of items, including Cuban coffee, a Cuban sandwich, a bagel, and a black bean veggie burger. The service at Cuban Coffee Queen was efficient and friendly, and despite the crowd, I received my coffee and food order fairly quickly.

The Cuban coffee was the highlight of the visit--a rich, black brew that was perfectly roasted. It had a bold, authentic taste that was invigorating and a perfect pick-me-up after a long day.

The food was equally delightful. The Cuban sandwich was outstanding, with a buttery, toasted exterior and a deliciously savory filling that made it a standout dish. The black bean veggie burger was also a hit, with a flavorful black bean patty and a well-toasted bun that added a satisfying crunch. The bagel was another winner--fresh, tasty, and well-prepared, making it a great option for a lighter bite.

Cuban Coffee Queen truly impressed us with its combination of excellent food and authentic...

Now this: this is Key West in all of its glory, shone in its best light: Cuban Coffee Queen!! This place has so much character and stands out amidst an island full of standouts. Truly. This is the original location I think (there are 2 others in KW now) and it is so cool. I believe I just got some sort of vanilla iced latte, but it was maybe a Cuban version? Anyways, easily one of the best lattes I’ve ever had, and I don’t say that without conviction. Along with that, I got the guava bread, and I love the flavor of guava but even this went beyond my expectations. It was so fruity and bursting with flavor even though it didn’t hardly look like much, I regretted sharing it with my dad because I wanted the whole thing for myself! Needless to say, you have to come here at least once in your Key West visit- when you do, you may decide to come back again later in the day or the next. There are typically long lines but trust me when I say is it ever worth the wait! I’m going back to Key West in a few months and one of my only requests is to come here literally every morning....