Stinkin Crawfish Key West — Restaurant in Key West

From the moment we arrived at The Stinking Crawfish in Key West, we knew we were in for a treat. The vibrant atmosphere and the tantalizing aroma of fresh seafood immediately set the stage for a memorable dining experience. Our anticipation was certainly rewarded when our seafood platter arrived – a veritable feast of oceanic delights! The king crab legs were, in a word, phenomenal. The succulent meat was sweet, tender, and pulled away from the shell with satisfying ease. Each bite was a burst of pure, briny flavor that truly showcased the quality of the seafood. Similarly, the lobster was cooked to absolute perfection. The delicate sweetness of the meat was enhanced by its impeccable texture, making it another standout on the platter. It's safe to say that both the king crab and the lobster were highlights that we'll be dreaming about until our next visit. While the exceptional seafood was undoubtedly the star of the show, the overall Key West charm was also in full effect. Yes, as is often the case in this lively locale, we did encounter a few rather bold lizards. While their presence might be a minor quirk for some, it’s truly just part of the unique Key West ambiance and certainly didn't detract from our enjoyment of the meal. We also decided to try the jalapeño poppers with crab filling, and they certainly lived up to their name! The creamy, flavorful crab filling provided a delightful contrast to the fiery kick of the jalapeño. Now, while it might seem obvious to some that jalapeño poppers would have a bit of heat, I was genuinely surprised by the intensity! Consider this a delightful heads-up for anyone who might be expecting a milder experience – these poppers pack a delicious punch! Overall, our experience at The Stinking Crawfish was truly excellent. The quality of the seafood, particularly the outstanding king crab and lobster, was truly memorable. The lively Key West atmosphere, complete with its characteristic wildlife, added to the unique charm. And even the unexpectedly spicy jalapeño poppers left a lasting (and delicious) impression. We absolutely cannot wait to return to The Stinking Crawfish on our next trip to Key West. It's a must-visit for any...

I was so excited for this dinner. It was my first time visiting Key West, and with so many amazing restaurants, cafés, and bars to choose from, we unfortunately picked Stinky Crawfish… and it was the worst decision we made.

We do not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Let’s start with the atmosphere—there was a loud singer performing to the point where we couldn’t even have a conversation at our table. The place itself looked rundown and dirty, which should have been our first warning sign.

Our server seemed completely inexperienced, as if it was her first day on the job. She had little to no knowledge of the drinks on the menu, and when I asked about the size of the shrimp in the shrimp cocktail, She held up their thumb and pointer finger to show me… that big. Shocking.

We ordered a shrimp cocktail, two crab rolls, and espresso martinis.

The espresso martini? A disaster. It was made with Baileys and vodka—because apparently, they don’t make espresso at the bar. It tasted awful. I sent it back and ordered a vodka soda instead, but even that was practically undrinkable because it was way too strong.

The shrimp cocktail arrived instantly after we ordered, which was suspicious. It was served on a flat plate with ice cubes, featuring six sad-looking shrimp that might as well have come from Costco. The cocktail sauce? Just ketchup mixed with horseradish. No flavor, no presentation, no effort.

As for the crab roll—honestly, the bread was the best part. The French fries tasted like they were fried in old oil and were borderline inedible. The crab itself was bland and unimpressive.

I spent $100 and walked out hungry, angry, and with a headache. This was hands down one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had.

Save yourself the disappointment—go...

I would avoid this place at all costs there are to many other restaurants that won't make you sick. Let me start by saying we are on a 13,000 mile road trip that goes through 35 states. We are avid foodies and try tons of types of food and we ate in multiple restaurants in all 35 states so we know good food. Me and my husband tried this place for the cajun food, we ordered the Jambalaya, gumbo, hushpuppies, crawfish, fried calamari and tiger prawns. The meal was not awful but wasn't anything special but the waitress was pleasant and helpful. But a little over an hour after eating we both started feeling very sick, luckily I thought most of the food was sub par and didn't eat much but my husband said he was "going to get his moneys worth" and did his best to eat what he could, this was a mistake. I'm being honest when I say We could barely make it back to our car the pain was so bad . My husband was vomiting consistently and in the fetal position in our hotel for about 3 hours before he felt good enough to sit up. We had planned to stay in key west for 2 more days but neither of us felt good enough for the snorkeling trip we booked the next morning so we had to cancel (without refund). After that we just packed up and started our trip back to Maine. Let me say that I'm sure this isn't a daily thing but is it worth the risk of ruining your trip because staff can't consistently cook safe food ? I...