Irie Island Eats — Restaurant in Marathon

I’ll just say, I may have found my new favorite restaurant of all time. This place is like going to a buddy’s house for a backyard barbecue. Of course, that means you have a rich buddy who lives in a tropical paradise. It’s all outside and it’s nestled underneath tropical palm trees and foliage that create an island jungle atmosphere. There even chickens running around as you can see in the pics. We happened to show up for dinner at a very random time. They were serving a buffet that they only offer during certain holiday times. But this was a random weekend. The buffet was by far the best I’ve ever been to. It’s not even close. The cost was $40 a person and there were so many meat options including Kalhua pork, braised beef, jerk chicken, prime rib, pork ribs, mahi-mahi, chorizo, shrimp on skewers, and they even had tomahawk steaks for an extra $25. The side were insane. The ahi tuna was as good as I’ve ever eaten in my life. There was an unlimited amount of food for any taste. The desserts were amazing also. Included in the pictures are the two breakfasts that we went to this week also. The sunrise platter is a couple of soft baked eggs topped with whatever you choose from the menu and they’re served with a bed of hash browns that are out of this world. They are fried on both sides and they’re served come out firm and delicious. I would literally eat at irie island eats every single night if I could afford it. If you haven’t gone here, you’re really missing out. I’d make sure to go out of your way to try it out. In fact, we leave for home tomorrow and we will be stopping for our third breakfast of the week. Update: When we went for our third breakfast of the week this morning (3/15) we met the owner. His name is Chris. He took almost an hour of his INSANELY BUSY time and talked with us about his story and how the restaurant came about. He shared about his young life and his career development. I’ll say this, the food is absolutely amazing, but Chris is that much better a human. I think anyone reading this should stop and get food from this place, not only because the food is exceptional, but the people behind the food are what make this place truly special! I knew it the first time I walked in, but after meeting Chris, it became very obvious why this place is so unique. Thank you Chris and your entire staff for providing the most memorable dining week of our...

I'm kicking myself for not discovering this place before today. While the Keys are so beautiful, the majority of restaurants are so disappointing and unmemorable. We live 15 minutes south of Cocoa Beach so we know what to expect when it comes to touristy joints, definitely no stranger to our local traps. For all the years I've visited the Keys, I've yet to find breakfast/lunch/dinner between Key Largo to Islamorada that was not only below average in terms of pricing, but flatout disappointing in quality. I don't think the majority of these places have ever experimented with seasonings outside of a dash of salt.

This year's visit seems to be more apparent than any other time. I'm sure it's possible to find quality, flavorful meals in upscale spots (think ~$80+ entrees) but I don't know firsthand.

Then I found Irie Island Eats....

If you're looking for somewhere that offers natural beauty, a selection of locally sourced groceries, international treats, options considerate to dietary restrictions, an escape from the exhausted and tacky fisherman kitsc (and most importantly) dishes made with pride, quality, and creativity... then you need to stop in.

The gentleman who took our order this morning was a total delight and was patient with us as we read through the menu and asked questions. Definitely try the pancakes. They're unique in texture and flavor, almost cloud-like. The coconut syrup and abundance of fresh berries paired with the compote (choice of mango, passion fruit, or guava - I loved the tart of the passion fruit) created a symphony of tropic flavor. You won't leave hungry (or bankrupt for that matter!) Do yourself a solid and take home some locally sourced groceries and international treats, say hi to the resident rooster and hen, and don't leave without a latte. This isn't a dressed-up drip coffee; you're getting a robust espresso with a full flavor profile. As we don't have access to a kitchen, we'll be going back this evening for dinner and again in the morning before driving home. Tomorrow I'll be trying their french toast which is made with their homemade banana bread.

While I prefer visiting the Keys when the ocean is at its warmest, I can't think of anything more dreamy than sitting on a couch with a good book, great food, proper espresso, on a 65 degree day, surrounded by their lush plants and gentle breeze. That's my plan for...

Not sure how this place has great reviews. Our açaí was pre watery and icy, pre frozen with no flavor.. the fruit topping were rotten and falling apart. Just seems like a poorly executed operation with some disorganized staff and tourist trap appeal. Unfortunately the keys needed a legit açaí and juice place and this isn’t it. For the owners reply. Frozen açaí is standard — but not always served frozen. You’re right that açaí is imported frozen into the U.S., but the key difference is how it’s prepared and served. Many high-quality açaí bowls are blended with other fruits or liquids (like banana, almond milk, etc.) to create a smooth, creamy base that isn’t just a solid frozen sorbet. It makes the bowl easier to eat and gives it a fresher, more balanced texture — especially in hot climates. Texture matters. If your bowl is being served as a hard, icy.. that’s a choice, but it can affect the customer experience. Not everyone prefers to chisel through a frozen block to get to their toppings! About the fruit — I never questioned whether your fruit was local or hand-picked (though “gassed” vs. “ripe” is a valid distinction in the produce world). My comment reflected how the fruit tasted. Taste is subjective, but feedback is valuable.

At the end of the day, I support local businesses — especially ones promoting health and fresh food.. and my review was meant to be constructive. A bit more grace in your response could’ve gone a long way. Clearly you are a...