Key West — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Key West, Florida has 372 food establishments with 5,277 inspections on record. 5 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 90.5%, above the state average of 86.2%. Inspections average 6.9 violations per visit.
Largest fine: $400 assessed to Grand Cafe Key West in Key West on January 5, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated April 2026.
Key West Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Key West
90.5%
Pass Rate
90.5%
Florida Average
86.2%
Pass Rate
86.2%
Key West
6.9
Avg Violations / Inspection
6.9
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Key West
1.34
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.34
Florida Average
1.46
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.46
Key West Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denny's Restaurant | 12 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Hampton Inn Key West | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Ricky's Blue Heaven | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Origami | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Palm Haven | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Olives Mediterranean Grill | 6 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| El Meson De Pepe | 13 (2 high) | Call Back - Complied | |
| Pickles Pub Sandbar | 21 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Roost | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Santiagos Bodega | 6 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Key West Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 1,316 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 1,104 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 1,083 |
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 998 |
| 23 | Chemical properly stored | 927 |
Key West Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 5, 2026 | Grand Cafe Key West | $400 | 1--2025082674 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Thai Island Restaurant | $400 | 1--2025053285 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Banana Cafe | $400 | 1--2025079093 |
| Sep 16, 2025 | Mangoes | $400 | 1--2025056281 |
| Sep 4, 2025 | Ocean Grill | $400 | 1--2025053602 |
| Jul 14, 2025 | Geiger Key Fish Camp | $400 | 1--2025043347 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | Southernmost Pint | $160 | 1--2025078896 |
Key West Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Other fire safety violation | 20 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 16 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 13 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 9 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 6 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 3 |
Key West Retail Food: FDACS Inspection Records
In addition to restaurants, Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects grocery stores, markets, gas station food sections, and other retail food establishments. Key West has 116 FDACS-regulated facilities with 172 inspections on record and 249 stop-sale orders issued.
Key West FDACS: Recent Stop-Sale Orders
A stop-sale order prohibits a retail food establishment from selling specific products found to be unsafe, improperly stored, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code. Products may be embargoed, destroyed, or returned to the distributor.
| Date | Facility | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: The product contains a pois… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: The product contains a pois… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Distribution/Retail Sale and Ad… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Distribution/Retail Sale and Ad… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Key West FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Key West Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle K | 4 | 108 | 1,668 |
| CVS | 3 | 9 | 1,009 |
| Walgreens | 2 | 1 | 743 |
| Family Dollar | 1 | 316 | 1,063 |
| Starbucks | 1 | 77 | 1,180 |
| Winn-Dixie | 1 | 212 | 797 |
| Shell | 1 | 152 | 1,162 |
Key West: Notable Restaurants
Ocean Grill
35 inspections
500 violations
2 closures
Thai Island Restaurant
25 inspections
247 violations
2 closures
Old Town Tavern
21 inspections
196 violations
2 closures
New York Pasta Garden
36 inspections
678 violations
1 closures
Half Shell Raw Bar
34 inspections
352 violations
Hampton Inn Key West
14 inspections
34 violations
Key West: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Inn | 2 | 121 | 0 |
| Subway | 2 | 94 | 0 |
| Wendys | 2 | 248 | 1 |
| Hampton Inn | 2 | 147 | 0 |
| Courtyard by Marriott | 1 | 124 | 0 |
| Dominos | 1 | 91 | 2 |
| Sonic Drive-in | 1 | 171 | 0 |
| Jersey Mikes | 1 | 215 | 1 |
| Hilton | 1 | 238 | 0 |
| Outback Steakhouse | 1 | 240 | 1 |
Key West Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Key West?
- Key West, Florida has 372 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Key West?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Key West is 90.5%. The Florida state average is 86.2%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Key West this year?
- 5 food establishments in Key West have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Key West?
- The most frequently cited violations in Key West are: Consumer advisory, Food contact surfaces, Proper hand/arm washing.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Key West?
- Fairfield Inn has the most locations in Key West with 2 establishments.
- How does Key West compare to the Florida state average?
- Key West has a pass rate of 90.5%, which is 4.3 percentage points above the state average of 86.2%. The average violations per inspection is 6.9 compared to the state average of 4.67.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Key West?
- Food establishments in Key West have an average of 14.2 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Key West been assessed?
- Food establishments in Key West have been assessed $53,830 in fines across 160 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $343 and the largest single fine was $1,680.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Key West restaurants?
- 67 fire safety violations have been documented across 45 food establishments in Key West. The most common issue is other fire safety violation.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Key West inspected?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects retail food establishments — grocery stores, gas station food sections, markets, and convenience stores. Key West, Florida has 116 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 172 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Key West?
- FDACS has issued 249 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Key West, including 15 in 2026. A stop-sale order prohibits a facility from selling specific products found to be unsafe, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code.
Key West Restaurants & Food Establishments (371)
Carolines Cafe
310 DUVAL ST, Key West
25 inspections · 184 violations · Last: Feb 2026Sunset Pier / Hot Tin Roof
ZERO DUVAL ST, Key West
20 inspections · 180 violations · Last: Jul 2025Saint Hotel Key West
417 EATON ST, Key West
23 inspections · 180 violations · Last: Jan 2026Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville
500 DUVAL ST, Key West
23 inspections · 179 violations · Last: Jul 2025Harbor View Cafe/one Duval
1 DUVAL ST, Key West
22 inspections · 178 violations · Last: Feb 2026Mac's Place
1605 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West
29 inspections · 175 violations · Last: Feb 2026Palm Haven
3990 S ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West
22 inspections · 174 violations · Last: Mar 2026Cuban Coffee Queen Downtown
5 KEY LIME SQ, Key West
22 inspections · 174 violations · Last: Feb 2026Thirsty Mermaid
521 FLEMING STREET, Key West
27 inspections · 173 violations · Last: Feb 2026Docs on Duval
708 DUVAL ST, Key West
19 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Dec 2025Sonic Drive-in
2312 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West
18 inspections · 171 violations · Last: Jul 2025Flaglers (main Kitchen)
1500 REYNOLDS ST, Key West
23 inspections · 171 violations · Last: Feb 2026Chicos Cantina of Key West
5230 US HWY 1, Key West
16 inspections · 170 violations · Last: Aug 2025Lolita's
245 FRONT ST, Key West
19 inspections · 169 violations · Last: Feb 2026Dante's Key West/prime 951
951 CAROLINE STREET, Key West
19 inspections · 169 violations · Last: Nov 2025Roostica Pizzeria
5620 MACDONALD AVE, Key West
18 inspections · 167 violations · Last: Aug 2025Harpoon Harry's
832 CAROLINE ST, Key West
20 inspections · 166 violations · Last: Aug 2025Sarabeths
530 SIMONTON ST, Key West
24 inspections · 165 violations · Last: Jul 2025Pirates Cove
617 FRONT ST, Key West
23 inspections · 165 violations · Last: Jan 2026McDonald's
3704 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West
24 inspections · 163 violations · Last: Jul 2025