Louie’s Backyard

We ate at the tapas bar upstairs. Loved the atmosphere! Wine, truffle fries, and key lime pie were delicious, but the rest of the food was just okay. The Caesar salad was not «really good»!

Its pretty funny that place is called Louie’s Backyard. Its not just any backyard, its a fancy ass backyard right by the ocean. If you sit outdoors, you can literally smell the ocean.
We sat outdoors right by the water, it was very very nice. This is a great place for dates as well as small group dinners. Our waitress was great. We started off with some cocktails, then switched to wine. We had the special, which was baked oysters with cheese, for our appetizer. It was amazing. Delicious hot oyster bubbling with warm cheese on top? Yes.
For my main, I had the tuna on top of a bed of soba. I asked for my tuna to be medium rare, they had overcooked it a little but it was still very good. This place is a little bit over priced.
Hint– its not far from the southernmost point, so make sure you go there after dinner.
Service was excellent, will come back.

I dine here frequently-​on special occasions. I can say that ambiance is very nice and service tends to be on the plus side with some exceptions.
Great seafood and presentation. I am puzzled by the fact that even though this is Key West and a highly recommended restaurant, their key lime pie is, well, disappointing to say the least. They drenched it in some raspberry syrupy sauce that made the whole thing a nightmare and an insult to key lime pie. Alas!
On the good side: their outside bar is perfect. The drinks are on point, well presented and delicious. On a nice summer night, sit on a deck table.
I like Louie’s. Do get back to the basics on the key lime pie please! Also, service, service, service!

Extremely disappointed in our dinner.
I had selected Louie’s for a special occasion dinner based on reviews which indicated this was a unique spot in key west with excellent service, great food and excellent sunset views. Sadly it was cold and raining and sunset was a no-​go. While I don’t expect them to control the weather, we were seated on a non-​heated, semi-​enclosed patio and cold rain and wind were blowing in– I needed to wear my sweater, scarf and coat throughout the meal.
Our waiter was, in a word, unpleasant. He made strange and awkward comments throughout the meal (ex: after I commented that I liked the conch chowder, he remarked he was glad I liked it because an «iron chef guy» had it recently and told him it tasted like marinara-​this was early in the meal and made us feel uneasy about making any comments about anything!; when my husband said he did not want dessert, waiter said «are you too full from drinking beer with dinner?») and he was condescending.
Besides his poor attitude, the service was overall lacking. When ordering cocktails we also requested drinks to be served with entrees, waiter said we needed to remind him to bring them. When he poured beer he left a 3 inch head in the glass. Finished dishes were left on the table too long and drinks were not brought until several minutes after our entrees were served (even though we did remind him to bring them!). As we were trying to eat our entrees, waiter started fumbling with refilling/​replacing the kerosene/​oil lamp on our small table– very distracting and disruptive (and should have been fixed before we sat down).
Food was overpriced. The conch chowder tasted like a bland Maryland crab soup. Wakame salad under the spring rolls was drenched in salty soy sauce. The catch of the day and steak entrees were just OK, not worth $ 40 a plate!
I also found an insect frozen into an ice cube in my water glass!
One star for what I’m sure is a great view most days. Otherwise a huge, huge disappointment.
Updated! I didn’t think it could get worse but I found out today that my family pre-​arranged for and PAID to have a bottle of champagne delivered to our table and it never came!

Wonderful surprise experience. Had no reservation but got right in upstairs and sat at a romantic table for two looking out at the water in a private alcove! Fried artichokes and fries dipped in fontina, delicious. But even better were the gnocchi and shaking beef, tender and tasty. Dessert topped the experience, chocolate brownie cream brûlée with fresh berries and whipped cream. Our waitress was pleasant and timely, You won’t be disappointed!

By far best atmosphere and presentation in Key West. Miles from Duval scene without being far away.
We went for a birthday started on upper deck with cocktails and apps then moved to restaurant for dinner. Tuna tartar shrimp fritters grouper special and salmon all excellent.
If it’s a nice night sit outside. Make a reservation they get crowded.

Another fabulous dining experience at Louie’s last night. We had dinner a little early and were greeted by a very friendly hostess — Who seated us right out on the deck in a perfect spot (The views from outside of the water are spectacular). We started with a crabmeat appetizer on a tahini seaweed that was delicious! My wife had the pork chop and I had the hogfish… perfect & flavorful. We finished with key lime pie… Yum! A perfect night!

Second best restaurant on the island, behind Blue Heaven. The atmosphere is actually better, as in a view of the ocean & more upscale décor. Food here is very good, but the prices are the highest on the island. It’s a great place for a celebration.

Don’t get me wrong, the food was great. What really ruined it for me was the general manager… I went to this place With my brother, who lost his legs. He is a very able person and honestly could hand walk circles around most. We came here for dinner as it was touting the accessibility. Problem is… The GM said «just pick him up» mind you, that’s the end of the road. I’m done talking about this.

This review is for location and drinks only. Gster and my hotel was located literally next to Louie’s. While we did want to eat there, it just didn’t work out for timing wise. We came for drinks and sunset however. The atmosphere inside is fine dining, with exquisite nautical/​sailing décor, and also really enhancing the authentic feel of the plantation house. The backyard has cool trees, with lights all in them and lights draping the porch and plant, making you feel like you are in magic paradise. The back porch off the back porch is for drinks only, which is a shame since it’s the best view. But they have lots of seating, huge umbrellas, and good music all with the Suns of waves crashing below. While it is right on the water and theoretically good for a sunset, the wharf from the hotel blocks the direct views. It was the perfect place to get a delicious be tropical drink and be on the water, but there are better places to see the sunset.

We still like this place a lot and to say it has been discovered is an understatement. The place is extremely busy, and if there happens to be a cruise ship in town, best to make a reservation.
We stopped in for their Weekend Brunch and started with the Green Goddess Salad and then had the Maine Lobster Roll and the Crisp Duck Confit with Wilted Greens & Roasted Grapes, and everything was delicious. We like to sit inside by the window and enjoy the view of the ocean. It doesn’t get much better.

Great food, lovely (but too warm) red wine, and prejudiced service.
Including gratuity (by hand, crossing over the «gratuity not included» notice) for the sole reason of us speaking a foreign language is indeed illegal and insulting. And mentioning it to the front desk to only receive nonplussed smiles only added to the bitter aftertaste.

An amazing find. Dinner on the lower balcony, waves crashing on the beach, just a wonderful setting. Then add on a great dinner, what more could you want. Had the sautéed shrimp with bacon and mushrooms over stone grits. Delicious.

The best restaurant in Key West hands down. We had a meal that was a symphony of flavors. We sat on the back porch side by side with a view of the ocean. It was wonderfully romantic. The service was excellent. We enjoyed our time so much we didn’t want to leave. We stayed for drinks after dinner at the outside bar on the water and soaked in the beauty of Key West.

The patio here is awesome. This restaurant is one of the reasons we love Key West. The staff is great and for lunch you can’t make a better choice. We’ve not been for dinner yet but we will for sure be checking it out very soon.
The drinks are very tasty and the atmosphere is very relaxing. You can sit on the «after deck»…and time just goes away.
Love this place.

This is my last meal here. Chef is asleep. Over cooked proteins. Cafeteria food may be better. I look around and everyone here is geriatric so they may not taste the food or give feedback. The best view in town without matching food. Tourist destination; food not for people with taste.

Excellent food and service. The coveted dining area is the outdoor dining section so make a reservation if that is where you want to dine. Inside is a beautiful home.
There is a at outside with a lot of seating options, on the Atlantic beach, no food service provided. I had the fish of the day — yellow tail snapper that was delish and my dining partner had shrimp and grits which was also delish. Entrees between $ 35-​$ 40 apps and salads $ 12-​$ 18. It is a meal you will enjoy!

Love the ocean view, the service and the food. Menu is something simple. traditional Key west Foods.
Sit outside ! (In the shade) otherwise it will be to hot.

A MUST STOP FOR THE BIG KIDS
Today’s review is for the «Afterdeck» bar which is an outside deck with a small bar which extends over the ocean from the back of the main house.
The Afterdeck bar is an excellent place for adults to sip on a cocktail and enjoy the sunset. Frequently visited by locals as well as tourists, this is where the grown ups go.
Service for our drinks was quick and the pour was generous for my crown.
I highly recommend this for a couples date or small group of six or less to hang out and enjoy the fresh air. You can order from a small menu on the Afterdeck, but only if you sit at the bar. Small pets are okay but must be on a leash.
I will need to provide updates for the inside and upstairs dining in future posts. The upstairs and downstairs dining rooms offer different menu’s prepared by different chefs. Upstairs is small plates, and downstairs is more of a main course dinner experience.

I really wish we had opted for the «Upper Deck» as I think I would have enjoyed the menu more.
Here’s what I will say: this is a classy establishment and you will get the level of service you are paying for. Think white table clothes and highly traditional service. I don’t think we were expecting that given the laid back vibe the permeates the whole of Key West. It all felt a bit old school, and not in the most flattering way.
We started with a drink at the bar, and the location is magnificent. They definitely have that locked down.
On the food front once we moved inside, I was a bit disappointed. The seafood all neatly fit into the box of fresh-​but-​unimaginative. Our conch starter in particular was covered in so much sauce that I couldn’t really tell you how the conch tasted. I’d definitely skip the sorbet if I ever went again.
If you’re looking for an upscale location to go for a business dinner or to impress the family? This is a good, safe bet. And FYI: reservations recommended. If you want a vacation meal that you’ll dream about when you return home? Maybe keep looking.