Turtle Kraals restaurant in Key West, Florida offers authentic seafood in a laid back atmosphere right next to the marina. And yes, they really do race turtles!
This post is in partnership with Turtle Kraals Restaurant and The Florida Keys and Key West who hosted our visit. All opinions are my own. You can read my full Disclosure Policy here.
We had some amazing meals while traveling through the Florida Keys and Key West, and one of our most memorable meals was at Turtle Kraals in Key West.
With delicious food, a chill atmosphere, and a great view of the marina, it’s the perfect place to dine whether you’ve got the kids with you, or if it’s adult night on the town.
Turtle Kraals, Key West
The kids were pretty much hooked as soon as they saw the turtles on the building. Located in Key West’s Historic Seaport district, there are a bunch of sights to see before you even go inside.
I love these fun directional signs, and there are two of them outside of this restaurant. We found one that has the town my sister lives in in Pennsylvania on it!
There are also a bunch of shops along the boardwalk, and the closest shop sells some really inexpensive t-shirts that are great Key West souvenirs.
Look for the poetry on the sidewalks in Key West. I found this one pretty close to the restaurant.
A waterfront restaurant, Turtle Kraals is located right along the marina. We dined for dinner but still enjoyed the view after the sun went down. If you get there during the day, I’m sure there is a lot more activity to enjoy.
We dined downstairs in the main dining room, but Turtle Kraals does feature an awesome rooftop bar, Tower Bar, that has a stunning view of the ships coming and going on the water.
Turtle Kraals combines all the things we love when dining out as a family: a relaxed, casual atmosphere, a unique experience, and a delicious menu that both the adults and kids can easily order from.
Best Seafood Restaurants in Key West
The Caribbean-inspired menu at Turtle Kraals is fantastic, with a great selection ranging from tacos to steak to all kinds of seafood including fresh ceviche.
I ordered the crab cakes and they were amazing. The kids got fish tacos…again. I think they lived on them while we were in the Florida Keys! They ate every bite at Turtle Kraals and loved them.
If your kids aren’t into seafood just yet, Turtle Kraals has a kids’ menu with every parent’s go-tos: burgers, chicken fingers, and fries.
I think my husband picked the winning dish with these seared scallops. Mmm, so good! They were cooked perfectly.
Save room for dessert because the Key Lime Pie with its homemade graham cracker crust is delicious.
Key West Turtle Races
The turtle races are definitely what make Turtle Kraals one of the most unique places in Key West. And bummer for us, there was no race the night we were there, but we talked to the manager because I just HAD to know what this was all about.
On weeknights at 7pm (in season – double check when it’s super hot during the summertime), they bring over four box turtles from the Key West Aquarium to race. There’s even a chance for spectators to win a prize, and I believe the manager told us that this is a fundraiser for the aquarium, too. Everyone wins. No turtle left behind!
Where to Eat in Key West, Florida
Turtle Kraals was such a fun place to eat. We loved the casual atmosphere, great food and drinks, and strolling around the marina after dinner allowed us to take in some nice views, too. Next time, I’ll be timing our meal for a turtle race night!
Check out the Turtle Kraals website for more info including a look at the delicious menu, and visit on Facebook for the most up-to-date news.
The Florida Keys and Key West are the perfect place for a family vacation. Visit their website, and check out their social profiles for tons of ideas to help plan your adventure: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
HOW TO PLAN A FLORIDA KEYS FAMILY VACATION:
WHERE TO STAY IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
- Marker 88 Restaurant in Islamorada
- Angler & Ale Restaurant, Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key
- Morada Bay Beach Cafe, Islamorada
- Robbie’s of Islamorada: The Hungry Tarpon + Feed the Tarpon
- Turtle Kraals Restaurant in Key West
- First Flight Restaurant & Brewery: USA’s Southernmost Microbrewery
- 11 Best Places for Key Lime Pie in The Florida Keys
THINGS TO WITH KIDS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
- The Turtle Hospital, Marathon Key
- Dolphin Research Center, Marathon Key
- Robbie’s of Islamorada: The Hungry Tarpon + Feed the Tarpon
- Aquarium Encounters in Marathon FL: Coral Reef Encounter
- Bahia Honda State Park – Best Florida Keys Beaches
- Key West Butterfly Conservatory
- The Cats of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida
- 15 Things to Do With Kids in Key West
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