The Southernmost Microbrewery in the USA is more than just a bar. First Flight serves up some of the most delicious food in Key West, and there’s meaning behind that name. Get the scoop (and a picture of a seaplane coming out of a ceiling!) below.
This post is in partnership with First Flight and The Florida Keys and Key West who hosted our visit. All opinions are my own. You can read my full Disclosure Policy here.
It was our last night in Key West, and I think we might have saved the best for last when we dined at First Flight Restaurant and Brewery. Whether you’re a food, drink, or atmosphere person, First Flight hits all the high notes.
First Flight Restaurant and Brewery
Located on Whitehead Street in Key West, First Flight has a cool history that makes it even more fun to experience. This exact location is where the very first Pan Am tickets were sold in 1927. At the time, Pan Am was the largest international airline in the US.
As a tribute to its history, First Flight is decked out with airplane decor everywhere you look, even if you are looking up. (Anyone recognize the shape of this bar? It’s an airplane wing!)
This Sikorsky seaplane comes right at you out of the bar ceiling, and while you can’t see it in this photo, if you look closely in the cockpit you’ll see the pilot. It’s no coincidence that the bar is named the Crash Bar!
There is comfortable indoor seating and a roomy bar inside, but the real gem of First Flight is the garden dining area out back.
I am such a sucker for the atmosphere created by sparkling strings of light, and combined with the abundant plant life outside, this cozy haven provides a really special dining experience.
There is another dining area, the second-floor Tree-Top Deck, that provides a view of the main garden dining area. If you’re traveling with a group, this spot would be the perfect place to come together with great food in tropical surroundings.
Southernmost Microbrewery in the USA
Microbreweries are all the rage, but First Flight’s brewery is special: It’s the southernmost microbrewery in the United States.
They have three original brews on tap: Havana Red, Maverick IPA, and Main Squeeze. Can’t decide? Ask for a flight and try them all.
My husband went with the beer, which he loved, but they had such a great drink menu that I had to try something different. The First Flight mules are fabulous!
Best Seafood Restaurants in Key West
The First Flight menu is insanely good. We found it so hard to choose what we wanted with so many unique options. As seafood lovers, we were in our glory.
Before diving into the main course we split a couple of appetizers. The Brewery Wings were amazing, but my favorite bite was this Street Corn Avocado.
The avocado is filled with fire roasted street corn and chipotle aioli. Soooo flavorful and unique! We absolutely loved this.
My husband ordered the seafood linguine, made with house-made pasta, mutton snapper, clams, and shrimp. It was amazing!
I think I got the best dish on the table, though. I ordered the spiny lobster and it was just incredible. My family is from Northern Maine so I’ve had plenty of lobster over the years, all cold water. This was my first warm water spiny lobster and I never wanted this meal to end.
It was so tender and tasty, and the risotto and asparagus rounded out the meal perfectly. I’m drooling just looking at this photo again.
If you’re traveling with kids, the menu is family-friendly too. While we didn’t ask to see a specific kids’ menu (I don’t think they have one, but we didn’t ask), the regular menu has a few options that most kids will like.
Burgers and fries and a garden wrap are on the menu, and there’s a delicious looking mac n cheese on the appetizer menu. My kids are big fans of fish tacos and they looked amazing, too.
Outdoor Dining in Key West
Our dinner at First Flight was incredible and I highly recommend it when dining in Key West. It combines this tropical, laid back atmosphere with some seriously high quality eats. The best of all worlds, especially when traveling with kids that you don’t want to take into a place that’s too stuffy.
You can learn more about First Flight and view their menus on their website. Be sure to follow on Facebook to catch the latest 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
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- 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
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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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