One of my favorite places to recommend to people who have never visited Key West is Blue Heaven. They are open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is located in a century-old house on Thomas Street. The house has a storied history – over the years it has been a billiard hall, bordello, playhouse and ice-cream parlor.
Today the venue is operated by Suanne, Richard and Richard’s brother, (chef) Dan. In 1992 Suanne and Richard lived on a houseboat moored off Christmas Tree island in Key West. Weather permitting, they motored in daily to sell a simple menu of sandwiches and beans & rice to Key West residents. Eventually this small business burgeoned into Blue Heaven….a funky and quintessentially Bohemian restaurant beloved by the locals.
The decor is best described as a hidden, casual, hippie backyard, with a curated collection of mismatched tables, plastic chairs, ping pong tables and several resident roosters and hens. The entire venue is shaded under a canopy of colorful patio umbrellas, Banyan trees and palm fronds. The vibe is definitely “keys-casual”.
Order the Spiny Lobster Eggs Benedict, Yellow Tail Snapper Sandwich, Richard’s Very Good Pancakes or the Mile High Key Lime Pie. With everyday live entertainment, an outside bar, and good people, Blue Heaven is the place to “Take It Easy Like Sunday Morning”...in Key West.
729 Thomas St
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 296-8666
www.blueheavenkw.com
Article By Matthew Baldwin
Matthew is a true Conch who grew up in Key West swimming at Higgs and Ft. Zachary Taylor beaches. He attended Florida Keys Community College and Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida earning a Bachelors of Arts degree in History. Matthew loves to travel and meet like-minded folks with progressive outlooks and a sense of humor. He enjoys cooking for friends and staying active by working out at the outdoor gym at Higgs beach and doing yoga. His five-year plan is to write and publish a book about the keys and eventually make his way out west to the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California.
Great article! Looking forward to hearing the history of Key west through a true conchs eyes!