Lobster Fans Can Feast in Key West Aug. 8-11

KEY WEST, Fla. — Lobster lovers can satisfy their crustacean cravings in Key West Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 8-11, during the 23rd annual Key West Lobsterfest. The flavorful festival celebrates the Aug. 6 start of the Florida Keys lobster season with a long weekend of tasty events, highlighted by an open-air lobster feast on the island’s famed Duval Street.

Known as spiny lobsters, the clawless crustaceans found in Keys waters offer sweet and tender meat. Spiny lobsters often are served steamed with melted butter, baked and stuffed, atop crisp salads or starring in unique dishes concocted by Florida Keys chefs.

The first offering on the festival “menu” is a traditional lobster boil at The Roof above the Waterfront Brewery, 201 William St. in the Key West Historic Seaport. Set for 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, the event features lobster paired with shrimp, andouille sausage, crawfish, corn on the cob and new potatoes. Other attractions include live entertainment and libation specials. Space is limited and reservations are required.

Subsequent Lobsterfest events include Friday afternoon’s “Fiesta de Langosta” pool party at the Havana Cabana Resort, 3420 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; the Friday night “Duval Crawl” of 12 downtown Key West watering holes to benefit a local scholarship fund; and a luscious lobster brunch Sunday, Aug. 11, at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery, 301 Whitehead St.

Fans can sample lobster dishes of all sorts at the Key West Lobsterfest Street Fair, set for noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, in the 100 through 500 blocks of Duval Street. During this enticing festival “entrée,” chefs from 16 local restaurants and bars are to prepare and serve lobster specialties ranging from tempting appetizers to traditional dinners with all the trimmings.

Attendees also can browse and buy art, crafts and merchandise from on-site vendors.

A free outdoor concert is slated for 1-10:30 p.m. to entertain lobster-loving attendees. From a stage at the intersection of Duval and Greene streets, performers including Cool Breeze and the Durtbags are to rock the block.

Event, reservation and ticketing information: keywestlobsterfest.com

Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY