Key West Food Tours: Al Fresco Sampling and Walking

KEY WEST, Fla. — Want to take a walk through Key West history, learn about the island’s unique culture, how its heritage was influenced by the nearby Bahamas, and top off the experience with a refreshing signature Florida Keys dessert?

With a new walking tour at Key West Food Tours, created and curated by island native Analise Smith, you can do just that.

This month, Smith launches a new all-outdoors walking tour, Old Town Culture Walk: Bahama Village, Gatoville & Key West Cemetery — Key lime pie included. The 1.5-hour tour covers a mile of walking and is priced from $39 per person plus tax.

“Our new tour is designed to experience Key West in its most natural way: outdoors,” Smith said. “We’ll end the Old Town Culture Walk with a taste of Key lime pie from the island’s most iconic al fresco restaurant.

“We are keeping our tours small, which allows our guides and guests to stretch out and enjoy the beautiful scenery of hidden neighborhoods and tropical flora and fauna,” Smith explained.

To safeguard guests in the coronavirus era, added health protocols include limiting tours to groups of 10 or fewer, non-contact temperature checks, stops at each venue to maintain hand hygiene, individual rather than group tastings and mandatory wearing of facial coverings when inside any establishment.

Smith’s Seafood Lovers Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour, curated with “sea-foodies” in mind, includes six outdoor venues and features fish tacos, lobster mac and cheese and locally crafted beer. 

Southernmost Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour covers 1.4 miles and five venues, celebrating Cuban and Caribbean influences with roast pork, fresh fish, a rum drink and Key lime pie.

A Key West Bar Crawl – Cocktails explores stories behind the island’s favorite libations, including the Hemingway Daiquiri, on five stops. Private custom tours also can be booked.

The food tours give participants an insider’s glimpse into eating and imbibing like a local on the continental United States’ southernmost island. Local guides share knowledge and recommendations about architectural gems, tropical flora, colorful Key West attractions and restaurants.

“Key West is most known for its fresh-air restaurants and bars, which makes it the perfect backdrop for safe traveling,” Smith said.

Key West Food Tours also has launched online Key West Food Store merchandise ordering, with two new items: Cocktails in Paradise and Taste of Key West gift boxes.

Tour information: keywestfoodtours.com