Since 1954 · Early bird 7–9am

7 Mile Grill

Greasy, and legendary. Open-air counter seating at the foot of the Seven Mile Bridge. The early bird — two eggs, ham, bacon or sausage, homefries or grits and toast — is $9.99 Monday through Thursday.

1240 Overseas Hwy · (305) 743-4481 · Breakfast 7–11:30am · Open 7am–9pm, Thursdays until 3pm

Waterside tiki bar · Open all day

Island Fish Company

Short rib eggs Benedict and homemade jalapeño corned beef hash, with a Bloody Mary, out on the water. Easy parking, and they open at 8.

12648 Overseas Hwy · (305) 743-4191 · 8am–10pm daily

Cash only · Closed Tue & Wed

The Stuffed Pig

A local institution, and a small one. Worth getting to.

3520 Overseas Hwy · (305) 743-4059 · 7am–1pm, noon on Sundays

Quick · Daily

Wooden Spoon

Diner style, simple and fast. Good if you want to eat and get on with your day.

7007 Overseas Hwy · (305) 743-8383 · 6am–2pm daily

Our favorite · Reopens September 29

Sparky's Landing

Our pick for the whole weekend — lunch, happy hour and dinner. Seafood and tropical drinks at a chill waterside hangout with live music, right at the entrance to Key Colony Beach. Happy hour is daily 4–6pm and it's the one they're famous for: 50¢ peel-and-eat shrimp and buffalo wings. It's also where we're gathering for brunch on Sunday.

13205 Overseas Hwy · (305) 363-2959 · 11am–10pm, closed Mondays · Happy hour daily 4–6pm

Waterfront · Plenty of parking

Island Fish Company

Good at breakfast, better at lunch. A waterside tiki bar with seafood classics like the coconut shrimp, frozen drinks, and dock seating where you can watch the boats come in.

12648 Overseas Hwy · (305) 743-4191 · 8am–10pm daily

Pool & tiki hut · Open to everyone

Sunset Grille & Raw Bar

At the foot of the Seven Mile Bridge, under one of the biggest tiki huts in the Keys. One of the largest pools in the Keys too — you can swim between courses. Raw bar, local seafood, and its own parking lot.

7 Knights Key Blvd · (305) 396-7235 · 11am–midnight

On the sand · Open to non-guests

TJ's Tiki Bar at Tranquility Bay

An open-air bar right on the sand with live music and the best sunset view on this stretch. Walk-ins only, first come first served. Butterfly Café next door does a more serious dinner if you'd rather sit down.

2600 Overseas Hwy · TJ's (305) 289-2932 · Butterfly Café (305) 289-7177

Closed Thursdays

Burdines Waterfront

Up a staircase over the marina, easy to drive past. Handmade burgers, the best fries in town, and a view of Boot Key Canal.

1200 Ocean View Ave · (305) 743-9204 · 11:30am–8:30pm

Award-winning key lime pie · Closed Tuesdays

S.S. Wreck & Galley Grill

Voted Best Key Lime Pie in the 2026 Best of Marathon, and they've earned it. Fresh seafood, big portions and everything made from scratch, ten minutes up the road on Grassy Key. Worth the short drive for the pie alone.

58835 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key (MM 59) · (305) 517-6484 · 11am–9pm daily, until 10pm Fridays

Our favorite · Happy hour daily 4–6pm

Sparky's Landing

Our pick for dinner too. Start with the 50¢ peel-and-eat shrimp and buffalo wings at happy hour, stay for live music on the water. Kitchen runs to 10pm.

13205 Overseas Hwy · (305) 363-2959 · 11am–10pm, closed Mondays

Sushi bar · Happy hour 11:30am–6pm daily

Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House

Steaks off a stone grill and lobster tails, in a casual nautical room — and a full sushi menu, which almost nobody realizes. As close to fine dining as the Middle Keys gets, and you can still wear flip-flops. Happy hour runs every day from 11:30am to 6pm. Reserve on OpenTable.

3660 Overseas Hwy · (305) 743-5516 · 11:30am–9:30pm Mon–Thu, until 10pm Fri–Sun

Sunset · Live music nightly

Sunset Grille & Raw Bar

Worth going back for in the evening. Live music most nights and dancing under the stars, with the Seven Mile Bridge lit up behind you. Kitchen runs late.

7 Knights Key Blvd · (305) 396-7235 · Open until midnight

Ice cream & bakery

Sweet Savannah's

Ice cream, cakes, cupcakes, brownies. The one everybody sends you to.

8919 Overseas Hwy · (305) 743-3131 · 11am–9pm, 10pm Fri & Sat

Homemade popsicles

Paradise Flavors

You will go back for a second one.

9601 Overseas Hwy · (305) 509-0112 · 9am–9pm

Afternoons & evenings

Conch Custard

Frozen custard and ice cream, to-go too.

11524 Overseas Hwy, Suite 4 · (305) 684-0022 · 3:30–9:30pm

Indoors · Late kitchen

Marathon Grill & Ale House

A sports bar with real table seating, good burgers, and the latest kitchen in town.

5800 Overseas Hwy #12 · (305) 743-5888 · 11am–midnight daily

Free · 2.2 miles each way

Walk the Famous Seven Mile Bridge

The old bridge is now a linear park you can walk or bike, running out over open water to Pigeon Key. It sits nearly east–west, so it's the best spot in Marathon for sunrise or sunset photos. Free to walk; Pigeon Key itself charges for the island and museum, and a tram runs the span three times a day if you'd rather not walk back.

Parking lot on Overseas Highway just past Knights Key Blvd — 35 spaces, so go early

At the resort

Isla Bella's Own Activities

The resort runs something most hours — yoga, beach games, happy hours, boat tours, diving and sandbar charters. The daily schedule is in your room at check-in.

Concierge desk: extension 6023, or (305) 481-9451

Book ahead

The Turtle Hospital

A working sea turtle rescue and rehab center right in Marathon. Guided tours sell out — reserve before you fly.

(305) 743-2552

Grassy Key

Dolphin Research Center

An education and rescue center with daily presentations and swim programs.

(305) 289-1121

Free · Pay to park

Sombrero Beach

The best public beach in Marathon. Showers, restrooms, grills, kayak rentals and a playground.

Sombrero Beach Road, Marathon

Cable wakeboarding

Keys Cable Park

Wakeboarding on a cable tow, no boat required. For anyone who wants to do something other than sit on the sand.

(305) 414-8245