Stock Island — The Best Meal on This End of Key West and a Working Fishing Fleet

Stock Island Is the Other Side of Key West. Most Visitors Never Find It.

Stock Island is technically a separate island, connected to Key West by the Overseas Highway bridge you cross coming from the airport. It's about four miles of working waterfront, lobster processing facilities, artist studios, and the most consistently excellent seafood restaurants on this end of the Keys.

Hotdogger's is the icon — a Key West institution that serves no hot dogs, only Cuban sandwiches, fish sandwiches, and one of the best conch fritters in the Keys. It's cash only, operated by the same family for 40 years.

The Key West First Legal Rum Distillery is nearby and worth the detour — small-batch rum, tours, tastings, and a courtyard that doesn't feel like a tourist trap.

Stock Island is also the departure point for backcountry kayak and paddleboard tours into the mangrove creeks. The water here is protected, calm, and full of birds, manatees, and tarpon.

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