A Milestone Worth Savoring: Key West Restaurants Receive MICHELIN Plaques

KEY WEST, Fla. (July 13, 2026) - One of the world's most prestigious culinary honors now has a permanent home in the Florida Keys. Blue Heaven and Moondog Café & Bakery received their official MICHELIN plaques Monday in Key West, marking the destination's first recognition by the internationally acclaimed guide. 

The recognitions were first announced May 28, when MICHELIN released its inaugural statewide Florida Guide. They placed Key West among the Florida destinations recognized by the international restaurant guide and bring new attention to the Florida Keys' 125-mile island chain, connected by 42 bridges. 

Blue Heaven, the landmark Bahama Village restaurant, earned a place on the MICHELIN Recommended list. Moondog Café & Bakery, near the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, received a Bib Gourmand, a distinction for restaurants that serve high-quality food at a good value. 

At Blue Heaven Monday afternoon, partner Ricky Hatch proudly accepted then hoisted the restaurant's plaque at the open-air restaurant his family opened in 1992. 

"For my parents, I think it's a massive recognition of the hundreds of thousands of hours of hard work. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week, for over 30 years," said Hatch. 

He said the recognition also carries meaning for the next generation of the family business. 

"For me, it's legacy. It's an honor. It's a challenge. I don't want to mess it up, in the best way," said Hatch. 

Blue Heaven has long been known for its shaded courtyard, Caribbean-inspired dishes, fresh seafood and Key lime pie. The historic property has operated over the years as a dance hall, billiard hall, playhouse and ice cream parlor. 

At Moondog Café & Bakery, the kitchen staff gathered on the outside patio as the restaurant received its official Bib Gourmand plaque. For General Manager Eric Koch, the recognition began with a call that did not immediately reveal where it was headed. 

"When MICHELIN reached out to us, I thought it was just another one of those media videos that somebody wanted to shoot. I didn't really put together what they were trying to do," said Koch. "We didn't learn about the award until everybody else did. That was exciting, and now we keep getting other opportunities to talk about it." 

Visit Florida Keys & Key West President & CEO Kara Franker, who personally delivered the plaques, said these recognitions show a side of the destination that visitors have long experienced. 

"The restaurant scene in Key West has been incredible for a long time," said Franker. "It's a culinary culture that people don't know exists here in the Florida Keys, and now they know." 

Moondog Café & Bakery has built a following for its bakery case, comfort food and cafe setting just steps from the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. 

Monroe County Commissioner Jim Scholl, who lives just blocks from the restaurant, said the awards reflect a broader dining culture in Key West. 

"Key West is a culinary experience from one end to the other," said Scholl. "These are worldwide destinations. It's not just Florida...it's not just the U.S.; it's from all over the world." 

The MICHELIN Guide's restaurant selections are based on five criteria: quality products, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine, and consistency between visits and throughout the menu. Restaurants are inspected several times a year, according to MICHELIN. 

Hatch said he hopes the recognition helps bring more attention to restaurants throughout the island chain. 

"We're honored to be part of this inaugural class, but let's get more of our friends on this list," said Hatch. "We have great food in the Florida Keys." 

Visit Florida, the statewide tourism agency, established the program with MICHELIN to review the entire state.  

For more information on the Florida Keys & Key West, go to VisitFloridaKeys.com 

High-resolution images, photo credits and captions are available at this link. 

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