These days, it seems like going out for a really, really good affordable dinner in Key West has become an oxymoron. In fact, for many people, the price for a night on the town can be pretty staggering.
Not so at Mangia Mangia Pasta Cafe. Renowned for the impeccable fresh homemade pasta, Old Town’s cozy, unassuming corner storefront is one of Key West’s best values and has been making headlines with its intoxicating preparations since 1989.
There are always several fresh daily pasta on the menu (including gluten-free). Pair your favorite with one of Mangia Mangia’s made-from-scratch, herb-spiked sauces (meat, marinara, pesto, seafood, or Alfredo), and you can’t go wrong.
Or you can kick things up a notch with one of Mangia Mangia’s Seafood Specialties. We especially like the Spaghettini with green-lipped New Zealand Mussels in a garlicky marina sauce; the heavenly Seafood Scampi with Maine lobster, shrimp, and lump blue crab or the fabulous Rigatoni with Jumbo Shrimp.
On top of all this are lots of House Specialties like Chicken or Mahi Piccata, Cheese Ravioli, Chicken Parmesan, and a whole lot more. The list goes on and on.
Winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, Mangia Mangia also has an impressive wine list (over 350 bottles) with a terrific selection under $20. This little gem of a restaurant has seating in its retro air-conditioned dining room or outside in the beautiful open-air, brick-floored garden. FYI: They don’t take reservations, and they are one of the island’s most popular restaurants, so best to get there early!
Find it at 900 Southard Street, just a few blocks from Key West’s Historic Seaport. Open nightly 5:30 – 10pm. Info: 305-294-2469; mangia-mangia.com.
