What began as a rustic 1940s Fishing Camp with only a dock, two folding chairs, and an “honor system” beer cooler, is now one of Islamorada’s most notorious restaurants and watering holes.
If you head south on the Overseas Highway, you can’t miss the ginormous mermaid that marks the spot of the Lorelei – a sprawling bayside eatery and Cabana Bar where flip flops, fish tales, and tropical cocktails are de rigueur.
You never know who you’ll run into at this popular hotspot — especially during the daily Happy Hour from 4 – 6 pm when Well drinks are just three bucks, and domestic drafts go for a buck and a half.
If you do a little eavesdropping at the bar, you’re likely to hear a fishing boat captain talking about his day’s charter with a stockbroker on his left, and a school teacher on his right.
And then there’s the nightly “Sunset Celebration.”
As that big ball of fire starts to sink into the horizon, the live music kicks in, and the bar crowd spills onto the beach for some serious toes-in-the sand revelry. On most nights just after sunset, magician Michael Trixx, who was featured on America’s Got Talent, performs a “Rock-N-Roll Magic Show” that will blow your mind.
Partying aside, the Lorelei also serves up some really good fare, and the menu, as expected, is full of island-style eats. You can make an entire meal out of just the appetizers, including homemade conch chowder, bacon-wrapped shrimp in Thai Chili Sauce, homemade Fish Dip, Tuna Nachos, and Coconut Shrimp.
Topping the list of entrees: Florida Stone Crabs (in season), Alaskan Snow Crab, fresh local Snapper, Mahi-Mahi, Bahamian Conch, Steamboat Channel Shrimp, and warm water Lobster. The Surf-n-Turf and Key Lime Peppercorn Snapper are both especially good, and the kitchen also serves an excellent Vegan Sauté dinner.
On Sundays, you can’t beat Lorelei’s Jamaican Jerk dinner special (Chicken, Pork, or a combo of both) for $12.95. Make sure to save room for dessert because their award-winning Key Lime Pie takes the cake. If you prefer to sip your dessert, the frozen Key Lime Colada drink is “Dessert in a cup” with a nice kick.
You can find this fun Keys institution at 81924 Overseas Hwy (Mile Marker 82 bayside), in the heart of Islamorada. Info: 305-664-2692 loreleicabanabar.com
