Visiting Key West in September or early October? Save this list!

September is traditionally one of the slowest months of the year in Key West, and it’s also when many of our locally owned restaurants take their annual vacations.

Some close for a few days, while others take several weeks off for staff vacations, renovations, deep cleaning and annual maintenance before the busy fall and winter season begins.

That doesn’t mean Key West is closed! There are still plenty of great places to eat, drink and enjoy the island. But if there’s a restaurant you have your heart set on, you’ll definitely want to check its schedule before you go.

Here’s a running list of Key West and Lower Keys restaurant closures for September and fall 2026.

Dates can change and additional restaurants may announce closures, so always double-check directly with the restaurant before heading out.

KEY WEST RESTAURANT CLOSURES

Blue Heaven

Last day before vacation: September 7
Closed: September 8 – October 15
Reopens: October 16

If Blue Heaven is on your Key West must-do list, definitely plan around this one. Their annual vacation takes up a good portion of September and the first half of October.

Café Solé

Closed: September 1 – September 30
Reopens: October 1

Café Solé is taking the entire month of September off for its annual slow-season break.

Azur

Closed beginning: September 1
Expected closure: Approximately six weeks
Expected reopening: Mid-October

If Azur is on your list for brunch or dinner, check with the restaurant for its exact reopening date as October gets closer.

Louie’s Backyard

Closes: September 8
Dinner returns: September 24
Lunch returns: September 25

Louie’s Backyard closes each fall for annual maintenance.

The Café at Louie’s Backyard

The upstairs Café follows a different schedule from the main restaurant.

Last night: September 5
Closed: September 6 – September 30
Reopens: October 1

Square Grouper Key West

Closed: September 8 – October 9

Square Grouper Key West is taking its annual well-deserved R&R break. Check directly with the restaurant as the reopening approaches for its first day back in service.

Mangoes Key West

Closed: September 8 – September 14
Reopens: September 15

Mangoes is using its short September break for renovations, including updates to the dining room and outdoor bar.

DJ’s Clam Shack

Closed: September 7 – September 24
Reopens: September 25

Stinkin’ Crawfish

Closed: September 7 – September 21
Reopens: September 22

Red Shoe Island Bistro

Closed: September 13 – September 30

Red Shoe is taking its annual vacation before returning for the fall season.

Little Whitehouse Subs

Last day before vacation: September 7
Closed beginning: September 8
Reopens: October 1 at 11 AM

The break includes staff vacation time, renovations and a menu refresh.

Smoked BBQ

Closed: September 1 – September 30
Reopens: October 1

Bruschetta Francesca

Closed: August 30 – October 8
Reopens: October 9

Fisherman’s Cafe

Closed: September 13 – October 4
Reopens: October 5

Salute! On The Beach

Closed beginning: August 23
Expected reopening: Early October

Salute! is taking its seasonal break and completing renovations. An exact reopening date has not yet been announced.

La Pincha

Closed beginning: August 12
Reopening: September 24 for dinner
Lunch returns: September 25

The Alamo

Closed for the summer
Expected reopening: Fall 2026

An exact reopening date has not yet been announced.

STOCK ISLAND & LOWER KEYS RESTAURANT CLOSURES

Chico’s Cantina – Stock Island

Closed after dinner: August 28
Reopens: September 21

Square Grouper – Cudjoe Key

The Cudjoe Key location has its own vacation schedule, separate from Square Grouper Key West.

Closed: September 6 – October 7
Reopens: October 8 at 11 AM

Forks & Stix – Big Pine Key

Closed after service: August 29
Closed: Throughout September
Reopening: To be announced

Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar

Matt’s is not completely closing, but it has a modified slow-season dinner schedule through mid-October.

No dinner Monday or Tuesday.
Dinner is available Wednesday through Sunday.

WHY DO SO MANY KEY WEST RESTAURANTS CLOSE IN SEPTEMBER?

Don’t panic, Key West isn’t closing!

September is simply our slow season.

After a busy winter, spring and summer, many independently owned Key West restaurants use these quieter weeks to give their employees some much-deserved vacation time.

It’s also the perfect opportunity for restaurants to tackle renovations, repairs, deep cleaning and maintenance that can be difficult to complete when the island is busy.

There are still PLENTY of restaurants, bars and cafés open throughout September.

In fact, September can be a great time to visit Key West if you don’t mind the heat and the possibility of tropical weather. Crowds are generally lighter, and many restaurants that remain open offer some of their best summer and slow-season dining specials.

VISITING KEY WEST IN SEPTEMBER?

If there’s a particular restaurant you absolutely want to visit, check before you go!

September restaurant vacations are a normal part of slow season in Key West, and every restaurant chooses its own schedule.

Some close for only a few days. Others may be gone for most of September and into October.

And remember, this is a running list. More restaurants may announce their 2026 vacation dates as we move into September.

I’ll continue updating this list as additional Key West restaurant closures are announced.

Save this page if you’re visiting Key West in September or October 2026!

Planning a Key West Vacation?

Visit www.experiencekey-west.com for local Key West tips, places to stay, things to do, sandbar trips, snorkeling, sunset cruises, fishing charters and more.

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Helping you experience more than just Duval Street.