Taste the Keys is drawing diners to restaurants throughout Key Largo and Islamorada, with nearly 25 restaurants participating in the October dining promotion organized by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce.
Suzi Youngberg, president of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the event.
The event is designed to support local restaurants during a traditionally slower month while giving residents and visitors an opportunity to explore the Upper Keys’ dining scene.
“We are excited to say we are a little over halfway through the month at this point, but Taste the Keys is going strong in Key Largo and Islamorada,” Youngberg said.
The promotion features pre-fixed menus at participating restaurants, typically offering an appetizer, entree and dessert for one set price, with several selections available.
Youngberg said the format allows diners to try restaurants they may not have visited before while knowing the cost of their meal in advance.
“It’s a great way to try a restaurant, whether it’s one of your old favorites or maybe a brand new one that you’ve been wondering what it’s like,” she said.
The chamber hopes the event will attract both local diners and visitors traveling through the Florida Keys, including people heading to or returning from Key West for Fantasy Fest.
“The eventual idea for Taste the Keys is to make this a Keys-wide event to bring more business to all of our Florida Keys restaurants in the month of October,” Youngberg said.
The event began in 2024 with a limited rollout featuring a couple of trolley tours. Last year marked the first full-scale promotion with participating restaurants offering special menus. Youngberg said the chamber plans to bring Taste the Keys back next year.
The event is supported in part by funding from the local Tourist Development Council. The chamber has promoted Taste the Keys through advertising, including billboards in the Miami-Dade and Broward areas.
In addition to the restaurant menus, Taste the Keys features trolley foodie tours and a Signature Dish Showdown.
The trolley tours take participants to four restaurants, where they receive a small plate paired with an adult beverage at each stop. Youngberg said the first tour of the season was well attended, and the next tour is nearly sold out.
Another feature, the Signature Dish Showdown, allows diners to sample featured dishes at participating restaurants and vote for their favorites.
Youngberg said the chamber previously organized a traditional cooking competition but changed the format to direct more customers into local restaurants rather than hosting a separate food event.
The chamber reported that 16 restaurants were participating in this year’s Signature Dish Showdown.
Residents can find participating restaurants, menus, trolley tour information and details about the competition at TasteTheKeys.com.
Beyond the dining promotion, the chamber is preparing for several upcoming events and networking opportunities.
A Members in Motion gathering is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Italian Food Company in Key Largo. The joint event with the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys will highlight the foundation’s work supporting nonprofit organizations throughout the island chain.
Youngberg said the foundation’s Upper Keys Advisory Council helps direct funding toward nonprofits and community projects in the Upper Keys.
The chamber will also hold its next luncheon and networking meeting at the Holiday Inn in Key Largo on Thursday, Nov. 12. The meeting will include the chamber’s annual report, board election results and an update on its activities. The chamber expects to introduce members of its incoming board for the 2027-28 term.
Youngberg encouraged nonmembers to attend to learn more about the chamber and its work supporting local businesses.
The chamber also welcomes residents to visit its Florida Keys Visitor Center in Key Largo, which has seen an increase in visitors in recent weeks.
In addition to visitor information, the center features a gift shop and a pet photo opportunity called Paws in Paradise. Youngberg said local residents are welcome to bring their pets to be photographed and featured on the chamber’s social media.
More information about the chamber and its activities is available through the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce here: https://www.keylargochamber.org/.