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Morada Bay

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zenguy
zenguy
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5 out of 5
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3
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Editor Pick

Morada Bay Beach Cafe

  • May 16, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Keysy from Florida Keys, Florida
Morada Bay Beach Cafe

Picture this. You are about to enjoy a delicious seafood dinner at a table on a broad, white sand beach dotted with coconut palms. Tiki torches are lit as a beautiful sunset reflects on the waters of Florida Bay. Your server checks again to see that everything is perfect, while a guitar player strums island music in the background.

This Hollywood setting is what many Florida Keys restaurants try to achieve, but few do. One that has managed to create a perfect level of tropical ambiance is the Morada Bay Beach Café in Islamorada. Our first visit there was a bit of a surprise; we expected to find a nice restaurant, but this was certainly above par. The restaurant, housed in an elegant old-style Conch beach home, was built just seven years ago.

When we arrived, we paused to look over the dining choices – not the menu selections (which are impressive), but the choice of seating. You can dine inside, outside on the porch, or waterside, out on the sandy beach itself. Since it was just before sunset, we chose the beach.

Before we could decide on what to order, our server brought us a tapenade appetizer, made from black olives in garlic-seasoned olive oil and served with warm, fresh bread. It was a perfect accompaniment to wine or cocktails.

The Tapas menu offered a tempting variety of light seafood, including Spicy Mediterranean Mussels, Crispy Fried Calamari, Ahi Tuna Tatare, Tempura Prawns, Crab Cakes with Sweet Corn, and Thai Style Dolphin Fingers.

The Soups and Salads were just as enticing, offering local favorites such as Morada Bay’s own Conch Chowder (laced with an ample dose of Sherry), Tomato Basil Bisque, and Grouper Ceviche.

The Entrees were even more challenging, but we managed to settle on two popular items: the Herb Crusted Grouper and Pepita Crusted Yellowtail Snapper. Both were light as a feather, perfectly seasoned and delicious. The Grouper was served with a warm orange–coriander seed vinaigrette, oven-roasted potatoes, chilled fennel root, and a Granny Smith apple salad. The Snapper came with a yucca-chipotle mash and roasted chile corn broth.

Afterward, we relaxed in a pair of Adirondack chairs on the beach and listened to the golden sounds of Billy Davidson.

The monthly Full Moon Party is on the calendar of local party goers. On full moon evenings there is dancing under the stars (and the moon) to reggae music, bonfires on the beach, a barbeque grill, and glow sticks for the kids. Unfortunately, like so much of the Florida Keys these days, this unique event now comes with a price tag. The once-free Full Moon Party now costs $10 per person, and the drink prices are stiff.

Pierre’s Restaurant, a required stop on any gourmet’s itinerary, is right next door to the Beach Cafe. Both can be found at 81600 Overseas Highway in Islamorada, mile marker 81.5, bay-side, across from The Moorings. (305)664-0604.

From journal Dining in the Florida Keys

Editor Pick

Morada Bay

  • May 4, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Bill Maine from Hancock, Maine
Morada Bay

The Morada Bay Beach Cafe it the kind of place that I would want to celebrate my 60th birthday, so this April we did! We've been here a number of times, never been disappointed and always enjoy the food, the service, the casual atmosphere, the music, and the sun-sets!

For my birthday we pulled out all the stops enjoying tropical coctails, a bottle of wine, conch chowder, exotic salads, great olive tapenade and seafood entrees that included yellowtail snapper and dolphin (mahi-mahi, not Flipper). Although the tab was not inconsequential at $158, it was worth every penny—and you can eat here for a lot less.

One of the great things about Morada Bay is the atmosphere, most tables are outside, some under umbrellas, there are Adirondak chairs, a wide expanse of man made beach, and they welcome kids! People bring their children who sometime eat from the kid's menu of mooch from their parents, I've even seen evidence of picnic bags for the children who would rather play on the beach than eat anyway! Children's "coctails" are served with lightstick swizzle-sticks that get ample use after the sun goes down. Its also fun to see the little ones dancing with Mom, Dad, or each other and slipping up to the band stand to deposit tips for the musician.

I've been to the Keys six times in 5 years and haven't missed Morada Bay yet, neither should you.

From journal Florida Keys Days

Morada Bay

  • July 13, 2003
  • Rated 5 of 5 by zenguy from Miami, Florida
You would be very lucky to stumble on this unique restaurant on your own. Fortunately, friends of ours took us there some time ago, and we could not wait to go back.

The restaurant dining area sits on a patio that is located directly on the beach. We always buy light sticks at the nearby World Wide Sportsman and the children love to play games with them on the beach.

The menu offers a wide selection of delicious local seafood, and other entrees are available for land lovers. This restaurant serves the best seafood I have experienced in the Keys and the setting is truly ideal. The kids run and play on the beach with swarms of other children, and they stop by their table only briefly to wolf down their tasty fish fingers from the surprisingly reasonable children's menu. This restaurant is a must for family vacationers.

From journal Family Fun in the Florida Keys

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