Your best slice of Florida key lime pie isn’t at one address. The answer changes depending on whether you want a roadside citrus stand, a restaurant with roosters at your feet, or a bakery where the filling comes from hand-squeezed fruit. The pie became the official state dessert on July 1, 2006, after a decades-long push by Terry Roth of Davie and then-state senator Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and the places that make it well are spread from Key West to Sarasota. Here is where to point the car.
Key West has the highest concentration of serious pie shops, and Kermit’s Key Lime Shop is the one most visitors find first. The chocolate-dipped pie on a stick is the crowd favorite, but the shop also sells candies, cookies, and whole pies to take home. VISIT FLORIDA lists it as a classic Keys experience, and first-timers rarely leave with just one item. A few blocks away, Key Lime Pie Bakery does one thing only — pie by the slice or whole — and sticks to a classic, properly tart recipe without gimmicks.
For a sit-down setting, Blue Heaven is the destination. Roosters wander the outdoor seating area under string lights, and the pie comes creamy and tart with a fluffy whipped cream topping. Food & Wine names it alongside Kermit’s as a top Florida spot. The restaurant draws a loyal following, and many people stop in just for dessert. The wait can be long during peak season, so plan accordingly.
Heading north on the Overseas Highway, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen in Key Largo is the classic mid-Keys stop. License plates cover the walls, the menu is written on chalkboards, and the pie has a loyal following among locals and travelers alike. The filling has a good tart punch and the graham cracker crust delivers the right crunch. It is casual and no-fuss, which is exactly the point.
In Marathon, The S.S. Wreck & Galley Grill is a word-of-mouth spot where the pie is simple, creamy, and exactly right after a day on the water. The recipe does not change to chase trends. Marathon may be a small town, but the pie game is anything but small.
The strongest argument for a single best pie in South Florida comes from Bob Roth’s New River Groves in Davie. The Sun Sentinel reader poll for Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties named it number one in 2026. The farm stand has been open for more than 60 years, and Terry Roth created the recipe in her family kitchen 50 years ago. The pie called “Terry’s Famous Key Lime Pie” sells about 30,000 pies annually, with 15 employees dedicated to production during peak season. Key lime trees on the property cannot keep up with demand, so the juice comes from a bottling company. The filling is poured into a house-made graham cracker crust and topped with a non-dairy whipped topping swirled in Terry’s original design. You can also buy Terry’s Key Lime Juice by the bottle and ship pies nationwide through newrivergroves.com. Seasonal flavors include pumpkin in November, strawberry for Valentine’s Day, orange creamsicle in spring, and mango.
In Miami Beach, Joe’s Stone Crab has been serving its key lime pie since long before the state made it official. The pie has a perfect graham cracker crust and a silky filling that balances sweet and sour, topped with freshly made whipped cream rather than meringue. It is available by the slice or as a whole pie to go. The Take Away counter lets you skip the full restaurant wait. Many Miami Beach visitors treat it as a standalone dessert stop.
Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop is Miami’s most well-known pie shop, with locations in Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and Fort Lauderdale. Founder Derek Kaplan, a former firefighter, made key lime pie his first recipe. The pie uses condensed milk, freshly squeezed key lime juice, and a buttery graham crust. It won Miami New Times’ Best Key Lime Pie in 2022. A slice costs $11 at the Wynwood location, which some regulars consider steep, but the parking lot is a rare convenience in that neighborhood.
Fookem’s Fabulous in Coconut Grove started as a home business during the pandemic and grew into a full storefront. Founder Joshua Abril, an out-of-work TV producer, taught himself by watching dozens of YouTube tutorials. His version uses a salty graham cracker crust — the only salted crust on this list — and a creamy, tart filling. It won Miami New Times’ Best Key Lime Pie in 2022. The shop has only three seats, so ordering ahead is wise.
Blue Collar on Biscayne Boulevard makes its pie with hand-squeezed limes and housemade vanilla bean whipped cream. Pastry chef Meghan Perkins also makes pies for Mignonette and Café at Books & Books. The pie is creamy, perfectly tart, and rich. The restaurant has a parking lot behind it, and happy hour runs 4 to 7 p.m. with $4 drafts.
dbakers Sweet Studio in Miami won New Times’ Best Key Lime Pie in 2020. The slice is tangy and topped with a tall meringue that gives an ideal sweet-to-tart ratio. Calling ahead to reserve is recommended because the pies sell quickly. The shop is owned and operated by twin brothers who also make macarons and cakes.
Miss Debbie’s Sweet Delights won New Times’ Best Key Lime Pie in 2025. The classic version is pure sweet-sour perfection, and the baker offers 32 other flavors including guava, passion fruit, and roasted coconut. You can customize your own key lime concoction. Pies are available for delivery or pickup in Cutler Bay, but there are no walk-ins.
Publix Super Markets deserve a mention because for 24 years their pies have brought home blue ribbons at the National Pie Championships. In 2025, the original key lime won in both the Best Mini Pie and Large Pie categories. The filling is made with authentic key limes, and the graham cracker crust is crumbly and buttery. It is the best store-bought option in the state and costs less than most restaurant slices.
Yoder’s Restaurant & Amish Village in Sarasota has been feeding locals for decades in an Amish Village setting. Whole pies are available to take home, and the connected Piecraft Coffee shop lets you pair a slice with coffee. The homemade quality is consistent across cream pies, fruit pies, and seasonal options. Sarasota locals treat it as a neighborhood secret.
The Florida Key Lime Pie Company in Cocoa Beach is flagged by VISIT FLORIDA as a must-try. The tart, creamy filling hits the right balance, and the crust holds up without crumbling. They serve slices, whole pies, and pie on a stick. The breezy, beachy feel matches the Cocoa Beach vibe, and first-time visitors almost always leave with more than one item.
Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe in DeLand brings the full Key West experience north: authentic pies, bars, cookies, candies, and citrus treats. The quality matches the Key West original. DeLand locals now have a world-class key lime destination without the drive south. The cheerful, citrus-scented shop has enough options to turn a five-minute stop into a twenty-minute browse.
Which Pie Pilgrimage Suits You?
If you want the full Florida roadside experience, Bob Roth’s New River Groves is the one. If you want a restaurant setting with atmosphere, Blue Heaven or Joe’s Stone Crab deliver. For a bakery that focuses only on the pie, Fookem’s Fabulous or Key Lime Pie Bakery are the picks. And if you need a pie to bring home and the nearest Publix is the most practical option, it will hold its own against most restaurant versions.
A few notes on timing: most of these places are open year-round, but seasonal flavors and availability change. Bob Roth’s sells pumpkin pie only in November and strawberry pie around Valentine’s Day. Miss Debbie’s requires advance ordering by phone or email. Fookem’s has only three seats and sells out fast. Checking hours and calling ahead saves a wasted trip.
If you are planning a wider Miami food trip, the guide to Miami’s best affordable eats covers Cuban spots and pizza that pair well with a dessert stop. The locals’ guide to Miami food also points to neighborhoods where several of these pie shops are concentrated.
References
South Florida’s best Key lime pie revealed: The readers have spoken. South Florida Sun Sentinel, 2026.
Bob Roth’s New River Groves. New River Groves.
Joe’s Stone Crab. Joe’s Stone Crab.
Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop. Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop.
Florida Senate Bill 453 analysis. Florida Senate, 2006.
Our Publix pies are award-worthy for every occasion. Publix, 2025.
