Once You Try Its Key Lime Pie, This Florida Bakery Spoils Every Other Slice

A slice of key lime pie, dunked in dark chocolate and frozen on a stick like a popsicle. That one detail had me hooked before I knew anything else.

The pie itself leans on double-strength lime juice, a graham cracker crust, and a fluffy cloud of whipped cream. Then there are the coconut and strawberry versions, plus a gluten-free one for friends who usually sit dessert out.

This little Florida shop also hands out cookie samples, sells lime taffy and jellybeans, and keeps a shady patio out back. I like how a single dessert grew into a whole lime-green world.

I can’t imagine a better excuse to wander an island street with sticky fingers. So which slice would you grab first?

A Green Corner Where Lime Rules Everything

Lime green gets the starring role at Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, and the shop wears it proudly. The flagship sits on Elizabeth Street in Key West, Florida, close to the waterfront.

Inside, the color theme runs from the walls to the shelves. Patterned wallpaper and cheerful decorations make the whole room feel like a love letter to one small citrus fruit.

Google lists it simply as a bakery. That label undersells it a bit, since the shop also runs a cafe, a gift section, and a sampling counter.

The front porch gives you a spot to pause before heading inside. Out back, a covered patio waits for anyone who wants to sit with a slice instead of eating on the move.

Kermit’s opens daily, so you don’t need to plan your whole trip around a narrow window. Late-day dessert cravings are covered too, since the doors stay open into the evening.

I love that the place doesn’t try to be subtle. When a shop commits this hard to one flavor, you can trust it takes that flavor seriously.

Consider this your first stop for the classic Florida dessert. Everything else on the island can wait a few bites.

From Smoothie Stand to Island Landmark

Back in 1993, Kermit Carpenter started selling pies at the corner of Elizabeth and Greene Streets. Before that, he ran a small smoothie stand in front of Papa’s Restaurant in Key West.

That humble setup grew fast. Demand climbed so steadily that a production facility in DeLand, Florida, was running by 2003 to help with shipping.

A second storefront opened on Duval Street in 2011. Still, the Elizabeth Street shop remains the flagship, sitting right where the story began.

In October 2023, Kermit’s marked its 30th anniversary with a refreshed flagship location. Three decades is a long run for any business, let alone one built around a single dessert.

The shop also earned goodwill beyond the pie case. After Hurricane Irma shut the island down, Kermit’s served hot meals to locals and first responders.

It continues to support nonprofits across Monroe County. I believe that kind of history adds flavor no recipe card can capture.

So when you hand over a few dollars for a slice, you’re buying into a long Key West tale. Not bad for something that started beside a smoothie blender.

The Classic Slice That Started the Fuss

Tart comes first. The traditional pie at Kermit’s leans on double-strength key lime juice, so the lime flavor shows up loud and clear.

Underneath sits a graham cracker crust. On top, a fluffy layer of whipped cream softens the pucker just enough.

You don’t have to commit to a whole pie, either. Single slices come from the refrigerated case, which makes it easy to taste before buying more.

Opinions on sweetness vary, as they should with a dessert this famous. Some find it bright and tart, while others notice a richer, sweeter side.

The pie has earned plenty of attention over the years. Food Network, National Geographic, and Paula Deen have all recognized it.

In 2026, it took home the Bubba Award for Best Key Lime Pie in Key West. That’s a strong title in a town where nearly every menu features this dessert.

My advice is simple. Start with the original before branching out, so you have a baseline for every flavor that follows.

Good luck stopping at one slice once that first forkful lands.

Pie on a Stick Changes the Whole Game

Somebody looked at a slice of pie and thought, why not a popsicle? Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Bar is the happy result.

Each bar starts as a slice of key lime pie. Then it gets hand-dipped in Belgian-style chocolate and frozen on a stick.

You can pick dark, milk, or white chocolate. Coconut and strawberry versions show up too, which means real decision-making is required.

The frozen format makes sense in Key West heat. A cold dessert you can carry while strolling is a smart move on a sticky Florida afternoon.

Picture the crunch of crust meeting a firm chocolate shell. The lime cream stays front and center, so the chocolate plays backup instead of stealing the show.

These bars also ship across the continental U.S. and Canada. That means the craving can follow you home, which feels a little dangerous.

I can’t think of a more fun way to eat pie with zero forks involved. Grab one on the way out, and the walk back to your hotel suddenly gets much sweeter.

Coconut, Strawberry, and a Gluten-Free Surprise

Variety keeps the pie case interesting. Beyond the traditional slice, Kermit’s offers Strawberry Key Lime Pie and Coconut Key Lime Pie.

The strawberry version brings a fruity twist to the tart base. Coconut adds a tropical layer that feels right at home on an island.

Then there’s the Gluten-Free Key Lime Pie. Friends who usually pass on dessert finally get a seat at the table.

I like how this lineup handles groups. One person grabs classic, another picks coconut, and suddenly you’re running an unofficial taste test.

Sharing is the smartest strategy here. Split a few slices and compare, rather than locking yourself into one flavor too early.

The coconut and strawberry pies also turn up as frozen bars. So if you love one flavor as a slice, you can try it on a stick next.

Whole pies are available too, for anyone feeling bold. Just know that a pie traveling across Florida in a hot car needs a cooler and a plan.

Variety this deep makes return visits feel justified. Honestly, who could resist working through the whole case?

Free Cookie Samples Worth Lingering For

Free samples might be the friendliest sales tactic ever invented. At Kermit’s, a cookie sample jar lets you taste before you buy.

Several flavors of mini cookies rotate through the tastings. Key lime cookies lead the pack, along with key lime cooler cookies and lemon options.

Some of the key lime cookies even include bits of lime pulp. That small detail gives them a fresher bite than you’d expect from a bagged cookie.

Plenty of people walk in for pie and leave clutching a cookie bag. That’s not a complaint, just a fair warning for your shopping budget.

Bags make easy gifts for coworkers back home. They also travel far better than a whipped cream pie on a long drive up US-1.

The sampling setup keeps things relaxed. Nobody rushes you, so take a minute to compare flavors before deciding.

A loaf of key lime pound cake sits on the shelves too. That one might quietly steal your heart if you let it.

Go ahead and try a few cookies. Then try one more, purely for research.

Shelves Stacked With Lime Everything

Key lime salsa? Key lime olive oil?

Yes, both exist here, and they’re only the start.

The shop sells a huge range of lime-infused goods. You’ll spot taffy, jellybeans, tea, chutney, sauces, jams, and seasonings.

Bottles of real key lime juice sit on the shelves as well. That’s handy if you plan to bake your own pie and want the right foundation.

Salt water taffy and jellybeans make cheap, colorful souvenirs. Kids tend to gravitate toward those, while adults drift toward the sauces and jars.

Gift items round out the selection. If you need something for the neighbor watering your plants, this is the place to find it.

I appreciate that the products stay on theme. It would be easy to fill shelves with random trinkets, but lime stays the boss.

Shoppers on a budget can still leave happy. Small candies cost far less than a whole pie and still carry the Key West flavor home.

Many items can ship nationwide, which saves suitcase space. Your carry-on will thank you for skipping the glass jars.

Breakfast and Lunch at Kermit’s Kitchen Cafe

Pie for lunch is tempting, but a real meal first makes more sense. Kermit’s Kitchen Cafe handles that part at the Elizabeth Street location.

The cafe serves full breakfast and lunch daily. Its menu blends Creole and Cuban flavors, a fitting mix for this corner of Florida.

A Key West style Shrimp Po Boy is among the offerings. Bean salad shows up on the menu too, for a lighter plate.

Having food and dessert under one roof makes planning easier. You can eat, linger, and then move straight to the pie case without changing locations.

Drinks fill out the experience. Strawberry lemonade and a key lime soft-serve treat are available for cooling down after a hot walk.

I like the logic of this setup. Nobody wants to hunt for lunch in the midday sun when dessert is already waiting nearby.

Families especially benefit from one easy stop. Feed the crew, let everyone pick a treat, and skip the endless debate about where to go next.

Save room, though. Seriously, save room for that slice.

A Shady Patio Made for Slow Bites

Eating pie while walking works fine. Eating pie while sitting in the shade works better.

Out back, the Elizabeth Street shop has a covered outdoor area with tables and chairs. The roof gives welcome relief from the strong Key West sun.

The space feels like a relaxed courtyard rather than a cramped corner. It’s the kind of spot where a quick snack can stretch into a long chat.

Doves sometimes hang around the seating area too. They add a bit of island charm, so keep an eye on your crust.

There’s also indoor seating for anyone escaping the humidity. Between both areas, the shop can handle a crowd on busy days.

The front porch offers another place to lounge. Grab a bar, sit down, and watch the neighborhood go by for a few minutes.

I believe a good seat changes how dessert tastes. Rushing a famous slice feels like skimming the last chapter of a great book.

Pets seem welcome in the mood here. One visit even included a little snack for a dog, which feels like peak hospitality.

Who Will Love This Sweet Stop Most

First-time key lime pie eaters, this is your stop. Few places in Florida offer such a clear introduction to the island’s signature dessert.

Families do well here. Kids can sample cookies, pick candy, and hold a frozen pie bar without needing a plate.

Sweet-tooth travelers will find plenty to explore. Pie fans who like comparing slices across town also get a strong benchmark.

Gift shoppers benefit too. The shelves solve souvenir problems fast, especially for people who prefer edible gifts over magnets.

Gluten-conscious diners have a real option. The gluten-free key lime pie means nobody has to just watch everyone else eat.

Fans of extra tartness might find the pie leaning sweeter than expected. Fans of rich, creamy filling usually feel right at home.

Quick visits work perfectly. You can pop in, grab a slice, and get back to exploring within minutes.

Slow visits work just as well, thanks to the patio. I can’t imagine a better midday break between museum stops and beach time.

Basically, if you like lime, you belong here. If you don’t, the cookies might convert you.

Smart Timing and Easy Directions

Getting there is easy once you reach the island. The shop sits at 200 Elizabeth Street, Key West, FL 33040, near the waterfront boardwalk.

Key West marks the end of US-1, so plan for a long, scenic drive from the Florida mainland. Many travelers walk or bike once they arrive downtown.

Kermit’s opens every day starting mid-morning and stays open into the evening. That flexible window makes it simple to fit into any itinerary.

Crowds can build on busy days, so earlier visits may feel calmer. Lines generally move quickly at the counter.

A slice or pie bar runs a few dollars, which sits in typical downtown dessert range. Whole pies cost more, so budget accordingly if you plan to take one home.

Bring a cooler for long drives back north. Frozen whipped cream pies and Florida heat are not natural friends.

Hurricane season runs June through November. Check conditions before driving down the Overseas Highway during that window.

Pair your visit with a stroll along the nearby harbor walk. Dessert and a sea breeze make a pretty great combo.

Why This Slice Sets the Bar So High

Thirty-plus years of pie tells you something. A smoothie stand owner turned one dessert into a Key West tradition, and it still holds strong.

Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe pulls off a clever balance. It delivers the classic slice while inventing playful twists like chocolate-dipped pie bars.

The Elizabeth Street flagship adds what a shipped box can’t. You get the porch, the patio, the cookie jars, and the full wall of lime-green charm.

Recognition from national media and the 2026 Bubba Award backs up the buzz. Still, the best proof waits in that refrigerated case.

I believe every Florida road trip deserves at least one iconic bite. In Key West, this shop makes a convincing case for being that bite.

Comparing slices around town is half the fun. Just know you might measure every other pie against this one afterward.

Try the classic, grab a bar for the road, and snag a cookie bag for later. Then see how long you last before planning another trip south.

My guess? Not very long at all.