9 August 21-27, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | Pie Detector Where to find the best key lime pie in Miami. BY NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR N othing defines South Florida, and the Sunshine State as a whole, more than key lime pie. Indulging in a slice is like taking a bite out of pure sunshine. It’s tart, creamy, and kissed with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s a dessert that tastes like our coastline feels, whether you’re soaking in a watercolor sunset down in Key West or watching a rose-gold sunrise on Fort Lauder- dale Beach: bright, breezy, and unforgettable. I know because I’m a South Florida native and die-hard devotee of the pie. I’ve made the pil- grimage countless times down to the Keys, stopping at Keys Fisheries, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, and the Fish House Restaurant & Seafood Market, in search of the perfect slice. I know what real key lime pie tastes like: it’s made with freshly squeezed key lime juice, egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, a buttery graham cracker crust, and a whole lot of pure Florida love. (This is why it’s the official state pie of Florida: The Florida Legislature passed a bill designating it as such on July 1, 2006.) The history of key lime pie is as layered as it is delightful. While there’s still some debate swirling around its true place of origin, there’s no disputing the role of the Florida Keys in perfecting it. Key limes, smaller and more aromatic than regular limes, have been cultivated in the Keys and the Caribbean for generations. Rumor has it that the earliest known recipe dates back to 1931, published by Key West resident Mrs. H. Griner, which called for a simple filling of key lime juice, eggs, and sweetened condensed milk. Even more noteworthy, some say the late legendary author and beloved Key West resident, Ernest Hemingway himself, had a hand — or at least a fork — in the pie’s fame, thanks to his chef who supposedly perfected the recipe in his Key West home, although this has yet to be proven. Legend also has it that a slice of key lime pie would help Hemingway when he had writer’s block. (I’ve actually driven to Gramp’s Getaway for a slice to prove this the- ory as a writer myself. Unfortunately, the re- sults were inconclusive, and I left with a margarita in hand.) Nevertheless, here’s my hard truth: while the absolute best key lime pies can be found in the Keys, it doesn’t mean Miami’s out of the game. We’ve got some truly incredible con- tenders up here, pies so good they’ll make you close your eyes and swear you’re on Duval Street with a fork in one hand and a piña co- lada in the other. Over the past five to ten years, I’ve tasted nearly every single pie on this list myself — a labor of love, dedication, and maybe a little obsession — to ensure New Times’ guide to the best key lime pies in Miami is the most definitive you’ll find. From longtime legends like Joe’s Stone Crab to hidden neighborhood gems like Fookem’s Fabulous, every slice here has earned its spot. And while I’ll never stop making my pilgrimages south, I can promise you this: Miami is serving up incredible key lime pies worth staying in town for. Blue Collar 6789 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 305-756-0366 bluecollarmiami.com If you’re looking for a key lime pie that truly tastes homemade, look no further than pastry chef Meghan Perkins’ key lime pie at Blue Collar (she also makes the key lime pies served at Mignonette and the Café at Books & Books). Perkins, wife of Cocaine Cowboys di- rector Billy Corben, adds her homemade touch to the key lime pie at Blue Collar, and they’re so creamy, perfectly tart, and rich. Her recipe is made with hand-squeezed limes and a housemade vanilla bean whipped cream that truly makes this one of the more unique and decadent pies on this zesty list. (By the way, Perkins is now selling her pies locally. For inquiries, please reach out to her via an Instagram direct message at @MissPieAmi.) Bob Roth’s New River Groves 5660 Griffin Rd., Davie 954-581-8630 newrivergroves.com For more than 50 years, Bob Roth’s New River Groves in Fort Lauderdale has been serving an award-winning key lime pie so fresh and flavorful it earns a spot on my list of the best in Miami — yes, it’s worth the drive. The family- owned grove uses perfectly tart key lime juice (that they even sell by the bottle because it’s that good) and a buttery graham cracker crust, creating a pie, which is known as “Terry’s Famous Key Lime Pie,” that tastes like pure South Florida sunshine. Its de- cades-long legacy proves that when you do something this well, there’s no need to change a thing. They even helped solidify key lime as Florida’s favorite pie. dbakers Sweet Studio 3501 NE Second Ave., Miami 786-310-8763 dbakers.us Winner of New Times’ Best Key Lime Pie 2020, this tangy slice of heaven comes topped with a mile-high mountain of meringue that gives each bite the ideal sweet-to-tart ratio (and even reminds me of the famous key lime pie served at Blue Heaven down in Key West). Owned and operated by twin brothers who have mastered the art of macarons, cakes, and a variety of confections, they left no stone unturned when creating their version of a quintessential South Florida favorite. It’s available by the slice or a whole pie, and calling ahead to reserve this tasty treat is recommended, as it’s known to fly off the display shelves. Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop Locations in Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and FTL firemandereks.com Miami’s best-known pie shop, Fireman Der- ek’s, may tempt you with dozens of flavors (I’m a huge fan of the “Cookie Monster” pie myself), but it’s the key lime pie, the very first pie its founder, Derek Kaplan, ever made, that will have you hooked for life. Made with con- densed milk, freshly squeezed key lime juice, a buttery graham crust, and a few secret in- gredients, it’s a slice of heaven that perfectly balances tang and sweetness. One bite and you’ll be dreaming about your next slice be- fore you’ve even finished the first (I would know from personal experience). Fookem’s Fabulous 3606 Grand Ave., Miami 305-699-2122 fookemsfabulous.com If pie were a portal, a slice from Fookem’s Fabulous would transport you directly to Key West. Winner of New Times’ Best Key Lime Pie 2022, what started as a home business during the pandemic is now a full-fledged storefront and has become a Coconut Grove staple. Founder Joshua Abril, an out-of-work TV producer, taught himself to make key lime pie by watching dozens of YouTube tutorials, and his trials truly paid off. The version Abril settled on, which is a creamy and tart delight with a salty graham-cracker crust (the only salted crust in this list), quickly rivaled those made by the best pastry chefs in Miami. Gramps Getaway 3301 Rickenbacker Cswy., Key Biscayne 305-465-2482 instagram.com/grampsgetaway At the waterfront gem that is Gramps Get- away in Key Biscayne, the key lime pie is a tart-and-sweet masterpiece you’ll want to dive right into — each tiny key lime juiced by hand. It’s so good you’ll be tempted to order one for yourself and another to take home to the friend who missed dinner (because you’re nice like that). Fun fact: despite its perfection here, key lime pie didn’t even originate in Key Biscayne — but Gramps makes a strong case that it should have. Joe’s Stone Crab 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach 305-673-0365 joesstonecrab.com At Miami Beach’s beloved institution known for its savory namesake, you’ll also find Joe’s famous key lime pie, arguably the benchmark for Florida’s favorite dessert. The pie’s per- fect graham cracker crust holds a silky filling that’s equal parts sweet and sour, with just the right amount of zest. It’s not covered in a large amount of meringue, but the freshly made whipped cream on top is divine, rich, and airy. (Pro tip: Call ahead to order a whole pie. It’ll last longer, though probably not by much.) LoKal by Kush 3190 Commodore Plz. 305-442-3377 kushhospitality.com At LoKal by Kush in Coconut Grove, the key lime pie is a Miami must, built on a buttery graham cracker crust that’s as crave-worthy as the filling itself. Each slice strikes the per- fect balance of tart key lime tang and smooth, creamy sweetness, making it impossible to stop at just one bite. It’s comfort food with a South Florida soul, served up in one of the Grove’s most beloved spots. Miss Debbie’s Sweet Delights msdebbiesweetdelights.com Winner of New Times’ Best Key Lime Pie 2025, the only thing more delightful than owner and baker Miss Debbie herself is her delectable varieties of key lime pies. Her clas- sic version is pure sweet-sour perfection, but don’t sleep on the other 32 flavors, ▼ Café dBakers Sweet Studio photo dBakers Sweet Studio makes some of the best key lime pie in Miami. THE HISTORY OF KEY LIME PIE IS AS LAYERED AS IT IS DELIGHTFUL. >> p10
