Martins Restaurant - Review
Chef Martin trained in Berlin, so mixing hearty German fare with tropical ingredients common to Key West is the hallmark of this fine dining restaurant. They also have a highly rated happy hour!
Martin’s restaurant is within walking distance of anything near Duval Street. Very easy to find. This Key West restaurant is an upscale experience. While reservations are highly recommended, Martin’s will also take walk-ins if availability is there. A great place for couples, groups, date night and special occasions. Some outdoor dining with a majority of the dining indoors.
Pricing
$ $ $ $ $
Service
10/10
Atmosphere
10/10
The Food
5/10
917 Duval St, Key West FL 33040
Martin's Restaurant Cuisine
Known for European and German dishes, along with fresh seafood, lobster, and steak. We do consider Martin’s both a German restaurant and a steakhouse here in Key West. Martin’s is also considered to be one of our better martini bars and a pretty good wine list.
Martin's Restaurant Review
As my readers can see, I have not reviewed Martins Restaurant in quite some time. However, being in constant communication with many visitors to Key West that our foodies I have heard nothing but great things recently. As for our last visit..
We were seated immediately and our server was amazing from the start. While Martin’s has a nice wine list, we stayed with water through our dinner.
We started with a Caprese Salad and a Black Forest Salad. Presentation of both was beautiful. Loved the spin on the Caprese with cherry tomatoes rather than tomato slices. We did not enjoy the Black Forest Salad as much; it had bacon and sautéed onions served over greens and tomatoes. The veggies were fresh but the bacon was almost flavorless and did not add the punch of flavor that I was expecting.
We also ordered the tuna tataki which was garnished with a seaweed salad, ginger, and wasabi sauce. The tuna was fresh, and was encrusted with black pepper. I enjoyed it but my husband did not as he cannot abide spicy foods. The fact that it was encrusted with pepper was not mentioned on the menu; if it had been he would have started with a different appetizer.
For dinner we ordered the wiener schnitzel since Martin’s is an upscale German restaurant. We also ordered the grouper special which was a grouper filet wrapped in bacon and topped with crab meat.
The grouper had a very nice presentation but the taste was lacking. The bacon was very underdone and it overpowered the taste of the grouper. And, the crabmeat topper was laced with shells and just did not taste right.
After the disappointment of the meal so far we decided not to do dessert.
About The Food
Appetizers
Martins has a large Tapas menu, with a mix of tropical items and more European options as well. You will find options such as:
German Potato Soup, Lobster Bisque, Schnitzel Strips, Serrano Ham, Pate, Bratwurst, Baked Brie, Grilled Lamb Chops, Salads and several seafood options.
Entrées
From the Land, options include: Beef Wellington, Organic Airline Chicken, Wiener schnitzel, Jager Schnitzel, Lamb Osso Bucco, Black Angus Ribeye, and Filet Mignon.
From the Sea, options include: Yellowtail Snapper, Grouper, and Lobster (both local and Maine).
Pastas include: Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo, Maine Lobster Alfredo, Vegetable Alfredo, Fettuccini Alfredo, Classic Fettuccini, and Spaghetti Bolognese.
Desserts
Chocolate Truffle Torte, Creme Brûlée, Apple Strudle, Bananas Foster, and Mousse. The Martini Bar also has a wonderful menu if you prefer a liquid dessert!
Fun Notes
Martin’s has been in Key West since 1990, but it opened at its current 917 Duval Street location in 2007.
Chef Martin Busam originally operated Martin’s at the Eden House on Fleming Street beginning in 1990. In 1999, he opened Martin’s Café Restaurant on Appelrouth Lane. Then, in 2007, he purchased and renovated the building at 917 Duval Street, establishing the Martin’s Steak & Lobster location that operates there today.
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