🍹 Kaya Island Eats: The Caribbean-Pacific Sensation & Unforgettable Key West Vibe

Doris WithaD and I were privileged guests of Michael Guzzi, the owner and founder of Key West Spice, for a spectacular visit to the must-stop Key West culinary destination: Kaya Island Eats (inside The Key West EmPOURium on legendary Duval Street). After our first visit, which delivered on both explosive flavor and incredible atmosphere, we are already planning our return to explore more of their island-inspired menu.

From the moment we walked in, you realize this is a rare find: a genuine, vibrant establishment where the welcome is the real deal—pure, immediate island warmth. The bartender and staff greeted us like locals, ensuring the incredible service started immediately. The venue is immense, offering indoor seating, outdoor seating, and even multiple entrances.

The Islands in a Tiki Glass

We settled in for a feast designed for a Key West escape. We started, naturally, with the essential, icy-cold glass of their signature cocktail: Juju’s Maui Mai Tai. This concoction of Silver rum, real passion fruit, almond syrup, and lemonade is truly “The islands in a Tiki Glass.”

The Main Event: An Appetizer Bomb

We opted for a variety of appetizers to get a feel for the Caribbean-meets-Pacific menu. Every dish was a clean, fresh, and original flavor bomb:

• Incredible Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings: Tossed in jerk sauce and topped with goat cheese and green onion—a crispy, salty, and an absolute ideal bite.
• Signature Tuna (Nachos) Poke: This dish is a vibrant, Asian-inspired masterpiece, a visual and textural stunner featuring fresh poke, Wasabi Pickled Ginger Aioli, and Sesame Seeds on crispy Won Ton chips.
• Bang Bang Fish: Pan-fried Mahi Mahi Bites with Thai Chili Sauce. Delicious!
• Hawaiian Pork Sliders: Served with Mango Pineapple Salsa, Key Lime Slaw, and a kick of Guava Lava Sauce.

More Than Just a Meal: The EmPOURium Experience

Kaya Island Eats is housed within The Key West EmPOURium, a massive, multifaceted venue that provides ultimate vacation entertainment. You can catch a game on two dozen TVs, then head to the tropical Backyard Bar for live music, or even share your rockstar voice at the swanky Karaoke Lounge. Beloved by locals and adored by guests, everyone truly is treated like family here.

Future FOMO & Essential Care

The ultimate FOMO moment comes from delaying your return and missing out on the dishes we look forward to trying next: the Ya Mon Jamaican Jerk Portobello (GF/Vegan Option available) and the Signature Asian/Cajun Catch. We were also impressed that the kitchen takes special care of food allergies and has many vegan and gluten-free options available.

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