The short answer: the best gifts from Key West are made here. Think key lime treats, Cuban coffee, small-batch hot sauce, handmade sandals, sea sponges and local art. Pick things that survive the heat and fit in your suitcase. Skip anything that has to stay cold.
Walk down Duval Street and you'll see the same T-shirts, shot glasses and magnets in shop after shop. Plenty of them weren't made anywhere near here.
I've lived in Key West since 2014, and I make gift boxes from local products for a living. So I spend a lot of time looking for things that are actually from this island. Here's what I'd bring home, and what I'd leave on the shelf.
The short version:
Buy things made on the island. Ask in the shop where it comes from.
Food makes the best souvenir. It gets used and tastes like the trip.
Liquids over 3.4 ounces go in your checked bag.
Already home? You can still order Key West gifts online.
Two questions before you buy
Is it made here? The best gifts from Key West come from the small businesses and families who live here. Ask in the shop. People are usually happy to tell you where something comes from.
Will it survive the trip home? It's warm here all year. Some treats melt before you reach the airport. And if you're flying with only a carry-on, liquids over 3.4 ounces have to stay behind or go in a checked bag.
Gifts to eat
Food is my favorite souvenir. It gets used, it doesn't clutter anyone's shelf, and it tastes like the trip.
Key lime everything
Key lime is the flavor of the island, and you'll find it in almost everything. The ones that travel best:
Key lime cookies. Sturdy, sweet and easy to pack.
Key lime taffy and hard candies. They hold up in the heat.
Key lime jam or curd. A great gift for the friend who bakes. Pack it in your checked bag.
What about key lime pie? Eat it here. It needs to stay cold, so it isn't a good gift to carry home.
For a true key lime pie fan, my Key Lime Pie box has everything they need to bake it at home, starting at $80. There are more ideas in my guide to key lime gift baskets.
Cuban coffee
Key West is only 90 miles from Cuba, and you can taste it in the coffee. A bag of Cuban-style coffee is light, packs flat and makes a great gift for anyone who needs a morning boost. My Taste of Key West box pairs Cuban Coffee Queen coffee with local honey, key lime spice and mojo, starting at $80.
Local hot sauce
Small-batch hot sauce is a great pick for the people back home who don't do sweet. Mini bottles fit in a carry-on. Full-size bottles go in your checked bag, wrapped in a T-shirt. Or skip the packing: my Island Heat box has two hot sauces, Rooster seasoning, Cuban coffee and a mini rum cake, and I ship it for you. It starts at $76.
Gifts to keep
Handmade sandals
Kino Sandals have been made by hand in Key West since the 1960s, by the same family that started the business. You can watch them being made at their Old Town factory. They're a real local classic.
Sea sponges
Sponging was once one of Key West's biggest industries. A natural sea sponge is a small, light gift with a real piece of island history behind it.
Local art
The Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square isn't only about the sunset. Local artists sell paintings, jewelry and handmade pieces there every evening. You'll find things you won't see anywhere else.
Gifts for the people who helped you get away
Someone watered your plants, fed your dog or covered your shifts while you were here. They deserve better than a magnet.
A small box with two or three local treats says thank you in a way they'll actually enjoy. Pick one sweet thing, one savory thing and one for the morning, like coffee. Add a handwritten note. That's it.
Make your own gift box in Key West
This is my favorite part of what I do. At my shop on North Roosevelt Boulevard, you can make your own gift box.
You pick the treats and little extras you love. Then you choose the ribbon, decorations and card. You leave with a finished, wrapped gift that's ready to give. It's a fun stop on a rainy afternoon, or on your last day when you remember everyone you still need a gift for.
My shop is at 2726 N Roosevelt Blvd, on the way in and out of town. Please check my hours before you come.
Already home? You can still send Key West
Forgot someone? Or fell for the island and want to send a little of it to a friend? I ship gift boxes nationwide.
My ready-made gift boxes can be ordered one at a time, with local treats already chosen for you. For a Hemingway fan, try Papa's Key West, with a Hemingway notebook, a Hemingway House magnet by a local artist, a garden candle and local mustard. It starts at $80. Coming back for a wedding? My guide to wedding welcome bags for hotel guests covers gifts for the whole guest list. For something bigger, like gifts for a team, a family reunion or a group trip, I design custom gift boxes too.
Xoxo - yours, Anna ❤
FAQ
What is Key West known for that makes a good gift?
Key lime treats, Cuban coffee, local hot sauce, handmade sandals and natural sea sponges. Look for things made on the island by local businesses.
Can you bring key lime pie home from Key West?
It's hard. Key lime pie needs to stay cold, so it doesn't travel well. Key lime cookies, taffy and jam make much better take-home gifts.
What Key West souvenirs can I take in a carry-on?
Cookies, candy, coffee, sandals, sea sponges and art are all easy to carry on. Liquids like hot sauce and jam must be 3.4 ounces or less, or go in a checked bag.
Can I buy Key West gifts online?
Yes. Effortless Creations ships gift boxes of local Key West treats nationwide, and ready-made boxes can be ordered one at a time.
Where can I make my own gift box in Key West?
At Effortless Creations, 2726 N Roosevelt Blvd. You choose the treats, ribbon, decorations and card, and leave with a finished gift.
