One of the best places to dine in all of Key West! The food is yummy and creative but “accessible”. The classics like crispy rice and hot mustard tuna cones are delicious and the special steamed spicy dumplings are perfectly prepared. The owners and all the waitstaff are terrific- attentive, informative, subtle and kind. A great place to go, and go again !
Chuck
If you are hungry do not go here! Portions are incredibly small and very expensive. The whole dining experience was very slow, moving with sometimes up to 20 min in between small plates. Overall food tasted decent but certainly not worth the money. Many better options in the keys!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Lisa Sienkiewicz
Unbelievable dining experience! The dishes were fresh, interesting and each bite better than the last! The sashimi melts in your mouth, the pickled ginger fritter is next level and don’t forget to leave room for dessert. Eat all of Allison’s recommendations and you’ll leave beyond satisfied. Will be back for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jaime
They did not serve us at 6:00 pm when we arrived because we did not have a reservation and the restaurant was empty, to be fair I think there was only one table occupied, they were all reserved for 6:30 according to the hostess. Not only should the food be good, the attention is important.
Best food we had during our entire trip. Service was off the charts good. Can't wait to return. My husband isn't a big fan of Asian cuisine, but has already said we have to book Atlas at least twice on our next visit.
Jen R
[I am a professional chef, restauranteur, former food critic— life-long student of Japanese cuisine]— This is the best meal I’ve eaten in a restaurant since returning from Japan a year ago. Period.We were with a group so tried a LOT of small plates— ALL were very good— the outstanding ones were: Spicy Ginger Fritters (creative and absolutely delicious), Crispy Rice w/Tuna (ubiquitous, maybe but Atlas does it perfectly), ALL Yakitori but especially the sea bass and koji marinated tenderloin (I’ll be dreaming of that for a few weeks), Char-Sui pork ribs (incredibly tender yet still with structure and the flavor… ?), Maitake mushroom with miso cream (perfect balance of crisp and soft), Ssam broccoli (again, perfect texture and if you like sweet/savory combo, you will LOVE it), Yuzu tartlet (sweet/tangy and gorgeous).Staff is warm, welcoming and explain the menu beautifully. Atmosphere is beautiful but not intimidating— EVERYTHING is on point here!It’s expensive and worth every penny.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Logan Roan
Short version: Great place with fresh local options. Unique dining experience that, if pricey, delivers in spades. Ask about their specials and try new things!Long version:Great place, very interested to see what the future holds for this spot. When my folks recommended I take my wife here, I was excited. I definitely think it lived up to the hype. If you're going for the sushi, go for the unusual/specialty stuff. The salmon was great, but you can also get that anywhere. The local yellowtail snapper nigiri was fantastic, though. Other hits were the Ssam Broccoli (not what you're expecting, better), the octopus bao bun, and the shrimp gyoza. Unfortunately, we ate all of them too fast to take pictures.The yakitori was good but the real winner from the grill wasn't even on the menu: It was a big mutton snapper collar, very meaty and only $12, probably my favorite thing we got that night. Make sure to ask about the collar they have that day! Lastly, dessert. We got the Yuzu tartlet, which was the only thing that I had any problems with. It's a beautiful dish and pretty tasty, but I grew up on classic key lime pies that kinda slap you in the face and make you pucker up. The yuzu flavor was very good but very subtle, more discerning palates may appreciate this though. Very excited to try one of the other selections next time, but not at all unhappy with this trip.I also think the small amount of criticism this place has gotten in the reviews recently is pretty ridiculous. Of the complaints I've seen:1. Freshness- I grew up in the Keys. My dad and I just pulled a bunch of fish off the reefs the day before, bled and iced them, and cooked them up at his house within about 2 hours of catching them. I noticed no difference in freshness between those fish and the ones I ate at Atlas last night.2. Price- Food is always pricey here. Atlas is definitely up there, but they make no secret of their prices like other places may. The servers were very upfront about prices and portion sizes on everything and are keen to answer questions. The trick for every place down here is figuring out how to get your money's worth. Again, the yakitori mutton collar (kama) was a great bargain, as was the broccoli. I'm also interested to try their donburi bowls in the future, they seemed very reasonable and decently filling.3. Authenticity- Some of the dishes are more traditional, but many are more experimental and unique. They also make a point of including local flavors and spins. I think that's great. I wouldn't go to Japan, order a cheeseburger, and be mad they do it differently than they do here. You came to Key West, enjoy it! Soak up that funky fusion and those Florida flavors.Atlas Izakaya is definitely a place I'll be keeping an eye on.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joseph M Pagnotta
Regrettably as we thought that the food provided, although Japanese in name, was some sort of hybrid Florida-Asian fusion that came out poorly. After trying 3 recommended appetizers and talking with Amy the Owner about preparation, ingredients, and cooking methods we declined to stay for our main course...and left to go eat dinner at another restaurant. We paid $80 for 3 appetizers and 2 cans of beer. This restaurant was, regrettably, a recommended Japanese quality location.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Robert Turk
Let me just start by saying WOW! This place is amazing the staff were all super knowledgeable and helpful. My server walked me through the menu and answered all of my questions can't remember her name but I believe she was British. I can't say enough about the quality of ingredients. I can honestly say I have never had fresher fish in my life. The Salmon nigiri blew my mind. We started off with the A5 wagyu came with a hot stone to cook it yourself at the table. If you like beef this is the absolute best melts in your mouth. The octopus bao buns were so tender and a mix of delicious flavors. I love that this place is Japanese inspired small plates. We were able to try so many different items and flavors I could go on and on about how good everything was but there are no words to do it justice. Just wanted to thank the staff for providing what has been the best meal we have eaten in years. There's nothing else like it for hundreds of miles. From the staff to the food and the beautiful decor If you are in Key West this is an ABSOLUTE MUST TRY!!
There were times that the food was so complex and delicious that we had to shut our eyes in order to savor every bite. This was an outstanding dining experience! The best Japanese food our party had ever tasted, and we considered ourselves fairly experienced diners.
The best new restaurant in Key West, opened May 2023. Creative, adventurous, thoughtfully prepared Asian dishes. Small and beautiful space. It was recommended by tourists and locals alike. I have been twice and going again soon. Compared to prices for high end Japanese food where I am from (NY) this place is shockingly reasonable. Variety of yakitori cooked over binchotan charcoal, amazing. Beautiful salads, sashimi, sushi, I could go on and on! Chef/owner John and his wife Amy have given Cayo Hueso an outstanding new restaurant! Also, a portion of sales go to the Boys and Girls Club, they are giving back to this community!
julies
first time at Atlas, will definitely go again. The food was excellent, adventurous and fresh. Service was beyond reproach, our server was very knowledgeable and made excellent suggestions.
Frank P.
Probably one of the best meals I've had and definitely the best Japanese inspired food I had the privilege of enjoying. I wish I included pictures of the sashimi.The salmon, tuna, and yellowtail were so buttery smooth, so fresh that it just melts on your tongue. I'll think about it for days. The octopus popsicles were astounding in taste. I've never tasted octopus cooked as perfectly as it was. It had a similar tenderness to pork belly but even more tender. It's rare to find that kind of tenderness at any place that serves octopus so I was overwhelmed by how good it was and this is coming from someone who generally does not like octopus. Amazing. My main dish was a bowl of spicy pork ramen. Shout outs to the broth and the perfect noodles. I could have this dish just to drink the broth alone. It was not too spicy and it had a perfect blend of ingredients that I will not pretend to know. The noodles absorbed the broth perfectly and they were neither overcooked nor overly firm. Words cannot capture the taste I indulged from this. I wish I could accurately review the matcha ice cream sandwich bao buns, but I was so stuffed that I couldn't enjoy it fully. However, the bun itself was light and airy similar to donut mill inspired desserts, and it's warmth had a nice contrast with the matcha ice cream. The service was awesome. One of the owners was the bartender and she gave us a thorough rundown of everything including the history of the restaurant, the dishes, the preparation, everything. She set my expectations high for the food which went above and beyond that. The restaurant itself was on the smaller side but it wasn't too cramped. I'm not sure how many larger parties you could do, but we took a few seats at the bar. It's one larger room, but it seems like it was split into a more intimate section, the bar, and a larger dining area. The restaurant is a little more upscale but not pretentiously so. Very nice ambiance. A top recommendation for fellow Japanese food enjoyers. I'll definitely come back if I'm in the area again.
RonaldW
Not even the name is Japanese -Combined 10 years living in Japan.... this was nothing like the real thing. Crab claw dish was smothered in butter and garlic (Italian?); nigiri topped with capers and dill (Mediterranean?); Don Bari with 2 shrimp and burnt rice (?). Tried hard to be an "upscale experience" but forgot about the fundamentals.
Amanda
Great all the way around with exceptional service (everything was explained in detail to us) We had a bunch of questions and they were all answered and recommendations by wait staff was right on point! Will return ? Our server was from South Africa! She was amazing ?
One of the best places to dine in all of Key West! The food is yummy and creative but “accessible”. The classics like crispy rice and hot mustard tuna cones are delicious and the special steamed spicy dumplings are perfectly prepared. The owners and all the waitstaff are terrific- attentive, informative, subtle and kind. A great place to go, and go again !
If you are hungry do not go here! Portions are incredibly small and very expensive. The whole dining experience was very slow, moving with sometimes up to 20 min in between small plates. Overall food tasted decent but certainly not worth the money. Many better options in the keys!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Unbelievable dining experience! The dishes were fresh, interesting and each bite better than the last! The sashimi melts in your mouth, the pickled ginger fritter is next level and don’t forget to leave room for dessert. Eat all of Allison’s recommendations and you’ll leave beyond satisfied. Will be back for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They did not serve us at 6:00 pm when we arrived because we did not have a reservation and the restaurant was empty, to be fair I think there was only one table occupied, they were all reserved for 6:30 according to the hostess. Not only should the food be good, the attention is important.
Best food we had during our entire trip. Service was off the charts good. Can't wait to return. My husband isn't a big fan of Asian cuisine, but has already said we have to book Atlas at least twice on our next visit.
[I am a professional chef, restauranteur, former food critic— life-long student of Japanese cuisine]— This is the best meal I’ve eaten in a restaurant since returning from Japan a year ago. Period.We were with a group so tried a LOT of small plates— ALL were very good— the outstanding ones were: Spicy Ginger Fritters (creative and absolutely delicious), Crispy Rice w/Tuna (ubiquitous, maybe but Atlas does it perfectly), ALL Yakitori but especially the sea bass and koji marinated tenderloin (I’ll be dreaming of that for a few weeks), Char-Sui pork ribs (incredibly tender yet still with structure and the flavor… ?), Maitake mushroom with miso cream (perfect balance of crisp and soft), Ssam broccoli (again, perfect texture and if you like sweet/savory combo, you will LOVE it), Yuzu tartlet (sweet/tangy and gorgeous).Staff is warm, welcoming and explain the menu beautifully. Atmosphere is beautiful but not intimidating— EVERYTHING is on point here!It’s expensive and worth every penny.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Short version: Great place with fresh local options. Unique dining experience that, if pricey, delivers in spades. Ask about their specials and try new things!Long version:Great place, very interested to see what the future holds for this spot. When my folks recommended I take my wife here, I was excited. I definitely think it lived up to the hype. If you're going for the sushi, go for the unusual/specialty stuff. The salmon was great, but you can also get that anywhere. The local yellowtail snapper nigiri was fantastic, though. Other hits were the Ssam Broccoli (not what you're expecting, better), the octopus bao bun, and the shrimp gyoza. Unfortunately, we ate all of them too fast to take pictures.The yakitori was good but the real winner from the grill wasn't even on the menu: It was a big mutton snapper collar, very meaty and only $12, probably my favorite thing we got that night. Make sure to ask about the collar they have that day! Lastly, dessert. We got the Yuzu tartlet, which was the only thing that I had any problems with. It's a beautiful dish and pretty tasty, but I grew up on classic key lime pies that kinda slap you in the face and make you pucker up. The yuzu flavor was very good but very subtle, more discerning palates may appreciate this though. Very excited to try one of the other selections next time, but not at all unhappy with this trip.I also think the small amount of criticism this place has gotten in the reviews recently is pretty ridiculous. Of the complaints I've seen:1. Freshness- I grew up in the Keys. My dad and I just pulled a bunch of fish off the reefs the day before, bled and iced them, and cooked them up at his house within about 2 hours of catching them. I noticed no difference in freshness between those fish and the ones I ate at Atlas last night.2. Price- Food is always pricey here. Atlas is definitely up there, but they make no secret of their prices like other places may. The servers were very upfront about prices and portion sizes on everything and are keen to answer questions. The trick for every place down here is figuring out how to get your money's worth. Again, the yakitori mutton collar (kama) was a great bargain, as was the broccoli. I'm also interested to try their donburi bowls in the future, they seemed very reasonable and decently filling.3. Authenticity- Some of the dishes are more traditional, but many are more experimental and unique. They also make a point of including local flavors and spins. I think that's great. I wouldn't go to Japan, order a cheeseburger, and be mad they do it differently than they do here. You came to Key West, enjoy it! Soak up that funky fusion and those Florida flavors.Atlas Izakaya is definitely a place I'll be keeping an eye on.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Regrettably as we thought that the food provided, although Japanese in name, was some sort of hybrid Florida-Asian fusion that came out poorly. After trying 3 recommended appetizers and talking with Amy the Owner about preparation, ingredients, and cooking methods we declined to stay for our main course...and left to go eat dinner at another restaurant. We paid $80 for 3 appetizers and 2 cans of beer. This restaurant was, regrettably, a recommended Japanese quality location.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Let me just start by saying WOW! This place is amazing the staff were all super knowledgeable and helpful. My server walked me through the menu and answered all of my questions can't remember her name but I believe she was British. I can't say enough about the quality of ingredients. I can honestly say I have never had fresher fish in my life. The Salmon nigiri blew my mind. We started off with the A5 wagyu came with a hot stone to cook it yourself at the table. If you like beef this is the absolute best melts in your mouth. The octopus bao buns were so tender and a mix of delicious flavors. I love that this place is Japanese inspired small plates. We were able to try so many different items and flavors I could go on and on about how good everything was but there are no words to do it justice. Just wanted to thank the staff for providing what has been the best meal we have eaten in years. There's nothing else like it for hundreds of miles. From the staff to the food and the beautiful decor If you are in Key West this is an ABSOLUTE MUST TRY!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: A5 Wagyu Beef, Nigiri, Grouper Yakitori
There were times that the food was so complex and delicious that we had to shut our eyes in order to savor every bite. This was an outstanding dining experience! The best Japanese food our party had ever tasted, and we considered ourselves fairly experienced diners.
Restaurantji Recommends
The best new restaurant in Key West, opened May 2023. Creative, adventurous, thoughtfully prepared Asian dishes. Small and beautiful space. It was recommended by tourists and locals alike. I have been twice and going again soon. Compared to prices for high end Japanese food where I am from (NY) this place is shockingly reasonable. Variety of yakitori cooked over binchotan charcoal, amazing. Beautiful salads, sashimi, sushi, I could go on and on! Chef/owner John and his wife Amy have given Cayo Hueso an outstanding new restaurant! Also, a portion of sales go to the Boys and Girls Club, they are giving back to this community!
first time at Atlas, will definitely go again. The food was excellent, adventurous and fresh. Service was beyond reproach, our server was very knowledgeable and made excellent suggestions.
Probably one of the best meals I've had and definitely the best Japanese inspired food I had the privilege of enjoying. I wish I included pictures of the sashimi.The salmon, tuna, and yellowtail were so buttery smooth, so fresh that it just melts on your tongue. I'll think about it for days. The octopus popsicles were astounding in taste. I've never tasted octopus cooked as perfectly as it was. It had a similar tenderness to pork belly but even more tender. It's rare to find that kind of tenderness at any place that serves octopus so I was overwhelmed by how good it was and this is coming from someone who generally does not like octopus. Amazing. My main dish was a bowl of spicy pork ramen. Shout outs to the broth and the perfect noodles. I could have this dish just to drink the broth alone. It was not too spicy and it had a perfect blend of ingredients that I will not pretend to know. The noodles absorbed the broth perfectly and they were neither overcooked nor overly firm. Words cannot capture the taste I indulged from this. I wish I could accurately review the matcha ice cream sandwich bao buns, but I was so stuffed that I couldn't enjoy it fully. However, the bun itself was light and airy similar to donut mill inspired desserts, and it's warmth had a nice contrast with the matcha ice cream. The service was awesome. One of the owners was the bartender and she gave us a thorough rundown of everything including the history of the restaurant, the dishes, the preparation, everything. She set my expectations high for the food which went above and beyond that. The restaurant itself was on the smaller side but it wasn't too cramped. I'm not sure how many larger parties you could do, but we took a few seats at the bar. It's one larger room, but it seems like it was split into a more intimate section, the bar, and a larger dining area. The restaurant is a little more upscale but not pretentiously so. Very nice ambiance. A top recommendation for fellow Japanese food enjoyers. I'll definitely come back if I'm in the area again.
Not even the name is Japanese -Combined 10 years living in Japan.... this was nothing like the real thing. Crab claw dish was smothered in butter and garlic (Italian?); nigiri topped with capers and dill (Mediterranean?); Don Bari with 2 shrimp and burnt rice (?). Tried hard to be an "upscale experience" but forgot about the fundamentals.
Great all the way around with exceptional service (everything was explained in detail to us) We had a bunch of questions and they were all answered and recommendations by wait staff was right on point! Will return ? Our server was from South Africa! She was amazing ?