Everglades Oysters

10/06/2026

A Florida Keys original, built on family, flavor, and over two decades of dedication.

We’re honored to welcome Square Grouper, Chef Lynn Bell, and Joe Bell to Key West Oyster Fest!
Lynn’s story began long before Square Grouper became a beloved name in island dining. After moving to the Keys in the late 1980s, she worked at Henry’s at the Casa Marina and Little Palm Island, building the experience that would shape her own vision for hospitality. In 2003, she opened the original Square Grouper on Cudjoe Key, creating a destination where inventive cooking, fresh local seafood, and thoughtful service came together.
That vision became a family legacy. Her son, Joe, began working in the restaurant at just nine years old, growing up with an understanding of the effort behind every service. From busing tables to hosting and serving, he learned hospitality from the ground up. After studying in New York and gaining restaurant experience near Chicago and in Fort Lauderdale, Joe brought that knowledge home to help build the family business.

In 2019, Lynn, Joe, and his sister Sarah transformed an old Islamorada boathouse into an elegant waterfront restaurant. Their expansion into Key West brought Square Grouper to Caroline Street, where Joe now leads the restaurant in a building once home to the legendary PT’s Late Night.

The food captures that same balance of island character and culinary ambition. Yellowfin tuna and avocado egg rolls, almond crusted grouper with Caribbean cranberry and pineapple relish, and oysters Rockefeller with homemade Key lime butter sauce showcase a kitchen willing to make familiar ingredients exciting. The raw bar adds another memorable touch, with oysters and seasonal seafood displayed in a classic tub filled with ice.

Through every location, Lynn and Joe have carried forward the details that matter: consistency, creativity, attentive service, and a family welcome. They’ve built places people return to, recommend to friends, and make part of their Keys traditions.
Come celebrate the passion and people behind Square Grouper at Key West Oyster Fest. We couldn’t be prouder to have this remarkable family joining us!

10/06/2026

10/05/2026

We’re proud to welcome The Docks Stock Island and Fishwife to Key West Oyster Fest, celebrating the creativity and coastal roots of Ryan Shapiro, Matt Cohen, and Emma Shapiro.

Set along Stock Island’s working waterfront, The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar pairs fresh local seafood with inventive cooking and views of the harbor that inspires it. With fishing boats nearby and a seafood market connected to the restaurant, its connection to the catch is woven into the experience. It’s a place where a beautifully prepared meal and the easygoing character of the Keys come together.
That connection starts with Ryan Shapiro, a chef and restaurateur who grew up in a commercial fishing family. His relationships with local fishermen reach back to childhood, bringing a deeply personal understanding of the seafood that defines these islands. Alongside his longtime culinary school partner, Chef Matt Cohen, and his wife and business partner, Emma Shapiro, Ryan has built a restaurant story rooted in friendship, family, and a shared love of good food.

At Fishwife Restaurant & Raw Bar on Petronia Street, the team carries that spirit into downtown Key West. The sister restaurant to The Docks combines fresh, sustainably caught seafood with playful dishes, coastal influences, and cocktails in a welcoming island setting. From conch salad and oysters to coconut lobster bites and seafood pot pie, the menu gives familiar ingredients an imaginative new expression.

Together, The Docks and Fishwife celebrate the people and waters that make the Keys such a special place to eat. We’re honored to bring their story to Key West Oyster Fest and can’t wait for you to meet the team.

10/05/2026

Some people open restaurants. Bobby Mongelli helps keep the spirit of the Florida Keys alive.

We’re proud to welcome the man behind the beloved Hogfish Bar & Grill to Key West Oyster Fest! In 2002, Bobby and his wife, Michelle, transformed a humble dockside bar on Stock Island’s Safe Harbor waterfront into a destination that captures everything people love about the Keys: fresh local seafood, warm hospitality, colorful characters, and a place where everyone feels welcome. Overlooking a working harbor, Hogfish became a gathering place for fishermen, longtime locals, and visitors looking for a taste of island life. Its connection to the water goes beyond the view. The fishing boats, the people who bring in the catch, and the stories shared around the tables are all part of what makes it special.

For Bobby, that community has always been at the heart of the vision. Alongside fellow residents and business owners, he has championed a future for Stock Island that supports local businesses while preserving its fishing heritage and waterfront way of life. His passion for the surrounding waters carries into everything he does, from time spent fishing to the hospitality that brings people together over a great meal.

Come meet Bobby, raise a glass, and celebrate a true champion of the Keys with us. We’re honored to have him joining the festivities! 🐗🐟

10/03/2026

Start them young! The next generation 🦪🐊

Extreme focus, moving with intention, no protection.

10/03/2026

It's fascinating how fast things grow in the Everglades 🐊

10/01/2026

What’s an oyster fest without The Farm Boys?

THE FARM BOYS are making their way down south to Mile 0 to join us for the biggest oyster celebration in Key West history!

Grass-rooted, Florida grown, just like our farmers.
Tickets are on sale now:

10/01/2026

The Tropical Oyster is now available to the public

Visit us online to secure your bag for the first time ever of the S*x Panther and the Wet Kitty, available for local pickup and Uber Courier in the Miami-Dade area.

09/29/2026

The Original Seal of Florida

The Calusa built massive engineering works, including towering shell ridges, living platforms, and giant fish-holding watercourts. All out of billions of oyster shells.

The history might be lost, but the shirt remains for a limited time on our website evergladesoysters.com

09/28/2026

Morning harvest 🦪