Table of Contents
The Island of Cabbage Key
Wait until you see my “Cheeseburger in Paradise”
My boating adventure starts along the stunning Florida Keys, where we stumbled upon Cabbage Key from a recommendation. I asked myself why is Cabbage Key so special. We decided to go out and find this Florida Key along with the history that goes with it. So, we jumped into the boat in Cape Coral, Florida to find this interesting island.
The adventure begins with navigating unfamiliar waters as we go full speed, hair blowing and dogs hanging on deck in their life jackets. An hour and a half later we come upon Cabbage Key according to the channel markers. We are surprised, half expecting a white sanding beach with a crazy beach bar but what we found surprised us. A historic Inn and Restaurant, boat slips, cottages, with mangrove trees.
We decided to stop, docked our boat with the dock master directions. Walked up the stairs through the restaurant and in awe looked around the bar to see the dollar bills hanging from the ceiling or taped to the wall. Do not miss the plaque behind the bar of a famous singer/songwriter who made a stop here on the Island. We decided to stay for a meal but first, let us go back in time.
Dollar Bill Bar at the Cabbage Key Island Inn, Bar and Restaurant
Back in Time – Cabbage Key
The winter estate on Cabbage Key was built in 1936 for Alan Rinehart & Gratia Houghton Rinehart for the price of $14,500. Alan’s mother Mrs. Mary Roberts Rinehart was a successful writer in the 1920’s whose influence can be seen to this day throughout the Island. Cabbage Key changed hands a few times to its latest owners Bob and JaAnn Beck who over the last 40 years have taken pride in preserving “Old Florida Charm”.
Jimmy Buffet plaque in the Dollar Bill Bar…
Celebrity History – Cabbage Key
“Cheeseburger in Paradise” phrase might remind you of a famous song? The story starts out that Jimmy Buffet visited Cabbage Key for its famous tasty Cheeseburgers and amazing views. The Cabbage Key Restaurant is where Jimmy Buffet wrote his famous song “Cheeseburger in Paradise”. Being a fellow “Parrot Head” (fan) I was so excited to eat in the same restaurant the song was written to try a cheeseburger.
Famous Cheeseburger at the Cabbage Key Restaurant…
Cabbage Key Island Inn – Bar – Restaurant
Address – Cabbage Key
ICW Channel Marker 60
Lat. 26* 39’ 24.162” Long. 82* 13’ 20.635”
239-283-2278
Dollar Bill Bar…
Overview – Cabbage Key
Make sure to take a stop over to Cabbage Key to visit the Famous Dollar Bill Bar, Restaurant, Inn and Cottages. Stay over for Fishing, Boating, Kayaking, and Nature Trails. Along with those activities say a hello to Floyd the bird, Sneaky the Otter, Speedy the turtle, Mr. Quacker the duck and more.
If the restaurant is full do not worry the tasty food comes out fast. There is a set menu if I am not mistaken with no changes. The famous Cheeseburgers comes out only medium cooked but it is so awesome tasting. I am ready to go back and visit again and take a look around and stay overnight in one of their cottages.
My view of paradise while eating the famous cheeseburger…
The Restaurant serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Breakfast: Mon – Sat: 7:30am – 9:00am;
Sun: 7:30am – 10:00am
Lunch: Mon – Fri: 11:00am – 3:00pm;
Sat – Sun: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Dinner: Mon – Sun: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Location – Cabbage Key
Off the coast of Coral Key, Florida
Is private boat accessed or by Water Taxi from Pineland Marina
Clientele
All types of people from young to old. Boaters to vacationers & locals.
Restaurant Patio…
My Favorite Experience
Sitting in the Famous Dollar Bill Bar and looking at all the dollars from people all over the world. Also, eating the famous Cheeseburger while looking out to Paradise.
My Least Favorite Experience
Dogs are not allowed. I understand their position but it is sad they are not allowed outside anywhere on the property. It would have been nice to put them on the beach to cool off.
Lonely Planet Florida (Travel Guide)
By Lonely Planet, Adam Karlin, Kate Armstrong, Regis St Louis (Paperback – Jan 16, 2018)
$16.99$24.99
My dollar on the dollar bill wall…
Etcetera
See my other Restaurant Food Reviews and many Travel Locations. This 1AdventureTraveler feels “Life is short go out and have an adventure”.
Leave me a comment and tell me if you have you heard of the song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” by Jimmy Buffet? Do you know the story of how the song was written?
Pin This For Later
*Travel Items at my Amazon Travel Store that I use and highly recommend!
What a lovely looking place! I went to Key West by car about a month ago, and wish I had had more time so that I could have explored some of the rest of the Keys.
Hi Maria, Cabbage Key is a great place to visit. Its a key located going up the southern western coast of Florida. Now how fun you visited Key West, a fun place to visit plus lots of other great keys to explore. Happy Travels 😊
Looks lovely! I would also enjoy the dollar bill bar. That sounds so Kitschy! That is crap about no dogs being allowed! I wouldn’t like that either! Hope to see you at Fly Away Friday this week!
Hi Janine, Cabbage Key is a fun place and what I like if you don’t have a boat a quick ferry will take you for lunch. Views are amazing but my poor doggies were a bit hot and needed a cool down.
The cheeseburger looked delicious! Also, Cabbage Key is such a fun word to say since it’s so unique, haha! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday – see you this weekend! xo
Thanks Kana, I agree Cabbage Key is a fun word to say. hahaha. The cheeseburger was delicious for this vegan.😊 Had to try it since the song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” was written there.
Sounds awesome! I love the fact that the burgers only come cooked Medium; this is how I always request for mine to be cooked but 9 out of 10 times, they come out Well Done, no matter where I am. Thanks for sharing! #weekendwanderlust
Thanks Laura,
The Cheeseburger on Cabbage Key was the best. You must take a trip there and see the awesome views.
Happy Travels 🙂
What a quirky little place! Especially love the dollar bill bar! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Samantha,
It is a bit quirky but I love the story how Jimmy Buffet wrote his song there. Of course I had to put my dollar bill on the wall. What I also read is that any dollar bills that all off are donated to charity.
Happy Travels 🙂
That cheeseburger looks delicious. I’ve been as far south as Miami, but never to the Keys. I’d really like to do a big Florida road trip
Hi Carmen,
I am still trying to visit different places in Florida which is so diverse. Cabbage Key is located in the Florida Keys on the Western side of Florida. I like you thought that the florida keys was just the keys located only south of Miami but this area is also called the Florida Keys. Cabbage Key was fun along with tasty food and lets not forget the Dollar Bill Bar 🙂
I haven’t heard the song but will have to listen to it now. The burger looked tasty, I like mine medium 😉
Pity the dogs couldn’t go with you, I hope they were ok in the boat.
Hi Shona,
The song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” by Jimmy Buffet is so beachy and fun! Reminds me of a beach vacation. I was sad my little dogs could not go to the outside tables. They were okay plus after we ate they went for a swim to cool off in their little life jackets. (not by choice…lol)
Happy Travels 🙂
Cabbage Key is a very unique location, very Instagrammable! As a cheeseburger is my favourite food I would love to try a cheeseburger in there. I’m interested in how a medium cooked burger tastes!
Hi James,
The Cheeseburger according to this vegetarian was very tasty. I broke down and had one and glad I did 🙂 Wish I had more time or stay the night there to take more photos.
Happy Travels 🙂
Looks like Cabbage Key is a place to go, or sail to(?) 🙂 Really like the restaurant patio and the view is just amazing! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thanks Silva,
Cabbage Key was a great place to boat or sail too. They do offer a boat that transports people to and from the mainland also. The weather was perfect and food great.
Happy Travels 🙂
Eating a Cheeseburger in the same restaurant where the song was conceived must indeed have been a thrilling experience. Cabbage Key seems as interesting and intriguing as its name.
Hi Sandy,
Cabbage Key was fun along with the bit of history that is associated with this place. It would have been more thrilling experience if Jimmy Buffet was there. lol. The journey there by boat on a perfect sunny day made it a wonderful day.
Happy Travels 🙂
Ooh! Yummy! Cheeseburger in Paradise indeed! The dollar bill bar looks like an interesting idea as well!
Hi Siddharth and Shruti,
That “Cheeseburger in Paradise” was fabulous and I am a vegetarian. Could not resist the temptation due to the Dollar Bill Bar and amazing views of Paradise.
Happy Travels 🙂
Augh! You’ve got it stuck in my head!
I like mine with lettuce and tomato
Heinz 57 and French fried potatoes
Big kosher pickle and a cold draught beer…
I’m just a cheeseburger in paradise, too! 🙂 As Parrotheads, this has been on our To Do list for ages. Believe it or not, we have yet to make it to the keys! Shame on us…
Alright…time to fire up the grill. 🙂
Hi Rob & Ann,
Hope you cooked that juicy burger after reading my article. Cabbage Key has a good atmosphere with the Dollar Bill Bar and eating a nice tasty cheeseburger while viewing paradise. Life is good! Of course this #Parrothead was excited to eat in a location where Jimmy Buffet wrote the song.
Happy Travels 🙂
We’ve driven through the Keys a million times and still haven’t checked out that dollar bill bar! It looks awesome, we must go there the next time we visit Florida. That cheeseburger looks tasty too 😉
Hi Scarlett,
Cabbage Key is fun and accessible by boat only. A place you must visit. The Dollar Bill Bar was fun along with my cheeseburger 😄
Looks a fantastic place to stop, interesting history and the cheeseburger looked amazing! Have pinned for future reference.
Hi Paul and Carole,
Cabbage Key Florida was a fantastic place to stop along with that cheeseburger. Thanks for pinning!
Looks like a charming place to visit, that cheeseburger looks awesome too! and I love the fact you left your mark on the dollar wall, how cool! Hope to make it to Florida soon 🙂
Hi Garth,
That Cheeseburger was good even though I’m vegan. lol. Had to try since that is where Jimmy Buffett wrote his song there while eating a cheeseburger. Hope you make it to Florida. Lots of fun and sun here 🌴 😃