Little Limon, the star of my recent date night, is nestled in the brand new Three Waters Resort in Islamorada. Don’t let the word “resort” throw you off. Locals are not only warmly invited but also enjoy a 15% discount on both food and drinks.
For easy access, locals can park at the marina on the property’s south side, which is just what we did. We arrived about an hour before sunset, a timing tip that can make all the difference when dining oceanfront. If there’s one thing I always tell folks, it’s this: the ocean side gets a breathtaking show as the bayside’s colors reflect across the water after sunset. And tonight, Little Limon didn’t disappoint, bathing us in those rich, glowing hues that make dinnertime feel like a slice of paradise.
We kicked off the evening with pre-dinner drinks at the new tiki bar, soaking up the live music before heading upstairs to Little Limon’s oceanfront balcony. The beauty of the evening was almost beyond words with the view, the colors and the breeze coming together in a way that felt downright magical. The service was swift, and I was served ice-cold water while I took the time to look over an impressive collection of rare mezcals.
After a quick mezcal tasting, my fiancee Mark selected Dos Hombres mezcal on the rocks, a fantastic tequila brand created by Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. I went for a tequila martini, which is a variation of the classic vodka martini, substituting Dos Hombres in its place. It was almost scary how smooth this martini was. I knew to pace myself immediately.
The menu offers a great selection of crudos and ceviches, with my favorite being the local snapper crudo. It featured tender pieces of snapper topped with coconut lime foam, teardrop peppers, chili crisp and radish. One detail the menu doesn’t mention for the snapper, but totally tied everything together, was the delicate shavings of sea salt flakes. Next up in the tasting was the lobster tostada, and it truly knocked it out of the park. I’d recommend getting one per person because it’s tough to share, and honestly, you won’t want to. Maine lobster is paired perfectly with a mix of cabbage, chipotle crème, mango and pico de gallo, all sitting on top of the crispiest tostada, living its best life.
The spicy tuna tacos are a popular appetizer around the Keys, but these ranked in the top three for me. The tuna is marinated in a citrus-based sauce that pairs perfectly with the creamy avocado. The most unusual dish was the masa chorizo corn dog, sliced sushi style and topped with an amazing mix of sauces and garnishes. And then the grouper sliders arrived. I couldn’t help but laugh: Was this an inside joke I wasn’t in on? They’re called sliders, but they were huge.
While I love our familiar, cozy spots for date nights, sometimes you just need to shake things up with something fresh and exciting. Little Limon hit the mark perfectly. The atmosphere was alive, with the tiki bar’s live music filling the air on one side and the gentle waves on the beach on the other. The bar was packed with locals and tourists, all enjoying their way through the menu. It felt like a great escape from the usual restaurants. I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re looking for something different for your next date night, Little Limon should definitely be on your radar.
