Marker 88 vs. Morada Bay Beach Cafe

JackieK · 07-28-2008, 05:42 AM

Hi Ladies! Does anyone have any information on these two restaurants? Anyone been there? Pros and cons of each place?

I'm trying to decide on places for the rehearsal dinner and reception. If you have ANY information on these places at all, please let me know! Thanks!

luckygirl · 08-13-2008, 09:31 AM

I have not made it to Marker 88, but Morada Bay Beach Cafe is awesome. Has an amazing sunset and yummy drinks and food.
Here's a pic of our kids on the pier at Morada Bay, that a student photographer from a college in Indiana snapped while we were there in March.

We love the keys!

JackieK · 08-13-2008, 09:36 AM

Hi there! Thanks for the response! I've never been to the area so it has been quite difficult to plan a wedding there to be very honest! I tried to work with Morada but their prices were outrageous. Have you ever been to Lor-e-lei Restaraunt? That is where we are thinking about having a dinner after the wedding. If you have any other input on the area....I will definitely take it!! We are planning on staying at the Islander Resort but getting married in the San Pablo Church in Marathon. I know....it's quite the drive I hear but the other church that was closer wanted us to bring our own priest so we decided against that. I wish I knew what any of these places were really like!!

luckygirl · 08-13-2008, 09:50 AM

My FILs like the Lor-e-Lei (sp??), but I still have not made it there. They wanted us to look at the Islander, but with the wide range of people we're inviting to the wedding we decided to go to Key West for the variety. TA did have some wedding info where some people had weddings in the Marathon/ Islamorada area. If you haven't already checked this link out I did look at this forum a while ago:

Islamorada Forum Search - TripAdvisor

The area is way laid back and is good for fishing. Cheeca Lodge is my fav. spot too for drinks and the view but was way too expensive.

IslamoradaBride · 08-13-2008, 12:28 PM

Hi Jackie! I totally hear you on Morada Bay being so $$. We liked Lor-e-lei for its laid-back Keys feel. Lazy Days is another good restaurant, but it's on the Atlantic side and you're on the second story instead of right on the beach. I've heard good things about Marker 88 but have not been.

ss_islamorada · 08-25-2008, 10:13 AM

I've eaten at Marker 88 once - last February. The food was great. FI had the Mahi Mahi and myself the Lobster Bisque- we both had Rum Runners, also very good - and very strong, by nature! They have a nice outside area with a live band, but the wait was over an hour so we opted to dine inside. Service was average, nothing extraordinary. Very pricey menu - I think it was over $70 for just the two of us. Oh yeah and we had sushi for an appetizer.

KatieK28 · 10-15-2008, 06:39 PM

FI and I ate at Marker 88 when we were on our scouting trip. Food and service were both great. WP and real estate agent both recommended Pierre's but they seem super expensive. Lazy Days was also recommended to us, they seem a little more laid back and less $$ - so it depends on how formal you want to be. I'd say Lazy Days might be better for rehearsal dinner. We did drive by Pierre's and it was my favorite as far as decor and beach - if you are getting married there too? We rented houses so we are having Caribbean Catering at our place.

IslamoradaBride · 10-15-2008, 08:24 PM

We're doing the same thing, KatieK28! Isn't Debbie great? We're going down there again over Thanksgiving to do some more planning stuff.

KatieK28 · 10-16-2008, 04:14 PM

IslamoradaBride, Debbie is great. She just did a wedding at the place where we are getting married and sent me pics to I could have a better idea of the set up. We didn't get to try the food when we were down there, but several people recommended and I read a few great reviews. Did you get to try the food? We still haven't picked all of our food. I'm also using Michelle de la Torre!