The Dining Room at Little Palm Island

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Where the Florida Keys Meet Fine Dining

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, The Dining Room at Little Palm Island occupies a category of its own. Set on a private island off Little Torch Key, the restaurant offers three distinct settings: an interior room with vaulted ceilings and West Indies elegance, an oceanfront verandah, and tables on the sand beneath the palms. The atmosphere is refined yet genuinely relaxed — unhurried service, ocean breezes, and sweeping water views that shift from bright afternoon light to candlelit evenings.

The Chefs Behind the Kitchen

The current chapter of The Dining Room is defined by a partnership between Executive Chef Rodrigo Albornoz and Chef Curtis Duffy. Chef Albornoz brings fifteen years of culinary experience and a notable track record — including securing a Michelin star in 2024 for Fiola, a Washington D.C. Italian restaurant ranked among the world's best. His background spans the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, The Confidante Hotel in Miami, and private residences at Fisher Island, each shaping his command of Italian and American contemporary cuisine.

Chef Curtis Duffy contributes his own Michelin-starred perspective and a reputation for progressive fine dining. Together, they craft menus that blend Chef Albornoz's Mediterranean sensibility with Chef Duffy's precision-driven approach — seasonally driven, ingredient-focused, and rooted in the island's exceptional local seafood.

What to Expect on the Plate

The dinner menu changes daily, ensuring each evening offers something new. Beyond the à la carte selection, the kitchen presents a nightly tasting menu — artfully coursed, seasonally inspired, and paired with wines from a cellar that has earned Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence. That recognition speaks to the seriousness with which the wine program is curated, matching the ambition of the food.

Sunday Brunch is a weekly celebration in its own right: locally inspired dishes, sweet and savory, served at a leisurely pace with the ocean as backdrop. For those seeking something rarer, a Beluga Caviar experience is available — American-farmed purebred Beluga sturgeon served from a custom crafted chest, presentable in the dining room, a private bungalow, or a dedicated private dining setting.

The Full Day, Floridian Style

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served daily, making The Dining Room a through-line for the entire island experience. The Floridian cuisine here — coastal, seafood-forward, locally sourced — is elevated by global technique without losing its sense of place. A dress code described as "Redefined Island Casual" sets the tone perfectly: elegant enough to mark the occasion, relaxed enough to feel like the Keys.