88 Keys Florida Restaurant & Bar
Punta Gorda, Florida, USA
Discover 88 Keys Florida Restaurant & Bar in Punta Gorda, FL. Explore fine dining, cocktail & piano bar experience, menu, hours, reviews, and location details.
101 E Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, United States
88 Keys Florida Restaurant & Bar
Punta Gorda, Florida, USA
Overview
88 Keys Florida Restaurant & Bar is a refined fine dining restaurant in the heart of Punta Gorda, FL. Offering a unique blend of upscale cuisine and live piano music, this establishment presents an inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, a great wine list, and local specialties. With a rating of 4.1 from 78 reviews, it is celebrated for its attentive service and memorable culinary experiences.
Located at 101 E Retta Esplanade, 88 Keys caters to a diverse crowd including groups and tourists. Its cozy, trendy, and romantic ambience creates the perfect backdrop for dinner reservations, solo dining, or special occasions. Service options include outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and onsite bar services, while accessibility and amenities such as Wi-Fi and wheelchair-friendly facilities ensure comfort for all visitors.
Gallery
Real shots of the food, atmosphere, and signature dishes at this location.
Local favorites
Experience a blend of upscale dining and lively entertainment in the heart of Punta Gorda. This fine dining restaurant offers more than just meals—it’s a destination.
Known for a great cocktail and wine list, the bar onsite features happy hour drinks and a wide selection of beer and hard liquor.
Enjoy live piano music creating a cozy, romantic, and trendy atmosphere that perfectly complements the fine dining experience.
Guests praise the friendly staff, chef-driven menu, and beautifully presented dishes like lobster, seafood trio, and tuna tartare.
Situated on E Retta Esplanade in Punta Gorda, the restaurant offers easy access with free onsite parking and wheelchair accessible facilities.
The inviting atmosphere balances upscale vibes with comfortable seating for both dinner parties and solo guests.
Offering dine-in, takeout, and outdoor seating options to suit varied preferences, though no delivery service is available.
Local specialties and fresh ingredients shine in popular dishes like Blue Point oysters and spicy red Thai curry sauce.
Experience
Ideal for those seeking elegant dining with an intimate vibe and live music, 88 Keys Florida Restaurant & Bar shines in the evenings, especially for dinner and special occasions.
The combination of flawlessly prepared dishes, a carefully curated drink menu, and live piano entertainment creates a remarkable experience that highlights the culinary passion and warm hospitality present throughout every visit. — FoodPlacee editorial note
Gather with friends or family in an inviting, cozy atmosphere perfect for sharing flavorful small plates, local specialties, and great cocktails while enjoying live piano music.
Celebrate anniversaries or birthdays with beautifully presented mains like filet mignon and seafood platters, accompanied by exquisite desserts and an impressive wine list.
Experience an intimate night out with cozy, upscale surroundings and expertly crafted cocktails that pair perfectly with live piano performances.
Enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home with thoughtfully prepared takeout options, including popular dishes like the Friday Seafood Trio and flavorful small plates.
Start the day with quality coffee and fresh offerings available on weekdays and weekend brunch, perfect for a relaxed, sunny morning by the harbor.
Guest sentiment
A snapshot of what local diners frequently mention about this location.
"One of the best dinner experiences we've ever had. The food was beyond incredible!!!! Thank you Chef John and Kevin !!!!"
"Blue Point Oyster Tuesdays!!! These Oysters are amazing, frosty cold, Briney and sweet. Update, Keys 88 is as great as ever. Great food, great presentation and friendly staff Always great food and service. The chef is top notch, always consistent. Great staff"
"A wonderful anniversary dinner. We were seated promptly at 7 pm, and our server, Elysia, was terrific. The missus had a Caesar salad with grilled chicken and the beef tips small plate. She proclaimed the salad the best ever; the chicken was abundant and grilled perfectly. I had a Caesar salad and the pork osso bucco. The pork was fall off the bone tender and the accompanying red wine reduction was very tasty. We split a creme Brule for desert - yummy. It's a little pricy, but worth it. Highly recommended."
"This delightful piano bar restaurant is in the wyvern hotel in downtown Punta Gorda. I’ve got a rooftop bar that serves cocktails breakfast and lunch and has a really incredible view of Charlotte Harbor. We had dinner at 88 Keys and I will tell you what I was so impressed the service was top notch. The piano music was amazing and the food was delicious and very aren’t fully prepared and absolutely go back. It’s a special occasion restaurant, but it’s also good for drinks, desserts, and appetizers."
"Showed up for Happy hour at 5pm and nobody there (even staff lol). Greeted shortly though and the experience went fairly well. Fish tacos were the best (flavorful) I have had in a while and LOADED. Well worth the price. Loaded Tots and mini slider trio were in the Happy Hour menu and were good as well."
"It’s such a pleasure to dine at 88 Keys, especially now that Chef John Ellis is back in the kitchen creating his famous five-star meals. Every dish he prepares is a reminder of why this restaurant has always stood out — perfectly balanced flavors, artful presentation, and that unmistakable touch of culinary passion. Adding to the experience is Cheryl, who has been with 88 Keys for years and continues to set the gold standard for exceptional service. She’s attentive without ever being intrusive, always has a warm smile, and remembers every detail that makes each visit special. Look out Perfect Caper, 88 Keys is setting a new standard in upscale dining."
"Quaint ambience with live piano bar. Enjoyed my birthday dinner with exquisite delicacies from the menu with impeccable presentation. Excellent customer service, the manager and the server made sure to provide us with what we desired. Highly recommend."
"Oh my gosh! Dinner was sooo good! We started with the beets and goat cheese. I am not a fan of beets but this was yummy. Sorry, it was finished before I thought to take a photo! I had the Friday Seafood Trio and it was amazing! A nice sized, delicious lobster, 3 jumbo meaty scallops and 2 jumbo shrimp. It was accompanied by tasty fingerling potatoes and perfectly cooked green beans. I could not finish it all. My husband had the flank steak chimichurri and loved it! He could not stop raving about it. Not only were these meals delicious but the presentation was divine. Service was perfect...there when you need them, but not annoyingly present. Head chef Brian rounded on all the tables, which is a nice touch.. We will definitely return!"
Visit info
Weekly hours below — always confirm with the business before holidays or special events.
| Monday | 07:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
| Tuesday | 07:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
| Wednesday | 07:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
| Thursday | 07:00 AM - 10:30 AM 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
| Friday | 07:00 AM - 10:30 AM 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
| Saturday | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Plan your visit around breakfast or dinner hours to fully enjoy the menu and live music atmosphere. Advance reservations are recommended on weekends.
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Menus, prices, hours, services, and availability may change. Please contact the food place directly before visiting or ordering.