Tucked away on the sleepy island of Grassy Key is a gourmand's treasure. In operation for more than 10 years at Rainbow Bend Resort, the Hideaway Cafe has always maintained a reputation for excellence in serving top-notch cuisine and is one of the few places that local residents can feel they are truly "getting away from it all."
With an ocean view to match its delicious food, it is indeed a rare treat and a unique dining experience at this pleasant gem of a restaurant, whether it's for morning breakfast or a full-blown Continental dinner. Over the years, we have watched this best-kept secret in the Keys blossom into one of the most sought-after places for a romantic dinner with that special someone.
With an ocean view to match its delicious food, it is indeed a rare treat and a unique dining experience at this pleasant gem of a restaurant, whether it's for morning breakfast or a full-blown Continental dinner. Over the years, we have watched this best-kept secret in the Keys blossom into one of the most sought-after places for a romantic dinner with that special someone.
Reviews (23)
Pia De Lima
Jan 22, 2022
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Great little restaurant with equally fine food in a wholesome way (no petite portions and pretty plated servings). What let’s it down is the service and long wait times between dishes that you fill yourself up with this and that by the time your main arrives - you feel too full to enjoy it. The limited serving staff work long and hard nonetheless but think it requires the entire process from guest arrival to departure re-engineered
Claudia Billings
Jan 18, 2022
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I erroneously wrote an opinion about this place under the name of Rainbow Motel. The restaurant is located in the back of the motel. If you would like to read what I said about the restaurant, please refer to my review under the Rainbow Motel. Our whole dining experience was a nightmare...sorry to say. The one really good thing that 2 of our diners had was the French onion soup.
Brian B.
Dec 20, 2021
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We're in the Keys often, about once a month.
We've been wanting to try the Hideaway for some time and on this particular trip, we eloped on the way down and decided to have our wedding dinner here.
For starters we enjoyed some crusty bread with a tomato, garlic, balsamic dip that was good.
Next we had the Zuppa di Clams and Mussels, it wasn't great and I'll take the blame for not inquiring first. I'm well aware that Green Lipped Mussels form New Zealand are almost exclusively shipped frozen and if I had known these were going to be Green Lips I never would have ordered
We've been wanting to try the Hideaway for some time and on this particular trip, we eloped on the way down and decided to have our wedding dinner here.
For starters we enjoyed some crusty bread with a tomato, garlic, balsamic dip that was good.
Next we had the Zuppa di Clams and Mussels, it wasn't great and I'll take the blame for not inquiring first. I'm well aware that Green Lipped Mussels form New Zealand are almost exclusively shipped frozen and if I had known these were going to be Green Lips I never would have ordered
Lynn Farrin
Dec 19, 2021
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I was very disappointed after reading wonderful reviews of Hideaway Cafe. The food was delicious - definitely warrants recognition. However, the greeting we received at the door was not warm and friendly and it appeared right from the beginning that chaos would ensue. We were shown to our table and then left to sit for about 10-15 minutes without a waiter. After placing an order for an over-priced bottle of wine, again we had a lengthy wait before it showed up. Upon finally receiving our wine, we placed our order for food as we had plenty of time to look over the menu. We snagged our waiter for
John P.
Dec 14, 2021
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Heidi V.
Dec 11, 2021
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Hideaway has been a favorite of ours for well over 20 years and is consistently fantastic! Chef Freda
Is not only a fantastic chef, but always greets her guests personally, and knows many of us by name! Perfect romantic dinner with a beautiful ocean view! Make sure to order the duck, you're welcome :)
Is not only a fantastic chef, but always greets her guests personally, and knows many of us by name! Perfect romantic dinner with a beautiful ocean view! Make sure to order the duck, you're welcome :)
Lori Ann
Nov 27, 2021
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Best dinning experience we had during our stay in Marathon. We were greeted by the chef, so thankful, as I was persuaded to order the duck which was delicious! My partner had Hog fish with francese sauce which I would also highly recommend. I can't say enough good things about the garlic bread and salad. It was hard to limit myself in preparation for the meal. I didn't think I could possibly eat any more, but ordered and totally enjoyed the creamy tart and sweet combination of the raspberry key lime mousse. Can't wait to visit the Hideaway Cafe again!
Roy F.
Nov 26, 2021
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Chef Rita is Awesome!
We were last here in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and had an equally wonderful meal and experience.
This being Thanksgiving, prefix Turkey dinners with all the trimmings were featured. Not just any turkey dinner, but a WHOLE TURKEY (6-8lbs) of golden brown deliciousness.
Sides were mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes , peas with pearl onions and a whisper of cardamom, dressing, and savory brown gravy. . . and yes, cranberry making an appearance as a special Cranberry Chutney. Chef Rita takes extra care in this preparation and it is deliciousness defined!
Pumpkin pie and Apple pie are
We were last here in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and had an equally wonderful meal and experience.
This being Thanksgiving, prefix Turkey dinners with all the trimmings were featured. Not just any turkey dinner, but a WHOLE TURKEY (6-8lbs) of golden brown deliciousness.
Sides were mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes , peas with pearl onions and a whisper of cardamom, dressing, and savory brown gravy. . . and yes, cranberry making an appearance as a special Cranberry Chutney. Chef Rita takes extra care in this preparation and it is deliciousness defined!
Pumpkin pie and Apple pie are
Bonnie S.
Nov 22, 2021
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This was recommended by a resident. Were we excited to visit. It is definitely hidden away from the main road but the food is amazing. We ordered both escargot appetizers. Both were delicious in their own way. Entrees consisted of seafood in pastry---if you haven't had hog fish you need to try it. Steak medallions, 2-1/2 lb steak , duck, seafood pasta, seafood crepes. Needless to say we were full and still managed to bring home leftovers. Everything was delicious. Staff was accommodating and friendly.
Linda F.
Oct 29, 2021
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One of our all time favorites for an upscale meal. They have second story porch seating with a beautiful ocean view and well as indoor seating with a pretty good view as well.
The menu doesn't vary much over years, but they have excellent duck, lamb and plus seafood Wellington as well as traditional beef. All of these dishes are a nice change from fish, fish and more fish typically served here. We locals get bored someTimes. But they do have very nice fish entrees as well.
Nice wine selection and Billy with have pleasant recommendations for midrange bottles.
The menu doesn't vary much over years, but they have excellent duck, lamb and plus seafood Wellington as well as traditional beef. All of these dishes are a nice change from fish, fish and more fish typically served here. We locals get bored someTimes. But they do have very nice fish entrees as well.
Nice wine selection and Billy with have pleasant recommendations for midrange bottles.
Devon A.
Oct 01, 2021
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My parents recommended the hideaway cafe and we were excited after reading the reviews. The food was amazing but it wasn't perfect.
The bread with tomato/garlic sauce was very good. The French onion soup also had an amazing depth of flavor and was one of the best I've ever eaten, although the bread was a little too soaked. I like a less soggy bread in my French onion soup. For dinner, we got the hog fish franchise and the beef Wellington. I realize my wife and I are not fans of beef Wellington because everyone said it was amazing and we found it to be just ok. But it was the first time
The bread with tomato/garlic sauce was very good. The French onion soup also had an amazing depth of flavor and was one of the best I've ever eaten, although the bread was a little too soaked. I like a less soggy bread in my French onion soup. For dinner, we got the hog fish franchise and the beef Wellington. I realize my wife and I are not fans of beef Wellington because everyone said it was amazing and we found it to be just ok. But it was the first time
Blonde S.
Aug 15, 2021
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Hidden behind the Rainbow Bend is one of the most amazing restaurants! Chef Freida prepares everything from scratch and each dish was as delicious as the next. We were fortunate that shrimp bisque was a special the evening we dined, it was one of the best I've ever had! All entrees come with a Caesar salad, delicious garlic bread loves and choice of a side of pasta or veggies. Hogfish was the catch du jour and offered many different ways - the franchese was phenomenal! The jumbo shrimp and scallop pasta was delicious as well. Since it was my birthday, Chef treated me to her special raspberry
Sarah L.
Aug 03, 2021
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Easily one of the best meals I have ever had - anywhere - ever. My son and I were having a quiet evening at the Rainbow Bend Resort after a day on the water and this French restaurant is on site - SO glad we tried it. I had the duck and it was PERFECT. Garlic bread, dill smashed potatoes, and the veggies were perfect too. My son had the kid's blackened chicken and it was also fantastic - tried the raspberry key lime mousse (divine) and the molten chocolate cake (also fantastic). They do offer takeout and everything was wrapped up and generously proportioned, too - We will be back - HIGHLY
Garret B.
Jul 30, 2021
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This place is a must if you're visiting the keys, specifically Marathon. I am one of the lucky ones to live here and when friends and family come to town, this is where I take them! Frida is an amazing chef that produces some of the most delicious food! They're known for their duck, which is a must and is making my mouth water as I type this out. They're also known for their hogfish, which is my favorite! Great ambience and a beautiful view as they are right on the Atlantic Ocean. If you're not use to the Florida heat I suggest sitting inside.
Rachel Turner
Jul 25, 2021
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Silvia P.
Jul 10, 2021
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Erica D.
Jun 21, 2021
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I'm drooling as I write this review. Wow just wow. I had the shrimp, scallops, and hogfish 5/5, and I absolutely adored it. My husband had the Chateaubriand 5/5 prepared medium rare perfectly. It tasted phenomenal. I also had the French onion soup 6/5, my grandma had a special recipe and this parallels how delicious I remember hers being. We had bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. I adored it. We will be back this week as we are staying there and that's also amazing!
Franjesca R.
Jun 15, 2021
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There are no words to describe the taste of this amazing experience. The food is a delicacy. I had the lamb, made to perfection, something out of Greece itself‼ Billy awesome, Jah'nathan hilarious, drew great: what a team. But the amazing Chef one in a lifetime experience. Easily what I needed after a deployment. Thank you Freda, you have given me an experience I haven't had and I lived in the keys my entire life. Guys please please try this place, this is what the Florida Keys is ALL about.
Bill F.
Jun 04, 2021
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I was very excited to eat here as it was highly recommend by a friend who is a total foodie. Let me start by saying they were very accommodating as far as seating. They were going to seat me an an outside high top stuck in the corner up against the railing, not acceptable, I asked for another table and the gave us a great seat that was much better.
The service was great, kind, professional and attentive.
My food experience was not good, the "garlic bread" seemed like stale mediocre at best bread warmed up without much garlic. My wife did better than i, her app of shrimp and scallop was
The service was great, kind, professional and attentive.
My food experience was not good, the "garlic bread" seemed like stale mediocre at best bread warmed up without much garlic. My wife did better than i, her app of shrimp and scallop was
Julia
Jun 01, 2021
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Valentina M.
Jan 08, 2021
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Wow truly can not recommend this place enough. A hidden gem forsure. Reservations are required!!!! The head chef was an absolute delight!! So kind and warm... not to mention the cooking was delicious!! The whole ambiance was extremely romantic and relaxing. I've never tried hog fish before but WOW it is my favorite now. My friend who loves hog fish said it was the best he's had. The staff was so lovely as well. We had such a memorable experience we will be back 110%!!!!
Julie F.
Dec 02, 2019
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This place is a definite hidden gem. And so well worth the trip. It's not the easiest to find. Follow the GPS to the Rainbow Bend Resort. When you enter the driveway, you may wonder if you're in the right place. Park the car and look for the "new" set of wooden stairs going up to the second floor by the beach. There weren't any signs, but we saw someone coming down the stairs and asked. Once inside, you're in a cozy romantic restaurant. There's a narrow porch/balcony with seating looking directly over the ocean, too.
We chose to sit inside. We were warmly greeted
We chose to sit inside. We were warmly greeted
Brooke Rollinger
Aug 25, 2019
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