There’s corporately owned, locally owned and then there’s locally owned and operated.
In Key Biscayne’s culinary scene, that distinction matters. Locally owned and operated businesses often mean better food, warmer service and a deeper investment in the community that goes beyond what is served on the plate. That’s when real community partnerships, and real magic, happen.
Such is the case with the Gonzalez family. David and Reina have operated the three dining outlets inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Reina and David Gonzalez.
Today, visitors know Lighthouse Café, Boater’s Grill and The Cleat as part of the park experience. Few realize their humble beginnings, with a family’s hard work and struggles as the main ingredient which led to building something special.
The Lighthouse Café, the first of the three, opened in a converted restroom that had been destroyed by Andrew. With salvaged wood from around the park, David and Chef Silvio Chamorro, who still mans the kitchen, built a service counter and launched a small menu of burgers, hot dogs and potato chips. From those modest roots grew one of Key Biscayne’s most enduring and community-rooted hospitality stories.
Back in 1995, the park was quiet, often empty for most of the day. The early days were tough. David remembers earning just $7 or $8 on some days. He still keeps the handwritten daily sales log as a reminder.
Even as the revenue slowly built, something more lasting began to take shape: a growing bond between the Gonzalez family and the Key Biscayne community. From the start, they focused not just on running a business but on connecting the park to the Island, an effort that continues to this day.
Some of the Lighthouse Café team members.
Every time we dig into the Islander News archives preparing the Islander Throwback feature, we find proof of Reina and David’s deep connection to the Island.
“After so many years here, we have a commitment to the Key Biscayne community,” Reina told Islander News. “We do a lot of charity work and are always looking to help whenever we can.”
David was involved with the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne, often donating space for charitable events and even serving as the club’s treasurer. Reina continues to be active with the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce, where she currently serves as both a Board member and Trustee. Their restaurants, especially Lighthouse Café, have become gathering places for local organizations like the ASK Club, Rotary and other civic groups. The couple’s dedication to service, generosity and unwavering support for others make them not only standout business owners, but true pillars of the Key Biscayne community.
Yes, the food is delicious, and if you’re looking for something special, try their shrimp or lobster asopado served with plátanos maduros (sweet plantains), or their signature pargo frito (whole fried snapper), all prepared with authentic Cuban flair. While they’re known for fresh fish and seafood, they’re also famous for their award-winning lechón asado (roasted pork), a favorite that keeps locals and visitors coming back.
The grilled snapper served at Lighthouse Café.
One of the true measures of great local operators is the loyalty they inspire in their team. If you’re a regular at David and Reina’s establishments, you’ve likely seen the same familiar, friendly faces welcoming you year after year. Pita has been with them for 24 years, Sergio Zapata for 25 years, and Gladys Gonzalez for three decades, and the list goes on.
“There have been so many weddings and births,” Reina says. “We consider them all part of our extended family.”
As David and Reina Gonzalez complete 30 years of serving Key Biscayne and Miami-Dade’s community, they now face an uncertain future.
What began as a humble effort to serve simple meals from a hurricane-damaged park has grown into a community-rooted legacy, but with the State of Florida reopening the concession to bids, that legacy is suddenly at risk. What once went overlooked by others has now attracted interest from larger operators, drawn not by the spirit of the place, but by the success built through the Gonzalez family’s sacrifice, long hours, deep relationships and unwavering commitment to their team and the island they call home.
One of the Lighthouse Café cooks preparing the chamorro.
This commitment to their operation, employees and the community is visible and very much noticed.
“I work closely with the Bill Baggs State Park and its Manager, Park Rangers, and many dedicated volunteers and this includes service providers like Reina and David,” said Melissa White, Executive Director of the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, “(David and Reina’s) locally-owned and operated, family business goes above and beyond to meet the needs of the Park and its visitors.
“Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is a vital part of our community, an extension of our backyard and a cherished resource for all of Miami-Dade County. We need to continue supporting this tradition of excellence and I believe small and local businesses, like Reina and David’s, align with this vision, helping to maintain the park’s integrity while serving the community.”
District 7 County Commissioner Raquel Regalado praised the Gonzalez family's community-focused approach, noting their “enduring commitment to supporting the broader community.” She added that their presence has “enhanced the park experience for residents, families, schools, and visitors alike,” and that their ability to combine quality service with a “local, authentic, and welcoming atmosphere” has not gone unnoticed by either patrons or public officials.
Village of Key Biscayne Councilmember Michael Bracken, a longtime island resident whose wife, Christina, serves as President of the Friends of Cape Florida organization, praised the Gonzalezes’ work.
Lobster and shrimp asopado served at Lighthouse Café.
“Their management of Boater’s Grill, The Cleat and the Lighthouse Café has been consistently professional, community-minded, and environmentally respectful,” Bracke said. “They understand the importance of operating within a protected park setting and have maintained high standards without compromising the character of the site. Their proven reliability and thoughtful approach make them a strong partner for the park’s long-term success and public enjoyment.”
Sensei Robert Duzoglou, owner of RDCA MMA Academy and a longtime Key Biscayne resident, calls David and Reina Gonzalez “the warm welcome we all cherish,” noting they’ve served the community and park visitors for over 30 years.
“When you dine in the park, you’re treated to fresh local fish, Latin favorites, and sweet desserts, all served with genuine kindness and a family feel,” he said.
“As a former Chair of the Coalition of Chambers of Miami-Dade, Duzoglou added: “It’s troubling to see a family business built with heart and dedication potentially lose the opportunity to keep serving the community they’ve supported for decades.”
State Representative Vicki Lopez, whose District includes Key Biscayne, said, “We want to do everything within our power to keep the local culture of Miami at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and make sure nothing negatively affects our local gem.”
The tasty tostones served at Lighthouse Café.
Longtime resident and former Village Councilmember Michel Estevez says she remembers the Gonzalez family from the early days, when they became the concessionaires at the park and set out to create the Lighthouse Café after Hurricane Andrew. “They worked so hard back then, and that dedication continues today—it makes me so happy to see their success. Nothing was ever handed to them,” Estevez said.
She pointed to The Cleat as a perfect example of David and Reina’s ability to turn vision into reality. “The idea to build that, where they did and how they did it, when there was nothing there, is amazing. And to do it while caring for the environment and the surroundings? That’s even more impressive,” she said, adding that while many people see their success today, “there was nothing easy about it.”
Estevez also recalled the challenging days coming out of the pandemic, when staffing was difficult. “I saw Reina Gonzalez cleaning the restrooms herself, day after day.”
Village of Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco said, “David and Reina have been part of our community for more than 30 years. They have quietly built numerous restaurants at Bill Baggs State Park that have been enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors over many years. This is the local flavor that our state parks need, hometown cooking and neighborly friendly service.”
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