13 essential Miami restaurants to get your stone crab fix this season

A total institution of stone crab season, Joe’s has been serving hungry Floridians its fresh claws for over a hundred years since it discovered the delectable crustacean — or at least so they claim! This traditional spot in South Beach offers fine dining and decadence where you can enjoy your claws with a side of their classic hash browns or creamed spinach. Beware though, it can be really difficult to snag a reservation!

P.S.: If you’d rather not wait, you can always get Joe’s claws to-go from their takeaway spot right next door.

This lovely surf and turf spot is also great for those looking to enjoy their claws over a nice dinner. They take pride in serving their crab claws uber-fresh — never frozen. Once crabs are caught, they’re removed and cooked directly after harvest. Then, they’re packed in ice and delivered to the restaurant within hours!

Guests can also order from the year-round Crab Crab Crab menu in half-pound increments, featuring Pacific Northwest Dungeness, Alaskan Wild Bairdi and Bering Sea Red King Crab, or opt for a flight of all three.

Get it crackin’ at this wildly popular eatery, which receives about 100 pounds of stone crabs a week at minimum. For the past decade, James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Scwhartz has been teaming up with the best local fishermen to serve the best stone crabs in town. Here, the crabs are simply served in ice with a homemade mustard sauce and a green sambal sauce for a kick!

And for a more affordable experience, stone crab and martini lovers alike can enjoy a new ‘Stoned and Tipsy’ promo on Mondays at its sister restaurant, Amara at Paraiso. Available all day, guests can pair seasonal stone crab claws with a selection of $10 martinis including a build-your-own option.

This laid-back spot is another absolute classic of the 305 and one of our favorite ones when it comes to waterfront dining. Grab a spot on their patio and enjoy some of the freshest claws and seafood in town with some gorgeous views of the Miami River.

Adding the perfect “surf” addition to the Coral Gables eatery’s usual “turf” dishes, Beauty & The Butcher features large and colossal stone crabs to its menu, served with cognac mustard mayo, cocktail sauce and fresh lime. Elsewhere on its menu, you’ll find dry-aged meats and modern American options.

If you’re looking to enjoy your claws alfresco with a view, this waterfront bar and grill is one of the best choices. Bayshore Club is offering stone crab claws on ice with cognac mustard mayo, cocktail sauce and lime garnishes all season long!

This laid-back market in West Dade is best known for its fried fish, but during stone crab season you can also find some pretty good claws at this spot that offers them at a much more affordable price than a lot of its competitors!

If you’re looking to switch things up this year, Makoto is bringing a Japanese twist to stone crabs this season. Presented on ice, they’re being served with a mouthwatering Yuzu Kosho Aioli and a hot Wasabi Cocktail Sauce, making it the ultimate fire and ice combo.

If you’re in Key Biscayne, head to Dune Beach Bar at The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne to crack into the local delicacy right along the oceanfront while taking in idyllic views of the Atlantic. Beginning Saturday October 23, guests can enjoy fresh stone crabs offered as a weekend special throughout the season until May 1.

The Wynwood restaurant honors both French sophistication and Miami’s celebrated seafood heritage by presenting these local delicacies chilled with classic accompaniments like mustard sauce and drawn butter. You can order the sweet, succulent claws in the Parisian-inspired dining room or out in the courtyard garden.

At Glass & Vine, you can celebrate the start of Miami’s favorite season with fresh claws served with cognac mustard mayo, cocktail sauc, and limes. A must-have to complement popular dishes from the raw bar, such as smoked fish dip and catch of the day ceviche, along with items like the grilled local mahi and steak frites.

A total Miami staple when it comes to stone crabs, George’s ships its crab claws (available in medium, large, jumbo and colossal sizes) all around the country. You can also choose to add on their homemade butter or mustard sauces, Russian caviar and even a freshly baked key lime pie to round off your meal!

From perfectly cut prime rib to expertly crafted martinis, SLIM’S offers guests a nostalgic nod to a bygone era of indulgence. It’ll welcome the return of the season with fresh stone crab claws along its signature classic mustard sauce.