The best places to devour fresh stone crabs in Miami

This is the most famous crab shack in Miami—and possibly the entire state of Florida. Joe’s is an institution. There are no reservations, though you can always grease someone’s palm to get in before the usual three-hour wait time. And the food—from the reasonably priced fried chicken to the very pricey stone crabs—is all delicious. Joe’s is a time machine of Miami decadence and hospitality, where old-school servers in coattails dash back and forth and you leave full, dazzled and happy.

Garcia’s is a no-fuss riverfront restaurant that is basically a Miami landmark at this point. This is one of those places that have enough regulars and loyal customers to fill a stadium. Why? Because the product is fresh as can be, occasionally coming off the owners’ own fishing boats. If you’re not ready to dine in, stop by the restaurant’s onsite market and grab some claws to take home.

Golden Rule is a family-run joint that dates back to 1943. Unlike some of the fancier options above, there is no dress code at this neighborhood favorite. Come in a bathing suit and flip-flops. Just make sure you’re hungry. On a nice night, Golden Rule’s impressive backyard tiki hut is the perfect place to crack open some claws, a cold beer and pretend you’re on vacation somewhere tropical.

Sustainably sourced daily from the Florida Keys, this Coral Gables pop-up (find it inside MKT Kitchen) medium, large, jumbo and colossal stone crabs by the pound for dine-in, takeout and delivery. Prices fluctuate and depend on availability but Holy Crab’s homemade mustard sauce and butter for dipping are always in abundance and served complimentary with every order.

Monty’s is a Coconut Grove happy hour tradition but during stone crab season there’s more reason to come down to the waterfront tiki restaurant than just strong frozen drinks. Monty’s offers stone crab claws priced per piece, ranging from $8 to $28 for the jumbo size. We can see it play out already: The sun is setting, you’ve got a rum runner in your hand and your server just plopped a pile of stone crab claws down on the table. This could be you.

Head north a few miles to Fort Lauderdale to eat stone crabs al fresco with the Intracoastal as the backdrop to your meal. Shooters Waterfront serves theirs simply, pre-cracked, over ice and with a side of mustard size. Get one claw for $14 or two for $26, which is obviously the move.

Get your claws large and small from this Little Havana seafood institution. The best thing about going to La Camaronera for stone crabs is that you’ll get to pair it with other favorites from the sea, like its famous minuta sandwich (fried snapper—tail and all!—on a lightly toasted Cuban roll) and the fried lobster tail, which absolutely no one can ever turn down.

This North Miami staple is selling stone crabs of all sizes (hello, jumbo!) at standard market prices. Not ready to dine in? Pick up your super-fresh claws to enjoy at home. While you’re there, take a look around Captain Jim’s seafood market and see what else inspires you. Shrimp? Oysters? Grouper? They’ve got it all.

We love everything about this cute Little Havana seafood spot, which does everything from its namesake mollusk to fresh Florida stone crabs during season. Pair a couple of claws with a coconut mojito (because you are in Little Havana) and be sure to check the chalkboard menu for daily raw bar specials. 

Around since the early 1970s, Captain’s Tavern is an institution in Miami’s Pinecrest neighborhood and a hidden gem you’ll be glad you found. If it’s stone crabs you’re after, you’ll find them as a starter cocktail or sold by the claw at market price during season. Looking to double-down on seafood? Stop in on Tuesdays for two-for-one Maine lobster night. Stone crabs and lobster? Sounds good, huh?

If it starts with the word “Prime” in Miami, it’s going to be bougie. Prime Fish is no different. At this eat-and-be-seen spot, you’ll find luxury up and down the menu and—during stone crab season—plenty of market-priced colossal claws. Prime is where you go for a fancy night out; it’s a buzzy place that hasn’t forgotten that the food is supposed to be the main event.

Because you’re thirsty but you also blew your budget on stone crabs