This is the most famous crab shack in Miami—and possibly the entire state of Florida. Joe’s is an institution. Reservations are limited and only available online one week out, though walk-ins 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.
This city knows no season except for stone crab season. In Miami, the temperatures won’t change, people will still spend their weekends languishing on a beach and getting into your favorite Miami restaurant will continue to be damn near impossible. The only discernable difference is on menus and Instagram feeds the moment October 15 rolls around: That date marks the start of stone crab season and, until it ends on May 1, this juicy South Florida delicacy is in high demand. During that time we really use the coveted stone crab claws whenever possible. It’s not rare to find some claw meat lurking in one of the dishes of Miami’s best brunches and at almost all of the best waterfront restaurants in Miami. When it comes to the crab—pure and simple—we find that these places never disappoint.