You can get both here, but selecting the best seafood places is no easy task. This coastal metropolis boasts an abundance of eateries that offer delightful sea treasures. Fresh fish? Check. Stone crab and lobster? Double check. Oysters, shrimp, and mussels? Yes, to all three.
So where do seafood-loving locals and out-of-towners go to get their seafood fix in the Magic City? Well, we all have our favorites. But there’s nothing like cracking into giant claws and discovering the sweetest meat at South Beach’s century-old institution, Joe’s Stone Crab, or digging into a fresh-catch fried fish sandwich at longtime North Miami favorite Captain Jim’s.
Listed alphabetically, here are Miami’s top spots for finding the ocean’s bounty on a plate.
Captain Jim’s Seafood Market & Restaurant
12950 W. Dixie Hwy., North Miami305-892-2812
captainjimsmiami.com When Captain Jim’s Seafood Market owner Jim Hanson realized his distribution center for fresh-caught local fish could do equally well as a restaurant, he opened the eponymous eatery in 1996. It wasn’t long before people were lining up, ready to taste some of the freshest fish in Miami. Today, this beloved North Miami go-to for all things seafood and stone crabs is operated under the direction of La Camaronera's David Garcia, who continues to source fresh catches from the same fishing boats his family has used for decades. The menu covers everything fish lovers crave, be it finned or shellfish, prepared as soups (there's lobster bisque and New England clam chowder) and salads (mahi Caesar anyone?), between buns, or even over pasta. The day's catch — often mahi, hogfish, grouper, or snapper — is best when served as a sandwich. Don't miss Dave's Gulf Coast-sourced Buffalo shrimp, tossed in a homemade Buffalo sauce and topped with crumbled blue cheese, or the longtime favorite krab salad, imitation crab meat tossed in a seasoned mayo, an original recipe from Captain Jim's early days.
Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill
400 NW N River Dr., Miami305-371-4107
casablancaseafood.com Delectable ocean eats, perfect views of the Miami River, and more than two decades of experience in commercial fishing — the slogan “fresh from our boats to your table" is pretty accurate — lands Casablanca on almost any seafood-focused list in the 305. Here, you can dine alfresco and soak up a Miami sunrise or sunset, as the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And if you don’t have time for a sit-down meal, visit the adjoining fish market to try your hand at cooking up the day's fresh catch.
Estiatorio Milos
730 First St., Miami Beach305-604-6800
estiatoriomilos.com Some of the most pristine seafood can be found at Estiatorio Milos, renowned for its exceptional take on Grecian cuisine with an always fresh selection of Mediterranean fish known to be flown in overnight from countries like Greece, Spain, and Portugal. The restaurant itself is an opulent, undersea world with glistening details and laid-back vibes, where you’ll have the chance to feast on not-so-average catches like milokopi, fagri, loup de mer, and dorado. The seafood here doesn’t come cheap, but you can’t find it like this anywhere else in Miami.
Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market
398 NW N. River Dr., Miami305-375-0765
garciasmiami.com Part restaurant, part fish market, Garcia’s has been serving some of the best seafood sandwiches in Miami since the 1960s. The unrivaled views of the Miami River and fresh seafood caught daily give Miamians a taste of the Florida Keys a little closer to home, especially via hearty, handheld fish sandwiches made with favorites like locally caught snapper or mahi-mahi. If you're especially hungry, go beyond the sandwich bun for Garcia's grouper-topped Caesar salad, octopus grilled to perfection, whole fried hogfish, or spicy conch salad —and don't forget to throw in a slice of homemade key lime pie for dessert.
Joe’s Stone Crab
11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach305-673-0365
joesstonecrab.comNo stone crab season or visit to Miami is complete without a trip to South Florida’s most famous restaurant, still family-run by descendants of Joseph Weiss, the "Joe" of Joe’s Stone Crab. Since its opening in 1913, Joe’s has remained consistent in quality, genuine hospitality, and — of course — its stellar seasonal selection of stone crab claws. Joe's also offers more ocean-sourced fare, from mahi-mahi, ginger salmon, and sea scallops to seafood paella, crab cakes, and fried lobster tail.
La Camaronera Seafood Joint & Fish Market
1952 W. Flagler St., Miami305-642-3322
lacamaronera.com La Camaronera is Flagler’s classic neighborhood fish-fry joint, the kind of old-fashioned, strip-mall seafood spot that serves no-frill favorites at reasonable prices. Specialties include La Camaronera’s famous fried shrimp, which you can order alone, as part of a combo meal with yellow rice and tostones, or in a sandwich. From conch fritters to coconut cream pie, these Cuban dishes are good enough to warrant regular visits.
Lure Fish Bar
1601 Collins Ave., Miami Beach305-695-4550
lurefishbar.comThis New York-based restaurant lures in an eclectic mix of clientele, from business professionals to tourists and fashionable folks looking for an exemplary seafood feast in a nautical-themed setting. Located inside Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Lure serves seafood standouts such as jumbo lump crabcakes and seared diver sea scallops. The vast sea of oyster options offers picks from coast to coast, and a stellar sushi program presents a well-stacked roster of innovative creations.
Mignonette
210 NE 18th St., Miami305-374-4635
mignonettemiami.com Edgewater’s Mignonette is both plain and fancy. Its humble interior belies its high-quality menu, divided into sections "Plain" and "Fancy." Although they’re anything but plain, some entrées in the former category include crispy skin snapper or scallops with beurre blanc and vegetables. If your bank account allows, order the "Fancy" Mignonette tower that gets you a plethora of fresh ocean finds, including oysters, clams, shrimp and crab cocktails, lobster tail, and king crab legs.
Stiltsville Fish Bar
1787 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach786-401-5254
stiltsvillefishbar.comSunset Harbour's Stiltsville Fish Bar, housed inside a quaint 1940's structure, is the perfect nautically inspired space to enjoy some of Miami's best seafood. Here, just-caught fish are displayed in a bathtub filled with ice and vintage tackle boxes are used to serve raw bar picks like oysters, Florida lobster tail, royal red shrimp, and local snapper ceviche. Try the fish wings — the oft-forgotten part of the catch — served with a chili lime hot sauce and fresh limes.
The River Oyster Bar
33 SE Seventh St., Miami305-530-1915
therivermiami.com For oyster fans, the River Seafood Oyster Bar is a little piece of heaven in the heart of Miami. This refined neighborhood spot specializes in classic seafood cuisine with a modern twist, using the freshest local products available and items from around the world. A glorious raw bar offers hand-shucked, cold-water oysters, ceviches, and fresh catches. This pristine seafood, carefully crafted cocktails, and a substantial wine list make this place a Brickell favorite for lunch, dinner, and happy hour.
