
George Stone Crab photo

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While the rest of the country is busy cozying up with pumpkin spice lattes, hot apple cider, and big bowls of butternut squash soup, Miami has something way better to look forward to: the start of stone crab season.
Stone crab season kicked off on Wednesday, October 15, and runs through Friday, May 1. For seafood lovers, that means months of perfectly chilled stone crab claws dunked in tangy mustard sauce — and a citywide frenzy to get the freshest catch.
For those unfamiliar, stone crabs can only be legally harvested between October 15 and May 1. Therefore, once the season starts, Miamians and visitors alike go into full-on “claw chase” mode, hitting restaurants and seafood markets across the city in search of those sweet, meaty morsels.
Part of the obsession? These crabs are a labor of love. Unlike most crustaceans, it’s actually illegal to harvest the body of a stone crab. Fishermen can only remove the claws and then must return the crab to the ocean, making the entire process meticulous, cruelty-free, and sustainable. Without further ado, we’ve rounded up the 11 best spots to score the most succulent claws this season.

Blue Runner Seafood photo
Blue Runner Fresh Seafood Market
Blue Runner Seafood is Miami’s only seafood truck serving stone crabs on wheels, quietly dishing out some of the freshest claws in town. Operating daily in Edgewater and North Miami, the truck runs from noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. While the Midtown location is temporarily closed, the main outpost at 10911 Biscayne Blvd. remains open for pickup and delivery (they also deliver to Midtown). To order, text your name, address, phone number, and stone crab order to 786-431-6001 for a quick and easy crab fix.10911 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 786-431-6001 instagram.com/bluerunnerseafood.

Captain Jim’s photo
Captain Jim’s Seafood Market & Restaurant
David Garcia (La Camaronera Seafood Joint) owns this iconic North Miami seafood spot, which dates back to the 1990s. This heir to Miami seafood royalty kept the menu mostly unchanged, allowing Captain Jim’s to do what it does best: serve the freshest fish possible. Favorites include stone crab claws (in season) and a beautiful take on conch salad, featuring meaty hunks of the mollusk tossed in a spicy tomato marinade and accompanied by cubed red and green peppers. Call ahead to confirm that stone crabs are available. 12950 W. Dixie Hwy., North Miami; 305-892-2812; captainjimsmiami.com.

Captain’s Tavern photo
Captain’s Tavern
Tucked away in Pinecrest, Captain’s Tavern has been a beloved hidden gem for fresh stone crabs and top-notch seafood since 1971. Founded by Bill “The Captain” Bowers, the family-run establishment has retained its old-school charm and loyal following for over five decades. Today, his wife and son keep the tradition alive with a menu that features everything from cracked conch to a full raw bar and sushi. When stone crab season hits, locals know this is one of the most reliable places to score fresh claws without the crowds. 9625 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami; 305-666-5979; captainstavernmiami.com.

The stone crabs at Garcia’s are a classic.
Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market photo
Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market
This grill and seafood market has been serving up a winning combination of fresh fish dishes and family hospitality for nearly 60 years. In-the-know Miamians flock to this indoor-outdoor restaurant overlooking the Miami River, overseen these days by brothers Luis Garcia and Esteban Garcia Jr., whose parents founded the local institution in 1966. They come for the freshest stone crabs, available for purchase on the menu or at the fish market next door. Visit the restaurant and market’s Instagram at instagram.com/garciasseafood. 398 NW North River Dr., Miami; 305-375-0765; garciasmiami.com.

George Stone Crab sells stone crabs.
George Stone Crab photo
George Stone Crab
Every year, over 80 fishermen from George Stone Crab set out to catch fresh stone crabs in the Florida Keys. The crabs are cooked the same day, chilled, packaged, and shipped fresh from Miami to your door, ready to crack and enjoy with housemade mustard sauce. Claws come in five sizes (Medium, Large, Jumbo, Colossal, and Mega Colossal), and first-time customers can get $30 off their order. Local deliveries commence on October 16, with national deliveries scheduled for October 17. Next-day shipping is available for orders placed by 2 p.m. Delivery only; 888-705-3923; georgestonecrab.com.

Golden Rule Seafood is the best spot to get stone crabs in Palmetto Bay.
Golden Rule Seafood photo
Golden Rule Seafood
If you can’t cast a line off your 40-foot catamaran, Golden Rule Seafood is the next best thing. This family-owned purveyor has been serving fresh fish, stone crab, lobster, oysters, live blue crabs, shrimp, and all other forms of the ocean’s bounty since 1943. So, if you’re in Palmetto Bay and craving a little something from the sea, you know where to go. If you prefer pre-cooked meals, they’ll even steam your seafood on-site. And if you’re too tempted to wait till you get home, there are tables where you can sit and crack, squeeze, and drool your way through a set of stone crab claws.17505 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami; 305-235-0661; goldenruleseafood.com.

Holy Crab Delivery photo
Holy Crab Delivery
Holy Crab Delivery is quickly becoming the go-to for stone crab lovers this season, thanks to its fresh, never-frozen claws delivered straight to your door. The new Coral Gables outpost, located near Merrick Park, makes pickup or next-day delivery effortless, with sleek fish boxes that keep everything chilled to perfection. Alongside claws in every size, the menu shines with wild mahi-mahi, fresh snapper, and decadent lobster mac and cheese. And for dessert, their Key Largo–made Key lime pie is the perfect sweet finish to a seafood feast. 4708 S. Le Jeune Rd, Coral Gables; 305-781-4808; holycrabdelivery.com.

Joe’s Stone Crab
Joe’s Stone Crab photo
Joe’s Stone Crab
The word iconic gets tossed around a lot, but Joe’s has earned the title. Now entering its 111th year, Joe’s Stone Crab opened in 1913 as a small counter restaurant serving fish sandwiches and fries. Joe’s is still owned and operated by the descendants of the original owner, Joe Weiss, and has served celebrities, presidents, and Miamians for more than a century. Joe’s sources its crabs directly from its team of fishermen, ensuring your claws are high quality. Market price. 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-4611; joesstonecrab.com.

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink has great stone crabs.
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink photo
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
For the past decade, chef Michael Schwartz has worked directly with local fisherman Captain J. Bruns to provide the best stone crabs in town. Captain Bruns catches and delivers stone crabs on the same day. He boils the shellfish directly on the dock after they’re caught and brings them straight to Michael’s Genuine the same day, which means his stone crabs are fresh and never frozen. During the season, Michael’s Genuine receives approximately 100 pounds of stone crabs per week, which are served on ice with a house-made mustard sauce and a green sambal sauce for added kick. Market price. 130 NE 40th St., Miami; 305-676-0894; michaelsgenuine.com.

Monty’s Raw Bar photo
Monty’s Raw Bar
Monty’s in Coconut Grove is a quintessential Miami spot to enjoy stone crab claws with a waterfront view and a Pain Remover in hand. For over 50 years, locals have flocked to the dockside restaurant for tropical vibes, happy hour, Miami Hurricane watch parties, and seafood feasts. Their claws are fresh, meaty, and best enjoyed alongside a round of oysters as boats glide by. Just make sure to call ahead before you go — stone crabs aren’t always in yet, and you won’t want to miss them. 2550 S. Bayshore Dr., Miami; 305-856-3992; montysrawbar.com.

Grove Bay Hospitality Group photo
Stiltsville Fish Bar
This Sunset Harbour restaurant is everything a quality neighborhood seafood restaurant should be: a touch of Old Florida with a Key West-inspired atmosphere. This stone crab season, Stiltsville will be offering some of the sweetest, meatiest claws in South Florida. Served on a bed of ice, the claws are paired perfectly with Stiltsville’s signature Champagne mustard sauce. Available by the claw or accompanied by a number of other delicious seafood options in the “Tacklebox,” Stiltsville is the go-to destination for stone crab. Stop by on Thursdays during happy hour, from 3 to 7 p.m., for stone crab specials. 1787 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach; 786-655-4365; stiltsvillefishbar.com.