According to TasteAtlas, an online travel guide that serves as a world atlas of traditional food, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants, out of the 23,952 traditional eateries in its database, Joe's Stone Crab is the No. 19 most legendary restaurant in the world.
Out of only 100 restaurants the famed travel guide chose as cultural landmarks, Joe's Stone Crab was ranked among the top 20 for its historical significance and fantastic quality. The restaurants selected are "renowned for their longevity, reliability, and iconic dishes; they are more than just dining spots — they embody the spirit of their cities. The ranking reflects their history, public ratings, and TasteAtlas scores for their signature dishes," explains the travel guide.
Other U.S. spots that made the top 20, according to TasteAtlas, are New York's Katz's Delicatessen (No. 8), and Hyman's Seafood in Charleston (No. 12). New Times' food editor Nicole Lopez-Alvar has dined at all three U.S. spots to make the list, and can concur each spot is worthy of making such a list.
Why Is Joe's So Legendary?
Founded in 1913 by Joe Weiss, the legendary Miami Beach restaurant, which started as a casual lunch counter — a stark contrast to the fine-dining atmosphere it is known for today — has served delectably sweet and fresh stone crabs, world-class fried chicken (if you know, you know), and its famed key lime pie to generations of families and visitors alike."Joe's Stone Crab is an iconic South Beach restaurant best known for its stone crab claws and the famous key lime pie," explains the website for its selection. "This bustling location continues the long tradition that started in 1913 and remains a must-visit spot in Miami."
A must-visit spot it is indeed. Consistently ranked among New Times Top 100 Restaurants since the publication's inception, not only does Joe's exceed when it comes to its food, but often overlooked is its truly professional service, wonderful hospitality, the surprising value (except the crabs, which are an extravagance wherever you find them), and the dining room's stately ambiance.
As New Times has so wonderfully put it, "Visit, and you'll find tuxedoed waiters whirling through the dining rooms with oval trays held high above their heads while the buzz of diners subtly tinges the air like the intangible gathering of ions before a thunderstorm. Yet you'd be hard-pressed to find such a large space that's as cozy as this one. Stone crabs are, of course, the mainstay of Joe's menu, and somehow, they seem to taste a little fresher and sweeter here. The rest of the offerings, though, don't disappoint. And nearly everybody orders Joe's key lime pie, renowned as the best in town, for dessert."
Joe's Stone Crab. 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-0365; joesstonecrab.com.
