Fortunately for those seeking the freshest seafood in Miami, there are seafood markets that are hidden gems only locals venture to and classic restaurants true Miamians only know and love that New Times has expertly gathered.
From old-school seafood staples like Captain's Tavern in Pinecrest and Southport Raw Bar in Fort Lauderdale, which have both been around for more than half a century, these hidden gems will satisfy your longing for fresh seafood in the Magic City.
Without further ado, listed in alphabetical order, here are the eight best seafood restaurants in Miami.
Captain's Tavern
9625 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami305-666-5979
captainstavernmiami.comAlthough Captain's Tavern in Pinecrest is a hidden gem of South Dixie Highway, there's never an empty table at the restaurant — and for good reason. In addition to building loyal relationships with his customers and staff, founder Bill "The Captain" Bowers has built trusted business partnerships with seafood suppliers around the world, allowing him to offer fresh, abundant seafood to his clientele at fair, affordable prices since 1971. This unassuming local favorite seafood restaurant is a magnet for large families and old folks, and the menu is vast. The coconut shrimp comes with a sweet, slightly peppery dipping sauce. Try a fish dish. Fillets arrive either lightly breaded and fried or baked to perfection, all with a dazzling array of toppings from which to choose. Cocktails are potent, martinis are popular, and the mai tai is delicious.
Estiatorio Milos
730 First St., Miami Beach305-604-6800
estiatoriomilos.comGreek cuisine is rooted in simplicity and quality ingredients. At Estiatorio Milos in South Beach, there's something new to discover on every visit. The fish selection changes daily depending on what fishermen haul in. The day's catch is prepared to your liking and priced according to weight. There's nothing newfangled here, but when it comes to top-notch seafood, Milos is in a league of its own. One of the restaurant's specialties is melt-in-your-mouth, charcoal-broiled octopus seasoned with white balsamic vinegar and olive oil produced by the owner's sister in Greece. Another signature dish is the tomato salad with cucumbers, green peppers, onions, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. The restaurant's homemade Greek yogurt dessert is so thick and creamy that you'll never believe you're eating something that's good for you.
Joe's Stone Crab
11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach305-673-0365
joesstonecrab.comFor more than a century, crowds have flocked to Joe's Stone Crab for fresh seafood. Founded in 1913, the restaurant is older than the city of Miami Beach, which was incorporated two years later. Over the years, Joe's has become a multimillion-dollar business; it was named the second-highest-grossing independently owned restaurant in the United States by Restaurant Business. Though Joe's boasts a wide selection of fresh seafood and steaks and employs full-time fish and meat butchers to cut perfect pieces of flesh, it's the stone crabs that lure customers from around the globe. The claws, served with the restaurant's signature mustard sauce, are the reason multiple generations have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, and just a Thursday evening at Joe's.
Mignonette
210 NE 18th St., Miami305-374-4635
mignonettemiami.comA meal at Mignonette should start with a round of oysters (or Alaskan king crab legs or shrimp cocktail). Move on to a crab cake. The redfish comes seared with a reduction of sautéed shallots, garlic, and piquillo peppers deglazed with brandy, stock, white wine, plus a touch of butter and haricots verts on the side. The beer is ice-cold, and the wine list is refreshingly oyster-friendly. Pro tip: Chef Danny Serfer also brings us Blue Collar, a restaurant that embodies its no-nonsense name, in the MiMo District.
The River Oyster Bar is a classic Brickell restaurant known for its seafood.
The River Oyster Bar photo
The River Oyster Bar
33 SE Seventh St., Ste. 100, Miami305-530-1915
therivermiami.comLocated in the heart of Brickell for more than 20 years, the River Oyster Bar is one of Miami's top happy-hour destinations for busy professionals. The cuisine offers a modern twist on classic seafood and a reprieve from the Miami heat in a sleek yet comfortable dining room. The restaurant is known for its ice-packed selection of hand-shucked, cold-water oysters, hand-selected local produce, and fresh cold-water fish brought in from Alaska. From local shrimp from Cape Canaveral to stone crabs from the Florida Keys, quality ingredients are what always takes precedence at the River Oyster Bar.
Rusty Pelican is a go-to restaurant for waterfront views along the Rickenbacker Causeway.
Rusty Pelican photo
Rusty Pelican
3201 Rickenbacker Cswy., Key Biscayne305-361-3818
therustypelican.comSavory seafood and stunning views of Biscayne Bay from every seat in the house (and out): That's what makes the Rusty Pelican, a Key Biscayne landmark, which opened in the 1970s just off the Rickenbacker Causeway, a perennial favorite. It's the perfect spot to celebrate all manner of milestones, be they birthdays and engagements or graduation dinners. Enduring signature items include the "Rusty Pelican Board for Two" (fried snapper, lobster and shrimp risotto, and New York strip steak), a surf and turf of filet mignon and butter-poached lobster, and the "Steak Progressive" (four different cuts of steak with roasted garlic confit and red wine shallots). The restaurant offers a lavish Sunday brunch and boasts a glass-cube wine "cellar" that holds hundreds of vintages. All servers are well-versed in the treasures within.
Southport Raw Bar has been serving the freshest seafood in Fort Lauderdale since the '70s.
Southport Raw Bar photo
Southport Raw Bar
1536 Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale954-525-2526
southportrawbar.comYou're probably thinking, "This is in Fort Lauderdale!" but trust us, this hidden gem is worth the drive from Miami. In the 1970s, when it opened, Fort Lauderdale was still a very undeveloped little beach town, but it's been the home to one of the finest seafood restaurants in South Florida. Over the past fifty-plus years, Southport Raw Bar has served everyone from famous people to generations of local residents. Carmine Ferrante and Mickey Kirtman started selling their share in the restaurant in 1998, which is when its three managers, Jack, Pat and Buddy Sherman, purchased Southport Raw Bar. Between the three of them, they have almost one hundred years of experience at this restaurant, which is an impressive feat. Expect casual waterfront dining at inexpensive prices. Oysters and clams are the specialty. This no-fuss spot has more than 5,000 4.5-star reviews.
Stiltsville Fish Bar
1787 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach786-353-0477
stiltsvillefishbar.comCulinary couple — and erstwhile Top Chef contestants Jeff McInnis (season 5) and Janine Booth (season 11) — operate this Sunset Harbour fish house, which draws inspiration from the former's early years in the Florida Panhandle, where he subsisted on simply prepared seafood paired with tropical cocktails. The indoor-outdoor venue includes a maritime-themed dining room and bar and a menu that ranges from signature items that range from spicy Buffalo fish wings and a housemade, oak-smoked fish dip prepared with the freshest local catch to Southern favorites like fish 'n' grits and sweet-corn spoon bread. For a unique experience, guests can choose their meal directly from an ice-filled tub that showcases the day's selection of fresh fish. Pro tip: The weeknight happy hour is popular among locals in search of deals on cocktails, rum sippers, and bar bites.
