Stone crabs are in season. Here’s where to find them in Miami.

​​​Get your mallets ready! With stone crab season starting on Oct. 15, the crustacean delicacy will once again be on menus.

Did you know that approximately 98% of all stone crabs are caught off the coast of Florida? But they can only be harvested from October through May, which gives the crab population a break during summer months. Rest assured: fishermen only take the crabs’ claws, which regrow when the crab is returned to the sea and the joint that attaches the claw to the body is left intact. And when fishermen aren’t removing their claws, they’re losing them by defending themselves in battle from other sea creatures. 

Because they’re only available for about six months, stone crab season has become one of the most anticipated times of the year in Florida, especially in coastal cities like Miami. But where in Miami is the best place to enjoy them? You can’t go wrong with these five spots. 

Joe’s Stone Crab

Joe’s Stone Crab. Image via Instagram @joesstonecrab

This Miami Beach institution, which opened its doors in 1913 as a small lunch counter, is today a James Beard Award-winning restaurant. In fact, it’s still operated by descendants of the original owner, Joe Weiss. Politicians, actors, and athletes have dined here, and the restaurant has appeared in movies and books. The iconic joint is the biggest buyer of Florida stone crab claws, and serves them boiled, chilled and with its signature mustard sauce. 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach

Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market

García’s Seafood Grille and Fish Market. Image via Instagram @garciasseafood

If you want your stone crab claws served with a side of tostones, this is your spot. The family-owned Cuban establishment started as a seafood market in 1966 before it added the restaurant next door, so you know what you’re getting is fresh. Aside from stone crab and lobster, other house favorites include fried grouper fingers and blackened or breaded preparations of your favorite fish. Most of the seating at this casual dockside restaurant is outdoors. 398 NW N River Dr., Miami

Stiltsville Fish Bar

Stiltsville Fish Bar. Image via Instagram @stiltsvillefishbar

The restaurant’s website may describe itself as “relaxed and casual,” but its chefs take food very seriously.  Led by Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis, who you might recognize from “Top Chef,” this Sunset Harbor neighborhood restaurant serves up top-notch seafood and Key West-inspired cocktails. While overlooking the intracoastal waterway and marina, enjoy Stiltsville’s stone crab claws on ice with the restaurant’s classic mustard dipping sauce and a Champagne mustard aioli.  You’ll also find on the menu crispy baked tabasco oysters, conch fritters, grilled octopus, and lobster carbonara. 1787 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach

Golden Rule Seafood Market & Restaurant

Gold Rule Seafood. Image via Instagram @goldruleseafood

The island vibe is spot-on at Golden Rule, where you can eat inside or outside under a large tiki hut. The fish market and restaurant first opened in 1943 and has been run by the same family since 1946. Today it serves a wide array of fresh seafood, from Florida’s finests stone crabs, snapper, grouper, and Key West pink shrimp as well as popular seafood dishes from around the world including salmon, lobster, and king crab. Stone crab claws are served with the restaurant’s famous homemade mustard sauce and coleslaw. Enjoy live music on the weekends.  17505 S Dixie Hwy., Palmetto Bay

Holy Crab

Holy Crab. Image via Instagram @holycrabdelivery

If you want to enjoy stone crab claws in the comfort of your home, you can pick them up at Holy Crab (inside MKT Kitchen) or you can place your order for next-day delivery if you live within ten miles of the company’s Coral Gables location. They also provide overnight shipping to anywhere in the US, so you don’t have to be in Florida to enjoy stone crabs! And everything is delivered straight from the company’s boats fresh (never frozen) within 24 hours. You can pick from a variety of claw sizes, from medium to colossal, and you can crack them yourself with the included mallet or order them cracked.

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