Super 7: Best Spots for Stone Crab in South Florida
From old-school go-tos to dockside hauls, here’s where to crack, dip, and feast this stone crab season
Billy’s Stone Crab
A Hollywood staple since the 1970s, Billy’s feels like a love letter to Old Florida. The dining room sits over the Intracoastal, where servers bring out overflowing platters of claws, lemon wedges, and mustard sauce while boats glide past below. It’s pure nostalgia done right.
Pro Tip: Ask for a window seat at sunset and order an extra side of mustard sauce, I you’ll use it.
@billysstonecrab // 400 N Ocean Dr., Hollywood
Captain’s Tavern
I grew up going to Captain’s Tavern, and while I’ll admit not everything tastes quite like it used to, their stone crabs still make the trip worth it. The place hasn’t changed a bit since the ’70s: same fish-filled water tanks lining the dining room, same dark bar, I swear even the same hostess. The claws are always fresh, cracked just right, and remind you why this place still relevant in a city obsessed with new.
Pro Tip: They don’t take reservations, so get there early if you don’t want to wait, especially on the weekends.
@captainstavern // 9625 S Dixie Hwy., Pinecrest
Catch & Cut
If you’ve been wondering where Joe’s Stone Crab’s longtime chef ended up, he’s here running the show at Catch & Cut on Las Olas. André Bienvenu spent 25 years at Joe’s, and you can taste that pedigree in every cracked claw. The space is sleek and feels grown-up for Fort Lauderdale standards, with an open kitchen and rooftop bar. Outside of stone crabs, expect sushi, seafood towers, and steaks from Allen Brothers.
Pro Tip: Time your visit for sunset drinks on the rooftop before heading downstairs for claws and Champagne.
@catchandcut // 1309 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market
A Miami River icon where the boats still unload right at the dock. Garcia’s has been family-run since 1966 and remains one of the city’s most reliable spots for claws, conch, and Key lime pie. Grab a patio table, crack a few claws, and watch the fishermen who probably caught them come on in.
Pro Tip: Stop by the market next door and grab a pound to take home for later. @garciasseafood // 398 NW North River Dr., Miami
Golden Rule Seafood
Golden Rule has been a Palmetto Bay staple since the 1940s (!!!), the kind of place where families gather with platters of claws and fried shrimp under that legendary tiki roof. It feels like a little slice of the Keys without the drive, complete with live music, picnic tables, and claws that are fresh, well-priced, and generously portioned.
Pro Tip: Bring a cooler so you can grab extra claws from the fish market on your way out.
@goldenruleseafood // 17505 S Dixie Hwy., Palmetto Bay
Joe’s Stone Crab
I’ll be honest, I thought about leaving Joe’s off this list just to see how many angry emails we could rack up in a day. But I couldn’t do it. This is the place that discovered stone crabs, the one every other spot in town (and the world, really) owes a debt to. The tuxedoed servers, the mustard sauce, the hum of the dining room, it all feels like stepping into old Miami, the version we still brag about.
Pro Tip: Skip the wait and hit Joe’s Takeaway next door. Same kitchen, same claws, same sauce.
@joesstonecrab // 11 Washington Ave., South Beach
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
When stone crab season hits, Michael’s Genuine is the move. The claws come straight from the dock that morning, chilled on ice with a tangy aji amarillo sauce that cuts through every bite. It’s the kind of meal that makes you cancel whatever boring plans you had later. Sit outside, order a martini, and pretend you don’t have emails waiting. Pro Tip: Grab a patio table and settle in for some of the best people watching in the Design District.
@michaelsgenuine // 130 NE 40th St., Miami