Top Local Restaurants to Get Your Stone Crab Fix
By Caroline Bell
Photo: City Oyster
Stone crab season is upon us, and that means plenty of local restaurants are offering deals on this classic Florida fare. Stone crab season typically runs from October to May, which is when commercial and recreational fishers can legally harvest them, and, not for nothing, it might be the best season all year. Florida is the only state that allows commercial harvesting of stone crab claws, making them a staple of Floridian culture. If you’re not in the mood to crack the claws at your home, these are the five best local spots to enjoy stone crab claws:
Papa’s Raw Bar: Papa’s Raw Bar is a popular spot in Lighthouse Point with a surf shack vibe, fresh catches and live music. Not only do they offer stone crab claws at the restaurant, but you can also order them online from anywhere in the country if you’re not fortunate enough to live in Florida.
PRIME: Nestled among swanky apartments and competing restaurants, Prime is located just off of iconic Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. On Wednesdays, they offer an all-you-can-eat stone crab dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. so plan to be pleasantly stuffed. The dinner is served with a soup or salad and a chef side. Reservations are required, so be sure to call in or reserve your spot on OpenTable.com.
City Oyster and Sushi Bar: Another spot on Atlantic Avenue, City Oyster is an upscale seafood restaurant offering fresh fish, sushi and desserts. Happy hour is every day from 4 to 7 p.m. with half off drinks and a $1 off raw bar. They serve colossal claws at $48 apiece and they are about as delicious as you can get them.
Truluck’s: This high-end seafood and steak restaurant is right in the heart of Fort Lauderdale on Sunrise Boulevard. They boast an extensive menu, a generous happy hour and live entertainment every night. Fresh, all-you-can-eat stone crab claws are available every Monday night until the end of the season in May.
Catfish Dewey’s: This low-key fish house off North Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale offers multiple options for medium-, large- and jumbo-sized crabs. Diners can choose between a single claw, one pound, two pounds, or all-you-can-eat, so pick your fancy. The jumbo claws are limited in supply so be sure to ask your server if they’re available. All-you-can-eat medium claws are $75 and large claws are $125.
Whether you’re a Florida native, a snowbird or a tourist, stone crab claws are a must have if you’re here during the season. So regardless if you pick the no-frills seafood shack or the swanky dining experience, you are guaranteed to have a stone-licious good time.
