From October through May, the island's restaurants serve one of Florida's great delicacies — sweet, cold-cracked stone crab claws with mustard sauce on the side. Here's where to order them with confidence.
What to know before you order
Stone crab claws are sold by size — medium, large, jumbo, and colossal. The crabs themselves are returned to the water to regrow their claws, which is why the season is short and the prices are honest.
Order them chilled, with mustard sauce. Drawn butter is for tourists.
The classics
The Tide Table and a handful of marina restaurants have served stone crab the same way for decades. There's a reason: it works.
“If the menu lists the boat that brought in the claws, you're in the right place.”
Insider tip
Always ask what came in that morning. Stone crab is best within 24 hours of the boat.
Written by
Naomi Park
