By Jan Engoren and Yours Truly
From elegant settings to unassuming spots and everything in between, we’ve compiled an extensive list of Miami’s best sea-food dining destinations. Whether you prefer a ‘down-home’ vibe or an elegant evening out, Miami has something to offer – from hook, line and sinker. Here’s Part 1, the best seafood restaurants in Miami Beach. For top choices in other parts of Miami, stay tuned next week for Part 2.
Sea Grill North Miami Beach
Kicking off the list of the best seafood restaurants in Miami Beach –A Greek restaurant specializing in fresh fish and seafood, located in the Intracoastal Mall in North Miami Beach on the Intracoastal waterway. They have a second location in Coral Gables at the Shops at Merrick Park.
Imaging watching your dinner be caught right out of the sea. Sea Grill offers a live cam feed of their suppliers in the North Aegean Sea near Mehaniona, Greece. The fish are packed and shipped on Lufthansa Airlines through Germany direct to Miami – all within 48 hours from sea to table.
Some of those wild Mediterranean fish caught and served include Atherina (sand smelt), Bakaliaros (European Hake), Barbouni (Red Mullet), Fagri (Red Porgy), Garida (European shrimp), Gavros (European anchovy) and Sfirida (White Grouper), among others. (Prices fluctuate due to market rates.)
With more than 11 fish entrées, it can be hard to choose. Try the Grouper or Salmon Ladoregano ($40; $38), Yellowfin Tuna grilled with Greek spices ($36), Grilled Shrimp ($38) or the baked Grouper Plaki ($40).
Both casual and sophisticated, it offers a Raw Bar oysters, ceviche, caviar, a Chef’s Selection of Raw Fish of the Day, Sashimi Tuna, Scottish Salmon and Tuna Tartare.
The restaurant offers a usual selection of hot and cold appetizers, typical for a Greek restaurant, including a variety of spreads and salads, Feta Saganaki and Spanakopita.
Of course, non-seafood lovers can order meat or chicken, such as the Lamb or Veal Chops ($46; $55), Steak ($55), Chicken Ladoregano or Ke-bob or Baby Back Ribs ($32).
Sea Grill is located at 4770 Biscayne Blvd Ste. 680, Miami, Florida 33137. Tel: (305) 447-3990.
In Coral Gables, they are located at the Shops at Merrick Park, 4250 Salzedo Street, Coral Gables, Florida 33146. Tel: (305) 447-3990.
For lunch visitors, enjoy their prix-fixe three-course lunch menu ($37) from Monday – Friday from noon – 3:00 p.m. Please visit (put link to prix-fix blog post). Available in both locations.
Joe’s Stone Crab
In Miami Beach since 1913, Joe’s Stone Crab IS your father’s seafood restaurant! A long-time institution, the family-run business is still thriving after more than 100 years! Read their history here: About Joe’s – Joe’s Stone Crab (joesstonecrab.com).
A tourist and local favorite, many celebrities have ventured in, along with 19 presidents (or, so they say). Known for their Bluestone crab legs, you will have to wait until mid-October to sample the stone crabs, as the season ended May 1.
In the meantime, stop in for other seafood items such as their lobster roll ($37.95), fried oysters ($34.95) or King crab legs, chilled or grilled with roasted garlic oil ($124.95). And their fried chicken is considered among the best in town!
Joe’s Stone Crab is located at 11 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Tel: (305) 673-0365.
A Fish Called Avalon
Located on Ocean Drive, A Fish Called Avalon is the place to see and be seen, offering good food and a lively atmosphere.
Seafood entrées range from Jumbo Shrimp Scampi Provencal ($39) served with roasted tomato, garlic, chardonnay, lemon and basmati rice to an Orzo Seafood Paella with lobster, shrimp, sea scallops, mussels, clams and calamari, priced at $98 for two. Meat and poultry dishes available as well as vegetarian options.
Save room for dessert of Key Lime Pie with Pecan Crust, Grand Marnier Chocolate Mousse or Coconut Crème Brulée.
A Fish Called Avalon is located at 700 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Tel: (305) 532-1727.
Prime Fish – South Beach
Part of the Myles Restaurant group which owns and operates Prime 112, Prime Italian, Big Pink, Prime Fish is a unique combination of fish shack meets upscale dining. Under the direction of corporate chef Todd Zimmer, the restaurant offers everything from Fried Clam Strips to Holland Dover Sole all served in an indoor/outdoor setting.
Dinner items include Jumbo Lump Crab Cake ($32), Crispy Key West Calamari ($27) and Tuna Tartare ($25).
Prime Fish is located in The Hotel MERCURY South Beach, 100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Tel: (305) 532-4550.
Estiatorio by Milos,an outpost of the successful Greek seafood restaurant in New York, is all about best quality ingredients and simple preparation. You can choose your fish from the display. Non fish eaters will be more than happy with their excellent Prime lamb chops. If they’re a little too pricey for your budget, then wait for Miami Spice when they offer one of the better deals.
Stiltsville Fish Bar
Rounding out the list of the best seafood restaurants on Miami Beach — Located in the heart of the Sunset Harbor neighborhood, Stiltsville Fish Bar encapsulates a relaxed and casual neighborhood restaurant. Whether you dine at a table in the dining room, grab a drink at the bar, or relax and watch the sunset from a hammock chair, Stiltsville Fish Bar, run by “Top Chefs” Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth, offers a selection of seafood, attracting locals for dinner or a Key West inspired drink.
Start your meal with the smoked fish dip appetizer ($15), raw oysters, Cobia Tiradito ($19) with avocado, crispy hominy and popped corn or splurge for the Caviar and Toast ($125). Also on the menu is a Treasure Chest of stone crab, caviar and cucumber canapes and one dozen oysters ($220).
Small plates include the coconut shrimp (6 for $29), Crispy Baked Tabasco Oysters ($17), Buffalo Fish Wings ($15), Crab Cakes (one for $16) and Conch Fritters ($15).
Large plate offerings include Shrimp ‘N Grits ($29), Fish Tails ‘N Chips ($29) and a crab crusted NY Strip Steak grilled with asparagus, a tamarind pepper glaze and causa potatoes ($44).
Add a side of creamy grits ($9), pineapple fried rice ($16) or lemongrass fries ($9) and you have more than a complete meal.
Stiltsville Fish Bar is located at 1787 Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Tel: (786) 353-0477.
5 Responses
The recent meal I had at the Sea Grill was appalling. The food was worse than mediocre, the service sullen, and it was incredibly noisy, even outside. The pompano was overcooked but still tasty enough, but the lobster pasta (which I’d had in the Merrick Park location) was plopped down in front of us as a mound of oily spaghetti and a lobster still in its shell. We asked the waitress to take it back and have the chef take the lobster out of the shell, as it was service in Coral Gables, and she refused. Then we asked for something to crack the shells with and she returned with a lobster cracker and a tablespoon (?) to remove the lobster meat. Then she lied to the other waitress, who saw us struggling and asked why we didn’t send it back to the chef to have it prepared right, and our waitress tried to lie and say we hadn’t asked her. Only the broccolini was tasty. I was totally upset and embarrassed as I had taken an out of town guest there, and Miami has so many good restaurants.
So sorry to hear it and thanks for sharing. I wonder what’s happening. Friends and I have always had very good experiences at the Coral Gables location and other foodie friends have liked the one in North Miami Beach. Was this a first time for you in the North Miami Beach location, in other words did you like it before?
Hi Karen,
I was really surprised that you did not include Milos on this list. It is by far the best seafood restaurant in Miami Beach. I don’t know anything about the restaurant in North Miami Beach so that might be quite good. You could not pay me to go to StiltsVille. The fish are covered in heavy sauces, and always turn out to be soggy. It benefits from the named chefs and may be a fun place for a drink.
YOu’re right about Milos. Actually, I’ve often featured them over the years for their quality and excellence. The omission this time was an oversight. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
p.s. just added Milos.