Joe's Stone Crab

Joe's Stone Crab at 11 Washington Avenue, on the southern tip of Miami Beach in the South Beach neighbourhood of Florida, has served seafood since 1913 and is one of the best-known restaurants in the United States. The kitchen's identity rests on stone crab claws, which are harvested from Florida waters during a season that runs from mid-October to about mid-May. The restaurant is therefore seasonal, and it closes for the summer months. Claws are served chilled with the house mustard sauce, in sizes from medium to jumbo, and many regulars treat the opening of the season as an annual event. Beyond the claws, the menu mixes fish, steaks and chops with classic sides, and the hash browns and creamed spinach are as closely associated with the room as the crab itself. The dessert most often ordered is the Key lime pie, a Florida staple served here in a tart, firm style. The cuisine is best described as American seafood and steakhouse cooking rather than anything chef-driven or experimental; the appeal is consistency and history rather than novelty. The main dining room is large, busy and fairly loud, with formally dressed career waiters, white tablecloths and a steady flow of both locals and visitors. Dress is smart casual, though many diners dress up for dinner. The wine list is long and weighted toward American and French bottles that suit shellfish, and the bar handles classic cocktails. Prices are at the top of the Miami range, at roughly $60-120 per person for dinner, and stone crab is sold at market price that varies with size and supply. Reservations are accepted through OpenTable and are worth making well ahead for weekend dinners in peak season between December and April, when walk-in waits can be long. Lunch, served Wednesday to Sunday, is generally easier to book and somewhat less costly. The separate Take Away counter, reachable at +1 305-673-4611, sells claws and sides to go without a reservation, which suits visitors who want the food without the wait. Confirm seasonal opening dates on the website before travelling.