Joe’s Stone Crab, located on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach, is one of the city’s most iconic and historic restaurants. Established in 1913 by Joe Weiss, a Hungarian immigrant, it began as a small lunch counter serving simple seafood dishes to locals and fishermen. Over the decades, it evolved into a world-famous dining destination, known especially for introducing the now-celebrated Florida stone crab claws to the culinary world. The restaurant remains family-owned and continues to represent the soul of Miami Beach dining — classic, elegant, and steeped in tradition.
The story of Joe’s Stone Crab is tied to the discovery of its signature dish. In the early 1920s, Joe Weiss was encouraged by a marine biologist to try cooking local stone crabs, which at the time were considered inedible. He boiled the claws, chilled them, and served them with a homemade mustard sauce. The dish quickly became a sensation, defining the restaurant’s legacy and helping to put Miami Beach on the culinary map. To this day, stone crab claws are served cracked and chilled, with the same signature mustard sauce that’s been perfected over a century.
Inside, Joe’s feels both timeless and grand. The dining rooms are filled with polished wood, crisp white tablecloths, and the hum of lively conversation. Servers move swiftly through the crowd, delivering platters of freshly cracked claws, creamed spinach, hash browns, and onion rings — all classic accompaniments that regulars have come to expect. The atmosphere manages to be both old-fashioned and electric, where tradition and energy coexist beautifully.
While stone crab is the undisputed star, the menu at Joe’s extends beyond it. Diners can enjoy fresh seafood, perfectly cooked steaks, and signature desserts like their famous key lime pie. The restaurant operates with precision and polish, ensuring that each meal feels like part of a Miami tradition. Given its popularity, waits can be long during peak season, but the experience is always worth it — a rite of passage for anyone visiting the area.
Joe’s Stone Crab is more than a restaurant; it’s a Miami institution. It captures the history and heart of the city through its food, service, and legacy. Dining here means becoming part of over a century of stories — a place where locals, celebrities, and travelers alike gather to share a meal that defines what Miami Beach hospitality is all about.