With the steamy summer months upon us, there’s no better cuisine to indulge in than fresh, light seafood. Lucky for us, Miami has some of the best restaurants that offer the delicacy at its finest, in plenty of different forms and styles. Here, we take a look at the top 6 seafood restaurants in Miami, that are the perfect place to head to this summer for a refreshing and delectable meal.
ESTIATORIO MILOS
Photo Credit: Estiatorio Milos
The South of Fifth Mediterranean gem is easily one of the most beloved spots in the city for any occasion, particularly because they offer some of the finest and freshest seafood in the entire city. The global seafood dynasty has received high acclaim from hot spots all over the world, ranging from New York to London, Las Vegas and Miami. They’re particularly noteworthy due to the restaurant’s incorporation of the fresh fish market, where diners can choose from over 20 species of raw fish and choose how they’d like it prepared at the table. It also serves as the ultimate power lunch destination, offering a competitive $29, three-course prix-fixe menu where guests can enjoy some of the spots famed dishes for a discounted price.
JOE’S STONE CRAB
One of the most historic restaurants in all of Miami Beach, Joe’s Stone Crab has become a revered institution serving some of the very best seafood in the city, most particularly the delicacy of stone crabs during the season. Aside from having the best selection of Jumbo Stone Crabs in Miami, Joe’s also has a handful of other delicious seafood dishes, from the King Crab Claws to the jumbo lobsters, flavorful crab cakes, crispy Coconut Shrimp and so much more. And, you can’t forget to finish off the meal with a plate of the restaurant’s famed Key Lime Pie for dessert.
NOVIKOV MIAMI
Photo Credit: Ivanov Vladislav
The brand-new Russian transplant Novikov specializes in Japanese and Chinese cuisine, with a touch of Mediterranean flare. The restaurant incorporates a fresh fish market, much like Milos, but actually takes it a step further with a larger selection of fish, as well as the option for guests to choose the exact style to eat it —grilled, raw, baked, etc.—with whatever vegetables, fruits or sauces they might like so that they can essentially create their own dish. Additionally, if guests call ahead of the reservation, they can actually request a special daily catch be brought in that evening for them to eat. Aside from the fresh seafood market, they also offer delicious raw and cooked options on the menu, including the Japanese sashimi, sushi and endless robata options to appease even the most discerning palettes.
STILTSVILLE FISH BAR
Photo Credit: Stiltsville Fish Bar
The newly-opened seafood locale is created by famed restaurateurs and couple Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis, located in the gorgeous Sunset Harbour neighborhood, just steps away from the water. The quaint, beachy restaurant pays homage to the famous Stiltsville homes out at sea in Key Biscayne. Walking into the breezy, relaxed destination transports you to the island life of Key West, and offers a creative selection of fresh seafood dishes utilizing locally-sourced ingredients. Favorites include the addictive Smoked Fish Dip, accompanied with homemade saltines; Crispy Coconut Shrimp with roasted Miami coconut and key lime sauce; and the fresh Cobia Tiradito, deliciously complemented by aji Amarillo chili, cilantro and lime seasoning. Another mouth-watering plate is the famous Sweet Corn Spoon Bread, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes—created with buttermilk cream and scallions (add the butter poached lobster for an extra cost!)—as well as the classic, home-style Shrimp and cheesy Grits. And if you’re craving one of McInnis’ classic dishes, you can always opt for his world-famous fried chicken with a side of hot sauce. They also offer daily catches, which change frequently but are served to perfection in an unbeatable atmosphere for lunch or dinner.
LOBSTER BAR & SEA GRILLE
Photo Credit: Lobster Bar & Sea Grille
The Miami Beach Lobster Bar & Sea Grille, part of the Atlanta-based Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, is another must-try spot for fresh seafood in a gorgeous atmosphere. The restaurant offers a lengthy menu of classics like the Whole Steamed & Cracked Lobster, fresh oysters, Tuna Tartare and more, but also features a selection of more inventive signature dishes that serve the cuisine at its best. Some include the spicy Chili lobster in their special chili sauce with shishito peppers; the Chilean Seabass “Bangkok” with an Asian flare; and the decadent Hawaii, Wild Ahi Tuna Tartare topped with Osetra Caviar. Other can’t-miss dishes include the impressive Sea Salted Whole Fish, the Greek Lavraki, the GoldenEye Red Snapper and the Dover Sole flown in from Holland. Each dish is presented with the utmost professionalism, with five-star service and delicate precision. And if you want to go surf & turf, you can’t go wrong with any of their meat dishes, but our particular favorite is the rich, Wagyu Kobe Japanese Filet Mignon, A-5 Miyazaki.
**Starting June 15th (National Lobster Day), they will be launching a new lobster menu with special prix-fixe deals for couples—check out www.lobsterbarseagrillemiami.com for more details!
FIFI’S PLACE
Photo Credit: Fifi’s Place
Fifi’s is one of the best-kept secrets of our city, located in Miami’s North Beach. But it quite possibly serves some of the best seafood in all of the city. The neighborhood hidden gem is famous for its fresh Hog Snapper, caught by locals daily, as well as the flavorful seafood paella. However, they’re best known for the Fresh Catch of the Day portion of the menu, where guests can choose which way they want the fish prepared and how it’s served to their liking. All of the fish is brought into the restaurant that day, so customers can rest assured that the restaurant takes the highest consideration in ensuring each dish is only the best, fresh quality.
