Florida’s favorite fall delicacy is back! The official stone crab season kicked off on October 15th -- which means now is the perfect time to taste this uniquely-Florida delicacy. See below for info and the top places around Florida to participate in a stone crab harvest or enjoy them freshly served.

Stone crabs are one of Florida’s best-kept culinary secrets, and I’d love to work with you on a story timed to the season kickoff. Let me know if you’re interested in receiving more info or high-res assets for the experiences listed below. You can also reference how & where to catch stone crabs in Florida here. 

QUICK FACTS:

  • Stone crab season runs from mid-October to May 1 each year

  • Native to the Gulf Coast region of North America, about 98% of stone crabs come from Florida

  • Stone crab’s sweet taste and perfect texture have spawned a number of impersonators, including Pacific Rock crab, Baja stone crab and Red Rock crab (to name a few).

  • Not only are they delicious but also an incredible example of sustainable seafood: only the claws are harvested, preserving the life of the crab 

WHERE TO GO

  • Saltwater Social (Panama City):  Saltwater Social brings the flavors of the sea (stone crabs included) to your event with their mobile seafood bar. 

  • Stone Crab Jam Music Festival (Clearwater): The 17th Annual Stone Crab JAM™ Music Festival in Crystal River celebrates Stone Crab season while giving back to the local community. 

  • B Ocean Resort (Fort Lauderdale): Ocean Resort is where travelers will want to indulge in the finest freshly caught seafood dining along the coast. The resort’s restaurant serves locally sourced, freshly caught seafood, including Florida stone crab.

  • Four Flamingos Stone Crab Brunch (Orlando): The first Florida restaurant by renowned Chef Richard Blais, located adjacent to Walt Disney World in Orlando. 

  • Joe’s Stone Crab (Miami): The restaurant prides itself in discovering the tasty crustacean 100+ years ago and still serves them every season in its iconic South Beach location.

  • Bud N’ Mary’s (Islamorada, Florida Keys): Learn how to pull and bait crab traps and harvest stone crab claws. 

  • Gulf Spring Livin’ (Homosassa) Gulf Spring Livin’ provides visitors with a hands-on experience during the stone crab season. Participants can learn how to sustainably harvest the crabs, with guides explaining local practices.

  • Truluck's (Naples): The restaurant sources the claws directly from their fisheries, ensuring the highest quality. Truluck’s is known for its dedication to sustainability.