20 great restaurants for stone crab claws in Sarasota-Bradenton
Local commercial fishermen start pulling stone crab traps Saturday morning and many area restaurants will be serving the claws by dinner or maybe even lunch.
Served warm with butter or cold with a mustard dipping sauce, you really can’t go wrong with these tasty crustaceans. Plus, this is one seafood dish that can be enjoyed pretty much guilt free since crabs grow back their claws.
Here’s a list of destination spots to dine on stone crab in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Remember to call first, though, because a limited supply means restaurants can’t always carry the delicacy. Stone crab season runs until May 15.
The Beach House
A beautiful spot where you can enjoy your seafood, and perhaps a craft cocktail or glass of wine, right by the sand while watching the sun slowly ease into the Gulf of Mexico.
200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach; 941-779-2222; beachhouse.groupersandwich.com
Big Water Fish Market
This purveyor of fresh seafood and casual dining destination is near the south bridge on Siesta Key in the Crescent Beach Shopping Center.
6641 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota; 941-554-8101; bigwaterfishmarket.com
Blue Marlin Grill
Occupying a historic cottage in Bradenton Beach and funky outdoor area featuring live music, Blue Marlin Grill is owned and operated by Cortezian Adam Ellis, who always seems to get the freshest stone crabs and other goodies arriving straight off the commercial fishing boats.
121 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach; 941896-9737; bluemarlinami.com
Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar
Pair your stone crab with Captain Curt’s famed clam chowder and cocktails at this good-times seafood house featuring a tiki bar and live music on Siesta Key.
1200 Old Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key; 941-349-3885; captaincurts.com
Casey Key Fish House & Tiki Bar
This fish house on a gorgeous stretch of sand surrounded by the Intracoastal between Osprey and Casey Key has a tiki bar and dining room that are both excellent spots to eat stone crab.
801 Blackburn Point Road, Osprey; 941-966-1901; facebook.com/CaseyKeyFishHouse
Cedar Reef Fish Camp
The locally owned and operated Cedar Reef Fish Camp has three great locations in the area.
7240 55th Ave. E., Bradenton; 941-896-9656 and 775 U.S. 41 Bypass S. Venice; 941-244-2249 and 4167 S. Tamiami Trail Venice; 941-451-8564; cedarreef.com
Cortez Clam Factory
Don’t let the modest exterior fool you. Inside you’ll find a spacious seafood and smoked meats destination featuring a raw bar, large full liquor bar, dining area and stage where bands play most nights.
10104 Cortez Road W., Bradenton; 941-798-9898; clamfactory.com
Cortez Kitchen
Located right in the heart of Cortez Village with a consistent breeze from the bay, this open-air restaurant is where the locals go for good eats, strong drinks and to see our favorite bands.
4528 119th St. W, Cortez; 941-798-9404; thecortezkitchen.com
Crab & Fin
Enjoy your stone crab in the classy indoor dining room or the equally appealing alfresco setting, in the heart of our landmark shopping district St. Armands Circle.
420 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota; 941-388-3964; crabfinrestaurant.com
Crow’s Nest
A South County landmark overlooking Venice Inlet that includes its own marina, the restaurant's own crabbers deliver the fresh stone crab claws raw right to the dock.
1968 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice; 941-484-9551; crowsnest-venice.com
Dockside Waterfront Grill
Dockside Waterfront Grill at Marker 4 is a waterfront gem now operated by the owners of Gecko's.
509 N. Tamiami Trail, 941-218-6418; DocksideWaterfrontGrill.com
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
A multi-story gem boasting panoramic views of Sarasota Bay, Dry Dock has been a favorite among locals and tourist alike for 20 years and is also now part of the Gecko's Group.
412 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key; 941-383-0102; drydockwaterfrontgrill.com
Harry’s Continental Kitchens
Pair your stone crab with a creative cocktail in an enchanting setting a short walk from the water that looks plucked from the pages of “Coastal Living.”
525 St. Judes Drive, Longboat Key; 941-383-0777; harryskitchen.com
Mar Vista Dockside
Part of the Chiles Restaurant Group that includes the Beach House and Sandbar, Mar Vista is also a waterfront beauty, nestled along north Sarasota Bay.
760 Broadway St., Longboat Key; 941-383-2391; marvista.groupersandwich.com
Phillippi Creek Village Restaurant & Oyster Bar
A Sarasota classic dating back to 1979, enjoy your claw meat creekside with one of the town’s best bloody marys.
5353 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-925-4444; creekseafood.com
Sandbar Restaurant
Like its sister restaurant the Beach House, Sandbar is an amazing location right on the sand offering postcard views of the gulf to go with your seafood and libations.
100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria; 941-778-0444; sandbar.groupersandwich.com
Star Fish Company
Casual seafood dining doesn’t get any better than at Star Fish Company. Located along Sarasota Bay in Cortez Village right next to where the boats deliver their goods to sister company A.P. Bell, Star Fish not only serves the claws but a totally delicious bowl of stone crab chowder.
12306 46th Ave. W., Cortez; 941-794-1243; starfishcompany.com
Swordfish Grill
Another Cortez Village favorite, Swordfish Grill offers patrons outdoor and indoor waterfront dining with live music regularly heard on the back patio featuring the tiki bar.
4628 119th St. W., Cortez; 941-798-2035; swordfishgrillcortez.com
Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay
This Siesta Key treasure on Little Sarasota Bay has been serving stone crab claws, boat drinks and more since 1986.
8875 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota; 941-346-2207; turtlesrestaurant.com
Walt’s Fish Market, Restaurant and Chickee Bar
This local seafood institution has ties to Sarasota dating back to 1918 and just keeps getting better, with the chickee/tiki bar addition and smartly made cocktails including a masterful margarita to wash down that crab claw meat.
4144 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-921-4605; waltsfishmarketrestaurant.com
