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If you’re a fan of seafood, you’re in the right city. Miami boasts some of the best seafood restaurants in the country — no wonder, given our status as a major port city and our proximity to prime fishing waters. In addition to that, Miami is home to a great number of incredible chefs from around the world, so you can always count on variety when it comes to choosing where to go eat. To make the decision process easier for you, here are six suggestions on great Miami restaurants to try right now if you’re craving something delicious from the sea. 

BLT Prime Doral

It’s the start of a new decade, and BLT Prime Doral knows how to kick it off right. The famed restaurant has launched an oyster and martini pairing that includes a half dozen oysters paired with a martini (you can choose between Grey Goose vodka or Hendrick’s gin as the base), all for $20.20. Rejoice, oyster lovers, and get in on this special while it lasts — you likely won’t find a deal as good as this in Miami for another ten years.

4400 NW 87th Avenue, Miami

A Fish Called Avalon

This Ocean Drive spot has been around for three decades — a feat that’s incredibly hard to pull off in Miami Beach, so you know the food is good. There’s live music every night on the front porch and great happy hour specials every day from 6-8 p.m., but the real draw here is the menu. Order the crab-crusted grouper in a Chenin blanc butter sauce, or share the orzo seafood paella with someone special — it’s big enough for two and comes with Maine lobster, shrimp, sea scallops, mussels and more.

700 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach.

Seaspice

Gorgeous views of the Miami River and downtown skyline. The sound of the water lapping gently just steps away from your table. The scent of herbs and smoking wood wafting toward you from the kitchen. Welcome to Seaspice. Frequented by celebrities and locals alike, Seaspice serves a globally inspired menu brimming with all kinds of tasty creations, but seafood lovers should definitely try one of the restaurant’s famous platters. There are three options, the most extravagant of which includes two pounds of lobster, eight jumbo prawns, 24 oysters, Alaskan king crab, two ounces of Osetra caviar, sashimi, hamachi, and ceviche. 

422 NW N River Drive, Miami

Seawell Fish N’ Oyster

Come to Seawell for a taste of classic Americana with a twist, all expertly curated by Chef Julian Garriga. You’ll find all the staples here, from creamy clam chowder and lobster rolls, to beer-battered fish n’ chips and a rotating daily catch sourced from day boats — all served in a casual, nautical setting. Pair your seafood pick with one of the restaurant’s amazing cocktails (the Tavern Spritz is our current favorite).

660 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

Lobster Bar Sea Grille

A go-to for happy hour, brunch and date night, Lobster Bar Sea Grille checks all the boxes for a great seafood restaurant experience: a buzzing atmosphere, upscale design, and a great menu featuring both freshly caught and imported seafood. There’s plenty of fantastic options to choose from here, including a full raw bar menu that ranges from stone crab claws from Key West, to a magnificent shellfish tower. And if you’re a fan of caviar, you’ll find lots of delicious picks — we’re partial to the Siberian Baerii.

404 Washington Ave, Miami Beach

Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market

When Garcia’s opened in 1966, it was initially a fish market and wholesaler. Today, this local institution is repeatedly rated as one of the best places to eat seafood in Miami. Still family-owned, Garcia’s serves fish caught fresh off Florida’s coast every day by its own team. Start with Garcia’s famous fish dip and order some cracked conch fried or grilled. And if you’re having a tough time deciding on an entree, just ask your server for suggestions — everything here is delicious and fresh.

398 NW N River Drive, Miami

Fish Fish Chef

For the freshest seafood in town, DiningOut has always been a huge fan of Fish Fish {13488 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami; 786.732.3124}. But now, we’re borderline obsessed! The restaurant has brought on Chef Peter Cadavieco, a Miami native previously of Red Fish Grill, the Doral Marriott (now the Trump National Doral), and Blue Point Ocean Grill at the Hard Rock in Hollywood. He has created a new and improved menu to go along with the restaurant’s already cool ambience and friendly atmosphere.

We had the chance to sit down with Chef Cadavieco to discuss his background, the new menu, tips for preparing fish, and much more. See below for the conversation that unfolded.

Tell us a bit about your background. Where are you originally from? How did you get started in the food world?
I was born and raised in Miami. It’s pretty rare these days, as most people here are transplants from somewhere else. I started cooking at an early age because my grandmother was a terrible cook. My mother subscribed to Gourmet magazine, and I just started experimenting. My mother actually forbade me to go to culinary school out of high school. So, I went to FIU and tried to do it like everyone else. But eventually, I made it back to the kitchen.

What drew you to Fish Fish?
I was looking for a small, privately owned business that I could team up with and create something special. This was a unique opportunity to do that with a beautiful restaurant with owners that care and a customer base that was eager for a breath of fresh air.

Fish Fish Ceviche

Tell us about the new menu. What changes have you made?
The new menu is a much more modern approach to seafood. It’s simple yet with complex flavors. The focal point is the fresh fish and ingredients that stand out on their own. Some of the new items include Grouper Reuben Sliders and Coconut Curry Mussels. I also introduced an authentic ceviche (pictured above)—bold, tart, and spicy.

How did your background influence these changes?
I am probably in the minority of chefs whose background really doesn’t influence their cooking. I grew up eating simple Cuban food. Honestly, if I never eat arroz con pollo again, I will die a happy man.

What do you hope to expand upon in the future?
As we grow our business, I hope to introduce more fresh catch-of-the-day items. We are also introducing a Burger Night on Sundays that will feature one beef burger and some type of seafood burger each week. The first Burger Night takes place on May 24 and will feature a Shrimp and Pork Belly Burger with watercress and spicy mayo and a Barbecue Bison Burger with housemade barbecue sauce, fried leeks, and fire-roasted poblanos.

shrimp scampi fish fish

Favorite new menu items?
It’s a toss up between the Shrimp Scampi (pictured above) and the Whole Grilled Lobster. The Shrimp Scampi is different in that we serve the whole head-on prawns. It really adds to the flavor of the dish—and the presentation is magnificent. Our Maine Lobster is truly a sight to behold: a two pound lobster split in the middle, brushed with garlic butter, and grilled whole. It’s served with a massive bed of truffle fries and Carolina-style coleslaw. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!

What tips would you give for someone preparing fish at home?
Preparing fish is all about getting the freshest fish possible. Unfortunately, the major grocery stores are not very good with their handling of fresh fish. For cooking, I always recommend to stay clear of heavy cream sauces. Use vinaigrettes instead. They will enhance the fish’s wonderful flavor.

What do you love most about working at Fish Fish so far?
The fact that it’s a small restaurant and that I have control over the food and have the last say with it. Another great plus is that I get to interact with the guests at their tables and talk food with them. It’s a rewarding experience when you see the smile on guests’ faces after they eat your dish.

Fish Fish Chef

Do you have a favorite food or guilty pleasure?
My favorite food on this earth will always be foie gras. I don’t use it in the traditional sense. I actually use it more like a butter to add fat in my food. Of course, it is an indulgence. I have to say my everyday favorite food is a properly smoked beef brisket sandwich. That and some scratch-made mashed potatoes and I’m a happy guy!

-Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor