What is in season in Miami. and what to order when the market changes.
Spring
- Stone crab claws (final weeks): Stone crab season closes May 1; the last six weeks at Joe's Stone Crab carry the lowest prices and the largest claws.
- Mamey sapote: South Florida mamey ripens late spring; Calle Ocho ventanitas pour mamey milkshakes through April and May.
Summer
- Mango: South Florida mango season runs June to August; Robert Is Here in Homestead and Fairchild Garden's July Mango Festival are the highlights.
- Lychee: Lychee comes in mid-June to mid-July; Asian markets in Miami carry rambutan and longan alongside through July.
- Avocado (Florida): Florida avocados are larger, lighter and lower-fat than Hass; in season July through November, sliced thick on Cuban breakfast plates.
Autumn
- Stone crab claws (season opens): Florida stone crab season opens October 15; Joe's Stone Crab pours the first round on the opening night each year.
- Florida spiny lobster (commercial): Spiny lobster commercial season runs August to March; Miami River fish houses carry it through October and November.
- Caja china roast pork season: Thanksgiving and the Cuban Nochebuena (December 24) drive caja china roast-pork sales at panaderias and Sedano's locations citywide.
Winter
- Stone crab claws (peak): Peak stone crab arrives in January and February; Joe's Stone Crab dining room runs at capacity, and the take-away counter prices flatten.
- Citrus (Florida): Florida citrus, especially sour orange for mojo marinade and key lime for pie, peaks January through March across Homestead orchards.