The last time I went to the Casablanca Fish Market, it was still at its old Watson Island location, from where as many of you know it was evicted for development. That goes to show how long it’s been since I visited the market, but a sudden urge to make ceviche this weekend gave me the perfect opportunity to go back. This time, to its new spot by the Miami River.
Truth be told, nothing feels that different. Okay, well, this one isn’t by the bay and it doesn’t have that huge parking lot where people hung out eating conch salad. But aside from that, the new setup is very similar to the old one and the service just as friendly.
The market offers a good variety of fresh, off-the-boat local fish — swordfish, yellowtail, mutton snapper and grouper — as well as shellfish — stone crabs, blue crab, golden crab …
When you walk in, grab a pair of gloves, a plastic box and choose the fish you want from the carefully arranged selection that lays in ice-filled displays along the counter. Then take your selection to the far end, where a staff member will weigh your fish and ask how you want it — in fillets, in steaks, with head and bones, without head and bones, etc. Then you’re handed a number, which they’ll call out when your order is ready.
Don’t forget to tip before you leave. You’ll hear the entire crew of men yell out “propinaaaaaaaaaa!” (tip in Spanish) — and they really deserve it for their service.
The market opens Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The new location also has a restaurant.
Casablanca Fish Market
404 NW North River Dr. Map
305.371.4107
tags: Casablanca Fish Market, fish markets, seafood, miami
i love that first photo of the fish!
Great post!….will have to check out Casablanca’s - my favorite fish place is Captain Jim’s in North Miami (they have their own fishing fleets). Nothing like a fried whole yellow tail…hmmmm.
I have dinner plans for Garcia’s next door tomorrow. I can’t wait! Ines now you have my mouth watering for a fried whole yellow tail… Mmmmmm That whole area is a seafood lovers dream!
Yuummmm Garcia’s! I wrote a post about them last year. I love their swordfish.
Ines - have any good recipes for fried yellowtail?
[…] hosts guest “15 wines under $15″ guide 7. m&l goes fishing. Ok, not really … goes to the fish market 8. m&l has its cake and eats it […]
Casablanca has the freshes fish and best prices in town.I can’t say the same for Garica’s. The staff at casablanca’s are helpfull.
I finally got the opportunity to come all the way from pompano to see what it was like to get
the fresh seafood straight from the boats and for my surprise now they even got a restaurant with a great river view and great fried whole yellow tail………the best..
Karelys - Glad it was worth the drive!
[…] should’ve listened to my gut when I thought of going to Whole Foods or Casablanca for the scallops but I got lazy. Once again, there went my inner Food Network star, but I learned a […]
[…] barely wait to partake in another not-so-traditional Thanksgiving meal. On Sunday, I took her to Casablanca Fish Market to buy the pounds and pounds of seafood she needs for the preparation, but finding crawfish in […]