★★★★★
Best whole fried snapper in Miami. Crispy, fresh, and huge — easily feeds two. The market in front is a bonus when you want to cook at home.
Seafood Restaurants · Westchester · Miami
Sonia's Seafood Market
& Restaurant
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The place
Sonia's Seafood Market & Restaurant is a Cuban-style seafood restaurant and fish market at 7501 SW 8th St in the Westchester neighborhood of Miami, FL. The dual-concept spot serves whole fried snapper, garlic shrimp, paella, and stone crab claws in season alongside a retail counter selling fresh fish by the pound. Signature dishes include fried whole yellowtail, camarones al ajillo, and arroz con mariscos. The dining room offers counter seating and table service with a casual, family-run atmosphere. Takeout is available and parking is on-site in a shared lot. Sonia's holds a 4.7-star rating on Google with over 4,800 reviews, making it one of Calle Ocho's highest-rated seafood destinations.
Tucked into a strip on the western stretch of Calle Ocho, Sonia's Seafood Market & Restaurant has been a Westchester staple for locals who want the day's catch cooked Cuban-style. Half fish market, half family restaurant, the space hums with longtime regulars ordering by pointing at the ice case up front, while the dining room fills with families splitting whole fried fish under fluorescent lights and Spanish chatter.
Order the whole fried yellowtail snapper — crispy from tail to fin and the dish the 4,800-plus Google reviews keep coming back for. Camarones al ajillo arrive bubbling in garlic and olive oil, the paella is loaded with shrimp, mussels, and calamari, and stone crab claws appear seasonally. Don't skip the tostones, maduros, or a side of moros y cristianos. Beer and wine are available, and portions are big enough to share.
No reservations — it's first-come, first-served, and the lunch rush moves fast. Parking is free in the small lot out front and on side streets. Takeout is standard practice, and you can buy whole fish, shrimp, and shellfish from the market counter to cook at home. The room is casual, kid-friendly, and the staff speaks both Spanish and English.
On-site fresh fish market
Whole fried snapper signature dish
Stone crab claws in season (Oct–May)
Cuban-style seafood preparation
What to expect
Expect a no-frills, family-run Cuban seafood house where the fish is fresh, the portions are huge, and the wait at lunch can stretch 20-30 minutes on weekends. Cash and cards both work. Service is brisk and friendly, with most of the staff bilingual. The market counter up front lets you take home whole snapper, shrimp, or stone crab by the pound — the same product the kitchen is cooking.
Then come for the photos
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The shop, in frames
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What people are saying
★★★★★
Family-run gem on Calle Ocho. The garlic shrimp and arroz con mariscos are unreal, and prices are fair for the portion size. Bring cash for parking tips.
★★★★★
We've been coming here for years. The fish is always fresh, the service is fast, and the stone crab in season is excellent. No reservations but worth the wait.
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Frequently asked
Does Sonia's Seafood take reservations?
No — Sonia's Seafood Market & Restaurant is first-come, first-served. Expect a 15–30 minute wait at peak lunch and dinner hours on weekends.
Is Sonia's Seafood dog friendly?
The indoor dining room is not dog-friendly, but well-behaved leashed dogs are generally allowed if you order takeout to enjoy outside. Service animals are welcome.
Where do I park near Sonia's Seafood?
There is a free on-site parking lot directly in front of the restaurant at 7501 SW 8th St, plus additional street parking on the surrounding side streets off Calle Ocho.
What are the most popular dishes at Sonia's Seafood?
The whole fried yellowtail snapper is the signature dish. Other top orders include camarones al ajillo (garlic shrimp), arroz con mariscos, paella, and stone crab claws in season.
What are Sonia's Seafood hours?
Sonia's is open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 9:45pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 11pm, and Sunday from 10am to 10pm. Call (305) 267-3050 to confirm holiday hours.
Does Sonia's Seafood offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout is available by phone at (305) 267-3050. The attached market also sells fresh whole fish, shrimp, and shellfish by the pound to cook at home.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Sonia's Seafood Market & Restaurant.
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From Instagram
@soniasseafood