The Garcia brothers founded La Camaronera on West Flagler Street in Miami’s Little Havana in the 1960s — a Cuban family-run fish market and restaurant serving the seafood of their heritage the way Cuban fishermen have always prepared it: fresh, battered, and fried in the tradition that makes the simplest preparations the most satisfying. La Camaronera appeared in Season 6, Episode 11 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Old Time Favorites,” which aired June 22, 2009. Guy Fieri learned that the Little Havana way means every lobster, shrimp, and green plantain gets coated in golden batter and fried. The Pan con Minuta — a fried snapper sandwich on a soft Cuban roll — is the signature that locals order and visitors quickly understand is the only order worth making on a first visit. La Camaronera has since been recognized in the Michelin Guide and appeared on Unique Eats and Food Paradise alongside the DDD episode.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: La Camaronera Restaurant and Fish Market
City: Miami, Florida
Cuisine: Seafood / Cuban
DDD Season: 6
DDD Episode: 11
Episode Title: Old Time Favorites
Original Air Date: June 22, 2009
Address: 1952 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33135
Phone: 305-642-3322
Website: https://lacamaronera.com/
Status: Open
About La Camaronera
La Camaronera operates as a combined fish market and restaurant, with fresh seafood displayed in the counter case and the kitchen frying it to order. The no-frills setting on West Flagler Street is part of the appeal — wooden counters, simple seating, and an open kitchen where the sizzle of seafood hitting hot oil is the ambient sound. Cash is recommended. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner with limited hours, reflecting its market-restaurant hybrid nature. The Michelin Guide recognition placed it in rare company among Miami’s casual seafood operations.
What to Eat at La Camaronera
The Pan con Minuta is the signature: fried snapper on a soft Cuban roll, the dish Guy highlighted and locals order on every visit. The Camarones Fritos (breaded and fried shrimp) are the house specialty that defines the restaurant’s name. The Cangrejo Moro (stone crab) when in season is the luxury item worth the splurge. The Fried Florida Lobster in golden batter is the showpiece order. The Conch Fritters and Shrimp Empanadas are the appetizers most regulars add automatically. The Grouper Soup is the bowl worth ordering on any day it appears on the menu.
Find a Miami hotel in the Little Havana area or nearby on Booking.com and build your Little Havana afternoon around La Camaronera.
Plan Your Visit
La Camaronera is open Monday through Thursday 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Cash recommended. No reservations.
Address: 1952 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33135
Phone: 305-642-3322
Website: https://lacamaronera.com/
Status: Open
Flavortown Approved
La Camaronera is a Miami institution and a Michelin Guide recognized restaurant. Stream the Old Time Favorites episode on Amazon. Miami has one of the strongest Triple D maps in Florida — More Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives maps out the full run.
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La Camaronera Restaurant and Fish Market appeared in Season 6, Episode 11 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Old Time Favorites,” originally aired June 22, 2009. The Garcia family has been operating in Little Havana since the 1960s. La Camaronera has since been recognized in the Michelin Guide.