<div class="tldr">Soft-shell crab season began the first week of June 2024 in New York City. Several restaurants across Manhattan and Brooklyn are now serving the ingredient.</div>
<ul class="key-facts">
<li>Soft-shell crab is in season locally through late June.</li>
<li>At least seven Manhattan restaurants added it to menus this week.</li>
<li>Pricing ranges from $18 (appetizer) to $37 (entrée).</li>
</ul>
Soft-shell crab season typically lasts for six to eight weeks, peaking in late spring. In 2024, local seafood purveyors began distributing the crabs to New York City restaurants on June 3. This week, several establishments, including Grand Central Oyster Bar, Lure Fishbar, and Red Hook Lobster Pound, have listed soft-shell crab on their menus.
Many chefs serve the crabs fried or sautéed, often as sandwiches or plated entrées. At Grand Central Oyster Bar, soft-shell crab is offered as a platter with cole slaw and fries for $37. Lure Fishbar features a tempura soft-shell crab roll at $24. Red Hook Lobster Pound adds a soft-shell crab BLT to the menu, priced at $22.
Supplies are limited and day-to-day availability varies with shipments. Chefs at Astoria’s Taverna Kyclades and Lower East Side’s Wildair both cited delivery delays due to recent storms along the mid-Atlantic coast. Diners are advised to call ahead before ordering, as the ingredient may sell out during dinner service.
Most restaurants expect soft-shell crab to remain available for three more weeks. By early July, menus will shift back to hard-shell crab dishes or other seafood as the season ends. Some venues offer daily specials, while others add the crab to existing seafood platters.
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<h2>What is soft-shell crab and why is it seasonal?</h2>
<p>Soft-shell crab refers to blue crabs that have recently molted their hard shells. The molting period is brief, which limits the harvest window to late spring and early summer. The entire crab can be eaten, making it a popular seasonal delicacy at many seafood restaurants.</p>
<h2>Which New York City restaurants are serving soft-shell crab right now?</h2>
<p>Grand Central Oyster Bar, Lure Fishbar, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Taverna Kyclades, Wildair, The Smith, and Maison Premiere are among the restaurants offering soft-shell crab as of June 2024. Menus and availability may change daily based on shipments.</p>
<h2>How much does soft-shell crab cost on NYC menus this year?</h2>
<p>Prices range from $18 for appetizers to $37 for plated entrées as of June 2024. Most restaurants price soft-shell crab sandwiches or rolls between $20 and $24. Market prices may fluctuate depending on supply and demand.</p>