It may seem odd to find a great steak place in a seafood-heavy town, but Watermark plays the unexpected role perfectly. They grill everything over charcoal, so go with the 8-ounce rib eye, and just for good measure, the grilled shrimp and scallops ($23).

With live music every weekend at The Sandbar and Tiki Bar at Town Creek Marina, you might actually hear this restaurant before you see it. The fun atmosphere and its waterside location only add to the great experience. Start with lightly dusted and fried calamari ($10), and then try the seafood platter (the fresh catch, shrimp, and scallops, $21) grilled with a honey-lime glaze. Editor's tip: Do yourself a favor, and reserve an outdoor table around sunset. There, you can catch the sun as it drops right into the Intracoastal Waterway.

above: Kites Unlimited and Bird Stuff in Atlantic Beach hosts weekly fun flies.