Dine on a deck overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway at DJ’s Deck, an authentic fish shack and raw bar. Order the catch of the day fried, blackened or grilled. You can also satisfy your seafood craving with a bucket of shuck-em-yourself oysters or clams. Huddle under a tiki hut on drizzly days and savor a steaming bowl of freshly made chowder or gumbo. Have your camera ready to capture images of brazen pelicans and egrets trying to score a handout.

Head to Caribbean Jack’s Restaurant & Bar and grab a seat at an umbrella table on the deck to enjoy views of the Halifax River. Inspired by former rum runner and race car driver “Caribbean Jack” Gilbert, the joint specializes in tropical cuisine and rum-laden drinks that make you feel like you're miles away. Try the Caribbean Fish Tacos—blackened mahi swims in Jack’s own volcano sauce under a canopy of mango and black bean salsa.

Ocean Deck opened on a lonely stretch of Daytona Beach as a hot dog stand in 1957. The restaurant now hosts a full menu featuring fresh seafood, and it offers daily live music and sand volleyball tournaments. Try a Shipwreck—a platter heaped with Gulf shrimp, oysters, clams and Alaskan Crab legs—or, if you'd rather eat light, a salad made with generous servings of ahi, mahi-mahi or grilled shrimp.

Listen to the waves crashing below while you dine at Crabby Joe’s on Sunglow Pier. Although Crabby Joe’s serves up its namesake crab, the real hit here is fish. Crabby Joe's fish sandwich has a reputation as the best in town. It comes with hush puppies, coleslaw and fries. Try Joe’s signature yellow fin tuna for dinner; you can order it grilled, blackened or jerked. Top off your dinner with a visit to Crabby Joe’s Ice Cream Shack.

Aunt Catfish’s On the River offers up southern-style seafood. The restaurant started as a dockside cafe along the Halifax River in the 1960s. Its Gator Burger is made from grilled and seasoned alligator tail meat. If you prefer something more traditional, visit the Fish Camp Fixins Bar for down-home favorites like cheese grits, cinnamon apples and the restaurant’s famous cinnamon rolls.

High Tides at Snack Jack first opened in 1947, and to this day, the casual eatery is still serving up seafood dishes that locals know and love—right on the beach. The restaurant isn’t actually located in Daytona Beach; it’s a mere 30 minutes’ drive away in Flagler Beach, and well-worth the trip. Their expansive menu includes fish tacos, fried oysters, a variety of delectable sandwiches—get the grilled, blackened or jerked tuna Reuben on rye toast—and more.