It doesn't get much fresher than catching it yourself, and that is exactly what Jay Sahagian, owner of The Barnacle restaurant, does. Serving townies and tourists since 1961, the restaurant is known throughout Marblehead as the longest running, family-owned business. It is also the only restaurant in town that has it's own lobster boats, which can only mean one thing—mouth-watering lobster rolls—fresh, not frozen.

The "twin lobster special" every Wednesday night, award-winning mussels steamed in a proprietary seasoning, sizzling steaks cooked to order, a small, Cheers-like friendly pub, rumored to serve a mighty stiff drink and a deck-side ocean view "to die for" explains why it has such a loyal following.