Super Burrito started with a stand on the Rockaway Beach boardwalk in 2017. Five years later, it remains one of the best places in town for a Mission-style burrito stuffed with rice, beans, cheese, and grilled meat. The al pastor and carne asada are best, and rotating specials like California burritos, jalapeno smash burgers, and Dankwrap Supremes keep things interesting. The year-round space has a retro stoner vibe that channels California burrito shops with booth seating and an outdoor patio. A second location with a full bar is open in Williamsburg.

Come for a seat on the waterfront deck with panoramic views, and stay for dishes like a fried cod sandwich on brioche, mussels with marinara, and fried calamari. The year-round hangout frequently hosts live music, and serves brunch on the weekends.

One of the city’s best taco shops is located at Rockaway Beach Surf Club: a hybrid bar, surf shack, and restaurant. The move at Tacoway Beach is definitely the fried fish taco — there are two to an order — that come topped with purple cabbage slaw, lime, and aioli (if that’s not saucy, add the salsa verde). Several vegetarian tacos, like a tofu version, are also available, while sides include elote or chips and guac. Wash it all down with a fresh pineapple mint juice.

Sayra’s is a lovely place for some drinks and snacks, whether sitting inside this Rockaway wine bar or out on the patio. The small plates menu includes items like spicy meatballs crostini, a cheese plate, and warm pretzels with mustard. Not to mention, there’s an extensive wine list, with bottles that usually don’t go above $40.

The warm hospitality and quirkiness at this Uzbek restaurant is backed up by a menu of lagman, borscht, beef goulash, and two types of dumplings (manti and pelmeni). As a sit-down experience, Uma’s doesn’t boast sprawling patios, like some other establishments on this list, but it does make it an ideal respite from the rain or during a heatwave; it’s also worth the visit during the off-season for the Rockaways. That said, when ordered to-go, compact and portable pelmeni make for a fun beach food alternative — or a snack to eat on the hood of your car, as pictured here, on the way home from a long, sandy day.

For a slightly more special occasion, Rockaways date-night option, this BYOB Italian restaurant announces unusual daily menu specials on its Instagram, so there’s something new to try each visit. Dishes here run the gamut from shrimp scampi with kumquats and ramp pesto to baked clams with seaweed butter — all spins on more classic fare. Whit’s End is especially known for its wood-fired pizzas.

Further east on the boardwalk at 86th Street, Rippers is serving always-great burgers including one called the Hard Body, a double patty with double cheese. Other Americana beach snacks on the menu include hot dogs and soft serve (there’s also a vegan burger option available). This burger favorite is now open, and will expand for service seven days a week starting Friday, May 26.

When it was reported that Connolly’s was sold to new owners, panic ensued amongst longtime fans of the Irish pub, which had been open since 1962. Everyone seemingly had one question in mind: What would happen to the bar’s legendary frozen drinks? Fear not, though: last summer Grub Street reported that, Mike Reinhardt and Mike Kololyan, owners of a local surf school, got the original recipe for the bar’s beloved frozen pina colada, garnished with a maraschino cherry, as part of the package deal in taking over the iconic Queens spot. Connolly’s relaunched last summer and returns for another season starting Friday, May 26.

Whether you’re spending a weekend getaway staying overnight at this hotel and spa or just stopping by for the day, the property boasts a rooftop bar, restaurant, and coffee shop — just a bit further away from the bustling boardwalk traffic. Margie’s, the hotel’s restaurant, has lunch, brunch, and dinner service that includes a raw bar, New England claw chowder, and salads. Meanwhile, the rooftop bar features panoramic views with a side of tacos. On the ground-level, Greenhouse sells pastries and coffee.

New Yorkers familiar with Caracas will find solace at this Rockaway location at 106th Street, as it's the last one standing out of the team’s chain of locations throughout the city. The waterfront stand offers arepas, maduros, and more.