The Waterfront Café

On Park District grounds and mere feet from the lake, this sandwich-and-salad shack has an idyllic location that can’t be beat. Bring the pooch and grab a picnic table in the sand or on the shaded patio, but make sure you’re seated comfortably: The service lags (and is sometimes curt). Still, if you’re prepared to chill out for about 30 minutes until you get coconut crab cakes, a lobster roll or key lime pie, you’ll be just fine.