Editors’ Choice
Sunset Club, Plum Island
Everything about this convivial Plum Island spot urges you to relax, from the picnic tables and the large gas fire pit to the bocce courts. The team behind Newburyport’s beloved Paddle Inn and a trio of Boston-area favorites keeps things easy-breezy with a tight menu of creative cocktails and Cali-Mex food. If the weather is gorgeous, prepare for a wait by taking a deep breath of salty air and grabbing an on-point cocktail. Cornhole, Jenga, and even a sandbox for the kids will make the time fly by. 4 Old Point Rd., Newbury, 978-255-1016, sunsetclubpi.com
Readers’ Choice
The Deck, Salisbury
Order a Rum Bucket—a festive blend of Malibu rum, fruit juices, and Swedish fish—and a burger and soak up the beautiful Merrimack River views at this seasonal spot. This double-decker restaurant is always a party—and one of the best places on the North Shore to watch the sunset. 179 Bridge Rd., Salisbury, 978-499-4422