Bahamian Conch Shell Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale

When most people walk down the beach and discover a giant conch shell glistening in the sand, their first impulse might be to put an ear to it and listen to the sound of waves crashing inside. Maybe it's to pick it up and blow into it like a makeshift horn. But the chefs at Bahamian Conch Shell Restaurant know better. They know that a sweet, slightly chewy delicacy exists just beyond the conch's tough, salmon-colored shell.

This passion for conch is apparent as soon as you glance at the menu. Golden-brown conch fritters—the house specialty—pair with a creamy dipping sauce. In addition to the meat, the shell itself acts as serving vessel for mounds of delicate seafood. Beyond the beloved mollusk, they add a dash of Caribbean flair to everything from lobster and crab legs to fried chicken.