The Painkiller—a potent blend of rum, cream of coconut, pineapple, and orange juice topped with freshly grated nutmeg—lives up to its name by erasing all memories of work deadlines and inbox stress.

At Crab’s Claw Oceanfront Caribbean Restaurant in Atlantic Beach, that dream becomes delicious reality, as ocean views and spectacular crab cakes combine to create one of North Carolina’s most beloved ...