United States South Carolina Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach Guide Things To Do Essentials Where to Stay Itineraries Getaways All Myrtle Beach The 15 Best Restaurants in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina By Laura Scholz Laura Scholz Instagram Twitter Laura Scholz is an Atlanta-based freelance writer and editor who has called Atlanta home since 2000. She has written about the city for TripSavvy since 2018. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Published on 03/25/22 Courtesy of Sea Captain's House Myrtle Beach is always a fun, family-friendly getaway with 60 miles of beachfront, celebrity-designed golf courses, and endless outdoor activities. But don't sleep on the city's culinary scene, which has its fair share of buffets and seafood shacks, but also old-school Italian spots, no-frills barbecue joints, Mexican cantinas, and even creative vegetarian and gluten-free eateries. Whether you're craving a Southern meat-and-three, a giant slice of pizza, or fancy seafood with an ocean view, these 15 restaurants are the best in the Grand Strand. 01 of 15 Sea Captain's House Courtesy of Sea Captain's House Housed in an oceanfront 1930s-era beach cottage, Sea Captain's House has been a Myrtle Beach institution since 1962. The restaurant serves breakfast via a fantastic buffet and lunch and dinner. Guests can expect a classic, seafood-heavy menu filled with standouts like the award-winning she-crab soup, pecan-crusted grouper, shrimp and grits, and shrimp Alfredo. Portions are hefty, and most entrées come with a choice of standard sides like a tossed salad, baked potato, French fries, and stone-ground cheddar grits. Get there early and ask for a table by the window for the best views. View Map Address 3002 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-448-8082 Web Visit website 02 of 15 Hook & Barrel Courtesy of Hook & Barrel Sustainably sourced seafood is the star of this nautically themed North Kings Highway restaurant, created by the same owner of Croissants Bistro and Bakery. Watch chefs prep oysters, mussels, and other sea fares from the steam gallery. Can't-miss dishes include the fresh catch of the day served with two sides and a hearty Bouillabaisse featuring a seafood medley with lump blue crab, mussels, and shrimp in a charred tomato broth. The menu offers plenty for non-seafood lovers—think generous salads of locally-sourced vegetables, braised short rib, filet mignon, and pasta. Drink options include prosecco on tap and potent cocktails like the fish house punch and a spicy pineapple jalapeño margarita. View Map Address 8014 N Kings Hwy B, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-839-5888 Web Visit website 03 of 15 Blueberry's Grill Courtesy of Blueberry's Grill Open for breakfast and lunch on weekends only, the bright and lively Blueberry's is an excellent option for health-conscious diners, vegetarians, and those with allergies. The menu—which includes GMO-free chicken, lactose-free cheese, and gluten-free bread—is extensive, creative, and flavorful, ranging from egg white omelets, savory skillets, and pancakes for breakfast to burgers (including an Impossible option), sandwiches, and salads for lunch. The restaurant has outposts in Barefoot Landing and on North Kings Highway. 04 of 15 Fire & Smoke Courtesy of Fire & Smoke Don't be fooled by the bland strip mall setting: the food at Fire & Smoke delivers. The gastropub-inspired menu includes snacks like soft pretzel braids, duck confit nachos, and a cheese and charcuterie plate. Ideal for sharing, small plates include land and sea options like grilled oysters, seared scallops, and hickory-smoked Memphis-style ribs served with a bright blueberry BBQ glaze and refreshing apple jicama slaw. As far as large plates, don't miss the Lobster Cobbler, a lobster béchamel with bread crumbs, carrots, and peas, and topped with fennel pollen ice cream. View Map Address 411 79th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572-4310, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-449-0085 Web Visit website Continue to 5 of 15 below. 05 of 15 Little Pig's Bar-B-Q Courtesy of Little Pig's Bar-B-Q Seafood gets all the attention in this coastal town, but don't sleep on the barbecue. Helmed by Robert Huffling, this low-key barbecue spot has been serving up hickory-smoked Pee Dee-style 'cue for more than 20 years. Your order? The regular sandwich plate, with a stack of smoked pork on a warm bun with a choice of sauce and two sides like hush puppies, greens, coleslaw, and baked beans. Ribs are available after 4 p.m. on Friday and all-day Saturday but get there early, as they sell out quickly. View Map Address 6102 Frontage Rd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577-2083, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-692-9774 Web Visit website 06 of 15 Olympic Flame Pancake House Courtesy of Olympic Flame Pancake House Located right on Ocean Boulevard, Olympic Flame makes a convenient breakfast spot before a day of ocean play. Open since 1975, the no-frills diner is always packed, with diners flocking for its stacks of signature buttermilk pancakes with a choice of more than ten toppings like pecans, strawberries, and bananas. The massive breakfast menu includes French toast, omelets, eggs, biscuits, breakfast sandwiches, cereals, and sides. Lunch options are varied, with burgers, sandwiches, and salads. View Map Address 1309 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-448-2756 Web Visit website 07 of 15 Banditos Cantina Courtesy of Banditos/Facebook Sip margaritas or local beer like Dirty Myrtle Double IPA with panoramic ocean views at this Mexican spot on Ocean Boulevard. In addition to chips and smashed guacamole, start with the street corn topped with lime crema and cilantro or the shishito peppers. Then move on to mains like superfood salads, tacos, burritos, burgers, bowls, and large plates like the grilled shrimp with Carolina brown rice and habanero vinaigrette. The weekend brunch is also excellent, with standout dishes like a short rib breakfast bowl with a sunny egg on home fries, pico de gallo, scallions, queso, and sweet potato hotcakes. View Map Address 1410 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-712-2992 Web Visit website 08 of 15 Captain Benjamin's Calabash Seafood Buffet Courtesy of Captain Benjamin's Calabash Seafood Buffet No trip to the Grand Strand is complete without a trip to Captain Benjamin's buffet. With a menu of nearly 200 dishes that range from Alaskan snow crab legs, shrimp scampi, and calamari to a raw bar with local oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp, the restaurant is a seafood lovers' paradise. Don't skip the Southern-inspired sides like fried okra, macaroni and cheese, hush puppies, and collard greens. Not into seafood? Captain Benjamin's has you covered with wings, fried chicken, steamed vegetables, and pork ribs. View Map Address 401 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577-4178, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-626-9354 Continue to 9 of 15 below. 09 of 15 42nd Street Bar & Grill Courtesy of 42nd Street Bar & Grill This intimate bistro is ideal for a fancy night out, with a creative menu heavy on seafood and internationally inspired fare. Highlights include a beef tartare with beets and balsamic-mustard dressing, pan-seared scallops topped with braised white beans, and a beef and mushroom Wellington made with 27-day aged sirloin. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list, with reds and whites from Northern California and Italy and Australia. View Map Address 4209 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-945-9310 Web Visit website 10 of 15 Angelo's Steak & Pasta Courtesy of Angelo's Steak & Pasta/Facebook For red-sauce Italian and what chef and proprietor claim are "the best steaks in the universe," head to Angelo's. Given the extensive menu that ranges from hand-cut steaks to seafood dishes to classic Italian fare like lasagna, spaghetti, and the signature veal marsala, this is an ideal destination for large groups or those traveling with picky eaters. Angelo's also has a dedicated children's menu (think pizza, ravioli, and chicken tenders) and a $12.95 all-you-can-eat early bird Italian buffet from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. nightly. View Map Address 2311 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-626-2800 Web Visit website 11 of 15 Peaches Corner Courtesy of Peaches Corner/Facebook This iconic, family-run boardwalk restaurant has been serving the same menu of comfort food like corn dogs, onion rings, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, and chili cheese fries since it opened in 1937. Your order? The foot-long hot dog, a beer-battered, all-beef Sabrett topped with slaw, mustard, homemade chili, and diced onions. Save room for dessert: the milkshakes and ice creams are the perfect cold treats after a long day at one of the state's top beaches. View Map Address 900 Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-448-7424 Web Visit website 12 of 15 Cafe Old Vienna Courtesy of Cafe Old Vienna This husband and wife duo, Werner and Martina Horvath, have been bringing authentic beer garden fare to the Grand Strand for more than two decades. Choose from nearly a dozen schnitzels, Viennese goulash, pierogies, and bratwurst served with sides like spaetzle and red cabbage, all brought out by lederhosen-clad servers. The beer menu is heavy on German-Austrian lagers, hefeweizens, and pilsners. View Map Address 1604 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-946-6252 Web Visit website Continue to 13 of 15 below. 13 of 15 Big Mike's Soul Food Courtesy of Big Mike's Soul Food/Facebook Big Mike promises “soul food the way your momma made it,” and it delivers, with Southern staples like chicken sausage gumbo, seafood baskets, fried fish sandwiches, and shrimp and grits. Order the house special, a meat-plus-three combo with your choice of meat (get the fried chicken), three sides, and a generous hunk of cornbread. Take advantage of refills on homemade sweet tea. View Map Address 504 16th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-712-2048 Web Visit website 14 of 15 Mediterranean Bistro Courtesy of Mediterranean Bistro Need a break from seafood buffets and fried foods? Try this casual Mediterranean spot, open for lunch and dinner every day except Sunday. Choose from a range of appetizers like hummus and gyros, pitas, platters, and salads made with fresh ingredients. Standout items include the falafel gyro on grilled pita and the veggie pita stuffed with grilled onions, peppers, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and olives. Feeling indecisive? Try the sampler dinner, a large platter with pastichio, mousaka, gyro meat, grilled chicken, souvlaki, pita, Greek salad, and tzatziki. View Map Address 6104 Frontage Rd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-945-1145 Web Visit website 15 of 15 AJ'S Pizza Courtesy of AJ's Pizza / Facebook From crowd-pleasing appetizers like wings, southwest chicken spring rolls, and mozzarella cheese sticks to pastas, sandwiches, wraps, subs, and build-your-own pizzas, AJ's is a great casual and affordable option for groups and families. Standouts among the extensive menu include the Surf & Turf pizza with cajun shrimp and tender filet topped with red onions, marinated mushrooms, mozzarella, and Monterey jack and Brooke's Pimento, loaded with pimento cheese, roasted red peppers, bacon, and mozzarella. The restaurant offers delivery and take-out as well. View Map Address 5917 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA Get directions Phone +1 843-449-4600 Web Visit website Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email