One of the most popular beach towns in the southeast, Myrtle Beach, S.C. has it all.
While it’s best known for family-friendly and budget-friendly vacations, visitors will be quite impressed with Myrtle Beach’s foodie scene. With around 1,800 restaurants to choose from, you’ll find everything from traditional southern food to international cuisine and some of the best fresh seafood anywhere.
With so many great eateries to choose from, it can be daunting to decide which ones to try. Our selection of the best restaurants in Myrtle Beach has been carefully vetted to include choices to please every palate, occasion, and pocketbook.
1. Captain Georges
$$ | (843) 916-2278 | WEBSITE
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Seafood is King on Myrtle Beach, and you can sample all of the options Coastal South Carolina has to offer at Captain Georges. Its seafood buffet is world-famous and loaded with entrees like fried and steamed shrimp, snow crab legs, and deviled crab.
The Captain doesn’t leave out land lovers either with entrees like sirloin steak and barbequed pork ribs. Plenty of salads and veggies are also offered, and they even have gluten-free choices.
This restaurant can handle large crowds for events. The seaside location and rustic-beach decor create a unique atmosphere.
2. The Library
$$$$ | (843) 448-4527 | WEBSITE
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For upscale dining after your day on the beach, get dressed and head to The Library Restaurant. So named for the 7,000 books lining the walls, The Library has been a hidden gem in Myrtle Beach since 1974. European and Continental cuisine is served by tuxedo-clad waiters in a gracious tableside manner.
The Library’s menu features high-end entrees like Steak Dianne and Chicken Chardonnay. Begin with an exquisite hor d’oeurve like Escargot Chablisiens.
Adding to the elegance is a happy hour in a speakeasy-style lounge and a piano bar. This is the perfect place for a romantic dinner for two.
3. Flying Fish Public Market & Grill
$$$ | 843-663-3474 | WEBSITE
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Dine overlooking the water at the Flying Fish Public Market & Grill. Located on the Intercoastal Waterway, Flying Fish is known for its menu variety. Dishes from cheeseburgers to sushi are available. You can get grilled chicken or a snow crab dinner complete with slaw and corn on the cob.
The Flying Fish has a great starter menu. Choose from options such as cinnamon butter hushpuppies, a unique twist on an old southern favorite, or classic fried green tomatoes.
This is the perfect restaurant for parties with varying taste buds and is a convenient stopover from several area attractions.
4. Aspen Grille
$$$ | 843-449-9191 | WEBSITE
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The Aspen Grille is a white tablecloth restaurant featuring high-end meals dished up with a side of live jazz music. The dining room is warm and inviting with wooden walls and art.
The menu is seasonal with locally sourced foods. Entree options include steaks, seafood, chops, and poultry. Start with a tasty appetizer such as burgundy escargot and follow with filet mignon and lobster tail. End with a decadent dessert like creme brulee.
The Aspen Grille has a private dining area for intimate parties or business dinners. The dress code is smart casual (no raggedy jeans or tank tops.)
5. Captain Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood Buffet
$$ | 843- 449- 0821 | WEBSITE
Captain Benjamin’s features famous Calabash seafood, a style of preparing fish for frying with a secret recipe for battering. It was born in a tiny town of the same name just across the border in North Carolina.
That’s just the beginning for this world famous all-you-can-eat buffet with around 170 items. There are hushpuppies of course, and chicken and steak for land lovers.
Captain Benjamins is near several attractions including Barefoot Landing and the Family Kingdom Amusement Park. It’s the perfect stopover for the whole gang at the end of the day, and there’s even an onsite Nautical Museum.
6. Crave Italian Oven & Bar
$$ | 843-213-0500 | WEBSITE
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You can’t get any closer to authentic Italian food than at Craves. That’s thanks to a rare, imported European marble slab oven and Eleanor Crave’s crispy crust and recipes for pies with a unique flavor. A wide selection of other Italian dishes are offered along with soups and salads.
Craves is known for having one of the town’s best happy hours. The wine list is extensive, and the mixologists create over 75 unique cocktails including craft martinis.
With a fun yet cozy atmosphere, Craves is perfect for couples or groups of friends. You can also order out.
7. New York Prime
$$$$ | 843-448-8081 | WEBSITE
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Dine in Myrtle Beach like you’re in a Lower Manhattan steakhouse at New York Prime. Excellent service and exquisite dishes like broiled USDA-certified prime beef and baked shrimp with fresh stone crabs have earned it several accolades on several Best Of lists over the last 20 years.
The atmosphere at New York Prime is classy, but not too classy to roll Big Red, the largest lobster in the tank in a Radio Flyer wagon for guests to admire.
New York Prime is perfect for a romantic dinner for two. A private dining room is available for crowds up to 35 guests.
8. Sea Captain’s House
$$$ | 843-448-8082 | WEBSITE
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The Sea Captain’s House has been a Myrtle Beach tradition since 1962. Location is a big part of its popularity. The restaurant is in a 1930s ocean cottage with outdoor dining and ocean views indoors from large floor-to-ceiling windows. Relax on the back porch swing while waiting to be seating.
The menu is traditional southern with fried chicken, shrimp gumbo, shrimp & grits, and more. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served.
Take the family or go with a crowd of friends to the Sea Captain’s House.
9. Mr. Fish Seafood Market & Grill
$$ | (843) 492-0374 | WEBSITE
Now in a new and more spacious location, Mr. Fish Seafood Market & Grill’s still serves the same delicious food that made it popular. In fact, popularity was the reason for expantion. A bar and a sushi stand are now separate rooms.
Order from the same menu in any room and enjoy traditional beachy foods like fish tacos, crab cakes, and shrimp & grits. The restaurants best-selling items are the sushi and the she-crab soup.
Inlanders wanting the freshest seafoo ever should check out the big dry erase board where fresh catches and daily specials are posted.
10. Bimini’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Cafe
$$ | 843-449-5549 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for something different, head to Bimini’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Cafe. It’s an oyster shack with a cool vibe and popular with the locals. You’ll dine at a picnic table on a patio deck with rustic decor.
The food isn’t fancy either, andbutdefinitely doesn’t disappoint. Portions are generous and very tasty. Enjoy steamed pots of oysters, crab legs, and shrimp family-style or go with one of several samplers such as a grilled shrimp kabob.
11. Big Mike’s Soul Food
$ | (843) 712-2048 | WEBSITE
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Big Mike’s is a good place to go when you’re “hangry.” Fill your stomach and you’ll soul with fried chicken or fish, collard greens, and cornbread.
Mike’s menu includes five choices of “basket” meals including a seafood basket, chicken fingers basket, and oyster basket. They all come with hushpuppies and fries. You can also get one of Mike’s big sandwiches for a great price. Try the Shrimp Po Boy.
Go a little bigger with one of Mike’s specials like a southern veggie plate served with cornbread or shrimp & grits. Mike’s also has a kid’s menu. It’s a great place to take a gaggle of kids after a day on the beach.
12. Simply Southern Smokehouse
$ | 843-839-1913 | WEBSITE
Simply Southern is known as one of Myrtle Beach’s best barbeque restaurants. It has a lunch and dinner menu that’s loaded with southern entrees and sides such as barbeque, mac n’ cheese, butter beans, fried chicken, and chicken n’ dumplings all at a great price. End your meal with a delicious cobbler.
Simply Southern is a great stopover after taking the family to the Myrtle Waves Water Park, Wonderworks, or the Hollywood Wax Museum. It’s open every day except Monday.
Summary
One of the best beaches on the southeast coast, Myrtle Beach is also a haven for foodies. There’s a huge variety of eateries for all tastes, budgets, and occasions. While fresh seafood and southern cuisine are foremost, there’s no lack of international options. You’ll find waterfront dining and restaurants nearby all the attractions.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
