Photo: Dead Dog Saloon
Our little beach town has more restaurants per capita than San Francisco, but with so many options to choose from it’s handy to have the inside dish on the best places to eat in Myrtle Beach. In addition to coastal southern classics and authentic Callabash seafood, the Grand Strand area offers ethnic cuisine where diners can find phenomenal food for reasonable prices. Below are some of my favorite places where we locals like eat.
1) Angelo’s Steak and Pasta
Photo: Angelo's Steak & Pasta
Angelo’s is one of the busiest Italian restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area because the service is friendly, and between the Italian buffet and the dinner menu, the choices please all ages and tastes. This is a great place to eat in Myrtle Beach if you’re craving juicy steaks served on sizzle platters.
What you need to know
angelosteakandpasta.com
Phone: (843) 626-2800
Location: 2311 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
2) ART Burger Sushi Bar
Photo: ART Burger Sushi Bar
Locals hungry for something different flock to ART. Sushi choices range from traditional (California Roll, sashimi, nigiri) to the unique sushi ‘rolls of the day.’ They serve exceedingly fresh seafood and meats, and only use humanely raised organic beef in their gourmet burgers. Some cocktails even come with a delightful icy hit of liquid nitrogen. Not only is this a great place to eat in Myrtle Beach but it’s also an exceptional option for those who want to enjoy the ocean view while taking in the local art scene.
What you need to know
artsushibar.com
Phone: (843) 839-4774
Location: 706 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Photo: Caribbean Resort
3) Bistro 217
Photo: Bistro 217
Operating partner and executive chef Adam Kirby grows, catches, and gathers a lot of the fresh local foods served at Bistro 217, and then invents tasty new ways to serve them. Myrtle Beach residents often make the drive to Pawleys Island for freshly baked breads and crackers, smooth pimento cheese, masterpiece salads topped with local fish fillets, fried green tomatoes and oysters (with bacon-cream sauce) and fresh ice cream.
What you need to know
bistro217.com
Phone: (843) 235-8217
Location: 10707 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
4) Café Old Vienna
Photo: Café Old Vienna
Locals pack the new, roomier location of Café Old Vienna to enjoy Wiener Schnitzel, Almond Pork Schnitzel, Bavarian Bratwurst, Viennese Gulasch and other old-world specialties. Round it out with a side of red cabbage, a German draft beer and a crepe for dessert.
What you need to know
cafeoldvienna.com
Phone: (843) 946-6252
Location: 1604 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
5) Dead Dog Saloon
Photo: Dead Dog Saloon
A photo-worthy view of the inlet, action on the Marshwalk (think boardwalk without ocean waves) and frequent live music make the Dead Dog Saloon a happening place to eat in Myrtle Beach. But it’s the casual, yet excellent menu that keeps locals coming back. For breakfast try Shrimp and Grits or Lobster Home Fries; at lunch or dinner Boo-Boo’s Tender (beef) Bites or Chipotle Shrimp Tacos are deliciously memorable.
What you need to know
deaddogsaloon.com
Phone: (843) 651-0664
Location: 4079 US 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
6) Johnny D’s Waffles and Bakery
Photo: Johnny D's Waffle House
Savor breakfast, brunch, and lunch treats such as scrumptious Cinnamon Roll Waffles with a drizzle of cream cheese frosting. It's one of the best places for breakfast in Myrtle Beach. Their Eggs Benedict comes in many variations, from Florentine to Pork Belly to Chipotle Bacon; the Shrimp Salad is legendary; and you never know what new omelet they’ll dream up next, like Mushrooms and Sun-Dried Tomato with feta and tzatziki. Be sure to save room for mini cheesecakes and mimosas.
What you need to know
johnnydswafflesandbakery.com
Phone: 3301 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Location: (843) 448-6789
7) Kudzu Bakery
Photo: Kudzu Bakery
Feel free to treat Kudzu Bakery as an extension of your pantry, because that’s what locals do when they make frequent visits for freshly baked breads, big soft cookies, and luscious cakes and pies. They also have classic southern dishes in the cold cases, like tomato pie, par-baked cheese biscuits, and crab dip; plus wines and condiments. If you're big on sweets, Kudzu is one of many places you should try.
What you need to know
kudzubakery.com
Phone: (843) 213-0605
Location: 7223 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
8) Lee’s Inlet Kitchen
Photo: Lee’s Inlet Kitchen
Do you like your seafood fried, broiled, grilled, or blackened? Add some hushpuppies, hand-made onion rings, and slaw, and you’ve got a classic Lowcountry meal that’s been served at Lee’s Inlet Kitchen since 1948. The retro building has an interesting history. It started life as a gas station, and then was a bordello until Eford Lee rescued it at a tax sale. Now run by the family’s third generation, it’s become one of the best local places to eat in Murrells Inlet.
What you need to know
leesinletkitchen.com
Phone: (843) 651-2881
Location: 4460 US 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
9) SoBaya Japanese Bistro
Photo: SoBaya Japanese Bistro
This tiny restaurant is tucked away, off Robert M. Grissom Parkway just south of 38th Avenue North. If you can find it, you’ll be treated to delectable, gourmet Asian dishes. Get your chopsticks ready for sautéed Gyoza, tea-smoked Asian Barbecue Ribs, Agedashi Tofu, Bento Boxes, and Kyushu Tonkotsu Ramen.
What you need to know
Facebook page
Phone: (843) 839-4899
Location: 3590 St. James Ave, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
10) Socastee Station
Photo: Becky Billingsley
It doesn’t get more local than Socastee Station, which is a little south of the airport. For decades it’s been the go-to local restaurant for a home-cooked meal and a cold drink, and recently it went smoke-free. The meatloaf and pot roast are excellent, the Friday night all-you-care-to-eat fish fry is a fantastic deal, Shrimp and Grits are creamy, and the wings are renowned. A specialty is Bog Balls, which are fried morsels made from a traditional chicken/sausage/rice dish called Chicken Bog.
What you need to know
Facebook page
Phone: (843) 831-0527
Location: 4504 Socastee Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Photo: Long Bay Resort
