So I started this article thinking it would be a cheese ball, corn fest of kitschy gimmicks. But I was wrong. By the end, I came away wanting to visit every Myrtle Beach dinner show and themed restaurant on this list. While these attractions are not for every family, you’ll probably find that one of them works for your crew. And I guarantee you, even if it doesn’t “do it” for you, you won’t forget it.
1) Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Photo: Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
No forks, people! At Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament you eat with your hands. Kids will love picking up a chicken leg or grabbing a rib all covered in sticky BBQ sauce, while two knights charge each other on horseback with jousting sticks. But it’s not all sword fights, horsemanship, and falconry. The knights of Medieval Times are true to their chivalry, and throw roses into the audience and crown a little girl as princess. After all, this is considered one of the best Myrtle Beach dinner shows for families. All guests are greeted with “My Lord, My Lady, Prince, and Princess.” I recommend showing up early to this dinner show because seating is first come-first serve. You can check out the gift shop, get a drink from the bar, and tour the place in the meantime. Oh and they also have free wifi – not bad for the dark ages. Tickets are $50 a pop, but you can find a huge list of discounts at Retail Me Not.
What you need to know
medievaltimes.com
Phone: (866) 543-9637
Address: 2904 Fantasy Way, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
2) Villa Romana Restaurant
Photo: Villa Romana Restaurant
Villa Romana — an immersive themed restaurant — gives you that warm fuzzy feeling of being at a romantic restaurant in the Italian countryside. An accordion plays in the background as your momma’s carbonara is steaming delicately on your plate. This unassuming little place has been a Myrtle Beach attraction for over 30 years and has perfected authentic Italian cuisine – not too heavy and made with fresh, simple ingredients. Try the Stracciatella Soup, Tomato Bruschetta, and one of their many home-made pastas. Meanwhile, the accordion player mixes it up with modern classics. Some people have heard him playing Pink Floyd’s “Hey You,” although you wouldn’t notice unless you listened closely. Adding to the dinner show experience, the chef will also come out to greet guests and share his experience of warm, Italian family cooking.
What you need to know
villaromanamyrtlebeach.com
Phone:(843) 448-4990
Address: 707 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
3) Hard Rock Café
Photo: Vacatia
A 70-foot-tall Egyptian pyramid stands over the parking lot. For the rock-loving family on vacation in Myrtle Beach, this is the themed restaurant for you. Signed guitars from Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, BB King, and Brian Wilson hang on the wall. A cape worn by Elvis, Paul McCartney’s suit, and the black leather boots of Johnny Cash adorn this monument. There are hundreds of Hard Rock Cafés around the world, but the Myrtle Beach version went all out. The food is simple, but good. I’d go for the Brisket Sandwich with Hot Seasoned Fries, Slaw, and Cowboy Beans. You can even sit outside on the patio overlooking Celebrity Square, which is the New Orleans-style nightlife district of Broadway at the Beach, hopping with fun bars and live music.
What you need to know
hardrock.com
Phone: (843) 946-0007
Address: Broadway at the Beach, 1322 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
4) Margaritaville
Photo: Margaritaville Myrtle Beach
Calling all Parrotheads! If you haven’t been to Jimmy’s Margaritaville then you might want to give this a shot. The entire thing is its own little patch of island paradise. Half of the seating is outside on a docked boat, named Euphoria, which is attached to the restaurant. It’s right next to the Stranded Sandbar, a lighthouse-shaped tropical escape. Located at Broadway at the Beach, it’s surrounded by tons of other great bars, shops, and attractions. Please note that it does get crowded, so you might have to wait at the bar for a table.
What you need to know
margaritavillemyrtlebeach.com
Phone: (843) 448-5455
Address: Broadway at the Beach, 1114 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
5) House of Blues
Photo: Shane Henderson via Flickr
If their ‘Gospel Brunch’ doesn’t satisfy your soul (and appetite) then a late-night dinner show should do the trick. Sit down in the morning for omelets, grits, and biscuits or their signature chicken and waffles, while a talented choir gives you a heavy dose of inspiration. I really can’t think of a better way to wake up. Crossroads is the signature restaurant at the House of Blues music venue. Their dinner menu, put together by celebrity chef and Food Network star, Aaron Sanchez, includes shrimp and grits, fire-grilled flatbreads, jambalaya, and slow-smoked pulled pork among other southern favorites. It’s the perfect place to come before a show and really gets you in the mood with blues inspired décor that seems reminiscent of a New Orleans Juke Joint. They also put on a murder mystery dinner show with actors playing out a tale of “who done it.” Or, come during the day to their outdoor patio, where you can enjoy live music and cool off with an ice-cold cocktail.
What you need to know
houseofblues.com/myrtlebeach
Phone: (843) 272-3000
Address: Barefoot Landing, 4640 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
6) Drunken Jack's
Photo: Drunken Jack's Restaurant & Lounge
What happens when a pirate is marooned on a tiny island with nothing but 32 cases of rum? Well, according to the legend of Drunken Jack, he drank them all, and left nothing but his skeleton. Inspired by the story, Drunken Jack’s is a throwback to the old days. Its dark wood paneling and lounge singer, seems like something out of the 1940’s – a 1940’s, pirate-themed experience to be exact. This themed restaurant in Myrtle Beach serves fresh local fish, shrimp, oysters, and deviled crab. And be sure to try the complimentary basket of hush puppies with their homemade honey butter. Outside, they have a fantastic patio deck overlooking the small islands and channels of Murrells Inlet that were once the hideaway of 17th century pirates. Look for Goat Island, which kids will get a kick out of. For the last 24 years, the owners have been keeping goats there from mid-spring to late-fall to keep down the underbrush. You might see a peacock too.
What you need to know
drunkenjacks.com
Phone: (843) 651-2044
Address: 4031 Hwy 17, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
7) Dick's Last Resort
Photo: Dick's Last Resort Myrtle Beach
Parental Advisory…this next place is a little, how should we say, offensive. Yes, Dick’s Last Resort is a themed restaurant based on the concept of irreverent vibes with sarcastic, and at times, abrasive service. They act like jerks, for your amusement. All the waiters are trained to crack jokes at your expense and guests are given a complementary paper condom hat with something nasty written on it. If you can’t take a joke or have young children, I wouldn’t recommend coming here. That said, your teenager will probably love it. Oh yeah, and all the food comes in a bucket, so don’t expect fine china. The food isn’t the best, and it’s expensive, but if you have the right kind of humor, you’ll find it absolutely hilarious.
What you need to know
dickslastresort.com
Phone: (843) 272-7794
Address: Barefoot Landing, 4700 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
8) Pirate's Voyage Dinner Show
Photo: Pirate's Voyage
It’s the Pirate-y version of Medieval Times, and they take it to the next level. Performers will dazzle you with full on acrobatics, live animals, and original scores composed by none other than Dolly Parton (apparently a big fan of pirates). Your ticket price for this Myrtle Beach dinner show includes a four-course feast. Come early for the pre-show and your kids can have their faces painted or get a temporary tattoo. Seating is not first-come, first-serve, so you can pay for a prime spot. The performance is top notch, and acrobatics are Cirque du Soleil quality. You’re also treated to an adorable sea lion performance. Young kids will not be disappointed!
What you need to know
piratesvoyage.com
Phone: (843) 497-9700
Address: 8901 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Photo: Westgate Myrtle Beach
