What draws almost 20 million people to Myrtle Beach each and every year you ask? The weather, the sea, the sand, the entertainment, the lifestyle and, most importantly, the food. Myrtle Beach is known for its penchant for seafood, the freshness of which is arguably some of the best in the US. From the sea to your plate, the exquisite crustaceans and delicate fish could be on your plate within hours of being caught by the local fishermen. With such fresh produce and more restaurants per capita than San Francisco, Myrtle Beach’s food scene can be complicated to navigate, so to save you the hassle, here is a list of our 10 favourite eateries to keep you and your palate satisfied.
Mr. Fish
An icon of the Myrtle Beach restaurant landscape, Mr. Fish has been satisfying hungry diners for decades. Now in brand new digs with more space, more light and more covers, the restaurant is a hive of activity during dinner service most nights of the week. Established by father-daughter and fisherman-cum-restaurateur duo, Teddy and Sheina Hammerman, Mr. Fish on Ocean Boulevard serves some of the most consistently praised seafood in the Myrtle Beach area. Whilst there are fabulous dishes like Southern favourite shrimp and grits, great fish tacos and a full sushi bar for maki, nigiri and California rolls, the real highlights are found on the blackboard. For the freshest catches of the day, consult the blackboard or your server and enjoy a standout meal, loved by locals and tourists alike.
Blueberry’s Grill
Is there a better way to start the day than tucking into a beautiful breakfast cooked with style? If, like us, you value the most important meal of the day then look no further than the brilliant Blueberry’s Grill in Myrtle Beach. This spot is fantastic for a more dietary friendly breakfast, with gluten-free, lactose-free and no GMOs in sight, Chef Evi Spaho has created a restaurant for the health-conscious whilst still managing to create the breakfast classics like french toast with maple syrup and whipped cream. Try the salmon benedicts or, for those looking for a dish that epitomises Myrtle Beach, try the Monte Cristo. Visit Blueberry’s on a weekend morning for a lively, social atmosphere.
Hook & Barrel
From the same talented individual that brought the deliciously irresistible Croissant’s Bistro & Bakery to Myrtle Beach, Chef Heidi Kukov’s Hook & Barrel is one of Myrtle Beach’s most modern eateries. Croissant’s bistro offered a make-your-own mimosa or bloody mary cocktail activity showing Kukov that the interactivity is not just a gimmick but genuinely enjoyed by diners. At Hook & Barrel, she has managed to include chic interactive elements like bubbly prosecco on-tap. Even with the fun elements, the food is seriously good. Enjoy sustainably sourced seafood in a tongue-in-cheek nautical, modern restaurant. Try the posh crab-cake sliders complete with remoulade and a crunchy kohlrabi salad for a true testament to the fun, balanced dishes Kukov has proudly delivered.
Banditos Cantina
Come for the food and stay for the view at Banditos Cantina. The restaurant, located on Ocean Boulevard is in a prime spot on one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, adjacent to the Atlantic. Sporting a mesmerising panoramic view of the ocean, this Mexican brings a Californian vibe to South Carolina. Bantidos is all about the Mexican flavours done well. Try the taquerias, tortas and fish tacos. The highlight here is definitely the shrimp burritos, which pair well with a pint of locally brewed Dirty Myrtle Double I.P.A. Go for a view, the warming Mexican dishes and the punchy margaritas in mason jars.
The Melting Pot
The Melting Pot is a perfect spot for a date-night with its intimate fondue sharing platters, you and your partner can enjoy an indulgent meal for two set back in the restaurant’s secluded booths. Offering an extensive menu with six different cheese fondues and a range of items to bathe in the bubbling cauldrons from seafood to meats and vegetables, The Melting Pot is a delicious restaurant best for engaging with your significant other. Reconnect and rekindle here over deep, rich chocolate fondue with succulent strawberries - what could possibly be more romantic?
The Library Restaurant
Myrtle Beach’s finest upmarket eatery, The Library is the place to come for a blowout meal in celebration. Serving the discerning diners of Myrtle Beach for over 45 years, and doing so wearing tuxedos, the maître d’s at The Library are knowledgeable and attentive, making your refined dining experience run that little bit more smoothly. The food here is rich and indulgent like the Steak Diane, which is served flambéed table-side as a spectacle for the diners. Try the bacon oysters, the French classic duck á l’orange and lobster tails for a decadent meal. The Library’s décor is that of a traditional European restaurant with dim, warm lighting and wooden-clad walls that are lined with over 7000 books, hence the restaurant’s name. It even offers a private dining room for two, called the ‘Proposal Room’ should you wish to spend the memorable moment at this delightful spot.
Frank’s Restaurant
Serving some of the best in South Carolina Lowcountry cuisine with classic, attentive Southern service, Frank’s is a shoo-in for any list of quintessential Myrtle Beach restaurants. Located just outside the city in the small village of Pawley’s Island, Frank’s has been serving discerning diners since the 1930s. Offering a happy medium between sophisticated and casual, the dining room is warmly lit and resembles a country club clubhouse from days gone by. Try classic Southern dishes with contemporary flair at this stalwart of the South Carolina dining scene, from local seafood to prime cuts of American beef, there is something for every palate.
Gulf Stream Café
A short drive from Myrtle Beach is the beautiful seaside town of Garden City, where the Gulf Steam Café has been a staple of the dining scene for more than 30 years. Known for its delicious food and picturesque waterfront views, the Gulf Stream Café is a laidback eatery serving locally sourced, fresh seafood and classic, Southern comfort food. Visit most days for the broiled lobster tails, velvety smooth crab soup and Southern favourite crab cakes or try the weekend Oyster Roast with a panoramic view. While you eat, snap a quick photo of the magical sunset and be part of thousands to do the same from the restaurant’s instagram-friendly rooftop terrace.
SeaBlue Restaurant & Wine Bar
Fancy a restaurant with that upmarket, metropolitan centre vibe? Look no further than SeaBlue. Setting itself apart from the competition, SeaBlue feels more modern and refined than many of the other old-school seafood eateries in town. Here, Chef Kenneth Norcutt sprinkles an essence of his talent over all that he touches. Taking classic dishes and reinvigorating them with modern pizzazz, Norcutt has created one of the best restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area. Offering a mainly small-plates, sharing menu, try the crab cakes with chipotle-lime aioli or the innovative duck with a chilli chocolate coating to experience the kitchen’s talents in techniques and flavours. Cosmopolitan and chic, Seablue is a standout spot for high-end dining in the city.
The Chemist
Probably unlike any meal you have had before, The Chemist is, as the name suggests, a laboratory-cum-restaurant with interactive elements that will have you talking about the meal for weeks to come. Specialising in molecular gastronomy, The Chemist produces expertly crafted dishes complete with complex culinary techniques. From foams to glazes, crumbs to caviar, the flavours and textures are expertly designed to intrigue your mind and satisfy your tastebuds. Try the lamb ribs, cooked in a water bath before being seared in a root-beer and sesame glaze, or even try the pan-seared scallops in an aromatic Thai-butter sauce with lemon ‘caviar’. Whilst the food is organic chemistry, the cocktails are alchemy. Try any of the bizarrely named alcoholic drinks on the menu for a dazzling display from the bartender before being presented with a complex, interesting cocktail that will have the rest of your table asking for a sip.
Whilst Myrtle Beach may not be in the same culinary category as Charleston and Charlotte, it is only a matter of time until the gastronomy bubble pops and there is an influx of inquisitive, experimental chefs, but until then there are plenty of great restaurants on offer. If you like fresh seafood and prime US beef, Myrtle Beach is the place to come. With more restaurants than ever looking to bring something different to the table, now is an exciting time to be part of Myrtle Beach. If you want to live the idyllic lifestyle in South Carolina and think Myrtle Beach is the perfect place for you and your family, or even if you recognise the investment potential of the city, contact Propeterra today to find out more about your real estate opportunities in the area.
