One of the United States’ most popular tourist destinations, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is known for its stunning coastlines, balmy, tropical weather and excellent culinary scene. Here, we list the top 10 restaurants to be found in the area.
Aspen Grille is a reflection of what makes Southern dining truly enjoyable. The menu features a large variety of both tried-and-tested favorites and new twists on traditional Southern dishes by chef and owner Curry Martin. The restaurant is famous for its French onion soup and fresh seafood options. The food is complemented by excellent examples of Southern hospitality: the ambiance of the restaurant is heightened with original art on the walls and regular live music nights. Meanwhile the waiters are friendly, knowledgeable about the menu and encouraging of guests who want linger over their meals and truly appreciate the food and atmosphere.
Ideally located close to the Grand Strand, the long stretch of beaches that border Myrtle Beach, Bistro 90 is the perfect end to a balmy day spent exploring the beautiful South Carolina coastline. The restaurants offers a wide-range of satisfying dishes inspired by Italian and American classics. These include juicy, aged steaks, seafood pasta dishes, as well as a range of crispy, flavorful brick oven pizzas. The variety of daily specials, as well as the different flavors of homemade ice cream made each day ensure that no two dining experiences at the Bistro 90 are the same. What remains constant is the cozy, casual atmosphere despite the restaurant’s beautiful burnished decor, making Bistro 90 a favorite spot for locals.
Housed in a charming, historic building originally built in 1910 as a Victorian family home, Brentwood has been serving food for approximately the past 50 years. Chef Eric Masson, a French native who studied at Paris’ prestigious Ferrandi Culinary School, currently runs the kitchen and seeks to infuse his locally sourced and seasonal ingredients with a French culinary influence. Highlights from the menu include the pan-seared foie gras with caramelized apple, and the shrimp and scallops chardonnay. Each dish on the menu is accompanied with a carefully selected wine suggestion, and the restaurant also hosts a Wine Club, where guests can experience and match new wines to a specially prepared menu.
The Carolina Roadhouse puts a large emphasis on making food fun, from its generous portion sizes to its bold, comfort-food dishes and creative drinks menu. Its speciality dish is the ‘Killer Dog,’ a grilled foot-long hot dog served in a bun and piled high with French fries, chili and cheese, while its ribs are famously delicious and tender. The interior only adds to the atmosphere of exuberance and fun: the open show-kitchen allows diners a peek at the vibrant behind-the-scenes activity. The large wrap-around bar and numerous tables clustered around the towering palm tree at the center creates a sociable, dynamic atmosphere.
One of Myrtle Beach’s most picturesque spots, and certainly its most stunning dining option, the Collector’s Café is a cross between an elegant restaurant, a European cafe and an art gallery. Made up of a number of different rooms, including several private rooms, the restaurant encourages visitors to relax on cozy wing-backed armchairs or sit at sophisticated tables covered with white tablecloths. Enjoy the extraordinary Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, and bask in the beauty of the art covered walls. More than 25 artists are exhibited at any one time with special opening nights every few months to celebrate new talent, and all art is available for purchase. The combination of sensory pleasures makes the Collector’s Café a must-visit venue.
Another historic Myrtle Beach gem, Frank’s Restaurant originally opened in 1930 as a local, independently owned supermarket and was transformed into its current state in 1988. Today it is a local favorite and is widely considered one of the best spots for a sophisticated yet relaxing evening. The dining room is charmingly lit with candles spilling light onto the hardwood floors, warm, oriental rugs and the antique mahogany bar dating back to the late 1800s. The menu is filled with modern twists on traditional and local Southern specialities artfully arranged and presented, adding to the elegant dining ambiance.
The Library prides itself on being one of the best high-end and traditional dining options in Myrtle Beach, with tuxedoed waiters serving the same high-quality European and continental cuisine since 1974. Highlights from the menu include the filet mignon finished to perfection and served with a Parisian mushroom sauce, oysters accompanied by spinach and bacon, and an extensive wine list. The restaurant also features certain dishes, such as the Caesar salad or Steak Diane, which are prepared and flamed ‘tableside,’ that is to say on the spot for the guests’ enjoyment. The Library also has a number of private rooms available, from large ones capable of hosting large parties, to a small two-person room commonly referred to as the ‘Proposal Room.’
A hugely popular choice among locals, Mr Fish is a family-run establishment. It joins the talents of well-known fisherman and seafood connoisseur Ted Hammerman and his daughter’s culinary education and experience in the restaurant industry. The result is a delicious casual venue, which makes up with excellent, fresh produce and tasty, varied dishes what it lacks in high-end decor. This emphasis on quality and comfort has led to multiple necessary expansions to accommodate the eager crowds. The present Mr Fish is situated in an expansive venue with separate rooms acting as a sushi station and fully fledged bar. Meanwhile their menu has come to include such speciality items as fish tacos and crab mac ‘n cheese.
Bar, Restaurant, Seafood, American, Vegetarian, Vegan, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, $$$
Rockefellers Raw Bar is an excellent restaurant which has tapped into the culture of casual yet delicious dining which is prevalent at Myrtle Beach. With a large emphasis put on fresh ingredients, Rockefellers encourages guests to relax over an ice-cold beer or classic cocktail while watching the bartender prepare the seafood on the spot in a steam kettle. The restaurant also has an excellent ‘happy hour’ offer, with bargain price drinks and oysters available. Rockefellers Raw Bar’s location mere minutes from the beach only adds to its fresh and authentic feel.
Another great seafood option, SeaBlue Restaurant sets itself apart from the competition with its contemporary twists both in its cuisine and its decor. Chef Kenneth Norcutt prides himself on his creative interpretations of classic dishes, and highlights from the menu include such delicacies as the crab cakes with chipotle-lime aioli, or the duck’s breast with a chili chocolate dusting served with potatoes roasted in duck fat. The atmosphere matches this exciting and innovative cuisine: the interior is high-end restaurant meets trendy cosmopolitan bar, with modern lighting and a color-shifting bar adding to the ambiance.
