If you're considering buying a buying a condo in Myrtle Beach, or you already have a beach property, you will probably know about some of the perks of living in this beautiful South Carolina town.
The golf courses, beaches, shops and a sense of community really is second to none. That's not to mention the year-long calendar of events ranging from arts and craft expos, historical celebrations and cultural festivals to sporting events
But all of those activities and exercise you're going to be doing are going to work up a real appetite. So what's good to eat?
Luckily for you, dining out in Myrtle Beach is also first class.
Myrtle Beach has a wide range of restaurants offering most types of cuisine, including fine dining, seafood shacks along the boardwalk, Italian bistros and southern classics. There is so much choice, in fact, you might not know where to start!
So if you want to dip your toe into the local restaurant scene, look no further than our handy guide to the 10 best restaurants in Myrtle Beach.
SeaBlue Restaurant and Wine Bar
The SeaBlue Restaurant and Wine Bar is located in the North Myrtle Beach area and is a must for all wine buffs and fine dining connoisseurs. The chef and owner, Kenneth Northcutt, also prides himself on offering the best wines to accompany his exquisitely cooked food.
Living up to its name, the restaurant is an homage to the ocean with the Sea Blue color dominating the interior. Subtle lighting creates a relaxed and intimate atmosphere at night, making it a great place for a romantic meal or special occasion.
Seafood features heavily at SeaBlue and the menu offers classic dishes including lobster thermidor and oysters Rockefeller, and live fish tanks adorn the dining room. The house special is a Fruits of the Sea platter incorporating lobster, shrimp, and scallops, with an added extra of truffle.
SeaBlue also offers hand-cut USDA Prime steaks, the "turf" you can add to your choice of "surf." Choose from Filet, Ribeye, or Strip, and pair it with Maine lobster tail, jumbo scallops, crab cake, or grilled or blackened jumbo shrimp.
Bistro 90
Bistro 90 is a North Myrtle Beach steakhouse, known to Grand Strand locals and visitors for more than 9 years, as the "go-to," Steak and Seafood destination.
Bistro 90 prides itself on serving dry aged, USDA prime steak, and chops, and claims to be the only restaurant on the Grand Strand to hand-cut all of its steaks to order.
The menu is not limited to steaks, though. The bistro also serves New York style pizza and other Italian dishes as well as locally caught seafood.
Bistro 90 has rich red and gold decor with Italian landscape paintings and dark wood furniture, creating a real Old World charm. But this bistro is as fancy as you want to make it, and you can dress as casually as you like.
The staff provide an attentive and friendly service and will leave you wanting for nothing. So, hang out at the bar, dine inside, or relax on the patio and let Bistro 90 become one of your new favorite restaurants.
The Melting Pot
The Melting Pot is part of a national chain that has turned the 70s classic of fondue into an art form.
Each table has a heating station at the center, where a bubbling pot of gooey cheese is placed. Bread and various vegetables and fruit can then all be dipped into the delicious melted cheese with forks.
The Melting Pot is open all day and offers brunch, lunch and dinner. The menu is not all melted cheese, though. There is a wide range of salads and a selection of meat from the grill. But if you are going to the Melting Pot, you really do need to try the fondue.
But make sure you leave room for dessert!
If you have never had chocolate fondue then you are really missing out. Strawberries, bananas, and cake can all be dipped into silky melted chocolate for a dessert you won't forget. Plenty of people come late just for dessert.
And all of this can be washed down with a wide selection of excellent wines.
The Melting Pot has both booths and tables so couples and larger groups can all be accommodated. An excellent way to share food with friends and family, it is a dining experience and a talking point, and you will keep going back for more.
Eggs Up Grill
The Eggs Up Grill is a small, regional chain that started in Pawleys Island in 1986 and branches soon started "hatching" across the Carolinas. With multiple locations across the Grand Strand (Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside, Conway, Garden City, and Pawleys Island).
As the name suggests, the menu is all based around the humble egg.
Open from 6am-2pm, there is no better way to start your day than with an Eggs Up Grill breakfast special. The corned beef and eggs are all homemade, and the sweet potato maple pancakes are just to die for.
Other breakfast delights include omelets, french toast, scrambles, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches.
The lunch menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and wraps. All are homemade and super generous.
The Great American Cheese Burger (Black Angus burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, mustard, ketchup and dill pickles on a toasted bun) is a customer favorite. As are the Loaded Home Fry Platters (fries covered with cheddar cheese, onions, peppers, diced ham, jalapenos and salsa).
No matter how you like your eggs in the morning, the Eggs Up Grill will become a regular part of your life in Myrtle Beach.
Sea Captain's House
The Sea Captain's House offers traditional seafood favorites served in a bustling yet cozy 1930s cottage overlooking the ocean.
The Sea Captain's House has it all: atmosphere, history, fresh seafood, all with a sea view.
The restaurant is open all day and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The breakfast will certainly set you up for the day. The Seafarer's Omelette is made with crabmeat and shrimp as well as fresh mushrooms and mozzarella.
The dinner menu offers everything you could wish for from a South Carolina seafood restaurant such as jambalaya and traditional shrimp and grits.
The food is generous, fresh and full of southern warmth.
Hot Fish Club
The Hot Fish Club serves local seafood in a relaxed creekside restaurant.
Located in the oldest existing restaurant building on the Grand Strand, Hot Fish Club has a fascinating history that dates back to the 18th Century.
The Hot Fish Club originally formed as a social club for members who were dedicated to gourmet food, strong drinks, and having a good time with friends.
The original club dissolved just after the Civil War, but the restaurant continues the local tradition of fresh fish and stiff drinks.
Dinner is served Tuesday to Sunday from 4-9pm, but the gazebo stays open well into the night, usually hosting live music.
The menu includes every type of seafood you can think of, all at a super reasonable price. Fried or grilled seafood platters, steampots, and plates of salmon, grouper, lobster... it's all there!
And if hot fish is not your thing, then ribeye steaks, homemade meatloaf, and southern fried chicken are also on the menu.
The Early Bird Specials are served between 4-6 pm and are amazing value for money. You can get a seafood platter with flounder and oysters and choice of sides for $12.95!
Gulf Stream Cafe
Set in a wonderful location overlooking the ocean on one side and Murrells Inlet on the other, Gulfstream Cafe is known for its scenic views and excellent seafood. One of Myrtle Beach's most popular restaurants on the water, Gulf Stream is a must-visit for any new resident or tourist.
Gulf Stream Cafe offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Outside you can sit on the deck enjoying views of the ocean and Murrells Inlet, and inside you can enjoy a more cozy or intimate table.
The menu is traditional seafood, including southern fried seafood platters, she-crab soup, and oysters Rockefeller. For those that are not fish lovers, dishes such as Parmesan Chicken or roast duck are very tasty alternatives.
Like most restaurants in Myrtle Beach, the Gulf Stream also offers an Early Bird menu starting at 4 pm.
Sunday brunch buffet prices are $9.95 for adults and $5.95 for kids. Brunch items vary but may include southern classics such as stuffed french toast, seafood crepes, crab cake sliders, or N'awlins shrimp & grits.
Solé Italian Restaurant
Chef Carlos Ribera and his wife Patricia Ribera are the proud owners of Solé Italian restaurant. After 27 years from opening their first Italian restaurant in Miami, they moved to Myrtle Beach.
Today the restaurant is a popular family-run Italian, offering dishes cooked in an authentic way by Chef Carlos and his family.
Antipasti Napolitano, spaghetti marinara, cannoli and tiramisu all feature on the traditional Italian menu. Linguini Malafemina is one of Sole's most popular dishes. This mouth-watering dish is served with shrimp, scallops, clams, muscles in a white wine and garlic sauce or a red spicy fried Diablo.
Simplicity is the name of the game at Solé. The decor is not overly adorned or fancy. The dining room is quaint and homely, and the service is familiar and friendly. All this creates the atmosphere of a wholesome, family-run restaurant where all the emphasis is on the food.
The Library Restaurant
If you are looking for a more formal dining experience in Myrtle Beach, then The Library is an excellent choice.
The only Three-star restaurant on the Grand Strand since 1974, The Library restaurant specializes in table-side service from the Caesar salad to Steak Diane.
The atmosphere in The Library is an oasis of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of Myrtle Beach nightlife. Soft classical music, candles, and tuxedoed serving staff add to the elegance and timelessness of this traditional restaurant.
Featuring European and Continental Cuisine, The Library's extensive menu offers a variety of cuisine to suit all tastes. From the Escargot appetizer cooked in garlic herb butter to the She Crab Soup with sherry, almonds and burnt cream, the starters are excellent in their own right.
The Library is renowned for its Steak Diane, prepared at your table with cognac and burgundy mushrooms, and the Filet and Lobster surf-and-turf special.
As to be expected with a restaurant of the caliber of the Library, the wine list is robust and well thought-out. Old world and new world wines are all chosen carefully to accompany the menu and knowledgeable staff are on hand to help you with your choice.
Martin's Restaurant
Martin's Restaurant is a bit of a hidden gem for locals in Myrtle Beach.
Founded in 1994 by chef patron Martin Dobr, Martin's Restaurant offers casual fine dining and European cuisine for breakfast and dinner, seven days a week.
The eclectic menu reflects Martin's heritage, having been born in Czechoslovakia and lived in Austria, Canada and all over the United States. Dishes include Soft Shell Crab, Frog's Legs, Wiener Schnitzel along with classics like Lobster Thermidor.
The Early Bird specials run until 6:30 pm and include Shrimp Scampi, Beef Burgundy and a Catch of the Day, with most dishes costing less than $13.
There Are So Many More Restaurants In Myrtle Beach
So those are 10 of the best restaurants in Myrtle Beach. But that's only the tip of the iceberg! There are so many more excellent restaurants to explore.
Along with its stunning beaches, golf courses, shops, and entertainments, Myrtle Beach really is a world-class location for dining. With the freshest seafood money can buy, and plenty of southern soul food, the food is a reason to move Myrtle Beach in itself.
So if you are considering buying property or moving to Myrtle Beach you can look forward to exploring all these wonderful restaurants. And who could ever get bored of dining with an ocean view?
If you would like more information about Myrtle Beach real estate, or what life is like as a Myrtle Beach resident, check out our other blog posts.