23 Best Restaurants in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, South Carolina

It's closed at lunchtime and on Sunday; it doesn't take reservations or have a view, but nobody fries up a mess of seafood like Lee's, which is something the restaurant has been doing since 1948. Even the biggest eaters will get their fill when they order the Shore Dinner: fried or broiled flounder, shrimp, oysters, scallops, deviled crab, and lobster, along with a shrimp cocktail, clam chowder, hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw. Sure, you can get your fish broiled or grilled, but why mess with deep-fried perfection?

The windowed porch overlooking the ocean houses the best seats at this nautical-themed restaurant in a 1930s beach cottage (unless it's a perfect spring or fall day to sit outside in the ocean breeze). Menu highlights include sautéed crab cakes and jambalaya; it's the rare Myrtle Beach seafood restaurant that offers vegetarian and gluten-free menus. The fireplace inside the wood-panel dining room is a warm welcome on cool off-season evenings. Breads and desserts are baked on the premises; save room for a slice of cheesecake du jour.

It's a heavenly experience at this Little River staple housed in an old country church that dates back to 1885. Renowned chef-owner Ed Murray Jr. brings the finest steaks and local seafood and produce to the table. You'll be praying for more after you try Murray's marvel of meats, like prime rib and braised short ribs. Stained-glass windows add to the charm.

Cut, trimmed, and seasoned to order, steaks sizzle on their way to the tables and then melt in your mouth at this Italian-style steak house. Pasta is served up on the daily Italian buffet, featuring standard favorites such as spaghetti, meatballs, lasagna, and tortellini Alfredo. A tableside magic show is performed Tuesday through Saturday. If you visit one all-you-can-eat buffet in Myrtle Beach, there's a strong case for Angelo's.

This local favorite serves dishes that give traditional cooking methods and ingredients a new twist. The former 1930s grocery store now offers a fine dining experience with wood floors, framed French posters, and cozy fireside seating. Diners indulge in large portions of fish, seafood, beef, and lamb cooked over an oak-burning grill. Behind Frank's is the casual (but still pricey) Outback, a lush candlelit garden with a huge stone fireplace. Enjoy a before- or after-dinner drink at Outback's bar. Heaters will keep you warm in winter.

Overlooking the intracoastal waterway, this large restaurant in Barefoot Landing has leather booths, Australian Aboriginal art on the walls, an extensive wine list, and an outdoor patio with a firepit. The menu features grilled meats and seafood, and many of the selections have an Asian flair. The Australian rock lobster is a highlight, but the Australian theme comes through more strongly in the decor and the Greg Norman merchandise for sale than in the food.

The fish tacos here are to die for, but the full menu of Mexican favorites at this colorful cantina proves that Pawleys Island is not just about seafood. Take a seat inside or on the festive deck and order a burrito with secret sauce and a margarita.

Part barbecue joint, part seafood shack (after 5), Hog Heaven has a wonderful smoky aroma that perfumes U.S. Route 17 as you approach. Pulled-pork barbecue has the tang of vinegar and the taste of long hours in the pit. Although sandwiches are available, the buffet, which includes fried chicken, greens, and sweet-potato casserole, is the main event. In the evening try the seafood sampler, an assortment of shellfish steamed to order and served piping hot.

Owner Laura Smith is legendary in Myrtle Beach for her sushi artistry. In addition to sushi masterpieces, she creates a slew of authentic Thai noodle dishes and signature seafood creations like Coco Shrimp and jumbo soft-shell crabs. Inside, the sleek eatery is more metro than its Myrtle Beach peers. A sister location is located in Pawleys Island.

When local mainstay Prosser's BBQ closed down, new owners jumped in with a rebrand, but they were wise to keep the menu and vibe the same—this ain't your four-star fine-dining eatery, and it's practically a requirement to lick your fingers clean. Lip-smacking pulled pork is served along with Lowcountry goodies like collard greens, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, banana pudding, and peach cobbler. Most times, the line for Prosser's lunch buffet will weave outside the clapboard house after church on Sunday.

This fourth-generation-owned Italian pastry shop, deli, and restaurant has excellent coffee, hearty hoagies, pizzas, homemade sorbet, and delicious and authentic pastries, including cannoli and pasticciotti (rich cookielike pastries filled with jam). Both counter and table service are available.

If you're a hungry hippo, then slide a stool over to a maximo plate of nachos at this hip corner cantina in three locations: the Market Common, North Myrtle Beach, and inside the airport. It's bold, fresh, and fun—from the funky wall and ceiling decor to the creative Mexican dishes. Wee hungry hippos will be happy with Hungry Hippo games available at the hostess station.

You can smell the brine and Old Bay seasoning the minute you leave your car and head toward the front door of Nance's. Oysters, the small local ones that taste of saltwater, are the specialty, available fried or steamed in an iron pot and served with butter. Atmosphere is somewhat lacking, but that's okay—so is any inkling of pretension. There are other selections on the menu, but it's really all about the oysters.

Enjoy Sampit River views from most tables at this upscale spot that's especially romantic at night, when the oil lamps and brass fixtures cast a warm glow on the dark wood and brick interior of the early-20th-century building. Menu highlights include chargrilled fish (especially the Carolina grouper), Cajun fried oysters, seafood pastas, and steaks. For lunch you can have the chef's specialty of shrimp and grits or your choice of sandwiches and salads.

Yes it's a raw bar—and a good one, with a bounty of fresh seafood—but don't sell the cooked items short at this small, casual locals' joint. The seasoned boiled shrimp are the real deal, and the mussels, clams, scallops, and other goodies steamed with spices in an iron pot is a terrific version of a Lowcountry staple.

Don't let the strip-mall location put you off; this restaurant's seafood and locally sourced entrées stand out. Blue mood lighting, a glowing aquarium, and abstract art combine to give this restaurant more of a Miami Beach than Myrtle Beach feel. The VIP vibe begs a martini, and the extensive wine list includes flights and wines by the glass. Dine on dishes like shrimp and grits with crispy prosciutto, organic local chicken breast with whipped potatoes and French beans, or chocolate chili-dusted duck breast with roasted pineapple and habanero glaze. The swanky blue-tiled bar hops on Friday nights, and there's a patio for outdoor seating, albeit facing a parking lot.

It's all about family at Villa Romana, where owners Rinaldo and Franca come in early to make the gnocchi and stick around to greet customers. It's hard to resist filling up on the stracciatella (Italian egg-drop) soup, bruschetta, salad, and rolls (perhaps the best on the Strand) that accompany every meal, but try.

Whether you choose to sit inside the contemporary confines of this classy waterfront restaurant or outside at the tropical-tiki Raw Bar, you can't go wrong with atmosphere or cuisine. The menu features seafood and sushi, as well as Lowcountry-inspired dishes.