Explore the flavors of Myrtle Beach's best restaurants (2024)

Photo courtesy of Terry Massey

Crave Italian Oven & Bar sets itself apart from the typical Italian restaurant and pizzeria with predictable menus. While many claim to serve authentic Italian cuisine, only Crave went the extra mile (make that thousands of miles) to import a rare European marble-slab oven. Named after one of the co-owner's mothers, Eleanor gets the credit for the crispy crust and unique flavor of Crave's pies. The hot marble slab provides the crunch pizza-lovers prefer, but without the dark charring of the crust that's common at brick-oven pizza parlors. But Eleanor makes more than pizza, and Crave's diverse menu offers a wide selection of Italian favorites in an elegant atmosphere, such as soups, salads and small plates that make great starters for sharing.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Crave isn't your stereotypical Italian restaurant; it's a must try for folks with adventurous taste buds.

Terry's expert tip: Crave's bar area features an extensive wine list and one of the best happy hours in town.

Photo courtesy of SinglePlatform

This hidden gem has been drawing loyal, repeat customers since 1974. Offering traditional European and Continental cuisine, The Library has a classic atmosphere with a menu to match. Try the house-favorite Steak Diane, Strip Au Poivre or Sweetbreads, served by tuxedo-clad maitre d's providing excellent tableside service. With a menu that offers some old classics and some new, creative cuisine, everyone in your party will find something they love on this menu. Best of all, the service at the Library is second to none, giving customers the royal treatment with every visit.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: In addition to excellent food, the aptly name restaurant features more than 7,000 books on shelves throughout the restaurant.

Terry's expert tip: This is one of the few restaurants in town where reservations are highly recommended.

Read more about The Library →

Photo courtesy of Keith Alan Jacobs

Mr. Fish has relocated to a new, more spacious location but still features the same great food thousands have come to know and love. The new, multi-room establishment is the latest creation of Mr. Fish, aka Ted Hammerman, and daughter Sheina. He is a famous fisherman among locals while her background is in the restaurant industry, so they make a great team in providing quality seafood in a casual and comfortable environment. The restaurant expanded due to popular demand, and now separate rooms serve as a sushi station and full bar. But you can order off the same delicious menu in any room, and the shrimp and grits, fish tacos and crab cakes are popular items. The sushi and she-crab soup are also top-selling items.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Fire and Smoke Gastropub offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience in Myrtle Beach.

Terry's expert tip: Although the menu is filled with excellent choices, we recommend ordering off the large dry-erase board that keeps track of fresh catches and daily specials.

Photo courtesy of Bistro 90

Bistro 90 is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the trip if you're looking for outstanding cuisine in a romantic atmosphere. Located in the tiny community of Longs, between North Myrtle Beach and Conway on Highway 90, this eatery got its name (or at least its number) from the seldom-traveled highway about 10 miles from the coast. But the secret is out about this hidden jewel as locals and visitors alike are learning about Bistro 90. Featuring traditional Italian dishes, prime cuts of beef that are aged on-site and fresh seafood selections, the menu is diverse and delicious. Lunch is also available and nightly specials are recommended.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: You won't find food this good this far off the beaten path anywhere else on the Grand Strand.

Terry's expert tip: Bistro 90 provides an escape from the busier beach restaurants for a quiet, romantic meal without feeling rushed.

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Photo courtesy of Terry Massey

As far as oyster shacks go, this is about as good as it gets. Located in a strip mall just off Restaurant Row, Bimini's doesn't look like much from the outside - or the inside, for that matter. Picnic tables fill the small space and the patio deck and the decor is far from fine dining. But the proof is in the food, and Bimini's does not disappoint. Famous for its fresh shrimp and oysters, Bimini's doesn't do fancy - just good portions of fresh seafood served the way you like it. Grab a beer from the bar and soak up the beach atmosphere of good times and great food.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: This place is an annual summer tradition for visitors and a favorite spot for locals.

Terry's expert tip: Sunday afternoons during the season (oysters and football) sees the best oyster roast and draft beer specials in town.

Photo courtesy of Fire and Smoke Gastropub

A new concept in food and beverage comes to Myrtle Beach at Fire and Smoke Gastropub, a unique experience in dining and drinking. Featuring an extensive wine list as well as a full bar and bottomless number of beer options, Fire and Smoke also offers high-end cuisine that is a far cry from traditional bar food. Specializing in grilled and smoked meats and in-house baked breads and cheeses, Fire and Smoke offers a multi-flavored menu of seafood and chops. Try the Lamb Porterhouse, the Seared Bay Sea Scallops or the Crispy Pork Belly over Mustard Greens and wash them down with the perfect compliment from the bar.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: The aroma and flavors served at Fire and Smoke are hard to find anywhere else in town.

Terry's expert tip: If you love oysters, try the oyster shooter with a watermelon salsa slushie.

Read more about Fire and Smoke Gastropub →

Photo courtesy of SinglePlatform

What a view! Gulfstream is the only restaurant in Garden City Beach overlooking the ocean on one side and Murrells Inlet on the other and, fortunately, the food lives up to the view. Recommended starters include the onion loaf (a mass of fried onion rings with bleu cheese dip), kicky N'Awlins shrimp served atop a crispy fried grits cake, she-crab soup and oyster shooters. Popular main courses range from Low Country crab cakes, a variety of fried seafood, garlic crab claws, and grilled or blackened catch of the day. Kids can opt for fried fish, shrimp, chicken fingers, or spaghetti.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Ask for a table overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway while enjoying this bi-coastal dining experience.

Terry's expert tip: Ask for a seat on the outdoor deck and enjoy a lovely, Lowcountry sunset over the inlet and salt marshes.

Read more about Gulfstream Cafe →

Photo courtesy of Terry Massey

Enjoy the taste of an authentic, Lower Manhattan steakhouse in the heart of Myrtle Beach at New York Prime, which features first-class service and USDA-certified prime beef. Grilled Chilean sea bass is available for those with a taste for seafood, but beef is what New York Prime does best. Using only aged cuts, New York Prime prepares your steak to your specifications. Also famous for its a la cart menu, side items such as a giant baked potato or a plate of sauteed mushrooms and onions make for the perfect complement to a great meal. Be sure to check out the wine list.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: The best prime beef on the Grand Strand and a New York atmosphere make New York Prime the best.

Terry's expert tip: An extensive wine list makes for an excellent meal and experience.

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Photo courtesy of Terry Massey

This former oceanfront guest house became a temporary restaurant during renovations back in 1962. More than a half-century later, the Sea Captain's House is still serving award-winning dishes and offering excellent views of the Atlantic Ocean. Southern hospitality and cooking collide with fresh seafood at this tradition-rich establishment. From their famous seafood platters to their traditional Southern favorites like shrimp and grits, the Sea Captain's House offers a wide variety of dishes and flavors, even for those who don't like seafood. But the best part of the Sea Captain's House is the real estate location, location, location. Visitors can enjoy three meals a day and the best ocean view on the Strand.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Guests can relax on the back porch in swings overlooking the Atlantic Ocean - not a bad place to watch to be seated.

Terry's expert tip: Before or after dinner, enjoy a seat on the backporch swing and watch the waves roll in.

Read more about Sea Captain's House →

Photo courtesy of Frank's

Experience South Carolina Lowcountry cuisine and Southern hospitality under one roof - and beyond. Located in the historic seaside village of Pawleys Island, Frank's has earned such a reputation for its steaks and chops, shrimp and grits and other signature dishes that it expanded to form Frank's Outback, featuring outdoor seating under the stars and twisting live oaks. The more casual Frank's Out Back features the same classic American dishes with an emphasis on local seafood, plus unique items, like the tasty wood-fired pizzas. The daily specials are to die for, offering fresh catch seafood creations and prime cuts of beef.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: The table near the outdoor patio fireplace makes for a romantic evening outside in the offseason.

Terry's expert tip: The table near the outdoor patio fireplace makes for a romantic evening outside in the offseason.

Read more about Frank's Restaurant / Frank's Out Back →