Myrtle Beach Restaurants

When it comes to Myrtle Beach dining, it sometimes seems bigger is better. Fresh seafood, steaks and pasta are served up in gargantuan portions at all-you-can-eat buffets, big-name chain restaurants and theme eateries. Of course, you can still find smaller restaurants that are unique to the area and family-owned diners offering fresh local seafood — but it helps to know where to look.

Sea Captain’s House
Address: 3002 North Ocean Boulevard
Cuisine: Seafood
Word of Mouth: “By the time we left, every table in the restaurant was already packed and there appeared to be quite a wait. However, you can wait in a great bar with live music or in the back outside area overlooking the beach/ocean, so the wait is actually nice. The food was incredible from the hushpuppies with which they start all the way to dessert. Loved the she crab soup and my crab-stuffed flounder. Service was exceptional, and the prices were great for the high quality of the meal.” — KCandAJ

Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse
Address: 2920 Hollywood Drive
Cuisine: Brazilian
Word of Mouth: “Rioz gives their guests a card that is red on one side and green on the other that informs the ‘butchers’ that you want more meat, and you want it now! I’m serious, as soon as that card is flipped to green these guys swarm around you like a fresh kill, offering you any and everything you want. All joking aside, I truly enjoyed the meal, as I was treated to all 15 different meats and a salad bar that is so much more than just your ‘fish camp’ salad bar, with fresh seafood and cheeses to name a few. I would recommend this as a must during any visit to Myrtle Beach.” — rbrownjr

City Bar Metropolitan Cuisine
Address: 7604 North Kings Highway
Cuisine: American, French, Seafood, Eclectic
Word of Mouth: “I am so happy we have found another unique place to eat in Myrtle Beach that isn’t a chain or crowded with mobs of people waiting in line to eat. The best part about their menu is that it is designed so that you can either order lots of very small portions or a regular dinner-size entree. Trying a little of everything was lots of fun and delicious! In addition to a fun menu, they also have a very inventive martini/drink menu. I ordered the strawberry basil martini and the black cherry mojito, and they were both GREAT!” — LRS0507

Villa Romana
Address: 707 South Kings Highway
Cuisine: Italian
Word of Mouth: “Excellent family-run restaurant. Pasta is homemade and very good, cooked perfectly. Frutti di Mare is the best dish in house, but there are lots of specials to choose from. Michael, the house accordion player, steals the show — he plays everything! Great food, great time, would go back.” — mooseson

Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Cafe
Address: 3044 Howard Avenue, Market Commons
Cuisine: Eclectic, Tropical
Word of Mouth: “This restaurant is absolutely marvelous! The island theme is wonderful, and the singer on the outside patio added to the tropical ambience. We had the bungalow salad, Little Palm Island pasta and the pina colada cake, and all were absolutely scrumptious, as were the drinks. The waitstaff is also outstanding — very friendly and informative.” — supreme1

Hard Rock Cafe
Address: 1322 Celebrity Circle
Cuisine: American, Hamburgers, Contemporary
Word of Mouth: “The twisted mac and cheese is like ‘fireworks’ going off in your mouth. … The quesadillas and nachos are an awesome way to start off, and the frozen drinks are tropical and satisfying. My boyfriend is so picky about his burgers, and he will always believe that Hard Rock at Myrtle Beach has the best burger anywhere and it’s always done right the first time! The decor is great, and I love the whole sphinx and pyramid jive. It totally ‘rocks’!” — RockinRoxy

Bimini’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Cafe
Address: 930 Lake Arrowhead Road
Cuisine: Seafood
Word of Mouth: “The fired oysters and fired shrimp were the best I have ever tasted. If you want a fancy restaurant, this is not your place. If you want great seafood in a very relaxed atmosphere, this is your place. During our visit to Myrtle Beach we ate here twice and would have eaten here a third time but they get very busy on weekends.” — bspotter4

For more Myrtle Beach restaurants, click here.