Where the Locals Eat in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is one of those destinations so filled with restaurants, you just wish a local would tell you where to go—where they go when they want delicious seafood, steak, brunch, you name it. Look no further: Here’s where to eat in Myrtle Beach, aka the Grand Strand, according to an in-the-know local. 

Restaurant Row may be a Myrtle Beach attraction in and of itself, but here’s why you should ignore the hype and follow the locals to Myrtle Beach’s best restaurants.

If you’ve ever left a Grand Strand eatery wondering why you spent a ton of money on something so similar to what you can get at home, it’s simply because you didn’t know where to go. Naturally, you may be considering one of the area’s iconic restaurants like Paula Dean’s Family Kitchen, or perhaps one of the city’s popular dinner theaters. But I implore you to also try establishments associated with less hype and more homestyle cooking. After all, the South is famous for its cuisine, and Myrtle Beach is no exception. 

In Myrtle Beach, you can almost feel the demand for a great meal increasing every month. Even as a local, I find it difficult to keep up with every new shingle that pops out on Restaurant Row or Ocean Boulevard. Tourists love our beaches, our golf courses, and our theaters, but fantastic food is, and should be, one thing that’s expected by all who visit. If you’re in that camp, then knowing where the locals actually eat is an absolute must. Check out these can’t-miss restaurants in Myrtle Beach to ensure an unforgettable meal. 

*While reservations are not required in any of the following establishments, they are always recommended during the Grand Strand’s peak seasons: from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and Thanksgiving through New Year’s.

 

Chestnut Hill Restaurant: The Most Famous Restaurant You’ve Never Heard Of

Chestnut Hill doesn’t always come to mind first among Myrtle Beach tourists, and those who live here prefer it that way. This eatery doesn’t need to do much advertising: Locals fill the place every night and have done so for decades.

Chestnut Hill doesn’t use words like “fresh” and “homemade” indiscriminately—or without integrity—as certain other places do on The Strand.  

Each dinner on the restaurant’s generous menu is made to order, and the ingredients are indeed fresh and homemade. Chestnut Hill does not specialize in a specific type of food, but rather in serving excellent food all around.

Whether you want beef tips, lobster tail, veal (or eggplant) Parmesan, wild-caught Carolina white shrimp, or herb-roasted chicken, it will be prepared to your liking from the highest-quality regional ingredients available. Chris Lee, the owner and chef since 1987, makes sure of that. The atmosphere manages to be both high-class and homespun, and a friendlier staff you’ll never meet. 9922 N Kings Hwy, map

Joe’s Bar + Grill: Dine With a Bandit

Not many people realize you can dine with raccoons in Myrtle Beach, but that’s not the only reason this classy restaurant—with a very deceptive name—has been a locals’ favorite since 1994. Although its name conjures up images of a greasy spoon serving fatty burgers and day-old chili, in reality Joe’s Bar + Grill is a white tablecloth restaurant that treats all customers like family. 

This eatery is both upscale and casual, with an outdoor bar, a beautiful dining area overlooking a pretty marsh, and a handsome cocktail lounge with leather couches and oak coffee tables. But if you choose a window seat in the dining room, you’ll enjoy your meal with some of nature’s furry friends, as the restaurant is adjacent to its own Raccoon Cove Deck Bar.

Appropriate leftovers are given to these masked marauders, who chow down a few yards from the restaurant’s patrons—and in full view of diners through a large picture window. Perhaps on a technicality, we should add Joe’s Bar and Grill to the “Dinner and a Show” category.

Feast on Lowcountry-style crab cakes, shrimp and grits, or signature dishes like the prime rib au jus and shrimp and scallops Alfredo, which are in high demand throughout the year. 810 Conway St, North Myrtle Beach, map

Victoria’s Country Cookin’: Hold the Tux

If you’re wondering where the locals go for breakfast and lunch, it’s not IHOP or Jimmy John’s. Despite its outstanding reviews everywhere, Victoria’s Country Cookin’ goes entirely unnoticed by visitors unless you’re aware of its exact location. Otherwise, you’ll blink and miss it. 

Tucked in the heart of Myrtle Beach on a non-touristy street, Victoria’s offers genuine homemade breakfast and lunch items, which change daily. Fresh catfish, turkey and dressing, and mega-burgers all adorn the whiteboard throughout the week. A regular menu, plus super affordable specials, are available every day. The food is so good that locals (including myself) regularly beg the establishment to open for dinner.

Victoria’s best-loved dishes include the fish and chips and the baked spaghetti, but the hibachi chicken with white sauce—a creamy sweet-and-sour concoction—is not to be overlooked. From country-fried breakfast platters to omelets and egg plates, Victoria’s has morning fare to please everyone too, including dishes where traditional breakfast meats might be substituted for liver mush, fried bologna, or fatback.

Even the sides are unique—think pineapple salad, “corn nuggets,” fried squash—and the original desserts, like butterscotch cake and banana split pie, are delicious. A word to the wise, though: Don’t dress up. The other patrons may wonder what you’re up to. 1102 3rd Ave S, Myrtle Beach, map 

Winna’s Kitchen: A Delicious Mystery

Another hidden gem you’ll never find without a local’s help is Winna’s Kitchen. This family-owned and-operated eatery is unique in several ways, including its ever-changing menu. For instance, on Saturday nights, for a set price, the restaurant offers a four- or five-course chef’s tasting menu, usually with drink pairings, but it’s not released in advance.

Strawberry milk tea, cast-iron omelets (pictured), and Ricardo toast are popular breakfast favorites, but its so-called kitchen’s chicken—a juicy, organic chicken breast over potatoes that’s “the dish everyone in the kitchen loves”—and the tuna croquette are top selections for dinner.

If you’re looking for delicious, eclectic comfort food in a classy environment, don’t miss this one-of-a-kind establishment. 819 Main St, map

*Note: At the time of publishing, Winna’s is closed for renovations, but it will be back bigger and better in the spring of 2025.

Simply Southern Smokehouse: It is Your Grandma’s Barbecue

The word homestyle in the context of restaurants tends to be overused—often what you’ll discover on those menus is the same commercial food everyone else makes. But not so at Simply Southern Smokehouse. Here you will be reminded of your grandmother’s home cooking (assuming Grandma was a great cook!). Tucked one block off busy route 17, it might as well be in a different county: It looks like an old farmhouse surrounded by trees in an area that, if you didn’t know better, you’d swear was rural.

The buffet is not extensive, but everything on it is a winner. It’s perfect for when you want a buffet-style meal, but don’t want to feel like you need an Uber to get from one end of it to the other. Each item is made to a specific recipe; you’ll find fried chicken and catfish, smoked pulled pork, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and a broad range of fresh vegetables and side dishes. 

Among the many sauces at this eatery, I highly suggest the unique golden barbecue sauce, a blend of Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and apple cider vinegar. The food is always hot, and beverages and dessert are included in the price, which is uncommon for most Myrtle Beach buffets. Don’t leave without trying the peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

Tables are spaced well, so you never feel crowded, and Simply Southern Smokehouse has the added distinction of featuring waiters and waitresses who burst into song at unexpected times–and they can actually sing! 1913 Mr. Joe White Ave, map

Thoroughbreds Chophouse: Five-Star Steaks

Perhaps you’ve visited Broadway at the Beach, walked the boardwalk, took in a show, splashed in the waves, and are now looking for a delicious meal in quiet, upscale surrounds. If that’s you, head straight for Thoroughbreds Chophouse for steaks that you will want to write home about. This fine-dining restaurant specializes in made-to-order butcher block selections of unparalleled quality, but they also offer unforgettable seafood and pasta options.

The atmosphere is refined yet cozy, and you’ll soon forget that the boisterous Grand Strand is literally right outside the door. Specialties include prime chophouse ribeye, seared lamb chops, and the chef’s signature lobster tail with grilled asparagus; among the winning appetizers are its angels on horseback (giant bacon wrapped scallops with bourbon glaze), escargot, and French onion soup; and do not, repeat do not, skip the dessert cart! With a reputation for excellence for nearly 30 years, Thoroughbreds ensures each patron leaves satisfied. 9706 N Kings Hwy, map

These are only six of my favorite Myrtle Beach restaurants, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg. A longer piece might include other great local-approved eateries such as old-school Sea Merchants for seafood and steak, and Sugrue’s Pub + Eatery for very well-executed (and inexpensive) comfort food and pub grub, both in North Myrtle Beach. Keep it local in and around Myrtle Beach and you’ll keep your taste buds happy.

About the author: Jesse Broadt has been a professional web content writer since 2004 and specializes in travel. After ditching the chilly Northeast for points further south, she took a temporary job writing ads for a travel agency, which quickly parlayed into the freelance career she still enjoys today.

Featured photo courtesy of Dan J/Flickr