10 Best Restaurants in North Myrtle Beach

Restaurants in North Myrtle Beach are famous for their focus on fresh seafood, their scenic waterfront locations, and their ability to cater to a large tourist population with satisfying, approachable food. The area is known for its "Calabash-style" fried seafood and for upscale dining experiences with views of the Intracoastal Waterway or the ocean. Establishments are celebrated for providing a complete vacation dining experience, from casual family-friendly seafood shacks to high-end steakhouses and lively entertainment complexes like Barefoot Landing.

The most common types of restaurants found in North Myrtle Beach are seafood-focused eateries and casual American grills, reflecting the city's coastal setting and its status as a popular family vacation destination. These spots offer a range of experiences, from a laid-back meal after a day at the beach to a more polished dinner outing. The different types of restaurants commonly found in North Myrtle Beach are listed below.

• Seafood-Focused Eateries: This is a dominant category, with countless restaurants serving fresh catches from the Atlantic. Places like Flying Fish Public Market and The Shack offer everything from raw bars to classic Calabash-style fried seafood platters.
• Steakhouses: Upscale steakhouses are a popular choice for special occasion dining. Establishments like 21 Main at North Beach and SeaBlue Restaurant & Wine Bar serve prime cuts of beef in elegant settings.
• Casual American Grills and Pubs: These restaurants serve familiar comfort food, burgers, and a selection of beers in a relaxed, often waterfront, atmosphere. Boardwalk Billy’s is a prime example of this style.
• Southern/Diners: Historic diners and restaurants serving classic Southern home-style cooking are a key part of the local food identity. Hoskins Restaurant, open since 1948, is a famous example.
• Italian-American Restaurants: North Myrtle Beach has a large number of casual, family-friendly Italian-American restaurants serving familiar favorites like pizza and pasta, such as Benny's Trattoria.

Yes, North Myrtle Beach has several authentic restaurants, proven by their long histories, their use of traditional family recipes, and their focus on specific regional food styles. Hoskins Restaurant is an authentic Southern diner, demonstrated by its continuous operation since 1948 and its simple, unchanging menu of classic home-style breakfast and lunch specials. The Shack is an authentic Carolina seafood restaurant, known for its no-frills, traditional Calabash-style fried platters. Benny’s Trattoria also proves its authenticity with its intimate setting and a menu focused on specific Northern Italian recipes.

Yes, there are vegan options in restaurants in North Myrtle Beach, with the most common being salads, vegetable side dishes, and some customizable items. While the area is not known for a large number of exclusively vegan restaurants, many establishments can accommodate plant-based diets. For a dedicated experience, diners can visit restaurants that focus on fresh, modern food, like a build-your-own bowl spot. In other restaurants, like Taco Mundo Kitchen y Cantina, it is often possible to create a vegan meal by ordering vegetable fajitas or tacos without cheese and sour cream.

Yes, many restaurants in North Myrtle Beach offer gluten-free options, with the most common being grilled seafood, steaks, and salads. The high concentration of seafood and steakhouse restaurants makes finding naturally gluten-free main courses straightforward. Establishments like Greg Norman Australian Grille or 21 Main at North Beach can serve their fresh fish and steaks grilled without gluten-containing sauces. Many chefs in the area's upscale restaurants are accustomed to handling dietary requests and can modify dishes. Some restaurants may also offer gluten-free buns or pasta upon request.

The signature dishes at the best restaurants in North Myrtle Beach often highlight fresh Atlantic seafood, prime steaks, and classic Southern comfort food. From Calabash-style fried shrimp to upscale steak preparations, these dishes represent the coastal Carolina food experience. The most notable signature dishes are listed below.

• Fresh Seafood Platters: A staple of the area, many restaurants like The Shack are known for their generous platters of fried, broiled, or steamed seafood, often including flounder, shrimp, and oysters.
• Prime Rib: A classic steakhouse favorite, slow-roasted Prime Rib is a signature entree at upscale establishments like Greg Norman Australian Grille and Joe's Bar and Grill.
• Shrimp & Grits: While not listed for a specific restaurant in the top 10, this quintessential Southern dish is a signature item at many high-quality restaurants in the region, showcasing local shrimp.
• Filet Mignon or Prime Steaks: High-quality beef is a signature at the area's fine dining spots, with the 8oz. Linz Farms Filet Mignon at SeaBlue and the Prime Tomahawk Ribeye at 21 Main being key examples.
• Raw Oysters: Served on the half shell, raw oysters are a signature offering at casual waterfront spots like Boardwalk Billy’s, highlighting fresh coastal products.
• Build Your Own Boil: An interactive and shareable meal featuring various shellfish, corn, potatoes, and sausage, this is a signature experience at Flying Fish Public Market and Grill.
• Lasagna: A classic Italian-American comfort food, this is a signature dish at many of the area's popular Italian restaurants, including Benny's Trattoria.

Yes, North Myrtle Beach enjoys food, with a strong focus on dining as a central part of the vacation experience. The city's food culture is not defined by experimental or avant-garde trends, but by a deep appreciation for fresh seafood, classic American and Southern comfort food, and providing a satisfying meal for families and visitors. The sheer number of restaurants, from casual seafood shacks and historic diners to upscale steakhouses, proves that dining out is a major activity. The consistent popularity of long-standing institutions like Hoskins Restaurant and The Shack shows a loyalty to well-executed, traditional food.

The average meal price for restaurants in North Myrtle Beach can range from $15 to over $150 per person. At a casual diner or a family-style seafood shack like Hoskins or The Shack, a person can expect to spend between $15 and $35 for a full meal. For a mid-range, upscale-casual restaurant, especially one in a popular area like Barefoot Landing, the price is often between $40 and $80 per person. At high-end, fine dining establishments such as SeaBlue Restaurant & Wine Bar or 21 Main at North Beach, the cost for a meal will start at $75 and can easily exceed $150 per person with multiple courses and wine.