This Beach Town Is an Underrated Food Destination

The food may be a priority on this trip to Myrtle Beach, but you’ll want to pair all those flavorful meals with plenty of time on the beach. The best way to balance both is by choosing a well-appointed, centrally located resort, like Grande Shores Ocean Resort Grande Shores Ocean Resort on the northern end of Myrtle Beach or Holiday Pavilion Resort on the Boardwalk, as your base camp. Drop your bags and settle in at the beachfront property before snagging a to-go lunch from Sea Captain’s House. This iconic restaurant has been welcoming Myrtle Beach residents and visitors for more than 60 years, and it’s the perfect intro to the mouthwatering seafood you’ll find in this part of South Carolina. The she-crab soup and crab cake sandwich are particularly noteworthy.

After lunch, grab some sunscreen and settle into your beach chairs for some quality oceanfront time. Take a relaxing dip in the Atlantic or enjoy a thrilling afternoon of sailing or parasailing at Downwind Sails watersports.

Dinnertime is the perfect chance to explore the newly revitalized Arts + Innovation District of downtown Myrtle Beach. Choose among a selection of restaurants like Winna’s Kitchen for chef-driven eclectic cuisine, Boteco VIP for Brazilian comfort food, and the Tasting Room on 9th for a curated wine program and small plates. For dessert, try bubble waffle cones filled with distinctive flavors of ice cream at the Dolly Llama.

Finish your evening with a few rotations on the SkyWheel, the 200-foot observation wheel that anchors the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and offers especially delightful views when illuminated at night.

Get ready for a full day of adventure and good eats in Murrells Inlet, also known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” Before heading south to get there, stop into one of Myrtle Beach’s top brunch spots, Drift. The signature omelets, flame-roasted Fuji apple pancakes, or build-your-own breakfast sandwich should keep you satisfied for a while.

The Inlet Bird Watching Tour is one of the best ways to see the local natural beauty and learn more about the area’s wildlife. Guided by a marine biologist, the boating experience takes passengers through the saltwater marsh estuary, familiarizing them with the various marsh birds, migration patterns, and roles the animals play in the delicate ecosystem.

After disembarking, it’ll be time for happy hour, which runs from Monday through Friday from 4–7 p.m., at Southern Hops Brewing Company. Sip on the Inlet Haze if you prefer an IPA, or opt for the Non-Alcoholic Mango Dragonfruit Fruited Sour for a tangier alternative.

For dinner, it’s hard to pass up the lobster fries, raw bar sampler, and a hefty serving of peel-and-eat shrimp from The Claw House. Take an after-dinner stroll along the MarshWalk, a half-mile wooden boardwalk that’s the heart of Murrells Inlet. Delicious restaurants like Drunken Jack’s and hangouts featuring some of the Grand Strand’s best live music line the boardwalk.

The last full day of your long weekend is busy—so begin your day on the earlier side at the Myrtle Beach Blueberry’s Grill location. Ask for the blueberry hush puppies (an original recipe made with blue cornmeal and served with honey butter and blueberry compote) as your breakfast appetizer, and the Carolinian omelet, a meat-and-veggie-packed option, as your main course.

Next, squeeze in a couple of hours on the beach or by the resort pool. Or, if you’re feeling like a little fun, try a round at one of the more than 30 mini golf courses in the area. Known as the “Mini Golf Capital of the World,” Myrtle Beach leans into this classic, family fun activity with fantastic options like Jurassic Golf, the high-tech Popstroke—designed by Tiger Woods—and the over-the-top, mountainous Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf.

For lunch, head to Thorny’s, a locally owned and operated restaurant that dates to 1994. Here, it’s all about the delicious starters. Think fried pickle spears, potato skins, and buffalo shrimp.

The rest of your afternoon and night will be in the liveliest part of Myrtle Beach. Grand Strand Brewing Company, where you’ll go for pre-dinner drinks, is within walking distance of the 1.2-mile-long Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade.

Seafood World is also nearby, and there’s perhaps no better way to spend your last night in Myrtle Beach than tucking into the seafood and steak buffet, taking in the sights and sounds of the Boardwalk, and having a final hoorah at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar. As the name suggests, the dessert haven is renowned for its maximalist milkshakes topped with cookies, candies, and other sweets, such as donuts, waffles, slices of cheesecake, and cupcakes. There are even a couple of gluten-free and non-dairy options, too.

After checking out of your resort, venture up to North Myrtle Beach for a final day filled with fun. Johnny D’s Waffles and Benedicts (more info) will be your first stop—and yes, you’re going to want to order one of the creative waffles, such as the red velvet, the “cinnaroll,” or the funfetti. Sufficiently satisfied, get ready for one last trip to the beach.

Head north to laid-back Cherry Grove Beach, which centers around its Cherry Grove Fishing Pier (more info). Quieter shores make it an ideal spot for a final beach day filled with ocean breezes and good vibes.

For a quick lunch, check out the old-school deli counter at Boulineau’s IGA, which serves up hearty portions of southern favorites like chicken bog, fried fish, and collard greens. Or, if you still have time, shoot back down to Barefoot Landing (more info) and explore a bit more before a final meal at Crooked Hammock Brewery (more info), Greg Norman’s Australian Grille (more info), or the Big Chill Island House (more info).