Award-Winning Restaurants in Central Myrtle Beach

There are thousands of restaurants on the Grand Strand to dig into, including an impressive round of those boasting awards worthy enough to make foodies fawn.

In fact, there are even so many of these top-notch eateries here in our parts that we’ve had to break them down into towns on the Strand, so it’s easier to digest. Here is what we (and the region/country) recommend for Central Myrtle Beach, from A to Z - divided by Local Award and National Awards, and some both. Keep reading to find some of the best restaurants in Myrtle Beach!

Nationally Recognized Restaurants

Aspen Grille

5101 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach

Awards: 2021 Wine Spectator Award, 2014 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, 2013 Choice Award for Top 100 American Fare Restaurant from OpenTable Diners, 2012 Best Romantic Restaurant from WMBF Best of the Grand Strand

About: This upscale restaurant marries prime steaks and seafood with Lowcountry dishes and local produce and ingredients.

Crave Italian Oven & Bar

5900 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach

Awards: 2021 USA Today 10 Best

About: This hip haunt thinks outside the typical pizza box, serving adventurous Italian specialties off of a rare, European-style marble slab oven.

Fire & Smoke Gastropub

411 79th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach

Awards: 2021 USA Today 10 Best

About: Don’t expect the predictable bar food here. Expect an extensive wine list, exceptional beer on tap, high-end tapas made from grilled and smoked meats, and in-house baked bread and cheese.

The Library

6613 North Kings Highway, Unit D, Myrtle Beach

Awards: 2021 USA Today 10 Best

About: It’s time to read up on The Library, a local landmark since 1974. Featuring classic European and Continental cuisine, the restaurant is fine dining at its finest, surrounded by shelves stocked with more than 7,000 books.

Mr. Fish Seafood Market & Grill

6401 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach

Awards: 2021 USA Today 10 Best

About: It’s all in the name here, as owner/fisherman Ted Hammerman (Mr. Fish) and daughter Sheina serve up creative, fresh fish dishes, sushi, soups, and more.

New York Prime

405 28th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach

Awards: 2021 USA Today 10 Best, Wine Spectator Award since 2018

About: Settle in here for the royal, New York treatment and the best USDA-certified prime beef on the beach.

Sea Captain’s House

3002 North Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach

Awards: Best Seafood Restaurant Four Years In A Row from Southern Living Magazine, 2015 Best Seafood Restaurant from Myrtle Beach Herald Readers’ Choice Awards, 2014 Best Place for Hushpuppies from The Sun News Best of the Beach, 2014 Best Place for Seafood from The Sun News Best of the Beach, 2014 Best Restaurant With A View from The Sun News Best of the Beach, 2012 Best Seafood from WMBF Best of the Grand Strand, Best of the Grand Strand – Dinner & A View from Grand Strand Magazine

About: An oceanfront tradition since the 1950s, Sea Captain’s has set the standard for fresh seafood, warm Southern hospitality, and some of the best views of the Atlantic.

 

Locally Recognized Restaurants

Angelo’s Steak & Pasta

2311 South Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach

Awards: 2015 Best Steakhouse from Myrtle Beach Herald Readers' Choice Awards, 2010-2014 Best Steakhouse from WMBF Best of the Grand Strand, 2012-2014, 2018-2020 Best Place for Steak from The Sun News

About: Open for more than 40 years, Angelo’s is home to the “Greatest Steaks in the Universe” (their tagline, but it’s for real) and one of the best, most affordable all-you-can-eat Italian buffets.

Chesapeake House

9918 US-17, Myrtle Beach 

Awards: 2021 Best of the Grand Strand – Dinner & A View from Grand Strand Magazine

About: This popular Restaurant Row has been around for more than 40 years, serving patrons fresh, local seafood with warm, Southern hospitality facing a delicious lake-front view.

Croissants Bistro and Bakery

8014 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach

Awards: 2015 Best Desserts from Myrtle Beach Herald Readers' Choice Awards, 2014 and 2021 Best of the Grand Strand Bakeries from Grand Strand Magazine, 2012 Best Desserts from The Sun News Best of the Beach, 2013 Best French Restaurant from WMBF Best of the Grand Strand, 2015 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence

About: Breakfast, brunch, and lunch is served at both Croissants locations, a local landmark for homemade soups, sandwiches, sweets, and coffees.

Drift – A local Eatery 

980 Cipriana Drive, Unit A-6, Myrtle Beach  

Awards: 2021 Best of the Grand Strand – New Restaurants from Grand Strand Magazine

About: Brunch and lunch are served here in this ultra-cool corner café in the Grande Dunes Marketplace, featuring a creative menu of egg scramblers, power bowls, grilled octopus, and more.

RipTydz

1210 North Ocean Blvd. Myrtle Beach 

Awards: Best of the Grand Strand – Dinner & A View from Grand Strand Magazine

About: This towering three-story open-air, oceanfront restaurant offers food and fun on every level, from the rooftop bar to the sand. Try any of their specialty cocktails, fresh seafood towers and steamers, sandwiches, burgers, or tacos. 

River City Café

Various Locations on the Grand Strand

Awards: 2021 Best of the Grand Strand – Laid Back Restaurants – from Grand Strand Magazine, 2014 Best Place for A Burger from The Sun News Best of the Beach, 2012 Best Burger from WMBF Best of the Grand Strand

About: River City is known to grill up the best burger combinations on the beach and throw in their homemade French fries and hand-dipped onion rings, while you throw peanut shells on the floor.