Award-Winning Restaurants in North Myrtle Beach and Little River
There are thousands of places to eat 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 on the north end of the beach, from North Myrtle Beach to Little River, from A to Z and separated by nationally and locally recognized. Keep reading to discover some of the best restaurants in North Myrtle Beach.
Nationally Recognized Restaurants
21 Main Prime Steakhouse
719 North Beach Blvd., North Myrtle Beach
Awards: 2024 OpenTable Diners’ Choice, 2024 Best Upscale Classic & Specialty Cuisine from Grand Strand Magazine
About: Dinner at this steakhouse located on the North Beach Resort property is the main event anytime you dine here. Upscale abounds at 21 Main, from the award-winning chefs to the first-class service to the in-house sommelier. Whether your visit is an intimate dinner for two or a wedding reception for 200, this restaurant serves all guests with refined Southern hospitality.
Bistro 90
7209 SC-90, Longs
Awards: 2013-2023 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, 2024 OpenTable Diners’ Choice, 2024 Best Bistro from Grand Strand Magazine
About: This bistro may be off the beaten path of North Myrtle Beach’s main streets, but it’s definitely worth a trip for its all-prime, certified USDA Prime Grade dry-aged, boneless steaks hand-cut to order, award-winning wine list, and locally sourced ingredients throughout the menu.
The Brentwood Restaurant & Wine Bar
4269 Luck Ave., Little River
Awards: Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, 2023 OpenTable Diners’ Choice, Winner of Cooking Channel’s “Chef Swap at the Beach,” Season 3, 2024 Best Bistro from Grand Strand Magazine
About: The Brentwood Restaurant, located within a Victorian home that dates back to 1910, pays a beautiful culinary homage to France. Soak in the ambiance and the French-inspired dinner menus, and take part in the Wine Club, Ghost Dinner Tours, and more.
Greg Norman Australian Grille
4930 US-17 S, North Myrtle Beach
Awards: 2024 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, 2024 OpenTable Diners’ Choice, 2024 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, 2024 Best Dinner with a View from Grand Strand Magazine
About: Travel around the globe to Australia without leaving North Myrtle Beach with a visit to Greg Norman’s in Barefoot Landing. The waterfront flagship restaurant has been serving fabulous fare for brunch, lunch, and dinner since 1999 and continues to impress.
Locally Recognized Restaurants
Bar 19 Twelve
1912 Highway 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
Awards: 2021 Best New Restaurant from Grand Strand Magazine
About: This bar/lounge/restaurant oozes a sexy/swanky vibe inside a repurposed wedding chapel that overlooks the Azalea Sands Golf Club. You can’t go wrong with any of their hand-crafted cocktails and their menu of elevated tapas and pub grub.
Big Chill Island House
4736 Highway 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
Award: Best Dinner with a View from Grand Strand Magazine
About: This newer restaurant in Barefoot Landing will transport you to the islands in this massive, multi-level beach house-esque beauty that overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. Sip, sit back, and chill indoors or out, take in the live music, and enjoy the island-inspired food.
Brisket
1501 Highway 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
Award: 2024 Best Specialty Cuisine Restaurant from Grand Strand Magazine
About: Before you even step foot into Brisket, you can breathe in the savory smoke coming from their Texas-built hickory smoker. The rustic hangout prides itself on real, slow-smoked Texas barbecue, including brisket, pulled pork, chicken, ribs, and more.
Clark’s Seafood and Chophouse
720 US-17, Little River
Awards: 2021 Best Upscale Classics and 2024 Best Seafood from Grand Strand Magazine
About: Overlooking the picture-perfect Coquina Harbor in Little River, Clark’s is a landmark waterfront restaurant known for combining alfresco dining with a menu of upscale classics, such as fresh seafood and hand-cut USDA steaks.
Crooked Hammock Brewery
4924 Highway 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
Awards: 2021 Best Brewery/Distillery from WMBF
About: Don’t pass this off as just a brewery – it’s so much more for the entire family. There is a backyard of fun outdoor games and activities, and a long list of casual, creative fare to pair with your hand-crafted brews.
LuLu’s
4954 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach
Awards: 2021 Best Family-Friendly Restaurant from Grand Strand Magazine
About: This Barefoot Landing restaurant was built to celebrate family. Expect food, drinks, and fun for everyone, including a ropes course, a sand picnic and play area, an arcade, and killer views of the waterway.
The Parson’s Table
4305 McCorsley Ave., Little River
Awards: Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, 2021 and 2024 Best Specialty Cuisine Restaurant from Grand Strand Magazine
About: You’ll love the heavenly, historic charm of The Parson’s Table, set with the bones of the original home of the first Little River Methodist Church, built in 1885. Add to that the delicious dinner and wine menus, and you’ll be singing Hallelujah!
Rockefellers Raw Bar
3613 Highway 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
Award: Best Seafood by Grand Strand Magazine
About: Renowned for their steam kettles of Lowcountry boil combinations, Rockefellers has been centered on serving seafood specialties for the last 20 years. Locals and first-time visitors feel right at home at this casual restaurant and bar.
SeaBlue Restaurant and Wine Bar
501 Highway 17 N., North Myrtle Beach
Award: 2012-2023 Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator, 2024 Best Specialty Cuisine Restaurant from Grand Strand Magazine
About: Immerse yourself in a moody sea of blue ambiance surrounding SeaBlue. Choose from small plates to large steak or local-sourced seafood dinners rooted in classic French cooking with a contemporary American twist. The menu here rotates seasonally to keep your options fresh!
Ashley Daniels of Myrtle Beach is a full-time freelance writer, editor, wife, and mother of three sons and two fur babies. Most recently, she also became a published author of "100 Things to Do in Myrtle Beach Before You Die," part of a bestselling national series. A native of Eastern PA, Ashley received her bachelor’s in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh and her MA in Writing from Coastal Carolina University. Today, her folio boasts nearly 25 years of regional and nationally published printed magazine features, blogs, and web copy for a roster of clients, and ADDY award-winning copywriting. For more info, visit ashleymdaniels.com