International Restaurants Abound in Myrtle Beach: Smuggler's Den
Smuggler’s Den Offers Authentic English Fare
Myrtle Beach may be known for their seafood buffets and pancake houses, but the culinary scene in Myrtle Beach is so much more than that! The Beach is also home to so many international, authentic restaurants that bring culture and diverse flavors to our culinary scene. These restaurants are small and run by the people who pour their hearts into the food – and that’s when you know you’ve found a hidden gem.
Today we are visiting Smuggler’s Den and chatting with the owner, John McCann.
Smuggler’s Den is everything you would expect from a traditional British pub – transplanted to Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. The owner, John McCann of Manchester, England, opened the restaurant about four months ago to fill a void he saw in the community to gather, enjoy a game, a Guiness, and a delicious plate of pub-style English cuisine. But John is not new to the restaurant industry, he has been delighting the Grand Strand with his food for the past 10 years.
The menu includes English favorites such as fish and chips, a classic British breakfast, bangers and mash, and more. The fish and chips were cooked perfectly – and we can say here, the mushy peas are delicious. Try them when the next time you visit Smuggler’s Den!
John explained that the name, “Smuggler’s Den,” is an ode to “public houses” back in England, where people would meet either at the church or the pub in their town. Back in the day, smugglers would hide in caves along the coast with their bounty (usually gin or other types of alcohol), hence the name Smuggler’s Den – a place filled with mystique and fun.
The restaurant offers a happy hour menu with drinks named for British slang and they’ve added pool tables, among other new developments. You can easily spot the Smuggler’s Den by looking for a huge, lighted oak tree in the front of the restaurant!
Find the Smuggler's Den at: 4660 US-17, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Join us next week as we uncover more of Myrtle Beach’s International Gems. Until next time!
For more restaurants around the Grand Strand, check out our Food & Drink page or the blog.
Katie Hunter recently relocated to Myrtle Beach, SC, but she is a true South Carolinian at heart. Growing up in Charleston, SC and living in the SC Upstate, Katie cherishes the rhythm of southern hospitality and a refreshing sea breeze. Katie has written stories for her friends and family to enjoy ever since she was little and is excited to uncover everything that makes Myrtle Beach, The Beach. Katie loves baking, the beach, and her Clemson Tigers. She can often be found walking her black labrador retriever or checking out a new restaurant in the Grand Strand with her husband.