9 Best Restaurants in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, South Carolina

It's closed at lunchtime and on Sunday; it doesn't take reservations or have a view, but nobody fries up a mess of seafood like Lee's, which is something the restaurant has been doing since 1948. Even the biggest eaters will get their fill when they order the Shore Dinner: fried or broiled flounder, shrimp, oysters, scallops, deviled crab, and lobster, along with a shrimp cocktail, clam chowder, hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw. Sure, you can get your fish broiled or grilled, but why mess with deep-fried perfection?

The windowed porch overlooking the ocean houses the best seats at this nautical-themed restaurant in a 1930s beach cottage (unless it's a perfect spring or fall day to sit outside in the ocean breeze). Menu highlights include sautéed crab cakes and jambalaya; it's the rare Myrtle Beach seafood restaurant that offers vegetarian and gluten-free menus. The fireplace inside the wood-panel dining room is a warm welcome on cool off-season evenings. Breads and desserts are baked on the premises; save room for a slice of cheesecake du jour.

It's a heavenly experience at this Little River staple housed in an old country church that dates back to 1885. Renowned chef-owner Ed Murray Jr. brings the finest steaks and local seafood and produce to the table. You'll be praying for more after you try Murray's marvel of meats, like prime rib and braised short ribs. Stained-glass windows add to the charm.

This local favorite serves dishes that give traditional cooking methods and ingredients a new twist. The former 1930s grocery store now offers a fine dining experience with wood floors, framed French posters, and cozy fireside seating. Diners indulge in large portions of fish, seafood, beef, and lamb cooked over an oak-burning grill. Behind Frank's is the casual (but still pricey) Outback, a lush candlelit garden with a huge stone fireplace. Enjoy a before- or after-dinner drink at Outback's bar. Heaters will keep you warm in winter.

Overlooking the intracoastal waterway, this large restaurant in Barefoot Landing has leather booths, Australian Aboriginal art on the walls, an extensive wine list, and an outdoor patio with a firepit. The menu features grilled meats and seafood, and many of the selections have an Asian flair. The Australian rock lobster is a highlight, but the Australian theme comes through more strongly in the decor and the Greg Norman merchandise for sale than in the food.

Enjoy Sampit River views from most tables at this upscale spot that's especially romantic at night, when the oil lamps and brass fixtures cast a warm glow on the dark wood and brick interior of the early-20th-century building. Menu highlights include chargrilled fish (especially the Carolina grouper), Cajun fried oysters, seafood pastas, and steaks. For lunch you can have the chef's specialty of shrimp and grits or your choice of sandwiches and salads.

Don't let the strip-mall location put you off; this restaurant's seafood and locally sourced entrées stand out. Blue mood lighting, a glowing aquarium, and abstract art combine to give this restaurant more of a Miami Beach than Myrtle Beach feel. The VIP vibe begs a martini, and the extensive wine list includes flights and wines by the glass. Dine on dishes like shrimp and grits with crispy prosciutto, organic local chicken breast with whipped potatoes and French beans, or chocolate chili-dusted duck breast with roasted pineapple and habanero glaze. The swanky blue-tiled bar hops on Friday nights, and there's a patio for outdoor seating, albeit facing a parking lot.

Whether you choose to sit inside the contemporary confines of this classy waterfront restaurant or outside at the tropical-tiki Raw Bar, you can't go wrong with atmosphere or cuisine. The menu features seafood and sushi, as well as Lowcountry-inspired dishes.