A Local’s Guide to Myrtle Beach
After living in the Grand Strand for almost two years, I’ve compiled a local’s guide to Myrtle Beach with some of my “best of” recommendations. With over 2,000 restaurants, there’s a lot to choose from! Having been my first time living in a popular tourist town, it took a little bit of getting used to. With that being said, during the high tourist seasons – we personally try to avoid some of the most touristy spots in the city (more on that below) + try to make reservations or be aware of longer waits at restaurants.
There’s no doubt that Myrtle Beach (MB) is a popular vacation spot – with more visitors per year than Disney World! The peak tourist season is during the summer – typically May through September. The bike weeks fall in May + October. However, it’s also a popular area for golfers to visit in the spring and fall… so really it stays pretty busy all year round with the exception of a couple months in the winter.
The Grand Strand is made up of a few different regions… I like to think of it as:
North Myrtle Beach: A little bit of a slower paced area + more family friendly, with a cute downtown. They also have different events during the warmer months like the Music on Main concert series.
Myrtle Beach: The center of the action + is further divided into different areas.
North: 80th ave – approximately 60th ave offers more residential areas + quieter beaches. Features the Golden Mile (more on that later)
Central: Below 50th ave + a busy vacation area with a variety of resorts. Home to Broadway at the Beach.
South/Board Walk (below 16th ave): Very touristy, more nightlife + action
Carolina Forest: Located west of the intercoastal waterway + a growing residential area
Conway: Located more inland + it’s a less touristy area, more residential. Home to Coastal Carolina. It also has a cute little downtown area
Murrells Inlet/Pawleys Island: A beautiful vacation spot that is less hectic than MB. More family friendly, great restaurants, quieter beaches but less choices, action + nightlife.
Georgetown: Located farthest south, it’s a more residential area with a cute downtown, restaurants, + nice waterfront area.
BEST OF: Restaurants
For the purposes of this guide, I will focus primarily on the Myrtle Beach area! I will highlight nearby other areas in future posts.
Breakfast/Brunch:
Eggs Up – a local chain, founded in Pawleys Island. Delicious breakfast + brunch in a clean, modern environment. They have a fun “egg counter” on the wall of each location with a running total of the number of eggs they’ve used in the restaurant!
Blueberry’s Grill – a cozy spot for breakfast or brunch. Two locations: one in Barefoot Landing and another in Myrtle Beach. They have wide range of menu options!
Earth Café – A favorite spot for breakfast or lunch. Mediterranean inspired menu. The food is consistently fresh + delicious. They have a variety of breakfast options, salads, sandwiches, soups, fresh juices + coffee drinks.
Drift – Love this spot for breakfast in a fun, modern environment. It gets busy in the summer so be prepared for a wait!
Donald’s Pancake House – There are too many pancake houses along the Strand to count but Donald’s stands out. Although the atmosphere was nothing special, the food was delicious!
10 Fold Biscuits – The most delectable biscuits you’ll ever eat! We’re talking fried chicken, fried shrimp, sunny side up eggs, sausage patties ON your biscuit.
Croissants Bistro & Bakery – Consistently fresh + quality food. They have a selection of bakery items – like their cinnamon bun minis! But also have a great selection of food items, like their yogurt bowl, freshly cooked eggs, pancakes, + Bananas Foster French toast, smoothies, soups, salads + more!
Bagel Port Cafe + Deli – A simple bagel spot but one of the best we’ve found in the area + it’s always busy!
Zardin– A great spot for healthy faves including toasts, sandwiches + salads, + more!
Tupelo Honey – A Carolina classic serving up some of the southern faves, located in Market Common.
Mexican
Sol y Luna – Located in Carolina Forest; Serving up a large menu of Mexican – American favorites. They have a different happy hour deal every night!
Chile Frito – Consistently good, more authentic food in a comfortable atmosphere! Located in Carolina Forest so it’s located a little bit more inland. Don’t be deceived by the location in a shopping mall!
Fiesta Mexicana – Your classic Mexican restaurant but make it fun! There is often a live DJ or music – it’s a great spot for the whole family. Located by the beach, it gets busy especially during the summer!
Banditos Cantina – Located right on the beach, it’s a great spot for a good meal with a view! Definitely in the more touristy area of the beach so it gets busy + parking in the area is limited.
American
44 & King – A consistently great spot with high quality food. They have a wide range of menu options, with a particular interest in southern specialties. We’ve never had a bad meal here! They also have a great bar with seating availale inside + outside.
The Sneaky Beagle – A great casual spot for the whole family, including the pup! They have a good selection of burgers, sandwiches + the biggest build your own salads. Located in Carolina Forest – Seating is available inside, outside + at the bar. It can get busy but it’s worth the wait.
Hook + Barrel – Sister restaurant to Croisstants Bistro!
Cypress Grill – Another great spot with consistently great, high quality food. Comfortable atmosphere with both indoor + outdoor seating & a nice bar.
Crooked Hammock – a restaurant + brewery with a fun gazebo set over the water.
Italian
Capriccio – One of our favorite spots for delicious Italian! A comfortable, casual environment but the food is delicious. We especially love the pizza, but the pasta dishes are also great.
Lombardos
Sole – Great authentic Italian. Although the atmosphere leaves more to be desired.
Indulge Italian Eatery – A fun new Italian spot, located in Carolina Forest. A fun, modern atmosphere with a great drink list + a good selection of pasta dishes. I loved the Italian Mule – made with limoncello.
Asian
Dragon Pan (take away) – Located in Carolina Forest + known for it’s prepared to order Chinese takeout. Call ahead of time because there is usually a long wait!
PF Changs – A classic – located in Market Commons.
Pho Claire – Traditional Vietnamese in a modern atmosphere.
Coffee Shops
C3 Coffee Co + The Rustic Roast are located in Conway. Both are great spots to grab a drink, a bite to eat to go or stay + get some work done!
Birchin Lane Coffee Company – Coffee Shop & coffee roaster
Grand Strand Coffee – Family owned, located in Market Common area
Le Bon Cafe & Bakery – Grab a cup of coffee + enjoy an authentic french baguette or pastry!
Croissants Bistro & Bakery – Stop by + grab a cup of coffee or stay for their delicious food. They have a selection of bakery items – like their cinnamon bun minis! But also have a great selection of food items, like their yogurt bowl, freshly cooked eggs, pancakes, + Bananas Foster French toast, smoothies, soups, salads + more!
Although not locally owned, one of my favorite Starbucks locations is located at 1410 N Ocean Blvd + has beautiful oceanfront views! Be aware that it is not a corporate store (therefore cannot do mobile order, use your stars, etc).
Acai, Fresh Juice, + More
Kosta Bowls – A cute little spot for acai or oatmeal bowls + smoothies. It’s the perfect stop after a long day in the sun!
Lekker Eats – A great spot if you’re looking for a fresh, healthy bite to eat. Acai bowls, salads, toast, smoothies, + more.
LoLeo Juice Bar – Stop by for a cold pressed juice, smoothie, toast, adaptogen latte.
The Wellness Bar – Cold pressed juice bar
BEST OF: ACTIVITIES
Beach
One of my favorite areas to access the beach is along what they refer to as Golden Mile. The beach is less populated, lined with only private beachfront homes + no hotels or resorts. It technically runs from 31st ave North to 52nd ave North, but I also find the beaches pretty empty up to 69th ave.
Beach Parking: There are parking lots with beach access located all along the beach. You have to pay to park from March 1st to October 31st (9a-12a) either through the Park Mobile app – which is super convenient because you don’t even have to get out of your beach chair to add time to your meter, or the kiosks that are located in the lot. You can also buy a seven day visitor parking pass for $50. More information is located here.
Shopping
Tanger Outlets: Great spot to find some good deals! There are two locations – one off of highway 17, the other off highway 501.
Market Common – A nice outdoor, upscale shopping center with restaurants, shops, bowling alley, movie theater + outdoor activities. During the summer, they host a farmers market on Saturday mornings. There are also a few nearby parks + trails for outdoor activities.
Find their live music + event schedule here.
Barefoot Landing – A fun spot for shopping, dining, drinking + live music located around a central pond. It’s a family friend spot with fun games outside for the kids. One of my favorite spots is Crooked Hammock – a restaurant + brewery with a gazebo bar featuring fun swing seats! Definitely a busy + touristy area during high season.
Breweries + Nightlife
Atlas Tap House – An old house turned laid back bar. Just a few blocks off the beach but definitely more of a locals spot. They often have live music on weekends & have both indoor + outdoor seating areas.
Grand Strand Brewing – Family friend brewery located close to the beach. They have indoor + outdoor seating with a variety of fun games for the whole family.
Crooked Hammock – Located in Barefoot Landing. Variety of seating options, including a gazebo that hangs over the water + has swing seats. There is also indoor + outdoor table seating. They have great food as well!
Tidal Creek – Located in Market Common, featuring both coffee + beer in a nice laidback atmosphere. They occasionally have food trucks but also have a menu of their own.
RipTydz – A fun beachfront bar, often with live music. More of a touristy spot along the Strand but love sitting outside when the weather is nice! Highly recommend using Uber/Lyft as parking + traffic can be a bit of a hassle.
Tin Roof – Just a few doors down from RipTydz, another fun spot along the Strand. They have a few different bars, each with unique vibes: one with outdoor seating, another with a live band (typically country), + a third bar with a live DJ. They often charge a cover at the door + I also recommend using Uber/Lyft to avoid parking + traffic.
Black Drum Brewing – Coming soon as the areas newest addition! It’s going to be a beachfront brewery featuring beers local to North + South Carolina, along with a southern inspired menu.
Fitness
Unfortunately, the area is lacking on boutique fitness + spin studios. There is Orange Theory, as well as a few chain gyms (Planet Fitness).
Sweat Republic is a local gym, located in Carolina Forest + hosts a variety of different exercise classes.
Yoga in Common – I haven’t been able to check out this studio yet but have heard great things + they offer a good number of classes throughout the day!
Real Hot Yoga – Another local studio that I have yet to try but have heard good things if you’re considering hot yoga.
Yoga in the Yard – Crooked Hammock Brewery also offers yoga on Sunday mornings from 10-11am. It costs $15, which includes a beer after class! For more information + to reserve your spot, visit their website.
There are also a surprisingly good number of trails in the area for running, walking or biking!
The Hulk Trail – You’ll forget you’re close to the beach when you’re on The Hulk! There are a few different trails (find them here on the map) on 72 acres of land that runs along the intercoastal waterway. The longest of which is 7 miles long. Very well maintained, but definitely a more advanced hilly trail. It’s a popular spot for runners, walkers, or mountain bikers!
The Hulk also connects to the East Coast Greenway right across the street!
Marina Parkway – A 3.8 mile paved trail starting at the Grand Dunes Marina + runs along the intercoastal waterway.
Trail around Market Common: A 5.6 mile path that is flat + paved.
Myrtle Beach State Park: 312 acre park with a variety of different activities from fishing on the pier, to hiking, biking, or even camping. They do charge a small admission fee.
Spa
Celestial Spa – Admittedly the only spa that I’ve been to in this area but I had a great experience getting a massage + the staff was very accommodating.
Dog Park
Barc Parc has two locations:
Barc Parc North – located off of highway 17, close to Carolina Forest + next to the Claire Chapin Epps YMCA. A little bit smaller than South with 3.3 acres of play area.
Barc Park South – located closer to the Market Common – 14 acres of dog park with a large lake for your pup to swim!
Both parks feature separate large + small dog parks.
Miscellaneous
Mini golf – There is a different mini golf course on every corner + it’s always a fun activity for the whole family! Highly recommend using a coupon – they can almost always be found online or in the small coupon books that are available at most grocery stores/hotels/etc.
Brookgreen Gardens – Located in Murrells Inlet. Named one of the top 10 gardens in the US – but it’s not like any garden I’ve ever seen! Learn about the local Lowcountry history, explore the botanical gardens, admire the sculptures, or take a boat ride to learn more about the history of the historic rice fields. If you find yourself in the area between November-January, consider the Nights of a Thousand Lights event – but beware, the tickets sell out fast!
Downtown Conway – A cute little area to check out. Depending on when you’re in town, they have a bunch of different events. For example, in October, they become the “City of Halloween”, in December they have the city of lights.
Want to avoid some of the touristy areas, especially during peak season? My main piece of advice would be to try to venture more inland (even just 5-8 minutes!) + you’ll find yourself in more residential, local hot spots… such as Conway & Carolina Forest. Here’s a list of my recommendations to avoid:
- Broadway at the Beach + Barefoot Landing have a lot to offer in the way of restaurants, shops, + activities but they get incredibly busy. Not to mention, you’ll be paying tourist prices.
- The Boardwalk area: I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been to this area since living here. The traffic gets to be crazy + the sidewalks are packed with visitors.
Plan ahead when it comes to restaurants + activities. If possible, make a reservation to avoid long waits.