Great new spots for food lovers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Myrtle Beach area received several new accolades in 2018 including being ranked by Google as the “Third Most Searched Travel Destination in the World”, one of the Travel Channel’s “Best East Coast Beaches” and a “Top 10 Beach Town with the Highest Quality of Life” by Coastal Living, but did you know that the resort has an ever-evolving food scene? Here are great places to look out for on your next visit.

Barefoot Landing new restaurant district

A new restaurant district has opened in the Barefoot Landing shopping and entertainment complex in North Myrtle Beach. The district is called Dockside Village and features waterfront dining along the Intracoastal Waterway as well as new outdoor attractions and live music. It is anchored by Lulu’s restaurant, owned by musician Jimmy Buffet’s sister, Lucy. The restaurant offers live nightly music, a large sandy beach area, and a ropes climbing course, arcade and other activities in the 20,000 square-foot-space. Additional new restaurants include Taco Mundo Kitchen Y Cantina (Mexican) and Blueberry’s Grill (creative breakfast and lunch fare).

Broadway at the Beach new food spots

A few new epicurean spots have opened or are planning to open at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach. Recent openings include the Doughnuttery, an innovative, family-owned doughnut shop and Tipsy Scoop, an alcohol infused ice cream and sorbet shop. New restaurants coming this summer include Bar Louie and MELT. Bar Louie, the nation’s hottest Gastrobar, is dedicated to revolutionizing the guest dining experience and serves shareable, chef-inspired grub, craft cocktails and local beers. MELT will be a lunch, dinner and late-night spot to eat featuring an industrial style feel and a brick oven focal point to welcome people in. The menu consists of handcrafted grilled sandwiches and wood-fired pizza with every recipe used, unique to their own.

Carolina Food Tours

A new food tour option is available in the Myrtle Beach area. Corina Whitehead, owner of Carolina Food Tours has opened new food tour locations in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Conway. The guided food tours last between two and a half to three hours and include three to four restaurant stops along with historical background of the area. Tours are currently offered in Murrells Inlet, Georgetown and Pawley’s Island. Prices range from $70 to $100 a person.

Crepe Creation Café expansion

Crepe Creation Café, located in the Market Common district of Myrtle Beach recently expanded adding a full bar and new menu items. A new daily happy hour has been added as well as new breakfast items including eggs, omelets and French entrées.

Lucy Buffet’s Lulu’s to open a Sky Trail ropes course

Lucy Buffet’s Lulu’s restaurant located inside Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach opened a new Sky Trail Ropes Course to the complex in February 2019. The tropical-themed 48-feet tall Sky Trail is named LuLu’s Mountain of Youth. With its splashy color scheme of hot pink, turquoise and yellow, it’s sure to catch the eye of diners. It includes 26 elements to challenge children and adults. Among them are lily pad stepping stones and a tippy version of ‘walk the plank’.

Ms. Margaret’s Soul Food

Located in historic Conway, Ms. Margaret’s Soul Food Restaurant and catering recently opened, serving up traditional southern and Gullah dishes native to the African-American history of the region. The restaurant offers daily lunch and dinner specials serving regional favourites like chicken bog and staples like fried chicken and flounder. All of the ingredients are fresh and sweet tea is included in the meal price.

Reynolds by the Ocean

A new music-themed restaurant has opened at the former location of The Library restaurant in downtown Myrtle Beach. P. Reynolds by the Ocean features live jazz music and Cajun French style cuisine. Owner Patrice Reynolds, who is also a musician and playwright, hosts an open jazz night where local musicians can sign up to play. Other nights are filled with local and out-of-state recording artists. The venue has 61 seats and can be changed to theater-style seating or restaurant seating.

Sea Captain’s House new outside bar

The iconic Sea Captain’s House restaurant in Myrtle Beach is expanding with a brand new outdoor bar. The area is currently being constructed in the shape of a ship deck with the bar in the middle. The sails and masts are part of the bar. It will overlook the ocean. It is expected to be completed by Summer 2019.

Sweet & Sour Asian Kitchen

In early 2019, local restaurateur Greg Pranzo opened Sweet & Sour Asian Kitchen in the Grande Dunes Marketplace in Myrtle Beach. The restaurant will feature an eclectic blend of Asian cuisines with many options served on shareable plates. It will also include unique cocktails, rice and noodle combinations plus classic signature sushi rolls.

Tidal Creek Brewhouse

A new brewery is planned to open in the Market Common district of Myrtle Beach in the fall of 2019 named Tidal Creek Brewhouse. It will be owned by Myrtle Beach entrepreneur, Michael Grossman who has been in the beer brewing industry for over 23 years. Myrtle Beach currently has three brew pubs and one production brewery.

Twelve 33 Distillery

The Myrtle Beach area’s first craft distillery opened in Little River in May 2019. Named Twelve 33 after the end of prohibition in the U.S. in December 1933, the distillery opened in a former beachwear store location and is now full with an infusion room for spirits and a hidden speakeasy. The owners are a husband and wife couple originally from California that decided the Myrtle Beach area would be the best location to open. They are currently making vodka, rye whiskey, bourbon whiskey and rum.

La Vinotinto Venezuela Restaurant

A new South American restaurant has opened in downtown Myrtle Beach named La Vinotinto. The restaurant offers dishes from Venezuela and Columbia and plans to also offer dishes from Peru. Classic dishes include Pabellon Criolla; a shredded beef, rice and beans dish, and Reina Pepiada; bread filled with chicken and avocado.

Uncommon Chocolatier

A new local chocolate shop has opened in the Market Common district of Myrtle Beach. Uncommon Chocolatier specializes in made-from-scratch, gourmet fudge and other specialty chocolates. Using only fresh ingredients, they have over 100 flavors of fudge available from gluten-free to sugar-free to vegan.

Wicked Tuna second location

Wicked Tuna, which is a restaurant in Murrells Inlet, the seafood capital of South Carolina, is opening a second location in the heart of Myrtle Beach. The restaurant is going to take over the top two floors of the three-story 2nd Avenue Pier. The owners have signed a 20-year lease on the building and is projected to open by June 2019. This location will be open from morning through the night with a breakfast menu, live music and creative cocktail selection. The owners own two fishing boats and contract with seven others to provide fresh seafood for diners.