Bring Your Flip-Flops To Myrtle Beach | Listen

Myrtle Beach makes old-school beach tourism affordable, fun, and delicious

Myrtle Beach is the fun aunt of South Carolina. She keeps it casual, and she might be a little well worn, but she’s going to show you a good time—and you’ll probably get the chance to do something you’ve never tried before. Some serious upgrades to the food and beverage scene in the region are underlined by a foundation of fresh-caught seafood and local pride that have always existed sanspretention. So break out your flip-flops and get ready to experience South Carolina’s coast from a whole new point of view.

Delicious Dining

The Grand Strand refers to the 60 miles of beach along the northern South Carolina coast that encompasses parts of Georgetown and Horry counties. Along that stretch are some of the most beautiful and accessible beaches the Palmetto State has to offer—but what you might not know is that the area is home to a growing arts and culinary scene. The historic Arts & Innovation District is a key location in the revitalization of the area, offering art galleries, Airbnb lodging, and some great places to eat in a walkable space.

Begin with The Tasting Room on 9th, a new concept from longtime local and pedigreed chef Jamie Daskalis, who also carries on her family tradition from Johnny D’s Waffles and Benedicts, where her red velvet waffles are on Food Network Magazine’s Best in the US list. At The Tasting Room, Daskalis pairs bites and boards with unique wines in an inclusive atmosphere.

Nearby, Winna’s Kitchen, named after owner Jess Sagun’s mother, serves “relaxed, elevated comfort food,” which means hand-rolled pasta and steak, meat and potatoes, and chocolate torte, plus a selection of lighter options like salads and wraps. Winna’s also serves The Number One, a donation of as little as $5 that provides a meal from the restaurant to anyone in need who asks—the first step in Sagun’s goal to become a nonprofit so she can “pay staff well and give everything else away.”  

Across the street, Grand Strand Brewing filters the water they use through reverse osmosis to remove impurities and then tailors it with remineralization and other practices depending on the type of beer they’re making, from pilsners to blondes to stouts. There’s so much local demand that distribution is limited to the brewery itself and the immediate area, so you have to visit to try their Sandy Cheeks West Coast IPA or the seasonal gose.

It’s worth a short drive up to North Kings Highway for dinner at Hook & Barrel, restaurateur and South Carolina Chef Ambassador Heidi Vukov’s sustainable, seafood-focused restaurant. Vukov has been an ecofriendly trailblazer in the restaurant industry since long before it was popular: She was the first in the state to remove gas from her kitchen, and she’s even sourced sustainable dishware that doesn’t break when dropped. Hook & Barrel features local art as well as exceptional local seafood, but the turf and cocktail games are strong, too—try the brown sugar bourbon bacon and the hibiscus martini.

Walk the Waterfront

Myrtle Beach’s boardwalk is a hot spot for people-watching and embracing your inner tourist. First, a hot tip: For affordable, plentiful parking, head to the Pavilion Parking Garage on North Kings Highway, just a few blocks from the main drag, North Ocean Boulevard, where you’ll have access to shops, arcades, a series of Ripley’s attractions, and The Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, the area’s oldest retail spot for beach and gift kitsch.

If rides are your thing, there are options for all thrill levels. Take a romantic ride on the SkyWheel, an enclosed Ferris wheel right on the oceanfront that takes you nearly 200 feet into the air for an incredible view. A few blocks north, The Funplex Myrtle Beach provides seven family-friendly rides, including a roller coaster and swings. Nearby, Free Fall Thrill Park will send your adrenaline sky high with a Sling Shot, a 170-foot Sky Fall, and more.

Or keep it simple and stroll the 600-foot 14th Avenue Pier, opened in 1926, where you can also buy a fishing pass and rent fishing gear.

Shop Till You Drop

Once you’ve had your fill of souvenirs and crowds, head south to The Market Common for some retail therapy. Known as Myrtle Beach’s Uptown Downtown, the walkable space has plenty of free parking to access upscale international chains from Anthropologie and Pottery Barn to Barnes and Noble, plus a movie theater. Fun spots to eat include CO Sushi, Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar, Nacho Hippo, and 1229 Shine.

Branch Out

The South Strand, which includes Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, and Surfside Beach, is an area worthy of exploration all its own. Here are our don’t-miss spots:

Breakfast

Benjamin’s Bakery & Café sells bagels from former Long Islander Lee Zulanch, along with some of the best locally roasted coffee around. In addition to a café breakfast and lunch menu, they have a full bakery selling their breads, bagels, and pastries. And they’re within walking distance of public access to Surfside Beach.

Lunch

Wicked Tuna in Murrells Inlet has long been a waterfront establishment for “hook to plate” seafood dishes made with grouper, mahi-mahi, sea bass, and snapper caught off the Carolina coast by the restaurant’s fleet of boats. There’s also sushi, steaks, and cocktails, all of which you can enjoy alfresco on their spacious covered and outdoor decks.

Dinner

Chef Adam Kirby’s collection of Pawleys Island restaurants gives farm-to-table new meaning: He owns the farm that sources much of the produce, including honey from his apiary, for Bistro 217, with its focus on eclectic Southern fusion, and Rustic Table, where you can get garden-fresh comfort food. If you go before 6 p.m., you can browse adjacent Driftwood Mercantile, which sells apparel, gifts, and locally made art.

Nightlife

The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk comes alive most nights during the summer months with live music and dancing at more than half a dozen restaurants and bars along a charming inlet-front boardwalk. You can dance for a while at one spot and then take your beer or cocktail with you as you walk to the next.

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