For many Canadians, Myrtle Beach has long been synonymous with family road trips, sandy beaches, golf courses and evenings spent strolling the boardwalk. Those traditions are still very much part of the destination’s appeal, but they’re not the only reasons to return.
Along the Grand Strand — the 97-kilometre stretch of South Carolina coastline that includes Myrtle Beach — fresh seafood, Lowcountry cooking and Gullah Geechee traditions share the table with a new generation of chefs, making the coast as enticing for its food as its famous beaches.
Fresh From the Coast in Murrells Inlet
No culinary visit to the region is complete without heading to Murrells Inlet, widely known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” The historic fishing village still moves to the rhythm of the tide, with boats returning each day and restaurants serving seafood within hours of the catch. Oysters, shrimp, flounder, grouper and blue crab headline menus across the waterfront, while dock-to-table dining is accompanied by stunning sea-marsh views.
Myrtle Beach’s food culture is deeply rooted in Lowcountry cooking and Gullah Geechee heritage. Lowcountry cuisine highlights fresh seafood, rice, seasonal vegetables and simple preparations that allow quality ingredients to shine. Classics such as shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, crab rice and the iconic Lowcountry boil (with the shellfish catch of the day, vegetables and sausage) tell the story of generations who have lived and cooked along the Carolina coast. Sea Captain’s House, a longtime Myrtle Beach favourite set right on the ocean, is known for its award-winning she-crab soup and coastal Southern cooking.
The Gullah Geechee Influence
Gullah Geechee culinary traditions are an important part of the region’s food culture. Rooted in practices brought to the Lowcountry by enslaved West and Central Africans and preserved across generations, they helped shape the region’s cooking through ingredients including rice, okra, seafood and field peas.
At Big Mike’s Soul Food, scratch-made dishes including chicken bog, fried okra and collard greens offer a taste of the broader Southern food culture those traditions helped influence.
South of Myrtle Beach, Gullah history and culture are also deeply rooted in Georgetown. On historic Front Street, Aunny’s Country Kitchen serves homemade Southern comfort food in a family-run setting, with dishes including fried chicken, shrimp and grits and sweet potato pie.
A Taste of Historic Conway
Stepping away from the shoreline reveals another side of the Grand Strand. Conway, one of South Carolina’s oldest towns, sits along the Waccamaw River just a short drive inland. A stroll along the Conway Riverwalk leads into its historic downtown, where independent restaurants showcase Southern hospitality and local ingredients.
Rivertown Bistro offers contemporary Southern cuisine, while Crooked Oak Tavern serves elevated comfort food alongside craft cocktails. To the north, Little River remains one of the last active fishing villages on the Grand Strand. Its working waterfront and the annual World Famous Blue Crab Festival continue to celebrate the coastal traditions that have shaped the region for generations.
A New Generation of Myrtle Beach Dining
While seafood and Southern comfort food remain the foundation of Myrtle Beach’s culinary identity, a growing group of chefs is redefining what visitors can expect. 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist Heidi Vukov has made Hook & Barrel one of the area’s standout dining destinations, blending sustainable seafood with French technique and Lowcountry influences. At O.A.K. Prime Kitchen & Bar, a MICHELIN Guide Recommended Restaurant, chef Jerrett King brings a modern approach to the classic steakhouse with premium cuts, fresh seafood and polished hospitality. At Aspen Grille, chef Curry Martin continues to champion contemporary American cuisine rooted in Carolina ingredients.
The culinary experience extends well beyond the restaurant table. Tidal Creek Brewhouse has become a favourite for locally brewed craft beer, while Twelve 33 Distillery produces spirits inspired by the surrounding region. Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. combine moonshine tastings, craft beer and live entertainment. Wine lovers can venture further north to La Belle Amie Vineyard or Duplin Winery to discover the South’s signature muscadine wines and a style of winemaking unique to the region.
Of course, the beaches remain at the heart of every visit. Whether you’re relaxing at Myrtle Beach State Park, Surfside Beach or the quieter stretches of North Myrtle Beach, it is easy to spend the morning on the sand before setting out to discover another restaurant, brewery or waterfront patio. The memories are exactly as you remember, but there’s far more on the menu now. Myrtle Beach has evolved into a destination where exceptional meals are just as memorable as the coastline itself, making it well worth another road trip south.
For more information, head to visitmyrtlebeach.ca.
