If you’re hunting for the best southern comfort food in Myrtle Beach, you’re in the right place. The Grand Strand sits squarely in South Carolina’s Lowcountry food tradition, which means slow-cooked meats, fresh-caught seafood, and sides that have been perfected over generations. This guide covers the dishes you absolutely have to try and what makes Myrtle Beach’s comfort food scene worth the trip.
Key Takeaways
- Shrimp and grits is the signature Lowcountry dish, and Myrtle Beach restaurants take it seriously, often using stone-ground grits and locally sourced shrimp.
- South Carolina is home to four distinct BBQ sauce styles, including the mustard-based variety unique to the state, and you’ll find all of them along the Grand Strand.
- Fried chicken, collard greens, and cornbread are staples at any honest southern comfort food spot in the area.
- Myrtle Beach’s coastal location means seafood is woven into nearly every comfort food tradition here, from she-crab soup to fried flounder.
- A good craft cocktail or cold sweet tea rounds out a proper southern meal, and local bars and pubs on the Grand Strand have elevated the drinks side of the experience.
What Makes Myrtle Beach Southern Comfort Food Different from the Rest of the South?
Myrtle Beach sits at the intersection of two strong food traditions: classic Southern cooking and South Carolina Lowcountry cuisine. The result is a style that leans heavily on coastal ingredients, slow cooking methods, and bold, layered flavors you won’t find in landlocked parts of the South.
The Lowcountry tradition stretches from Charleston down through the Grand Strand and into Georgia. It’s defined by rice-based dishes, fresh shellfish, and one-pot cooking styles that trace back centuries. Myrtle Beach restaurants have built on that foundation while adding their own spin.
The Role of Local Seafood
South Carolina’s coastline produces some of the best shrimp in the country. The state’s shrimping season typically runs from May through December, and during peak months, local restaurants source directly from boats docking at nearby marinas. That freshness makes a real difference in dishes like shrimp and grits or a simple shrimp boil.
South Carolina’s Unique BBQ Identity
Most people think of BBQ as a single thing. In South Carolina, it’s four things. The state is the only one in the country that has all four major sauce traditions: mustard-based (the Midlands), vinegar-pepper (the Pee Dee region), light tomato, and heavy tomato. Myrtle Beach, sitting in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand area, leans toward vinegar-pepper and light tomato styles, though you’ll find mustard sauce on plenty of menus too.
Must-Try Southern Comfort Food Dishes in Myrtle Beach
These are the dishes that define the southern comfort food experience on the Grand Strand. If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach for the first time, start here.
Shrimp and Grits
This is the dish. Stone-ground grits, cooked low and slow until creamy, topped with sauteed shrimp in a savory sauce, often with andouille sausage, bacon, or a tomato-based gravy. A proper bowl takes at least 45 minutes to make from scratch. Shortcuts are obvious. Look for restaurants that specify stone-ground or coarse-ground grits on the menu.
Fried Chicken
Southern fried chicken in Myrtle Beach is brined, seasoned, and fried in cast iron or a deep fryer at around 325 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to get that crispy crust without drying out the meat. The best versions have a crust that holds up for at least 10 minutes after plating. Sides matter as much as the bird itself.
She-Crab Soup
She-crab soup is a South Carolina original. It’s a rich, cream-based bisque made with blue crab meat and roe, finished with a splash of dry sherry. The dish originated in Charleston but has spread across the Grand Strand. It’s the kind of soup that feels like a full meal on its own.
Collard Greens
Slow-braised collard greens cooked with smoked ham hocks or bacon fat are a staple side dish across the South. In Myrtle Beach, you’ll find them on nearly every comfort food menu. They’re typically cooked for 1 to 2 hours until tender, with a pot likker (the cooking liquid) that’s worth soaking up with cornbread.
Lowcountry Boil
Also called Frogmore Stew, a Lowcountry boil is a one-pot feast: shrimp, smoked sausage, corn on the cob, and red potatoes, all boiled together with Old Bay seasoning and served on newspaper or a sheet pan. It’s a communal dish, built for groups, and it’s one of the most distinctly South Carolina things you can eat.
Cornbread and Biscuits
No southern comfort food spread is complete without bread. Cornbread in the South is typically made without sugar (that’s a Northern thing) and baked in a cast-iron skillet. Buttermilk biscuits should be tall, flaky, and slightly tangy. Both are vehicles for butter, honey, or sorghum syrup.
The best southern comfort food in Myrtle Beach isn’t about fancy technique. It’s about patience, good ingredients, and recipes that have been earned over time.
What to Drink with Southern Comfort Food in Myrtle Beach
The right drink makes a comfort food meal. Sweet tea is the default, but Myrtle Beach’s bar and pub scene has grown into something worth paying attention to. Craft cocktails built around Southern spirits, like bourbon and rye, pair naturally with the bold flavors of BBQ, fried chicken, and Lowcountry dishes.
Bourbon and Southern Spirits
Bourbon is the natural companion to southern food. Its caramel and vanilla notes cut through the richness of fried dishes and complement the smokiness of BBQ. A well-made Old Fashioned or a simple bourbon on the rocks is a classic pairing. American rye whiskey works similarly, with a spicier edge that holds up to mustard-sauced BBQ.
Craft Cocktails on the Grand Strand
Myrtle Beach’s dining scene has matured significantly over the past decade. Bars and pubs along the Grand Strand now offer craft cocktail programs that go well beyond the basics. Look for drinks built with house-made syrups, fresh citrus, and locally inspired ingredients. At Happy Hour at 44 & King, the cocktail menu is designed to complement the food experience, not compete with it.
Sweet Tea and Non-Alcoholic Options
Sweet tea is a religion in South Carolina. It should be brewed strong, sweetened while hot, and served over ice. If a restaurant’s sweet tea is weak or tastes like it came from a powder mix, that tells you something about the kitchen’s attention to detail.
How to Find Authentic Southern Comfort Food in Myrtle Beach (Not Tourist Traps)
Myrtle Beach draws millions of visitors every year, and that means plenty of restaurants are built for volume, not quality. Here’s how to tell the difference.
- Look for stone-ground grits on the menu. Instant grits are a red flag.
- Ask where the shrimp comes from. Local or South Carolina-caught shrimp is the standard to aim for.
- Check the sides. A restaurant that takes its collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread seriously is usually taking everything else seriously too.
- Avoid places with laminated menus 10 pages long. Focused menus usually mean fresher ingredients and more care in the kitchen.
- Look for locals eating there. If the parking lot has South Carolina plates on a Tuesday night, that’s a good sign.
Neighborhoods Worth Exploring for Food in Myrtle Beach
The restaurant scene isn’t limited to the main strip. The area around 44th Avenue North, where 44 & King is located at 515 44th Ave N, sits in a part of Myrtle Beach that feels more neighborhood than resort. You’ll find spots here that cater to year-round residents, not just summer tourists. That’s usually where the better food is.
The Market Common district, about 3 miles south of downtown, also has a growing dining scene with a more local feel. And the Conway area, about 15 miles inland, has some of the most traditional South Carolina comfort food you’ll find anywhere near the Grand Strand.
Seasonal Factors That Affect the Myrtle Beach Food Scene
Myrtle Beach is a seasonal city. The population swells from roughly 35,000 year-round residents to over 400,000 during peak summer months. That affects everything from ingredient sourcing to wait times.
- Summer (June to August): Peak shrimping season, fresh local seafood is most available. Restaurants are busiest. Make reservations.
- Fall (September to November): Crowds thin out, but the food quality stays high. Local shrimp is still running. Often the best time to eat well without a wait.
- Winter (December to February): Some spots close or reduce hours. The ones that stay open year-round tend to be the most serious about their food.
- Spring (March to May): The season ramps back up. A good time to visit before the summer rush hits.
If you’re planning a visit around a specific event or dining experience, check the upcoming events at 44 & King to see what’s on the calendar.
What a Great Southern Comfort Food Experience Looks Like at a Bar and Restaurant
The best southern comfort food experiences in Myrtle Beach aren’t just about the plate. They’re about the whole setting: the atmosphere, the drinks, the service, and the sense that someone in the kitchen actually cares about what they’re sending out.
At 44 & King, located at 515 44th Ave N in Myrtle Beach, the focus is on dine-in dining paired with craft cocktails and a bar program that takes the drinks as seriously as the food. You can browse the full menu before you come in, and take a look at the gallery to get a feel for the space.
Southern comfort food is meant to be shared, lingered over, and enjoyed with a good drink in hand. That’s the experience worth seeking out on the Grand Strand.
Ready to Try the Best Southern Comfort Food in Myrtle Beach?
Come in, sit down, and eat well. Make a reservation at 44 & King or call us at (843) 626-5464 to plan your visit. We’re at 515 44th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.
FAQs
What is the most popular southern comfort food dish in Myrtle Beach?
Shrimp and grits is the most iconic southern comfort food dish in Myrtle Beach and across the South Carolina Lowcountry. It combines stone-ground grits with fresh local shrimp, often in a savory sauce with sausage or bacon. Most serious restaurants make their grits from scratch, which takes 45 minutes or more.
What makes South Carolina BBQ different from other states?
South Carolina is the only state with all four major BBQ sauce traditions: mustard-based, vinegar-pepper, light tomato, and heavy tomato. The Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand area leans toward vinegar-pepper and light tomato styles, though mustard sauce is widely available. The pork is typically slow-smoked over hardwood for 8 to 14 hours.
Is Myrtle Beach a good food city for non-seafood eaters?
Yes. While seafood is central to the Lowcountry tradition, Myrtle Beach has a strong comfort food scene that includes fried chicken, slow-smoked BBQ, collard greens, biscuits, and mac and cheese. You can eat very well in Myrtle Beach without touching seafood, though you’d be missing some of the best dishes the area offers.
When is the best time to visit Myrtle Beach for fresh local shrimp?
South Carolina’s shrimping season runs roughly from May through December, with peak availability in summer and early fall. Visiting between June and October gives you the best chance of eating shrimp that was caught locally within the past day or two. Fall is often the sweet spot: fresh shrimp and smaller crowds.
What should I drink with southern comfort food in Myrtle Beach?
Sweet tea is the traditional choice and a good benchmark for a restaurant’s attention to detail. For something stronger, bourbon-based cocktails pair naturally with fried chicken, BBQ, and Lowcountry dishes. Craft cocktail programs at Myrtle Beach bars and pubs have grown significantly, offering well-made drinks that complement rather than overwhelm the food.
Do I need a reservation at Myrtle Beach restaurants during summer?
During peak summer months (June through August), Myrtle Beach’s population can exceed 400,000 visitors. Reservations are strongly recommended at any sit-down restaurant, especially on weekends. Making a reservation a day or two in advance is usually enough outside of holiday weekends, when you may want to book further out.
What is Lowcountry cuisine and how does it relate to southern comfort food?
Lowcountry cuisine is a regional cooking tradition from coastal South Carolina and Georgia, built around rice, shellfish, and slow one-pot cooking methods. It’s a subset of broader southern cooking, with a stronger emphasis on fresh seafood and dishes like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and Lowcountry boil. Myrtle Beach sits in the heart of this tradition.
What is a Lowcountry boil and where can I try one in Myrtle Beach?
A Lowcountry boil (also called Frogmore Stew) is a one-pot dish of shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes boiled together with Old Bay seasoning. It’s a communal, casual meal traditionally served on newspaper or a sheet pan. It’s one of the most distinctly South Carolina dishes you can eat and appears on menus across the Grand Strand.