Where locals go in Myrtle Beach to Shop, Dine, & Explore

Myrtle Beach has so many attractions, restaurants, shopping centers & things to do for tourists — you may wonder where locals go in Myrtle Beach? Here are all of the locally-owned, cool spots to shop & dine – plus things to do you probably won’t see on a billboard.

Shop & dine like a local

Dine like a local

Where locals go in Myrtle Beach: Restaurants

If there’s one advantage to living in a tourist town, it’s definitely the dining options! There are so many locally-owned restaurants in and around Myrtle Beach with great wine lists, exceptional menus, pretty views & fun atmospheres.

📸: Hook & Barrel

Locally-Owned Restaurants in + around Myrtle Beach

Restaurant Guides

When you live at the beach, you tend to go to hole-in-the-wall spots, over and over. If you want to know where to go, ask a local, right? So, we decided to round up all of the locals’ favorites for restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area.

Local Seafood Restaurants

Here’s a round up of all of the spots for the best local seafood in + around Myrtle Beach, from Calabash to Pawleys Island.

Italian Restaurants

If you’re in the mood for Italian, here are six of the best Italian restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area.

The best Thai restaurant

This is the dive Thai spot to add to your list. Thai Lao is a locals’ favorite.

Best Day Date Restaurants

Wine + fancy food + before 5pm = day date. Here’s where to go.

For exceptional views

Joe’s Bar & Grill (view: Raccoon Runway)
Drunken Jack’s (view: Goat Island)
Sea Captain’s House (view: the Ocean)
Harvest (view: Brookgreen Gardens)

Want more restaurant ideas + reviews? Read our top 20 must-try restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area.

Shop like a local

Where locals go in Myrtle Beach: Shops

Skip the outlets, and shop these exceptional locally-owned boutiques instead!

📸: Centro Shoes

Locally-owned shops

For a gift

Ooh La La
Studio 77 Gifts & Accessories
Barbara’s Fine Gifts
Sara and Beth Gifts
Stox & Co.

For Invitations & Stationery

Ooh La La

For something pretty to wear

Socialite Boutique
Mimi Seabrook
The Pink Cabana
Bijuju

For great shoes

Centro Shoes
Mimi Seabrook
Ooh La La

If you have a baby

The Kangaroo Pouch
Miss Masters
Hannah B’s
The Pink Cabana
Joggling Board

For fabric + home decor

Rose Arbor
Knotting Hill Interiors
Hucks & Washington

See + Do

Where locals go in Myrtle Beach: Things to do

You’ve probably seen billboards for all of the attractions around town… those didn’t make the list. Here are some cool things to do that are off the beaten tourist past.

📸: Huntington Beach State Park

Off the beaten tourist path in Myrtle Beach

Scenic Walks

Myrtle Beach State Park
Huntington Beach State Park
Brookgreen Gardens
more scenic walks in Myrtle Beach

Outdoor Adventures

Captain Smiley’s Fishing Excursion
Kayaking in North Myrtle Beach
Pier Fishing at Myrtle Beach State Park

Best spots for Instagram shots

Hook & Barrel
Atalaya Castle
Brookgreen Gardens

By Season

Myrtle Beach in Winter
Fall Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes in and around Myrtle Beach
Christmas Tree Farms in the Myrtle Beach Area
Myrtle Beach in October
Myrtle Beach in November

Where locals go in Myrtle Beach: - Seven seas seafood

Seafood Market

Where locals go in Myrtle Beach: Seafood

Best spot for a local fresh catch: If you’re looking for local seafood in Myrtle Beach, drive straight to Seven Seas Seafood! They give great recommendations and will put it on ice for your drive home.

📸: Seven Seas Seafood in Murrells Inlet