Scenic Waterfront Dining along the ICW & Area Rivers

Many of you enjoy dining in restaurants on the ocean front, because you love to watch the beauty of the waves rolling in and out as well as hear the sound of the waves breaking as the sea gulls caw.  As beautiful as dining on the ocean front is, you really should try dining on the waterfront of the Intracoastal Waterway or Waccamaw River.  You will get gorgeous views of the marshes and yacht basins as well as beautiful yachts either parked in the Marinas or gliding down the waterway.  You could also see skiers, speed boats and jet skis and the beauty of the sun setting over the water.

Listed below are restaurants on the waterfront from Georgetown, South Carolina all the way to the shores of Southport, North Carolina along with a short description of their ambiance and cuisine.

Georgetown, South Carolina:

The River Room located at 801 Front Street, Georgetown, South Carolina is a warm and woody dockside restaurant serving Southern seafood from a dining room extending over the water.  For more than thirty years, locals and visitors have enjoyed the historic waterfront ambiance and “Serious Seafood” of the River Room which is in the gorgeous historic district of Georgetown, the third oldest city in South Carolina.  Temporary docking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Reservations are not accepted; Just drop in for lunch  from 11 am until 2:30 pm, or for dinner from 5 until 10 pm, Mondays through Saturdays.

Big Tuna Restaurant and Raw Bar located at 807 Front Street, Georgetown, South Carolina, is an upbeat, waterfront destination featuring locally sourced seafood and cocktails in a rustic interior.  According to the website, “The Big Tuna Restaurant and Raw Bar is the most popular place to go in historic Georgetown.  Sit back and enjoy the coldest beer in town or beverage of your choice, while relaxing on the back deck with sunset views overlooking Georgetown’s Sampit River.”  They serve only the freshest local seafood, often caught and brought to the restaurant by the owner.  They guarantee fresh local shrimp, oysters, and clams, but if you do not feel like seafood, they also serve burgers, chicken sandwiches or Ribeye.  You can drive or go by boat.

Front Street Deli located at 809 Front Street, Georgetown, South Carolina has been serving lunch for 30 years and has the best sandwiches, salads and subs on the block.  The deli is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., cooking meat and serving breakfast in the morning and leaving when the lunchtime rush is over.  The deli is a neighborhood mainstay and 75% of the business is locals with tourists comprising the other 25%.  The owner is the only employee, and the locals enjoy the familiarity, the waterfront view and the food served with conversation and personal service.  The Front Street Deli is also famous for “A two-minute scene of the Sydney Pollack-directed, 1993 drama “The Firm,” when Holly Hunter breaks the truth to Cruise that he is really working for criminals, was filmed right in Busby’s front window.”  (Daily News, Zachary Zoeller)

Harborside Seafood & Italian located at 815 Front Street, Georgetown, South Carolina, is on the beautiful HarborWalk in the historic district of downtown Georgetown.  They serve seafood and Italian and are the home of the giant 1-pound meatball.  They serve beer and wine and you can dine either inside or outside on the HarborWalk.  According to Chris Mitchel, the Chef and owner, who has a love and passion for food like no other, “We refuse to compromise on quality in our restaurant. That’s why we source our fresh ingredients from local farmers’ markets.  The restaurant business is about more than just food; it’s about family.”

Castaways Bar & Grill is located at 833 Front Street, Georgetown, South Carolina, “has served the Grand Strand for several years with casual and fun dining, great food, lunch and dinner, either dining in or on the water front on their back patio (come watch the sunset), Happy Hour Daily from 4-7 and Daily Drink Specials, Live music and dancing, darts, karaoke, 8 ball tournaments on Tuesday and Thursday, Ladies 8 ball tournaments on Wednesdays, dine in or take out, call your order in ahead. We welcome you to stop by and check us out while shopping or after work to chill out. Family Owned, Locally Owned, Female Owned, Minority Owned  Happy Hour Daily from 4-7 with Daily Drink Specials, Live Music & Dancing: Pool Tournaments, Darts and Karaoke.”(www.superpages.com)

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina:

Deck 383 located at 1950 Wachesaw Road, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, serves fresh upscale shabby food (an eclectic menu with a strong nod to Lowcountry traditions) dishes to delight any appetite—from their succulent burgers to their daily entrée specials.  They offer indoor and outdoor seating with beautiful views and sunsets included.  Happy Hour, at the bar, is Tuesday through Friday from 4:00 – 7:00 with half price appetizers on Tuesday and Wednesday and Chef’s choice on Thursday.  They serve lunch and dinner. Deck 383 got its name from the Intracoastal mile marker number and their beautiful outdoor deck overlooking the Waccamaw River/Intracoastal Waterway.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina:

The Boathouse is located at 201 Fantasy Harbour Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and is considered the “Best Backyard in Town” due to the free Sunday Concert Series that can be seen from the water or the backyard.  They have a Tiki bar where you can sit outside undeath their 100-year old willow tree.  According to their website, they serve juicy burgers, shrimp baskets, and the juiciest pork ribeye in town and even better meatloaf along with cold beer and cocktails.

WaterScapes Grand Dunes is located in the Marina Inn at Grand Dunes, 8121 Amalfi Place, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  WaterScapes offers a unique atmosphere blending elegant, yet casual ambiance with fresh seafood, top choice steaks and more, prepared classic French style with an American twist!  You can dine inside or outside.  They have an extensive wine list, specialty cocktails, vegetarian & gluten free options, and a kid’s menu.

Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina:

Greg Norman’s Australian Grille located at 4930 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in Barefoot Landing is the upper crust of down under dining offering innovative cuisine and a spectacular décor that will make you feel like you are in Sydney’s finest harborside restaurant. Dinner includes fresh wood-grilled seafood, steaks, chicken and much more, combined with world-class flavor, ambiance and presentation that will exceed all that you would expect in a fine dining experience. The extensive wine list has received the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine every year for over a decade.  The restaurant and Shark Pub open daily for lunch from 11:00-3:00; Happy Hour at the Shark Pub and Patio from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm for food specials and 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm for drink specials; and dinner menu beginning daily at 4:30 pm.  You can dine inside or outside and dock your boat if you arrive by water.

Flying Fish Public Market and Grill located at 4744 US 17 South, North Myrtle Beach in Barefoot Landing,  is a festive eatery serving Southern seafood favorites (catfish, tilapia, shrimp and more), a selection of sushi and creative cocktails.  The restaurant offers a family-friendly environment and menu with patio seating in the warmer months.  It is part-restaurant and part-seafood market.  Enjoy the ocean’s best offerings available whether choosing to dine in and enjoy the waterway view or take home.

LuLu’s located at 4954 Highway 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the ultimate coastal family experience filled with music, food and fun!  LuLu’s serves lowcountry food such as shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, fried okra, Lower Alabama Caviar, LuLu’s Famous Seafood Gumbo, a crab melt, and fresh Gulf seafood brought up from the Gulf of Mexico.  Everything is made fresh, from scratch, and if you aren’t in the mood for seafood, the menu also features a selection of fresh salads, tacos, sandwiches, and a cheeseburger with pimento cheese, bacon and a fried green tomato.  There is an outdoor seating area with a sandy beach with buckets and shovels and a fun water feature for the kids to splash in as they play on the beach.  An interesting fact is that LuLu Buffet is Jimmy Buffet’s sister.

Taco Mundo Kitchen Y Cantina located at 4732 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is the most recent restaurant to open in Barefoot Landing.  It is an upscale, full-service restaurant.  Tacos are the specialty and they are abundant with everything from seafood and chicken to roasted cauliflower, lobster, kimchi beef or you can get a variety platter of tacos for the whole family.  They also serve fajitas, quesadillas and rice bowls with everything from steak and shrimp to veggies.  It has an open-air feel for the summer and fireplaces flanking each side for colder weather and opens for dinner at 4pm featuring a daily happy hour with a large selection of creative cocktails and signature margaritas.  You can drive or go by boat and dock at their complimentary docking.

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina:

Filet’s is located at 2120 Sea Mountain Highway #110, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is another North Myrtle Beach restaurant on the water.  Filet’s serves steaks, seafood & sushi with views of the historical Little River swing bridge over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Casual dining is offered in their dining room, covered patio and open tables next to the waterway. Happy Hour starts at 4:00pm daily with musical entertainment provided Wednesday – Sunday out on the covered patio.

Conway, South Carolina:

Captain Buck’s Port is located at the Bucksport Marina, 135 Bucksport Road, Conway, South Carolina.  The menu at Captain Buck’s Port states, “We serve food as an accommodation to our drinking customers”.  It has both inside and outside seating as well as boat docking.  They serve mainly southern bar-type food such as on-yon rings, deep-fried pickles, pork tenderloin, low-country boil, and crispy Fish options are large or small buckets of shrimp, oysters, clam strips, flounder or a seafood platter.  They have a kid’s menu and specialty drinks.  They proudly state, “This is probably the only place on the water where you can come in wearing your bikini and flip flops.”

Bonfire Taqueria is located at 110 Main Street, Conway, South Carolina on the Waccamaw River.  It is the sister restaurant to downtown Conway’s prestigious Rivertown Bistro and brings a fun, swanky take on a classic southern smoked Barbeque combining southern barbeque with a Tex-Mex flair.  It has an industrial, rustic, interior, and imaginative murals by local artist, Luke Horowitz.  They offer wine “on tap” which has been highly touted by Wine Spectator.  You can dine inside or outside, and they have a kid’s menu.  They also have live music every Sunday.

Little River, South Carolina:

Snooky’s is located at 4495 Baker Street, Little River, South Carolina at the Cricket Cove Marina.  It is a casual waterfront eatery serving a seafood-focused menu incorporating Caribbean flavors.  You can dine inside or outside.  They have a full bar and a kid’s menu.

Shallotte, North Carolina:

Inlet View Bar & Grill located at 1800 Village Point Road SW, Shallotte, North Carolina, is a colorful, relaxed American seafood eatery with an upstairs bar and two waterfront decks.  Considered the crown jewel of Brunswick County, North Carolina beaches and community, they are a restaurant and tiki bar where the Shallotte River and the Intercoastal Waterway meet featuring the best combination of fun and food in the area.  Their food is prepared on site and fresh, using only the finest ingredients and the seafood that they use is 100% wild caught. You can go by land or by sea, dine either inside or outside and enjoy their full-service bar if you would like.

Holden Beach, North Carolina:

Betty’s Waterfront located at 1045 B Var Road SW, Holden Beach, North Carolina, is  a family-style restaurant specializing in great local seafood and also serves chicken steaks and burgers as well as their wonderful hushpuppies.  You can dine inside or outside, and the Thirsty Turtle offers all your favorite mixed drinks, beer and wine.  You can go by car or tie your boat up at Betty’s dock.

Southport, North Carolina:

Dead End Saloon Fish Factory Grille located at 4907 Fish Factory Road SE, Southport, North Carolina and directly on the South Harbour Marina.  It is a laid-back bar/eatery with casual seafood plates and live music, plus a dog-friendly patio and boat dock.  They have two dining areas, a full-service bar and beautiful view of the waterway and marsh.  They also have five televisions to accommodate the sports enthusiasts with the motto, “Fun dining not Fine dining on the Intracoastal Waterway.”  Everything is prepared to order whether it is steaks, breasts, burgers or fresh local seafood as well as “real” Maryland crabcakes and “Carolina’s Best” cream of crab soup.  They also have a choice of gluten free items.

Fishy Fishy Café located at 106 Yacht Basin Drive, Southport, North Carolina, is a casual dockside seafood restaurant accessible by boat, with occasional live music. Inspired by waterfront living, their food, casual atmosphere, and Carolina hospitality make Fishy Fishy a Southport favorite for locals and visitors alike. It is a fun and attractive place located directly on the water overlooking the yacht basin and marsh, serving Calabash-style entrees, local seafood, steaks and pasta dishes with a full bar and extensive wine list.

Inlet View Bar & Grill located at 1800 Village Point Road SW, Shallotte, North Carolina, is a colorful, relaxed American seafood eatery with an upstairs bar and two waterfront decks.  Considered the crown jewel of Brunswick County, North Carolina beaches and community, they are a restaurant and tiki bar where the Shallotte River and the Intercoastal Waterway meet featuring the best combination of fun and food in the area.  Their food is prepared on site and fresh, using only the finest ingredients and the seafood that they use is 100% wild caught. You can go by land or by sea, dine either inside or outside and enjoy their full-service bar if you would like.

As you can see, there is a wide variety of restaurant options on the waterfront.  We hope you have the opportunity to try one and are delighted with your dining experience as well as the beautiful water scapes.