Shutters of the Strand: Myrtle Beach's Historic Waterfront Restaurant

A Casual Seafood Spot Where the Strand Meets the Kitchen

Shutters of the Strand is a seafood restaurant on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk that serves lunch and dinner in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. The restaurant sits directly on the oceanfront, so most tables have views of the Atlantic, and the dining room opens onto the Boardwalk itself—you can watch the foot traffic and beach activity while you eat. The menu centers on fresh seafood: shrimp, fish, crab, and oysters prepared in straightforward ways—fried, grilled, steamed, or in low-country dishes that reflect the coastal Carolinas tradition.

The restaurant's name comes from the working shutters that frame the windows and doors, a nod to the historic fishing vernacular of the South Carolina coast. Inside, the décor keeps that casual, unpretentious tone: wood finishes, nautical touches, and an atmosphere that feels more like a working seafood house than a formal dining room. It is the kind of place where families with children fit in as naturally as couples on a date, and where the focus stays on the food and the view rather than on ceremony.

Key Takeaways

• Shutters of the Strand sits on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk with direct ocean views from most tables.
• The menu features fresh seafood prepared simply—fried, grilled, steamed, or in low-country preparations.
• The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner and welcomes families and casual diners.
• Parking is available in the Boardwalk area, though it can be tight during peak summer season.
• The restaurant reflects the working fishing heritage of the South Carolina coast in both its name and its approach to food.

What to Order and When

Lunch at Shutters tends toward lighter fare: sandwiches, salads, and smaller seafood plates that work well if you are spending the day on the Boardwalk. The shrimp burger is a local favorite—a fried shrimp patty on a bun, served with slaw and remoulade. Crab cakes, fish tacos, and a raw bar with oysters and shrimp are also standard. Prices at lunch run lower than dinner, and portions are sized for a midday meal rather than an evening feast.

Dinner expands the menu and brings out the heartier preparations. Whole fried fish, steamed crab, shrimp and grits, and low-country boils—pots of shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage seasoned with Old Bay—are the anchors. Most entrées come with two sides: choose from collard greens, mac and cheese, rice, fries, or seasonal vegetables. The she-crab soup, a Lowcountry classic made with female crab roe, appears on many menus along the coast and is worth ordering if it is available. Desserts are simple—pie, cake, or ice cream—and portions are generous enough that many diners split.

Location and Hours on the Boardwalk

Shutters sits in the heart of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, the 1.4-mile pedestrian promenade that runs along the beach between North 14th Avenue and South 29th Avenue. The restaurant's street address places it near the central Boardwalk area, close to the Boardwalk Amusement Park, the SkyWheel, and other attractions. If you are staying in a Boardwalk hotel or spending the day at the beach, Shutters is within walking distance.

Hours vary by season. During summer and peak tourist times, the restaurant typically opens for lunch around 11 a.m. and serves dinner until 10 p.m. or later. In the off-season (fall and winter), hours contract—lunch may not start until noon, and dinner service may end by 9 p.m. It is worth calling ahead or checking their website if you are visiting outside the main summer window, because Boardwalk restaurants often adjust their schedules based on foot traffic and weather.

Parking near the Boardwalk is available in several public lots and garages, though spaces fill quickly on warm weekends and during summer vacation. Metered street parking is also an option, though turnover is fast. If you are staying nearby, walking is often easier than driving and parking.

The Boardwalk Context: Why This Restaurant Matters

Shutters of the Strand is one of several seafood restaurants on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, but it stands out for staying true to the casual, unpretentious seafood-house model rather than leaning into tourist-trap theatrics. The Boardwalk itself has evolved over decades from a working fishing pier into a mixed-use entertainment zone with rides, arcades, shops, and restaurants. Shutters maintains a connection to that fishing heritage—the menu, the décor, the no-fuss service—even as the Boardwalk around it has become increasingly polished and commercial.

The oceanfront location matters. Many Boardwalk restaurants have views, but Shutters makes the view integral to the experience rather than incidental. On a clear day, you can watch the horizon while you eat; on a stormy day, the drama of the Atlantic becomes part of the meal. That connection to the water and the working coast is what distinguishes a seafood restaurant on the Boardwalk from a seafood restaurant anywhere else.

Dining Style and What to Expect

Service at Shutters is friendly and efficient but not formal. Servers are knowledgeable about the menu and the daily specials, and they move quickly—the restaurant is built for turnover, especially at lunch and during peak dinner hours. If you are in a hurry, you can eat and leave in under an hour. If you want to linger over a drink and watch the Boardwalk, nobody will rush you.

The dining room can get loud, especially during summer and on weekends. Families with children, groups of friends, and couples all share the space, and the open layout means sound carries. If you are seeking a quiet, intimate dinner, a weekday lunch or an early dinner in the off-season will be more peaceful than a Saturday night in July.

The restaurant accepts reservations, which is helpful during peak times, though walk-ins are also accommodated. Casual dress is the norm—beachwear, Boardwalk clothes, and everyday attire all fit. The only dress code is the unspoken one of the Boardwalk itself: come as you are.

Prices and Value

Lunch entrées typically range from the mid-teens to the low twenties, with sandwiches and smaller plates on the lower end and full seafood plates on the higher end. Dinner entrées run from the low twenties to the mid-thirties, depending on what you order. Sides are included with entrées, and the portions are large enough that many people take leftovers. Appetizers, soups, and salads are priced separately and range from eight to sixteen dollars.

For a Boardwalk restaurant with oceanfront seating, the prices are reasonable. You are paying for the location and the view as much as the food, but the food quality justifies the cost. The seafood is fresh, the preparations are honest, and the portions reflect a restaurant that is not trying to maximize profit by serving tiny plates at high prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation to eat at Shutters?

Reservations are accepted and recommended during peak times—summer weekends, holidays, and special events. Walk-ins are seated when tables are available, but you may wait during busy periods. Calling ahead is the safest approach if you want to may provide a table at a specific time.

Can I bring children?

Yes. Shutters is a family-friendly restaurant, and children are welcome. The menu includes simpler options like fried shrimp and fish, and the casual atmosphere means kids do not need to sit still for hours. High chairs and booster seats are available.

Is there outdoor seating?

The restaurant has some seating that opens directly onto the Boardwalk, giving you the experience of dining al fresco while remaining part of the restaurant. True outdoor seating varies by season and weather, but the Boardwalk-facing tables offer a semi-outdoor experience year-round.

What if I do not eat seafood?

The menu is seafood-focused, but most restaurants of this type offer chicken and beef options as well. It is worth calling ahead or checking the menu online if you have specific dietary needs or strong preferences away from seafood.

Is there a kids menu?

Most seafood restaurants on the Boardwalk offer a children's menu with simpler, smaller portions. Shutters likely does, but menus and offerings can change. Calling ahead or asking when you arrive will confirm what is available for younger diners.