Tavern in Surfside: Lowcountry Cooking and Local Character in Myrtle Beach

What to expect at Tavern in Surfside

Tavern in Surfside is a casual restaurant in Myrtle Beach's Surfside neighborhood that serves Lowcountry-style American food in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. The menu centers on regional seafood and comfort dishes—shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, fried flounder, and burgers—prepared without fuss. The space itself feels lived-in: wood-paneled walls, a bar that draws locals, and the kind of worn-in charm that comes from being a neighborhood gathering spot rather than a destination built for tourists.

The restaurant sits on North Kings Highway, close enough to the beach that you can reach it in a few minutes from Surfside Beach proper. It's the kind of place where you might see the same faces at the bar on a Tuesday night, where the bartender knows regulars by name, and where the kitchen doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. If you're looking for fine dining or elaborate presentations, this isn't it. If you want honest Lowcountry food and a genuine neighborhood atmosphere, it is.

Key Takeaways

• Tavern in Surfside specializes in Lowcountry seafood and comfort food, with shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and fried fish as signature dishes.
• The restaurant has a casual bar atmosphere with wood-paneled walls and a strong local following, especially during evening hours.
• Located on North Kings Highway in the Surfside neighborhood, it's a short drive from Surfside Beach and accessible from central Myrtle Beach.
• The kitchen focuses on straightforward preparation rather than elaborate plating, making it a reliable choice for traditional Lowcountry flavors.

The menu and what to order

The menu reads like a Lowcountry greatest-hits list. She-crab soup—the regional classic made with roe from female crabs—appears as an appetizer and is worth ordering even if you're splitting entrees. Shrimp and grits, the dish that defines Lowcountry cooking, comes with creamy stone-ground grits, sautéed shrimp, and a sauce that ties it together. The fried flounder is straightforward: a whole fish or fillet, breaded and fried until the outside crisps, served with sides like collard greens or mac and cheese.

Beyond seafood, the restaurant holds its own with burgers, sandwiches, and daily specials that rotate with what's available. The bar menu includes wings, nachos, and other shareable plates designed for drinking and lingering. Portions are generous—this is not a place where you leave hungry. Prices sit in the moderate range for Myrtle Beach, meaning you're paying for honest food and a real bar, not for ambiance or a name chef.

The bar and the crowd

The bar is the heart of Tavern in Surfside. It's where locals settle in after work, where regulars have their usual seats, and where the bartender's attention matters more than table service. The space has the feel of a place that's been there long enough to develop a personality—wood grain, dim lighting, and the kind of worn comfort that comes from actual use rather than design.

The crowd skews local and mixed-age: construction workers, retirees, families on casual nights, and people who live in the Surfside area year-round. You won't find the spring-break energy of central Myrtle Beach here. The noise level is conversational, the pace is unhurried, and nobody's performing for anyone else. If you want to eat at a bar and actually talk to the person next to you, this is the place to do it.

When to go and what to know

Tavern in Surfside is open for lunch and dinner most days, though hours can shift seasonally—Myrtle Beach restaurants often adjust between summer and winter. Evenings, especially Thursday through Saturday, draw the steadiest crowd. Lunch is quieter and a good time to go if you prefer a calmer atmosphere. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, so arriving during off-peak hours (before 6 p.m. or after 8 p.m.) usually means shorter waits.

Parking is available in a lot adjacent to the restaurant. The space is casual enough that you don't need to dress up—jeans and a shirt are perfectly appropriate. The restaurant is not set up for large groups, so if you're planning to bring ten people, call ahead to see if they can accommodate you. Cash and cards are both accepted.

How Tavern in Surfside fits into Myrtle Beach dining

Myrtle Beach has thousands of restaurants, many of them chains or tourist-focused establishments. Tavern in Surfside represents a different category: a neighborhood restaurant that serves the people who actually live here, not the people passing through. That distinction matters. The kitchen isn't trying to impress anyone with technique or novelty. It's trying to cook the food that Lowcountry people have eaten for generations and do it well enough that locals come back.

The Surfside neighborhood itself has this same character—quieter than central Myrtle Beach, more residential, less built for tourism. If you're staying in that area or exploring beyond the main tourist corridor, Tavern in Surfside is the kind of place that makes a neighborhood feel like a real place rather than a vacation backdrop. It's where you go to understand what Myrtle Beach is like when the tourists aren't looking.

Getting there from other Myrtle Beach areas

From downtown Myrtle Beach or the boardwalk, Tavern in Surfside is about 10 to 15 minutes north on North Kings Highway. From North Myrtle Beach, it's roughly 20 minutes south on the same road. If you're staying in the central tourist district, you're driving away from the main attractions, which is exactly the point—you're heading toward a neighborhood restaurant instead of a destination venue.

The restaurant is not on the beach itself but in the commercial strip that runs parallel to it. Surfside Beach, the actual beach access point, is a few blocks east. If you're planning a beach day and want dinner nearby, you can park at the beach, walk or drive the short distance to the restaurant, and be back to your hotel or rental without much trouble.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do they take reservations?

No, Tavern in Surfside operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving during off-peak hours—before 6 p.m. or after 8 p.m.—usually means a shorter wait. If you're planning to bring a large group, call ahead to ask if they can hold space for you.

What are the hours?

Hours vary by season, as most Myrtle Beach restaurants adjust between summer and winter. Call or check their current hours before you go, especially if you're visiting during shoulder seasons like spring or fall.

Is it a good place for families with kids?

Yes, though the bar atmosphere means it can get louder and more adult-oriented in the evenings. Lunch or early dinner is a better time to bring children. The menu has straightforward options like burgers and fried fish that most kids recognize.

What's the price range?

Entrees are moderate for Myrtle Beach—most run between $12 and $20. Appetizers and bar food are less. You're paying for honest food and a real neighborhood bar, not for upscale presentation or a famous name.

Can I pay with a card?

Yes, both cash and cards are accepted. There's no minimum for card payments.