Borgata of Surfside: Oceanfront Dining and Cocktails in Myrtle Beach

What Borgata of Surfside offers

Borgata of Surfside is an oceanfront restaurant and bar in Myrtle Beach that serves Italian-American cuisine and cocktails with views of the Atlantic. The restaurant occupies a prime spot on the North Myrtle Beach boardwalk, giving diners and drinkers a direct sight line to the water. The bar side of the operation focuses on craft cocktails and a full liquor selection, while the dining room handles both casual lunch crowds and dinner reservations.

The space itself reflects a casual-upscale beach atmosphere—not fine dining, but not a dive either. You'll find wood finishes, warm lighting, and the kind of setup where you can eat at the bar, sit in a booth, or claim a table near the windows. The kitchen handles pasta, seafood, and meat dishes that lean toward Italian tradition without pretension. Prices run moderate to moderately high, typical for oceanfront Myrtle Beach dining.

Key Takeaways

• Borgata sits directly on the North Myrtle Beach boardwalk with unobstructed ocean views from most seating areas.
• The bar serves craft cocktails and full liquor service, making it a destination for drinks before or after dinner.
• The kitchen focuses on Italian-American fare—pasta, seafood, and meat—at moderate to moderately high prices for the area.
• Dinner reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer season and weekends.
• The restaurant operates year-round, though hours may vary seasonally.

The bar and cocktail program

The bar at Borgata runs a cocktail menu that mixes classic drinks with house creations. You'll find the expected martinis, margaritas, and old fashioneds alongside drinks built around seasonal ingredients or the bartender's current focus. The bar staff tends to know their spirits and can build a drink to your taste rather than just pouring by rote.

The full liquor license means beer, wine, and spirits are all available. The wine list skews toward Italian selections and California producers, with options by the glass and bottle. If you're coming for drinks alone—before dinner, after a beach day, or as your evening's main event—the bar has enough seating and atmosphere to make it work. Happy hour pricing, when available, typically runs in the late afternoon.

Dining and the menu

Borgata's kitchen handles Italian-American cooking in the way that works for a beach town: recognizable, well-executed, not experimental. Pasta dishes appear regularly—expect risotto, seafood pasta, and meat-based sauces. Seafood plays a role given the oceanfront location, though the menu isn't seafood-only. Steaks and chicken round out the protein options.

Portion sizes tend toward generous, and the kitchen doesn't rush plates. Appetizers, salads, and sides are available if you want to graze or share. Desserts are made in-house or sourced locally. The wine list pairs reasonably with the food, and the bartenders can suggest pairings if you're ordering wine with dinner.

Seating, views, and atmosphere

The oceanfront location is Borgata's biggest draw. Most tables have a view of the Atlantic, and the windows are large enough that even seats farther back get some sight line to the water. Sunset timing matters if you want to catch the light show—dinner reservations around 6 or 7 p.m. during summer will land you in the middle of it.

The bar itself has stools facing the water, making it a legitimate spot to sit for an hour with a cocktail and watch the beach. The dining room fills up quickly during peak season, so arriving without a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night in June, July, or August means a wait. Weekday lunches and shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are easier to walk into.

Getting there and parking

Borgata sits on the North Myrtle Beach boardwalk, which means street-level access and boardwalk parking nearby. The address is easy to find if you're already in the Surfside area. Parking fills up during peak beach season, but the boardwalk has public lots within a short walk. If you're staying in a nearby hotel, it's walkable from most oceanfront properties.

The restaurant is accessible by car from Highway 17 and the main Myrtle Beach thoroughfares. GPS coordinates or the restaurant's name in a maps app will get you there without confusion. During summer weekends, plan for slower traffic on the boardwalk approach.

Hours and reservations

Borgata operates year-round, though hours shift with the season. Summer hours typically run longer—lunch and dinner service seven days a week. Winter hours may be shorter or may close on certain weekdays. Calling ahead to confirm hours is worth the minute, especially if you're visiting in the off-season.

Reservations are not required but are strongly recommended for dinner, particularly on weekends and during summer. The restaurant takes reservations by phone and sometimes through online platforms. Walk-ins are accepted when space allows, but expect a wait during busy times. Lunch is usually easier to walk into than dinner.

What to expect on a typical visit

A typical dinner visit runs two to three hours if you're eating and lingering. Cocktails arrive quickly; food takes the time it needs. Service is attentive without hovering. The crowd skews toward tourists and locals celebrating something—anniversaries, birthdays, family dinners—rather than a quick weeknight meal.

If you're coming for drinks only, you can settle in at the bar for as long as you like. The bartenders don't rush you, and the view doesn't get old. The noise level is moderate—busy enough to feel lively, not so loud that conversation is difficult. Dress code is casual to business casual; you won't be turned away in shorts and a t-shirt, but most diners dress up slightly for dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation to eat at Borgata?

Reservations are not required but are recommended, especially for dinner on weekends and during summer. Walk-ins are seated when tables are available, but you may wait 30 minutes to an hour during peak times. Lunch is usually easier to walk into without calling ahead.

Can I just go to the bar without eating dinner?

Yes. The bar is a full operation with its own seating, and you can order cocktails and appetizers without a dinner reservation. The bar is a legitimate destination on its own, particularly for sunset drinks or an evening out.

What's the price range for dinner?

Entrees typically run from the mid-20s to the mid-40s, depending on what you order. Appetizers, salads, and sides are in the $10 to $20 range. Wine by the glass runs $8 to $16. It's moderate to moderately high for oceanfront Myrtle Beach dining.

Is there parking nearby?

Yes. Borgata sits on the North Myrtle Beach boardwalk with public parking lots within a short walk. Street parking is also available, though it fills up during peak summer season. Most parking is free or low-cost.

What time should I arrive for sunset?

Sunset times vary by season—roughly 5:30 p.m. in winter and 8:30 p.m. in summer. A dinner reservation 30 to 60 minutes before sunset will land you in the middle of the light show. Call ahead to confirm the exact time and to secure your table.