Villa Tuscanna in Murrells Inlet: Italian Coastal Dining with Low Country Roots

What Villa Tuscanna Offers

Villa Tuscanna is an Italian restaurant in Murrells Inlet, about 30 minutes north of Myrtle Beach, where chef-owner Stefano Tedeschi serves Northern Italian cuisine in a setting that feels like a Tuscan villa transplanted to the South Carolina coast. The menu centers on house-made pasta, fresh seafood, and traditional Italian preparations—risotto, osso buco, handmade ravioli—alongside Low Country ingredients like shrimp and local fish. The dining room has stone walls, warm lighting, and an open kitchen where you can watch pasta being made by hand.

The restaurant opened in the early 2000s and has become a destination for diners willing to drive past the chain restaurants clustered around Highway 17. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and during the summer season when Myrtle Beach tourism peaks. The wine list leans Italian but includes selections from other regions, and the staff can guide you through pairings with your meal.

Key Takeaways

• Villa Tuscanna specializes in house-made pasta and Northern Italian dishes prepared with fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients.
• The restaurant is located in Murrells Inlet, a quieter coastal town about 30 minutes north of Myrtle Beach's main tourist corridor.
• Chef Stefano Tedeschi runs the kitchen and often works the dining room, creating a personal connection with regular and first-time guests.
• Dinner is the main service; the restaurant is typically closed Mondays and may have limited hours in winter months.

The Menu and What to Order

The menu changes seasonally, but certain dishes appear regularly enough to guide your choice. The handmade ravioli—often filled with ricotta, spinach, or seafood—showcases the kitchen's pasta-making skill and pairs well with brown butter sage or tomato-based sauces. Risotto dishes rotate with the seasons; spring and summer versions often feature local shrimp or crab. The osso buco, a braised veal shank, is a signature preparation that requires advance notice on some nights.

Seafood plays a larger role here than in many traditional Italian restaurants, a nod to Murrells Inlet's location on the Atlantic. Local flounder, grouper, and shrimp appear prepared simply—pan-seared, grilled, or in light sauces—rather than buried under heavy cream. Vegetable sides and salads reflect what is available at local farms and markets. Desserts are made in-house; panna cotta and tiramisu are reliable choices, though the menu rotates.

Atmosphere and Dining Experience

The interior design draws from Tuscan farmhouse aesthetics: exposed stone, warm earth tones, and soft lighting create an intimate setting without feeling stuffy. Tables are spaced to allow conversation without overhearing neighboring diners. The open kitchen is part of the experience—you see pasta being rolled and cut, sauces simmering, and plates being plated. On busy nights, this visibility adds energy to the room.

The pace of service is unhurried. Courses arrive with time between them, which is typical of Italian dining but may feel slow if you are accustomed to American restaurant timing. This rhythm is intentional and allows you to savor each dish. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and wine list and can answer questions about ingredients and preparations without being intrusive.

Location and Getting There

Villa Tuscanna sits on Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet, a working fishing village that has resisted heavy commercial development. The restaurant is easy to spot and has its own parking lot. Murrells Inlet is about 30 minutes north of central Myrtle Beach and 15 minutes south of Pawleys Island. If you are staying in Myrtle Beach, the drive is straightforward but requires a car; there is no public transit between the two towns.

The surrounding area offers other reasons to visit: Huntington Beach State Park is adjacent to the restaurant, and the inlet itself has working shrimp boats and a small commercial fishing fleet. Many diners combine a meal at Villa Tuscanna with a walk along the waterfront or a visit to nearby galleries and shops in the village.

Pricing and What to Expect

Dinner entrees typically range from the mid-20s to the mid-40s, depending on the protein and preparation. Pasta dishes tend toward the lower end of that range, while seafood and meat dishes cost more. Appetizers, salads, and soups run between 8 and 16 dollars. Wine by the glass starts around 8 dollars; bottles range widely depending on selection. There is no separate children's menu, though the kitchen will accommodate requests for simpler preparations.

The restaurant does not have a bar, so alcohol is limited to wine and beer. Desserts are typically 8 to 10 dollars. Reservations are essential on weekends and recommended even on weeknights during peak season. The restaurant accepts major credit cards and cash.

Hours, Closures, and Planning Your Visit

Villa Tuscanna serves dinner only, typically opening at 5 or 5:30 p.m. and closing around 10 p.m., though hours vary by season and day of the week. The restaurant is closed Mondays year-round. During winter months (roughly November through February), hours may be reduced or the restaurant may close for a week or two for staff rest and maintenance. It is worth calling ahead or checking their website before making the drive, especially in the off-season.

The restaurant is busiest Friday and Saturday nights and during summer vacation season. If you prefer a quieter experience, weeknight visits in spring or fall offer better availability and a more relaxed atmosphere. Special occasions—anniversaries, birthdays—are worth mentioning when you make your reservation; the kitchen and staff often acknowledge these with small gestures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and during summer. The restaurant is small and fills quickly. You can call ahead to check availability and secure a table. Walk-ins are sometimes accommodated on slower nights, but you may face a wait.

Can the kitchen accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes. The kitchen is willing to work with vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs if you mention them when you reserve or when you arrive. Call ahead so the chef knows what to prepare, rather than requesting changes after you sit down.

Is there outdoor seating?

Villa Tuscanna does not have a patio or outdoor dining area. All seating is inside the main dining room. On warm evenings, you can walk along the inlet after your meal to enjoy the waterfront.

What is the dress code?

The restaurant is casual-to-dressy. Shorts and t-shirts are fine; many diners wear business casual or nicer clothing, especially on weekends. There is no strict dress code, but the atmosphere suggests putting thought into what you wear.

Can I bring my own wine?

The restaurant does not permit outside wine. The wine list is curated by the owner and reasonably priced. If you have a specific request, call ahead and ask whether the restaurant can source it for your visit.