Billy the Kid's Seafood and Steakhouse in Murrells Inlet

A casual waterfront spot where the seafood is fresh and the portions are generous

Billy the Kid's Seafood and Steakhouse sits right on the water in Murrells Inlet, a working fishing village about 30 minutes south of Myrtle Beach. The restaurant trades on its location—you can watch boats come and go while you eat—and on straightforward cooking: fried shrimp, grilled fish, crab cakes, and steaks that don't pretend to be anything fancier than they are. The dining room is casual, the bar is active, and the crowd is mixed locals and tourists who found the place by word of mouth or GPS.

The menu leans seafood, as the name suggests. You'll find fried platters, broiled fish, and daily specials that change with what the local boats bring in. The steakhouse half of the name means there are beef options—ribeyes, filets, strip steaks—but the kitchen's real work is in the seafood side. Prices run moderate for a waterfront restaurant, and the portions are large enough that many people take half their meal home.

Key Takeaways

• Billy the Kid's is located directly on the water in Murrells Inlet, with views of the working fishing docks from the dining room.
• The menu centers on fried and broiled seafood, with daily specials based on what local boats catch, plus a selection of steaks.
• The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, with a full bar and a mix of locals and visitors.
• Parking is available on-site, and the restaurant accepts walk-ins, though waits can run long during peak summer season.

What to order and what to expect

The fried seafood platters are the backbone of the menu. Shrimp, flounder, scallops, and oysters come battered and fried, served with hushpuppies, coleslaw, and your choice of potato or rice. The portions are substantial—a single platter often feeds two people comfortably. If you prefer your fish cooked without the breading, the broiled options include grouper, mahi-mahi, and whatever else came off the boats that morning.

The crab cakes are a signature item and worth ordering as an appetizer or entrée. They're made with lump crab meat and hold together without being dense, and they arrive with a sauce for dipping. The she-crab soup, when it's available, is thick and rich. Steaks are grilled to order and come with sides; they're not the focus of the kitchen, but they're reliable if someone in your party doesn't want seafood.

Service is friendly but can be slow during the summer tourist season, particularly on weekends. The bar moves faster than the dining room, so if you're in a hurry, sitting at the bar and ordering appetizers is a reasonable strategy. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, so arriving before 6 p.m. or after 8 p.m. usually means a shorter wait.

The setting and the fishing village context

Murrells Inlet is one of South Carolina's last working fishing villages. The boats you see from Billy the Kid's are commercial fishing vessels, not pleasure craft, and many of the restaurants in the inlet source their catch from the docks you're looking at. That proximity matters—the seafood is fresher than it would be if it had traveled from a distant port, and the menu changes based on what's actually available rather than what a distributor can deliver.

The dining room has large windows facing the water, and the bar wraps around to give most seats a view. The décor is nautical without being overdone—wood paneling, fishing nets, the kind of casual waterfront aesthetic that works because it's genuine rather than themed. The noise level is moderate to high, especially on weekends, so this isn't a quiet dinner spot.

Parking, hours, and how to get there

Billy the Kid's is located at 4010 Highway 17 Business in Murrells Inlet. There is a parking lot on-site with plenty of spaces, though it fills up during peak summer weekends. The restaurant is about 30 minutes from Myrtle Beach proper, heading south on Highway 17, and about 15 minutes north of Georgetown.

Hours are typically 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, though hours may shift seasonally or for special events. It's worth calling ahead during the off-season to confirm, as some waterfront restaurants in the area adjust their schedules in winter. The restaurant accepts cash and cards, and there is a full bar with beer, wine, and spirits.

When to go and what the crowds are like

Summer weekends draw the heaviest crowds—families on vacation, groups of friends, and retirees visiting the area. Waits can exceed an hour on Friday and Saturday evenings in July and August. Weekday lunches and early dinners (before 6 p.m.) are quieter. The off-season, from October through March, is much less crowded, though some locals prefer the restaurant in summer when the energy is highest.

The crowd is mixed. You'll see families with children, groups of older diners, couples, and fishing crews stopping in after a day on the water. The atmosphere is unpretentious—nobody is dressed up, and the restaurant doesn't expect you to be either. This is a place where comfort and appetite matter more than formality.

Nearby attractions in Murrells Inlet

Murrells Inlet is home to Huntington Beach State Park, which has a fishing pier, nature trails, and a salt marsh boardwalk. The park is about 10 minutes from Billy the Kid's and makes for a good walk before or after dinner. The inlet itself is a popular spot for charter fishing trips, kayaking, and boat tours.

Brookgreen Gardens, a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve, is about 15 minutes south. Pawleys Island, a quiet beach town, is about 20 minutes away. If you're staying in Myrtle Beach and want to venture south for dinner, Billy the Kid's and the surrounding inlet area offer a different pace than the main tourist corridor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

No, Billy the Kid's operates on a first-come, first-served basis. During peak summer season, waits can run 45 minutes to an hour on Friday and Saturday evenings. Arriving before 6 p.m. or after 8 p.m. typically means a shorter wait.

Is the restaurant family-friendly?

Yes. Families with children are common, and the casual atmosphere and straightforward menu work well for kids. High chairs are available, and the staff is accustomed to families. The noise level is moderate to high, so it's not a quiet environment.

What if I don't eat seafood?

The restaurant has steaks and other non-seafood options, though the kitchen's strength is clearly in the seafood side. If you're dining with a group and someone doesn't want fish, they can order a steak or ask the server about other options.

Is there a kids' menu?

Most casual seafood restaurants in the area offer simplified portions and pricing for children, though it's worth calling ahead to confirm what Billy the Kid's currently offers. Many kids order smaller versions of the fried shrimp or fish platters.

Can I bring my own beer or wine?

No, the restaurant has a full bar and does not permit outside alcohol. Beer, wine, and spirits are available at the bar and can be ordered with your meal.