Five restaurants hiding in plain sight—from a glamorous wine bar off Highway 17 to a waterfront rooftop most visitors never think to look for
There are plenty of restaurants along the Grand Strand that are impossible to miss.
You know the ones. Giant signs. Packed parking lots. Waterfront locations you see all over social media.
But some of the most interesting places around here are a little less obvious.
Maybe you’ve driven past them a hundred times without realizing what was inside. Maybe you know the name but have never discovered the part everyone really loves. Or maybe they’re just far enough away from the usual tourist stops that you wouldn’t find them unless someone pointed you in the right direction.
These are five Grand Strand restaurants we think are worth knowing about.
Bin 2004
North Myrtle Beach
From Highway 17, you probably wouldn’t guess what’s waiting inside Bin 2004.
Step through the doors and the busy beach highway suddenly feels very far away.
The space is moody, glamorous and unapologetically over the top in the best way, with chandeliers, plush seating, gold accents, dramatic artwork and cozy lounge areas. It feels more like something you might stumble across in a much larger city than a wine bar tucked along the main road through North Myrtle Beach.
Wine is the star here.
Bin 2004 has an extensive collection with hundreds of bottles from regions around the world, along with a wine tasting concept that lets guests explore different selections at their own pace.
The food is designed for sharing, with charcuterie, tapas, pastas and desserts that make it easy to settle in for the evening rather than rush through dinner.
It works just as well for date night as it does for a girls’ night or a drink somewhere that feels a little more special.
Why you might miss it: Because nothing about driving down Highway 17 really prepares you for what’s behind the front door.
Bar 19 Twelve
North Myrtle Beach
A former wedding chapel probably isn’t the first place you’d expect to find one of North Myrtle Beach’s coolest cocktail spots.
And that’s part of what makes Bar 19 Twelve so interesting.
The atmosphere is sophisticated without feeling overly formal, with intimate indoor spaces, an upstairs bar and outdoor seating overlooking Azalea Sands Golf Club.
This is the kind of place where you can come for one cocktail and somehow still be sitting there a couple of hours later.
The bar is known for its craft cocktails, bourbon selection and creative drinks, while the food leans toward elevated shareable plates rather than typical bar fare.
Depending on the menu, you might find everything from cheese boards and made-to-order deviled eggs to seafood, risotto, scallops, crab cakes and more substantial dishes.
It feels polished, but still relaxed enough that you don’t need a special occasion to go.
Why you might miss it: You could easily drive past without realizing that a former wedding chapel has been transformed into a cocktail bar with an upstairs lounge and golf course views.
42nd Street Bar & Grill
Myrtle Beach
Don’t let the words “Bar & Grill” fool you.
42nd Street is much more interesting than the name might suggest.
This intimate Myrtle Beach restaurant has a quiet, understated feel that stands apart from many of the larger, busier restaurants around town. It’s polished without being stuffy and feels equally right for a date night, anniversary dinner or one of those evenings when you simply want really good food without a lot of fuss.
Then you look at the menu.
Instead of standard bar-and-grill staples, you’ll find more creative dishes like ahi tuna, mussels, scallops, grouper, duck, lobster mac and cheese and thoughtfully prepared steaks, along with craft cocktails and wine.
There is an attention to detail here that you might not expect if you were judging the restaurant by its name alone.
That might actually be part of its charm.
42nd Street doesn’t need a massive waterfront patio or a flashy concept to make an impression. The experience speaks for itself once you sit down.
Why you might miss it: Because the understated name and setting don’t immediately tell you how ambitious the kitchen actually is.
The Quay Seafood Grille
Murrells Inlet
When someone says waterfront dining in Murrells Inlet, your mind probably goes straight to the MarshWalk.
But there’s another view worth knowing about.
The Quay Seafood Grille sits at Marlin Quay Marina, giving diners a completely different perspective of the inlet.
Located on the upper levels of the marina facility, The Quay combines seafood-forward dining with views over the boats and surrounding water. There’s also a rooftop bar, which is exactly where you want to be when the weather is good and the sun starts going down.
The atmosphere is coastal and relaxed rather than overly formal.
The menu leans into seafood, with options like seared tuna, coconut shrimp and other coastal favorites alongside heartier entrées and shareable plates.
But honestly, part of the appeal is simply where you are.
Instead of being in the middle of the busiest stretch of Murrells Inlet nightlife, you’re tucked into the marina watching boats come and go.
Why you might miss it: Because most people automatically head toward the MarshWalk when they want waterfront dining and never think to look a little farther down the water.
Frank’s & Frank’s Outback
Pawleys Island
Calling Frank’s a secret would be a stretch.
Pawleys Island locals have been gathering here since 1988.
The real surprise is what’s hiding out back.
The original Frank’s has an old-school, polished atmosphere with white tablecloths, candlelight, hardwood floors, vintage artwork and a beautiful antique mahogany bar.
It feels classic.
Then you head outside.
Frank’s Outback is an entirely different experience.
Behind the original restaurant is a sprawling garden-like setting filled with trees, decks, lounge areas, covered spaces, outdoor bars and a large fireplace.
It feels less like an extension of a restaurant and more like discovering an entirely different place hidden behind it.
That contrast is what makes Frank’s so special.
You can have a classic dinner inside, settle into a relaxed evening outside or move between the two depending on the mood.
The menus change seasonally and include steaks, seafood, Lowcountry-inspired dishes, an extensive wine selection and plenty of longtime favorites.
Frank’s may not be unknown, but plenty of people know the name without realizing just how much is tucked behind the main restaurant.
Why you might miss it: Because the real hidden gem isn’t Frank’s itself. It’s the entire world waiting behind it.
Sometimes the Best Places Aren’t the Most Obvious
The Grand Strand has no shortage of restaurants competing for your attention.
But sometimes the places you remember most aren’t the ones with the biggest sign or the busiest location.
They’re the places you almost drove past.
The wine bar you never expected to find on Highway 17.
The cocktail lounge inside an old wedding chapel.
The restaurant whose casual name doesn’t come close to describing the food.
The marina rooftop you didn’t know existed.
Or the Pawleys Island institution with an entire hidden world behind it.
Sometimes, you just need someone to tell you where to look.
