Best Upscale Classic Restaurants - 2023

(Clockwise from top left) Costa Coastal Kitchen and Bar features locally sourced food and stellar drinks; Bisto 90 offers an award-winning dining experience; SeaBlue has received many accolades for its extensive menu and quality offerings; Perrone’s practices the art of combining flavor, design and quality on its menu; Gios Italian Kitchen delivers authentic and creative cuisine; Thoroughbreds Chophouse is a winning bet when it comes to steak, seafood and desserts.

Bistro 90 
7209 SC-90, Longs (843) 390-5151
Bistro90.com
Discover the award-winning Bistro 90 in Longs, serving only USDA Prime beef, fresh seafood, chops, and Italian classics. This Wine Spectator Award winner provides a sought-after casual fine dining experience, open Monday-Saturday for dinner. The delectable Foie Gras, duck confit-stuffed mushrooms, wild-caught salmon, chicken, veal marsala, and dry-aged steaks keep customers returning. Don’t miss the rack of lamb and a variety of a la carte sides. Reservations recommended, but not mandatory. Explore their sister restaurant, Aspen Grille, in Myrtle Beach, for another casual but upscale culinary experience.

Chive Blossom
85 N. Causeway Rd, Pawleys Island. (843) 237-1438
Chiveblossom.com
Warmed by fireplaces in the fall and winter, Chive Blossom’s all-seasons outdoor courtyard is a year-round delight for its patrons who move inside when the weather doesn’t permit. For more than 20 years the owners and chefs have sought to bring a sophisticated lunch and dinner menu in an elegant yet casual setting. Chive Blossom’s daytime menu includes starters and small plates, house specialties such as wild salmon, seafood sampler, quiche, sandwiches and much more. For dinner start with she crab soup, fried oysters, house-made pimento cheese, crab nachos, filet mignon, locally sourced flounder and grouper, bouillabaisse, crab cakes and more. 

Flamingo Grill
7550 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, (843) 449-5388
Flamingogrill.com
For some 40 years “The Dinos,” owners of Flamingo Grill, have redefined casual fine dining, setting the benchmark. The art deco-inspired restaurant and lounge is particularly known for their lobster bites with Bearnaise and Flounder Cagney (named for the owners’ first area eatery, Cagney’s). The extensive menu features dozens of starters, salads, seafood specialties, pasta, and a huge selection of steaks with prime rib in four sizes from 8 to 24 ounces. Flamingo Grill offers a menu featuring a fusion of flavors, which promises a memorable dining experience. Don’t miss their signature cocktails.

Perrone’s Restaurant & Bar
13302 Ocean Highway, Litchfield/Pawleys Island, (843)235-9193
Perronesmarket.com
Perrone’s, established in 2012, captivates with dry-aged prime steaks and a stunning blend of art and design with exceptional food and drink.  Its award-winning wine list, inviting bar/lounge, and Mediterranean-inspired menu foster a loyal clientele. The restaurant’s interior surprises with vibrant colors and intricate details. Owner Steven Perrone’s concept thrives on balance, crafting dishes that harmonize multiple notes. He states “Relax, have a cocktail, peruse our offerings, be adventurous and embrace your dining experience.”

Frank’s and Frank’s Outback
10434 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, (843) 237-3030 
Franksandoutback.com
Frank’s Outback, a cleverly tented and semi-outdoor extension of Pawleys Island’s beloved Frank’s, presents a unique year-round al fresco dining experience. While Frank’s indoor area offers casual fine dining on white linen tablecloths with a French-inspired touch, Frank’s Outback embraces a casual and informal ambiance. Both locations boast an enticing menu, featuring delectable small plates and entrees, including beef, seafood, and chicken dishes. Additionally, Outback serves wood-fired pizzas to satisfy diverse cravings. 

Gios Italian Kitchen
7915 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, (843) 712-2238
Giositaliankitchenmb.com
10008 Ocn Hwy, Pawleys Island, (843) 237-8245
Giositaliankitchen.com
Gios, a family-owned and operated establishment with two locations, invites diners into modern, sophisticated, and comfortable spaces, delivering authentic and creative Italian cuisine. Indulge in an array of delights, from seafood, steaks, and chicken to surf & turf combinations and fresh sides, all accompanied by unhurried service. Savor the goodness of 15 pasta dishes, as well as traditionally prepared chicken and veal in Marsala, Napoleon, scaloppine, and other inventive styles. For seafood and steak enthusiasts, Gios offers an enticing selection, including scallops, lobster claw, NY strip in two sizes, and more.

21 Main Prime Steakhouse
719 North Beach Blvd. North Myrtle Beach, (843) 315-3000
21mainatnorthbeach.com
21 Main Prime Steakhouse stands out among fine dining establishments with its meticulous attention to detail. Their on-premises dry-aging process elevates the menu, boasting a variety of a la carte steaks, chops, seafood, poultry, lamb, shareable sides, award-winning soups, salads, house-made desserts, sushi, and an extensive wine list complemented by a full bar. Exuding elegance without pretension, the impeccable service and delectable food promise an unforgettable experience. 

Aspen Grille
5101 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, (843)449-9191
Aspengrille.net
As a sibling of the upscale Bistro 90, Aspen Grille embodies the same casual fine dining philosophy. Emphasizing locally and regionally sourced beef, produce, and seafood, the menu delights with a burst of freshness in every dish. Begin your dining journey with creative signature cocktails at the cozy bar/lounge, then relish a remarkable dinner in the elegant dining room, accompanied by occasional live soft jazz. This atypical Myrtle Beach experience showcases a diverse menu featuring dry-aged prime beef, NC mountain trout, Lowcountry Carolina shrimp & grits, and an array of inventive culinary delights.

Thoroughbreds Chophouse
9706 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, (843) 497-2636
Thoroughbredsrestaurant.com
For more than 35 years, Thoroughbreds Chophouse in Myrtle Beach has delivered on its casual fine dining promise. The ambiance, with a nod to great horseracing paddocks, is charming and cozy. From succulent prime steaks cooked to perfection, to elk chops, blackened salmon Oscar, mouthwatering seafood like their signature lobster tail and more. The delectable desserts, such as the decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake, will make the perfect finale.

Ciao Italian Restaurant
5223 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, (843) 449-5700
Ciaomyrtlebeach.com
This cozy Italian eatery is a local favorite cherished for its genuine Italian flavors, exceptional service, and intimate old-world ambiance. From lunch to dinner, the menu impresses with its generously portioned, affordable delights, including appetizers, pasta, salads (don’t miss the antipasto!), seafood, chicken, veal, and sandwiches. For an unforgettable dinner experience, indulge in the Zuppa Di Pesce, a delectable medley of shrimp, scallops, calamari, PEI Mussels, clams, and grouper served over linguini in your choice of fra diavolo or marinara sauce. 

Chestnut Hill
9922 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, (843) 449-3984
Chestnuthilldining.com
In an historic home on Kings Highway, Chestnut Hill restaurant has been hosting gatherings since the 1950s. Beloved by generations of locals and visitors, the restaurant’s menu focuses on Southern comfort food, but expands to include sushi-grade seared tuna with ginger, wasabi and soy, to pork Marsala, entrée worthy salads, aged Angus beef, chicken, pork and veal, several vegetarian dishes, plus some 18 seafood entrées; shrimp & grits, salmon, King Crab legs, fried oysters, scallops and much more. Many come for Chestnut Hill’s scratch-made desserts, too. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner, and Sunday Brunch starts at 10 a.m.

The Parson’s Table
4305 McCorsley Ave, Little River, (843) 249-3702
Parsonstable.com
Step into history at The Parson’s Table, a cherished gem known to locals since 1978. Housed in the former Little River Methodist church, the restaurant’s 1885 dining room boasts century-old cypress and stunning stained-glass windows, adding to its charm. But it’s the exceptional food and service that truly captivates patrons.

SeaBlue Restaurant and Wine Bar
501 Hwy 17 N., North Myrtle Beach, (843) 249-8800
Seabluerestaurant.com
SeaBlue, the chic and trendy award-winning North Strand restaurant welcomes guests with an artistic and stylish ambiance, the dining room bathed in sea-blue mood lighting. Renowned for its locally sourced seafood and entrees, SeaBlue has earned several accolades, including being named the “#1 Restaurant in the Country” by OpenTable and receiving the prestigious “Best of... Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator. Rooted in classic French cooking, their contemporary American cuisine embraces a Farm-to-Table approach, prioritizing seafood from local fishermen. From small plates to large plates and delectable steaks, their chef-inspired offerings are extensive.

Costa Coastal Kitchen and Bar
4600 US 17 Bus., Murrells Inlet, (843) 357-6106
Inletsportslodge.com
Set within a small, stylish boutique hotel, Costa delights lodge visitors and locals-in-the-know with its locally sourced seafood, farm-to-table produce, and fine Italian dishes in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Start with a meatball appetizer, house-made soup, or the Parmesan Encrusted Scallops drizzled with a tomato vinaigrette. Try a Charleston Mule cocktail, craft beer and even house-made lemonade. Choose from a variety of seafood dishes, including fresh catch of the day, steaks, and pasta specialties paired with a fine wine.

Café Piccolo
9428 Ocean Hwy., Pawleys Island, (843) 314-3424
Cafepiccolopawleys.com
“Simple. Fresh. Italian,” sums up Cafe Piccolo, a culinary South Strand gem offering a delightful fusion of Italian and Lowcountry flavors with a warm and inviting ambiance. Savor their signature Seafood Risotto, a creamy blend of local catches, or indulge in the classic Eggplant Parmesan. For a lighter option, try their refreshing Caprese Salad, showcasing fresh tomatoes and mozzarella drizzled with balsamic glaze. The menu is a diverse mix of seafood, chicken, veal and pasta.