From the moment you enter Horst Gasthaus in North Myrtle Beach, you’ll get the sensation that you’ve traveled afar.

Like stepping off an alpine trail in Austria and being greeted by cheerful Dirndl-clad Fräuleins ready with tankards of good German ale, baskets of warm bread, and the aroma of authentic home-cooked German food filling the air, Horst Gasthaus has been serving generations of fiercely loyal locals and visitors for decades.

The uber cozy and quaint Germanic restaurant celebrates its 42nd year in 2026, serving schnitzels of every variety (veal, chicken, and pork) along with bratwurst, bauernwurst, sauerbraten, Bavarian goulash, spätzle (a personal favorite), all-you-can-eat pork chops and so much more – all with a side of spirited accordion music from Pat Racioppa each Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

“Gasthaus” literally means “country inn” and the restaurant was named for its original owner, Horst Goetz, owner and operator for many decades. Laney Vallancey purchased the restaurant in 2025. Vallancey also owns Rockefellers (they share a parking lot) and Brisket, two additional North Myrtle Beach restaurants with long-time loyal followers and new converts each season.

The bar/lounge fills quickly at 4 p.m. where savvy diners take advantage of Happy Hour food and drink specials with prices too good to publish, some of which are only available in the lounge.

The large dining room fills next where eager patrons with hearty appetites might opt for the AYCE breaded pork chop special, available every evening, along with traditional German favorites, all of which fall under the “comfort food” category. 

_{German cuisine awaits at Horst Gasthaus with a side of traditional accordion music Fridays and Saturdays, 6-8 p.m.}

Appetizers, such as sausage and sauerkraut, soft pretzels with beer cheese and mustard, along with goulash suppe (soup), German potato salad, and more might start the meal, but be prepared for the monster schnitzels, savory sauerbraten (the German national dish made of marinated beef, slow-cooked into a fork-tender, sweet and tangy specialty with plenty of velvety gravy), and so much more. (visit the website for the complete menu).

A large selection of German beer, bottled and on tap, along with wine and cocktails, should accompany every Horst Gasthaus meal, and although the theme is unmistakably and authentically German, there are domestic beers, wine, and a full bar. Nontraditional meal choices are available too, such as veal Parmigiana, pork Cordon Bleu, and French onion soup. A kids menu features hot dogs, sausage, and a chopped steak. 

Sweet endings are required after every meal and include German chocolate cake, Black Forest cake, Limoncello cake and sea-salt caramel cheesecake, subject to availability. Don’t worry about the Kummerspeck (the extra bit of weight you might put on – it’s worth it!)

While international cuisine has become more common among the Grand Strand’s nearly 2000 eateries, German/Bavarian restaurants are a rarity, and Horst Gasthaus is one of only two and the original since 1984, still going strong. Auf Wiedersehen! 

Open Tuesday- Saturday, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m;  Happy Hour, 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. 
Reservations accepted, but not required.
www.horst-gasthaus.com
802 37th Ave S., North Myrtle Beach (843) 272-3351