Whether you have picky eaters on your hands or don’t want to break the bank dining out as a group, these local restaurants always serve up something the entire family will enjoy.

River City Cafe
404 21st Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, 
(843) 448-1990 
(plus 6 additional locations across Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and Surfside Beach)
rivercitycafe.com

The kids will love the carefree spirit and friendly smiles at any of the seven River City Cafe locations. They can shell and throw peanuts on the floor, check out all of the license plates on the wall, and crayon all over the butcher paper tablecloth. The kids’ menu options are a choice of a hamburger, cheeseburger, mac and cheese, hot dog, corn dog, grilled cheese, or chicken nuggets served with fries, Doritos, Cheetos, banana or applesauce. Mom and Dad will love any of the dozens of infamous RCC burger combinations and hand-cut fries. 

Hanser House
14360 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, 
(843) 235-3021
hanserhouse.com

Your family will feel right at home at the Hanser House. The family-owned restaurant takes extra care with their patrons of all ages, with attentive service at the table and warm Southern hospitality at the front door. They cater to all types of palate preferences, which is important when you have picky eaters. For the kids, there are options such as fried creek shrimp and grilled cheese, which are served with French fries and apple sauce. Added bonus is that kids’ meals are served up on a Frisbee to take home. All menu selections in the House are locally sourced. The Grilled Fantail Shrimp entree is a must-try, served with a fresh house salad, their famous hushpuppies and jalapeno fried grits. Their seasonal, local oyster roasts are also delicious, as well as the Hanser Family She Crab Soup, a secret family recipe that’s been dished out for generations.

Johnny D’s
3301 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, (843) 448-6789
3900 U.S. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, (843) 663-1700
johnnydswafflesandbakery.com

Award-winning Chef Jamie Daskalis kicks it up a notch for her breakfast, without raising the prices—important for families on a budget. An Early Bird menu is available from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m., featuring $5 specials that include coffee or drink of your choice. The regular breakfast menu lists loads of omelets, egg combos, and, of course, a wide variety of homemade Belgian waffles, including the award-winning Red Velvet. Plus, skillets, pancakes, sandwiches, healthy eats and more. Beyond the incredible food and service, Chef Jamie also lends a helping hand to the community as a strong advocate for autism awareness. Her son, James, was diagnosed with autism at three years old and she’ll often host sensory-friendly events at Johnny D’s.