If you are referring to OceanWatch at Grande Dunes, I agree it’s a beautiful resort.
The concierge desk can provide a restaurant recommendation list which includes discounts, free appetizers or the like. There are a number of Calabash-style, all-you-can-eat restaurants along the Grand Strand and close to OceanWatch, but we have never eaten at any of them.
Our favorite restaurants for quality and consistency are:
1. The Parson's Table, Little River, SC - award winning restaurant with local and Coastal Carolina favorites housed in a converted church built in 1885 (portions of the church including stained glass windows, chandelier, and doors have been salvaged and reused from various southern churches). Extensive wine list. About a 20-30 minute drive from MOW, but worth it.
2. The Brentwood Restaurant and Wine Bistro, Little River, SC - award winning low country French cuisine features five separate dining rooms located in a restored historic home. Offers an extensive wine list and outdoor dining. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they offer a three-course dinner and ghost tour.
3. Chestnut Hill, Restaurant Row, Myrtle Beach - menu includes abundant seafood, beef, and poultry selections using fresh, local, and homemade ingredients. We love their house salad with house dressing with rolls and muffins. Desserts are fresh, locally made. Recommend making reservations requesting a table next to the windows overlooking the lake to see the turtles and alligators. Sunday brunch is phenomenal!
Our favorite Italian restaurants serving seafood are:
4. Ciao! Italian Restaurant and Bar, Myrtle Beach - dishes are made from scratch daily with freshest ingredients. Eggplant parmesan and grouper francaise among the best we've ever had. Custom built wine cellar compliments each meal.
5. Lombardo's Italian Restaurant, Myrtle Beach - warm, quiet, romantic ambiance with white linen table cloths and rich mahogany woods, but suitable for larger family gatherings with a private dining room. Authentic, traditional Italian cuisine and offer live music on certain nights, but temporarily suspended due to covid-19.
Other recommendations:
6. The Boundary House Restaurant, Calabash , NC - worth the drive to this quaint town just across the SC border. Located across from "Callahan's of Calabash" (extensive, unique gift shop destination). One of several restaurants located in Calabash, but we found The Boundary House to be consistently excellent with fresh seafood, beef, and poultry selections. A visit to "Back Porch Ice Cream Shop" across the street after dinner is highly recommended!
7. Bimini's Oyster Bar and Seafood Market, Myrtle Beach - this fresh seafood restaurant is located not far from MOW. Offers outdoor casual dining. For take out orders, one can pick up dinner at the separate seafood market and gift shop entrance next door.
8. Sea Captain's House, Myrtle Beach - ocean front seafood dining has been an institution in Myrtle Beach for many years.
9. Main Street Bistro, North Myrtle Beach - small, quaint restaurant which requires reservations where the locals eat. Have daily seafood specials.
Consider driving south on Rt 17 to Murrells Inlet for other seafood options. You can’t go wrong. Enjoy!
