Every year, hundreds of thousands of families flock to Myrtle Beach, SC, to ride the SkyWheel, shop at Broadway at the Beach, and, of course, relax in the pristine sand along the Atlantic Ocean’s edge. But our city’s diverse culinary scene is has become a prodigious draw for foodies, especially for those with a yearning for authentic pasta, fresh seafood, and fine dining. North Shore Oceanfront Hotel has several on-site dining options, including an ocean-view cafe, a lively pub, and a next-door pizza joint, but we cannot blame you if a gourmet dinner at one of the top-reviewed Italian restaurants in Myrtle Beach sounds overwhelmingly enticing.
The Best Italian Restaurants in Myrtle Beach
Narrowing this list down to three restaurants was quite challenging as our oceanside haven is home to over a dozen four-star Italian establishments. Many of the premier Italian restaurants in Myrtle Beach are less than two miles from our Myrtle Beach water park, which is an added perk on top of the countless other on-site amenities. All three of these Italian mainstays have several common qualities, including a sophisticated, romantic ambiance, top-rated service, and, of course, undeniably delicious seafood and pasta.
1. Villa Romana Italian Restaurant
While it was taxing to compile just three Italian restaurants in Myrtle Beach, Villa Romana Italian Restaurant was admittedly a no-brainer. This Kings Highway staple has been slinging inventive pasta dishes smothered in homemade sauce and topped with fresh-caught seafood since 1985. In fact, Villa Romana won the “Italian Restaurant of the Year” award 13 years in a row. The interior decor mirrors that of Roman architecture, including columns, chandeliers, and statues. Each made-from-scratch dish is a flavorful journey across the seven seas, particularly the white wine linguine topped with steamed, freshly-netted clams. The classic spaghetti with two massive, mouthwatering meatballs, meanwhile, will put a smile on your children’s faces. The housemade gnocchi, the daily Villa Romana specialty, will stick with you long after you’ve returned home from holiday.
2. Luigi’s Trattoria
Admittedly, one of the main selling points of Luigi’s Trattoria is that it’s 1.4 miles down Kings Highway from North Shore Oceanfront Hotel (a brand new Myrtle Beach beachfront hotel). Unlike most Italian restaurants in Myrtle Beach, Luigi’s is revered for its lush tiramisu, succulent veal, and Ralph, the in-house accordion player. The dimly-lit dining room, extensive wine list, and old-world ambiance help make Luigi’s one of our favorite romantic restaurants in Myrtle Beach. We’re a sucker for Luigi’s homemade lobster-stuffed ravioli daubed in a creamy vodka sauce and sprinkled with bits of fresh-chopped bacon. But don’t overlook their gloriously filling classics, such as the lasagna, manicotti, and carbonara penne.
3. Ciao!
Ciao typically sits atop most composite lists of the best Italian restaurants in Myrtle Beach thanks to their eye-popping plate presentation, innovative takes on classics, and that free, homebaked bread. One of the primary reasons we dearly appreciate the folks at Ciao is that they offer splendid Happy Hour specials six days a week from 4–7 p.m. They’ve been serving authentic, gourmet Italian cuisine since 2006, and locals cannot seem to get enough of their zuppa di pesce, a steaming plate of linguine covered in a spicy fra diavolo and six types of fresh seafood. While many travelers search for the hottest new restaurants in Myrtle Beach, we typically urge guests to try these local mainstays such as Ciao!
Myrtle Beach Hotels on the Beach
After a lavish dinner at one of the three premier Italian restaurants in Myrtle Beach, retreat to North Shore Oceanfront Hotel for a beach stroll at dusk, a signature cocktail at Seagull Pub, and the best sleep of your life. Start the next day anew, and explore all that Myrtle Beach has to offer, including world-class golf, Gulf Stream fishing, and scuba diving. To book a well-deserved coastal escape to sunny South Carolina, please give us a call today at 800-959-6418 (or check availability online).