Restaurants & Dining
Top 10 Tapas Restaurants in Myrtle Beach
In Spain, tapas are a big part of the culinary experience. The advantages of ordering several small plates instead of one large one is not just a matter of variety, but also that people find it easier to converse with other diners while nibbling on an array of snacks, even sharing them when necessary.
Over the past few years, more and more tapas-style eateries have been popping up as the popularity of that style of dining increases.
Some of the restaurants serving these dishes do so under the specific tapas designation, while others simply refer to them as small plates. Either way, if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy some of the area’s finest restaurants, or if you’re fully-familiar with tapas style, here’s a list of Myrtle Beach restaurants where the small plate experience can be enjoyed.
Croissants Bistro & Bakery
“Bounjour Y’all” – the clever motto at this quaint local’s favorite – is also an accurate representation of what to expect from the menu – Lowcountry cuisine with a French twist. Check out Small and Shared Plates selections like Crab Beignets with avocado aioli, the crispy fried Bomber Shrimp with a spicy glaze, the Heirloom Tomato & Spinach Flatbread, the Fried Pimento Cheese Ravioli with lobster tomato relish, the Tuna Poke with avocado and cucumber, or the Angry Cape Romaine Clams that are sautéed in white wine butter sauce with cherry peppers, tomato, and basil. But leave a little room for the fresh baked goods in the display case, which are a sort of tapas themselves.
Abuelo's
In the mood for a fiesta? Head on over to Abuelo's for a Mexican feast! Abuelo's menu features a Tapas & Small Plates section that is jam-packed with flavor. Get spicy with the Jalapeno Cheese Fritters or the Firecracker Shrimp. Or, if you're not in the mood for spicy food, consider the Mini Shrimp Cocktail, Spinch Stuffed Mushrooms, Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Shrimp, or the Chicken & Spinach Mini Chimis. It will be hard to choose just one, so just go ahead and treat yourself to two of these tasty Tapas.
Boom Boom Wine Room
7713 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
In addition to tapas, wine also plays a big role during evening meals in Spain. You can probably guess by the name that this north end bistro specializes in one of those, and I’ll go ahead tell you that they specialize in the other as well. Here, vino enthusiasts can enjoy items like Braised Short Rib Nachos, Baked Lamb and Pork Meatballs in a Savory Tomato Sauce with Parmesan Ricotta and Basil, the Candied Bacon and Pickled Watermelon Rind Deviled Eggs, and many other unique choices.
Collectors Cafe
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Just across the street from Boom Boom and Fire & Smoke is this combination restaurant/art gallery/coffee shop/lounge that serves up creative small plates such as their Pan Sauteed Scallop Cake in a tomato and scallion lemon buerre blanc, Black Bean Cakes with pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and fried flat bread, and Sauteed Calamari, Jumbo Lump Crab, & Shrimp on grilled bruschetta with olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs. In Spain it’s also common to enjoy tapas and drinks at several different eateries over the course of the evening, and the trio of Boom Boom, Collectors, and Fire & Smoke offers a great area to do just that.
Divine Prime Tapas & Wine Bar
1160 Farrow Pkwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
The menu at this Market Common restaurant takes plenty of influence from Asia and Europe, offering items like a Spanish Caprese Salad, Thai Lettuce Wraps with marinated chicken, Korean Beef Tataki with kimchi, Edamame, Truffle Popcorn, and Beef Carpaccio with micro arugula and fennel salad. The small plates make for a nice snack before or after a movie, or a nice stroll around the tree-lined streets.
Fire & Smoke
411 79th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
A look at the Bar Snacks, Sharing Plates, and Small Plates menus at this north end gastropub will tempt palettes of all types, and explain why Fire & Smoke has attracted such a strong following since opening in 2014. Check out the Duck Confit Nachos with manchego crema and pineapple pico, and the Charcuterie Plate of black truffle salumi, wagyu bresola, and wild board prosciutto served with spicy mustard and French bread. Or, for something a little bigger, consider the Crispy Pork Belly with a mustard-maple lacquer and cider-braised mustard greens, the Lamb Porterhouse with fig gastrique and a caramelized onion bread pudding, or the Memphis-Style Ribs with apple jimaca slaw and a blueberry barbecue glaze.
Perrone's
Equally-suited for a full three-course dinner or a glass of wine and some small plates, this upscale Pawleys Island eatery serves a creative blend of Mediterranean-inspired world cuisine. Tapas options are always changing at this eatery, but some items you may find when you dine at Perrone's include Italian Fondue (final cheese, white wine, garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, virgin olive oil, all baked until bubbly and served with toast), Pate Plate, Octopus Carpaccio (thin slices of octopus, arugula, semi-dried tomatoes, lemon infused virgin olive oil, scallions, fried capers, and shaved pecorino romano with crusty sliced bread), Escargot, Steak Tartare, Crispy Pig Ears, and much more!
SeaBlue Restaurant & Wine Bar
503 Hwy 17 N, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Recently claiming the top spot on OpenTable’s 2014 Top 10 Best Restaurants in America, this North Myrtle Beach eatery is worth checking out for that reason alone. But if that’s not enough, they offer up an inventive list of Small Plates made with the highest-quality ingredients from all over the world. Standouts include Seared U-8 Diver Scallops with spinach, bacon, asiago, panko casserole, and garlic aioli; Lobster Mac & Cheese; a variety of Gourmet Risotto; Hudson Valley Foie Gras with French Toast, fresh berries, and Chocolate Vin Cotto; and the Creole Crab & Seafood Cake. Note: the menu at SeaBlue Restaurant & Wine Bar is subject to change.
The Chemist
Located in Downtown Myrtle Beach, The Chemist is a science-inspired restaurant that whips up unique dishes and drinks. Sip on a carefully-crafted cocktail while indulging in a Hypothesis (small plate or appetizer) from the menu. These starter items include Sweet Potato Tots, Spring Rolls, Olives & Cheese, Diver Scallops, Tempura Vegetables, Bondfire Shrimp, or the Buck Rabbit (toasted bread, wilted spinach, Guinness cheddar fondue, and a quail egg over easy with Tabasco caviar).
Tupelo Honey
3042 Howard Avenue, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
As one of The Market Common’s newest additions, the list of Southern Small Plates at this eatery covers so much ground that diners are often hard-pressed to even consider entrees. To name just a few of the fresh, made-from-scratch options, check out the Appalachian Johnny Cake (cornmeal flatbread with slow-roasted pork, smoked jalapeno BBQ sauce, corn jalapeno slaw, and fresh jalapeno); the Fried Green Tomatoes with goat cheese grits, red pepper coulis, and fresh basil; the SC Pecan-Encrusted Goat Cheese with grilled apples and sweet braised figs, served with crostinis; or the Southern Burrata Bruschetta with kale and pecan pesto served over heriloom and micro greens with focaccia crostini on the side.
