“I’m hungry” is the phrase most often spoken by kids approximately 639 times every day *not a real statistic.* That’s why we’re naming some of our favorite kid-friendly restaurants around North Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas. These family-friendly options offer creative dining rooms, yummy foods for the whole crew, and casual atmospheres for a no-fuss breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Lulu’s North Myrtle Beach
4954 Hwy. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, SC
Lulu’s at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular family-friendly restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area. Their menu offers “fresh coastal cookin’” with kids’ menu items like Fried Gulf Shrimp, Fried Grouper Fingers, Mac and Cheese, Grilled Cheese, and more served with fruit, green beans, or fries. The menu for mom and dad has favorites like the Crab Melt, Gulf Shrimp and Grits, and a Key West Bowl with Cuban Yellow Rice, Black Beans, Mama’s Turnip Greens, topped with your choice of Unicorn Fish, Jumbo Shrimp, or Chicken. Lulu’s has a great menu for those with a variety of food allergies, and they go out of their way to ensure there’s no cross-contamination. The kids will love the sandy beach setting outside, the Beach Arcade, a Caricature Artist, seasonal Hair Wrap and Henna artists, and Ropes Course (additional fee). You’ll love the live entertainment, indoor and outdoor seating, and the views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Crooked Hammock Brewery
4924 Hwy 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, SC
Yes, we know we’re mentioning a brewery on a list of family-friendly restaurants around North Myrtle Beach, but that’s for good reason. Crooked Hammock Brewery has a great layout with plenty of outdoor games and fun, and is located directly next to a large playground within Barefoot Landing. Highlights on the kids’ menu include Kid’s Salmon, Sizzlin’ Shrimp, Mini Corn Dogs, a burger, chicken tenders, and grilled chicken. Their craft brews rotate seasonally and are made in-house for the grown-ups at the table. The restaurant serves burgers, dips, sandwiches, apps, and salads. We recommend the Grilled Meatloaf or Honey Chipotle Salmon, and a side of their homemade Crispy Brussels.
Hamburger Joe’s
712 48th Ave. S., North Myrtle Beach & 1410 US-17 Business, Myrtle Beach, SC
Hamburger Joe’s has been a favorite at both their North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach locations for their low-key vibes and affordable eats. They’ve been serving some of the best burgers and wings around the beach since 1989. They also have a fried bologna sandwich, BLT, hamburger steak, a BBQ Plate, fries, onion rings, salads, and slaw. They have a long list of spirits, beers, and wines. Hamburger Joe’s is a great family-friendly restaurant with great service, tasty burgers, and cool drinks. It’s also located close to Ocean Pier II in North Myrtle Beach.
The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood
9593 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC
The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood is a family-friendly Myrtle Beach buffet in the heart of Restaurant Row. Their family dining fun includes a kid-sized fishing boat that they can explore, a dry sea aquarium with ship models, and life-sized sharks, a nautical museum, and a pirate that greets guests before they enter. The buffet includes more than 170 options, including all-you-can-eat crab legs and kids’ favorites like hushpuppies, macaroni and cheese, fried shrimp, and a large dessert bar where they can run wild. The Original Benjamin’s has 11 different dining rooms where you’ll find everything from crab traps and nautical collectibles to waterway views and a full-sized school bus.
Hoskin’s Restaurant
405 Main St., North Myrtle Beach, SC
Hoskin’s has been a staple along Main Street in North Myrtle Beach since 1948. The family-friendly, family-run restaurant typically has a line out the door and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials. If you’re staying at the Ashworth, you’re just a quick walk to this popular North Myrtle Beach restaurant. Kids can pick between fried shrimp, fried filet of flounder, chopped sirloin, chicken breast tenders, a corn dog, or a grilled cheese with their choice of vegetable, French fries, apple sauce, or a baked potato. Mom and Dad will love their housemade meatloaf, salmon cakes, and whole fried flounder.
Mellow Mushroom
1101 Hwy. 17 N, North Myrtle Beach; 1571 21st Ave. N., Myrtle Beach; 3280 U.S. 17, Murrells Inlet, SC
For a super funky pizza party, head over to one of three Mellow Mushroom locations in the Myrtle Beach area. This isn’t your average pizza parlor, and their menu drives home the point with creative concoctions like the Maui Wowie pie, Vegetarian Holy Shiitake pie, Elevated Cobb salad, and a long list of Vegan and Gluten-Free options. The bright colors and hippie-themed decor in each location provide a fun atmosphere for a tasty family dinner out. They offer a special Mellow 4 Kids menu with French bread pizza, all-natural macaroni and cheese, meatball stacks, and pretzel dippers served with their signature sauce.
River City Cafe
Eight Myrtle Beach Area Locations
No matter where you’re staying along the beautiful Myrtle Beach coastline, you’re sure to find a River City Cafe nearby! The always family-friendly restaurant sets the tone with fun table cloths your kids can color or challenge each other to a game of Tic-Tac-Toe while feasting on complimentary peanuts. The burgers on the menu are iconic, and they’re consistently voted “Best of the Beach” year after year. Local tip – order the Nacho Crunch Burger topped with Doritos, jalapenos, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, onion, guacamole, and spicy chipotle mayo for a flavor explosion! Kids can choose from a hamburger, cheeseburger, corndog, mac and cheese, hot dog, grilled cheese, and chicken nuggets, all served with Doritos, fries, or applesauce.
Golden Griddle Pancake House
508 Main St., North Myrtle Beach, SC
This North Myrtle Beach pancake restaurant has been serving the area for decades and is known for serving the best breakfast in town. Golden Griddle’s affordable prices have had generations of families coming back each time they’re in town, and their service is always friendly. The children’s menu has pancakes, French toast, eggs, bacon, and sausage, and the bigger kids’ menu has options like creative omelettes, waffles, Buckwheat pancakes, Banana Pancakes, and daily specials. Golden Griddle is open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Johnny D’s Waffles & Benedicts
3900 Hwy. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach; 3301 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach; 1200 US-17 Bus., Surfside Beach, SC
With three locations in the Myrtle Beach area, Johnny D’s Waffles and Benedicts is headed up by Chef Jamie Daskalis whose late father helped her open the family-run restaurant that’s open for both breakfast and lunch. Their menus have a bit of sweet, savory, and everything in between. They serve nearly a dozen different types of waffles, nine kinds of Benedicts, 13 different omelets, six skillets, plus creative pancakes and waffles. Try the Banana Bread French Toast or the Churro French Toast with housemade Challah bread dipped in vanilla custard, tossed with a signature churro sugar blend, then drizzled with cream cheese icing and fresh strawberries for two different elevated breakfast dishes. The kid’s menu offers a short stack of pancakes, a short stack of French toast, or an egg, all served with bacon or sausage and their drink of choice. Johnny D’s also hosts many Sensory-Friendly events throughout the year to help spread understanding of Autism.
The Grumpy Monk
1409 Hwy. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach; 1317 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach; 4545 US-501, Myrtle Beach, SC
Three locations of The Grumpy Monk can be found in the Myrtle Beach area, and the family-friendly, casual atmosphere is a great place to grab a bite to eat after a long day on the beach. They have a standard kids’ menu with a grilled cheese, cheeseburger, hamburger, chicken fingers, and mac and cheese, but the menu has plenty of other kid-friendly choices! The Mac and Cheese bites are seasoned and stuffed with more cheese and then fried to perfection. The Big Ol’ Pretzel, wings in any sauce you like, and sushi rolls are also great choices. Don’t forget to end the meal with an eight or twelve-scoop ice cream flight with blueberry cheesecake, cookie dough, vanilla, and chocolate flavors!
