In the 11 years Jay and Sarah Park have lived in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, their proximity to the MarshWalk has transformed everyday life into a vacation. “We’d take the golf cart to the MarshWalk, park wherever, and check out the charter boats and watersports people coming in and out,” Jay says. “Our kids liked to read the plaques along the boardwalk that teach tourists about the ecosystem. The best part is, you can carry your drink from restaurant A to B to C, so it’s a ton of fun.”
From the freshest local seafood prepared by award-winning chefs, the most amazing marsh views, and the best live entertainment around, the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk truly has something for everyone. Experience eight restaurants in one beautiful destination — all right here at the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk.
Just 20 minutes south of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet’s MarshWalk snakes a half-mile along the natural saltwater estuary. The route is lined with restaurants and tiki bars — each boasting exceptional water views — earning the MarshWalk’s reputation as the place to go for date nights, family dinners, and live music.
Depending on which you’re looking for and what sort of company you’re rolling with, there’s an eatery (and a view) to suit you. Read on to plan your evening of fresh seafood and live music on the MarshWalk.
Oysters on the half shell are a classic, but at The Claw House, be sure to include a platter of crab-topped nachos to share with your date. Photography courtesy of THE MURRELLS INLET MARSHWALK
When you walk through the doors of The Claw House Restaurant, each floor-to-ceiling window offers a front-row seat to the restaurant’s marsh view, filling the dining room with rosy hues as the sun sets. This warm glow sets the scene for date night.
Start with a cocktail and the oysters Rockefeller, baked with creamy spinach and bacon, or oysters from the raw bar. The entrée menu features options to satisfy every taste, from sandwiches and fries to steam pots to surf-and-turf fare.
A traditional waterfront seafood restaurant experience is just one of the reasons people choose The Claw House. Ninety more are found on tap at the Inlet Beer Garden, where a dizzying selection of craft drafts complement their cocktail and wine menu.
When you can’t decide between surf or turf, the Steak Neptune at Drunken Jack’s combines the best of both with two filet medallions topped with scallops, grilled shrimp, and a lobster cream sauce. Photography courtesy of THE MURRELLS INLET MARSHWALK
Arrrrrrrre you up for an adventure in dining? The pirate-themed Drunken Jack’s will deliver memories and more to the tune of prime rib dinners, sunset views, and cozy, warm interiors that make every meal feel intimate.
Guests can request a seat “below deck” to enjoy drinks and live entertainment or for the full dining experience they can choose the dining room, covered deck, or patio which all offer beautiful views of the waterfront. Regardless of your seat, you’ll appreciate menu items like Chef Casey’s Risotto, an award-winning crab risotto served with blackened mahi-mahi, sea scallops, and a lobster cream sauce. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with Drunken Jack’s local favorite, the triggerfish sandwich.
Looking for steakhouse vibes? At Bovine’s, take your pick of a rib-eye, sirloin, New York strip, or filet cooked to order. Photography courtesy of THE MURRELLS INLET MARSHWALK
One look at Bovine’s weekly specials gives you an idea of the breadth of offerings to expect on their menu. Monday: grilled lobster tail; Tuesday: all-you-can-eat ribs; Wednesday: prime rib; Thursday: barbecue. Known for their wood-grilled specialties, Bovine’s also happens to be one of the best Marsh Walk destinations for pizza. Up the romance factor by requesting a table on the deck overlooking the marsh.
While kids run and play in the yard at Creek Ratz, parents can relax in the salty breeze with a basket of mahi-mahi tacos. Photography courtesy of THE MURRELLS INLET MARSHWALK
Mary Beth Morris, co-owner of Creek Ratz, loves it when children make a beeline into their lobby, on the hunt for frosty sweet treats. “Every kid who walks in is like, ‘Y’all have Dippin’ Dots, don’t you?!’” she laughs.
Bright red umbrellas playfully extend the restaurant’s footprint toward the water, lending shade to the waterfront seating area. “We have plenty of room for children to run around or play cornhole and have a good time until the food’s ready,” Morris says. “Meanwhile, the adults can sit back, relax, and have a drink.”
Although the laid-back environment is relaxing for adults, most don’t sit still for long. “We have live entertainment every night,” Morris says. “The whole family will be dancing!”
Sloppy Jose’s Cantina and Seafood Grill might be the only place on Earth where “pirate ship” and “babysitter” are used in the same sentence, but here, they go hand-in-hand. “On our playground, let the pirate ship be your babysitter,” says Zach Baker. “It can be exhausting in a good way. They burn a lot of energy and have fun.”
Park can vouch for that. “When our kids were young, they would run around the pirate ship’s sandy bottom, climb up the rope ladders and slide down the fireman poles,” he remembers. “They loved it.”
Sloppy Jose’s is also one of the only restaurants on the MarshWalk that unites Mexican, Caribbean, and Latin flavors together, and menu items range from traditional Mexican fare to steaks and small plates. The kids’ menu includes tacos and mini chimichangas.
At Wicked Tuna, you can’t go wrong with an order of the decadent oysters Rockefeller, topped with a cheesy spinach-artichoke mixture and garlic-lemon cream sauce. Photography courtesy of THE MURRELLS INLET MARSHWALK
The action happening at Wicked Tuna lends to a sense of adventure — and the freshest possible seafood. Called “hook to plate,” the culinary concept starts with a fishing fleet that leaves from the dock just outside the restaurant. “After they get all of our fresh fish for us, they bring it back, filet it under the building, and bring it upstairs, where we serve it fresh,” Christa Ward says, who works as the restaurant’s director of operations.
Often, what’s served depends on “whatever comes off our boat,” Ward says. “It could be hogfish, snapper, or lionfish — a few different fish we offer that you can’t really get at a lot of places on the beach.” For a locals’ favorite, try the Wicked Tuna roll, made from tempura shrimp, lobster salad, cucumber, seven-spice seared ahi tuna, sweet chili, and wasabi mousse.
Despite the elevated seafood offerings, there’s no pretense at the casual restaurant. Here, guests arrive dressed up or in flip-flops. “I really think people enjoy eating here because of the view, and the spectacular fresh food and drinks,” Ward says.
Grab a tiki drink and dance along to the evening’s waterfront performance at Dead Dog Saloon. Photography courtesy of THE MURRELLS INLET MARSHWALK
Most Dead Dog Saloon regulars know all about the restaurant’s namesake. More than just a statue greeting you upon your arrival, Dudley — a “spectral dog said to haunt the venue,” according to the owners — has become a local legend. Don’t let him scare you off: The Dead Dog Saloon is known for lots of other things, too, including exceptional Lowcountry boils, a great lineup of musicians and bands, and a laid-back vibe.
“Original acts come through on the weekends, and great ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s cover bands,” Park says. “They’ve got consistently good food with great service. A lot of people dance; it’s one of our kids’ favorites.”
At Wahoo’s, pair live music with the fried seafood platter, a gracious assortment of fried oysters, shrimp, flounder, and deviled crab. Photography courtesy of THE MURRELLS INLET MARSHWALK
A night at Wahoo’s Fish House has two acts: dinner and entertainment. For dinner, there’s not a bad seat in the house, but if the weather is nice, ask for a seat on the deck. Start with the firecracker shrimp or bacon-wrapped sea scallops. For your main course, we recommend sushi — try The Boss, filled with spicy bigeye tuna, crab, cucumber, and topped with tuna, avocado, and seared filet mignon. Before you call it quits, order a slice of the peanut butter pie with a cookie-crumb crust.
Next, act two: Walk next door to Wahoo’s Tiki Bar for live entertainment happening nightly, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 7:30 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. From its home on the MarshWalk, this venue is your new favorite place to kick back with an after-dinner drink in the summertime breeze.
For more entertainment, click here to check out the MarshWalk’s calendar of events and activities happening throughout the year. Beyond the nightly dining and live music offerings, you can find fun, seasonal gatherings; special promotions; and more.
For decades, a remote piece of Currituck County has been a respite for wildlife. Now under the protection of conservationists, this land, the waters surrounding it, and the skies above will remain a constant in our coastal circle of life.
On North Carolina’s coast, boardwalks wind alongside our sounds, rivers, and beaches, reminding us that the journey is often just as delightful as the destination.
From Wanchese to Duck, these landmark businesses and the families who run them connect consumers with the daily catch.
As the sun sets at Grandfather Mountain, fireflies put on a magnificent show — for those willing to stop and pay attention.
