13 South Carolina Coastal Restaurants So Busy On Weekends, Locals Avoid Them
Along South Carolina’s coast, some restaurants have become legendary for both their food and their crowds.
Popular coastal spots around Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head fill quickly on weekends, turning a simple meal into a bustling experience.
Locals have learned to plan around the rush, enjoying these flavors during quieter times.
In South Carolina, the combination of fresh coastal ingredients and lively atmospheres makes these restaurants irresistible, even if the weekend chaos keeps some away.
1. Sea Captain’s House – Myrtle Beach
Right on the sand at 3002 North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, this oceanfront gem has been packing tourists in since 1962.
Breakfast here means staring at waves while eating fluffy pancakes, which sounds dreamy until you realize 200 other people had the same idea.
Weekend waits regularly stretch past 90 minutes, especially during summer months.
Locals skip the hassle and hit up weekday lunches instead, when the dining room actually has breathing room and you can hear your own conversation over the chaos.
2. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant – Myrtle Beach
Located at 1401 29th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach, this all-you-can-eat seafood buffet is basically tourist heaven and local nightmare fuel on Saturdays.
Mountains of crab legs, endless shrimp, and over 70 items make visitors lose their minds with excitement.
The problem? Everyone and their cousin wants unlimited seafood simultaneously.
Lines snake around the building before doors even open, and the dining room turns into a feeding frenzy that resembles Black Friday shopping more than relaxed coastal dining.
3. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen – Myrtle Beach
Situated at 1314 Celebrity Circle in Broadway at the Beach, this Southern comfort food paradise serves family-style meals that would make any grandmother proud.
Butter flows freely here, and fried chicken arrives in quantities that defy logic.
Celebrity chef appeal combined with unlimited comfort food creates weekend wait times that sometimes hit three hours.
Locals who crave that mac and cheese know Tuesday evenings are the secret window when you can actually walk in without surrendering half your day to standing outside.
4. LuLu’s North Myrtle Beach – North Myrtle Beach
Parked at 4954 Highway 17 South in Barefoot Landing, this waterfront party spot brings island vibes to the Carolina coast.
Live music, tropical drinks, and a massive outdoor space make it feel like permanent vacation mode for visitors.
Weekends transform this place into spring break central, with families, college kids, and retirees all competing for tables.
The energy is electric but overwhelming, which is exactly why locals save their LuLu’s cravings for random Wednesday afternoons when the atmosphere stays fun without the absolute chaos.
5. River City Cafe – Myrtle Beach
Tucked at 404 21st Avenue North a short walk from the ocean in Myrtle Beach, this laid-back spot serves lunch and dinner with amazing beach-town vibes.
Their huge burgers and hand-cut fries have achieved legendary status among visitors who make pilgrimages here.
Weekend afternoons and evenings turn the parking lot into a competitive sport, with tourists arriving early to claim spots.
Smart locals know the weekday crowd is manageable, and you can actually enjoy your meal without someone hovering over your table waiting for you to leave already.
6. Bummz Beach Cafe – Myrtle Beach
Sitting at 2002 North Ocean Boulevard right near the sand in Myrtle Beach, this casual oceanfront joint serves massive portions that could feed small armies.
Burgers, sandwiches, and seafood baskets arrive the size of hubcaps, and platters overflow their plates with glorious abandon.
The beachy vibe and Instagram-worthy food make it a weekend magnet for vacation crowds documenting every bite.
Wait times balloon to ridiculous lengths during peak season, pushing locals to weekday visits when they can grab a booth without planning their entire afternoon around restaurant logistics.
7. Lee’s Inlet Kitchen – Murrells Inlet
Nestled at 4460 Business Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet, this family-owned institution has been serving Lowcountry seafood since 1948.
Calabash-style seafood platters arrive golden and crispy, and the hush puppies alone are worth the trip.
Generations of tourists have made this a mandatory vacation stop, creating weekend dinner rushes that test everyone’s patience.
The dining room fills faster than you can say fried flounder, with lines forming well before opening time.
Locals circle back on quiet Monday evenings when the place remembers its peaceful roots.
8. Hyman’s Seafood – Charleston
Anchored at 215 Meeting Street in downtown Charleston since 1890, this seafood landmark feeds thousands weekly with an enormous menu featuring over 200 items.
Fresh catches arrive daily, and the she-crab soup has earned cult following status among seafood lovers.
Tourist buses unload here constantly on weekends, turning the spacious dining room into a sardine can situation.
Locals who grew up on Hyman’s fried shrimp have learned to time visits for off-peak hours, avoiding Saturday madness when getting a table feels like winning the lottery.
9. Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar – Charleston
Perched at 186 Concord Street right on Charleston Harbor, this former naval building turned restaurant offers postcard views with every meal.
Sitting on the deck watching boats glide by while eating fresh grouper feels like peak coastal living.
Those million-dollar harbor views attract weekend crowds that pack the place tighter than a ship’s hull.
Reservations disappear faster than biscuits at a church potluck, and walk-ins face waits that could span an entire sunset.
Weekday lunches offer the same gorgeous scenery with half the human traffic.
10. Tavern & Table – Mount Pleasant
Positioned at 100 Church Street in Mount Pleasant’s waterfront district along Shem Creek, this farm-to-table spot combines elevated Southern cuisine with stunning marsh vistas.
The menu changes seasonally, but the commitment to local ingredients and creative preparations stays constant year-round.
Brunch here has become a weekend ritual for Charleston visitors, creating reservation battles and walk-in waits that stretch well past comfortable.
The shrimp and grits variations alone draw serious crowds. Locals who appreciate the chef’s talent swing by for weeknight dinners when conversation doesn’t require shouting over neighboring tables.
11. Lost Dog Cafe – Folly Beach
Hanging out at 106 West Huron Avenue on quirky Folly Beach, this dog-friendly café serves all-day breakfast and lunch with zero pretension.
Omelets, breakfast burritos, and sandwiches fuel beachgoers who wander in sandy and sun-kissed after mornings riding waves.
The chill beach vibe attracts weekend visitors who pack the patio until moving becomes difficult.
Busy mornings add to the lively atmosphere but also the crowds.
Year-round residents save their Lost Dog cravings for weekday breakfasts and lunches when the place feels like the relaxed beach hangout it was meant to be.
12. Salty Dog Cafe – Hilton Head Island
Stationed at 232 South Sea Pines Drive in Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, this island institution has been slinging burgers and selling logo merchandise since 1987.
The waterfront location and famous cartoon dog branding make it a tourist pilgrimage site.
Weekend crowds turn this casual spot into a full-contact sport, with families battling for outdoor tables and the gift shop resembling holiday shopping chaos.
Locals who actually want to eat here know early weekday mornings are the golden window when you can snag waterfront seating without sacrificing your entire afternoon to waiting.
13. Skull Creek Boathouse – Hilton Head Island
Docked at 397 Squire Pope Road on Hilton Head Island, this waterfront powerhouse serves fresh seafood with panoramic marsh views that make every meal feel special.
Watching dolphins swim past while cracking into steamed shrimp is peak Lowcountry dining magic.
Those incredible water views and consistently good seafood create weekend dinner rushes that overwhelm the massive space.
Even with multiple dining areas and outdoor decks, Saturday nights fill completely with tourists making vacation memories.
Smart locals reserve their Skull Creek visits for weeknight sunsets when tables are available and the atmosphere stays peaceful.