Best Jewelry Store Near Me Myrtle Beach, SC

It’s a Southern tradition that if you eat certain foods on New Year’s Day, you’ll have good luck for the entire year.

In the South, those foods include greens (such as collard or mustard), cornbread, pork and Hoppin’ John, usually made with black-eyed peas, rice and smoked pork.

Restaurants along the Grand Strand have embraced this tradition, offering dishes that are made with the items or a straight traditional meal of pork chops, greens and cornbread.

Here are eight restaurants where you can eat well — and perhaps get lucky.

Avista Resort

Avista Resort, 300 N. Ocean Blvd. in North Myrtle Beach, will offer a New Year’s Day brunch that includes a buffet station with collard greens and black-eyed peas, as well as a carving station with maple glazed ham.

There will also be live music.

The buffet is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the price is $29.95 per person. Reservations are suggested.

Wahoo’s Fish House

The Murrells Inlet restaurant, 3993 U.S. 17 Business, will have a New Year’s Day buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The buffet will have ham, slow braised collards, Hoppin’ Johns and hushpuppies. Cost is $26 adults and $15 for ages 6 to 11.

Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.

Mama Jean’s

The all-you-can-eat buffet in Little River is welcoming diners to come and get lucky with its offerings that usually include collard greens, ham, black-eyed peas and cornbread.

The restaurant, 210 Highway 90 E, will serve its breakfast and lunch buffet on New Year’s Day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Joe’s Diner by the Airport

Joe’s is serving up a New Year’s Day lunch with pork chops or roast pork and sauerkraut, collards and black-eyed peas.

The restaurant at 2491 Highway 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 1.

Drifters Saloon

The Myrtle Beach restaurant’s New Year’s Day special has been dubbed the “north meets the south” with pork and brown sugar sauerkraut, black-eyed peas with bacon and sausage, collard greens with ham hock and jalapeño honey cornbread.

Dine-in is $10.99 per person and to-go is $14.99. It’s located at 2905 N. Kings Highway.

The Shack

Known for its choice of one meat and three sides, The Shack, 1128 Sea Mountain Highway in North Myrtle Beach, said on its Facebook post that it’s “helping everyone start 2026 with the blessings of prosperity” by serving up pork medallions, collards, black-eyed peas and cornbread on Thursday.

Lunch is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the New Year’s Day special is $12.99.

Captain Archie’s

Coming off of its big New Year’s Eve party, the waterfront restaurant, 2200 Little River Neck Road in North Myrtle Beach, will also serve up a New Year’s Day traditional meal of pork chops, which can include a side of collard greens.

The meal will be served from 11 a.m. until closing, or while it lasts, the restaurant’s Facebook post said.

Murphy’s on the Beach

Lucky diners coming to this North Myrtle Beach restaurant at 2302 N. Ocean Blvd. can order black-eyed peas, collard green, fatback and cornbread starting at noon New Year’s Day.

There will also be a limited menu.

Beachgoers in North Myrtle Beach have noticed an unusual phenomenon on their oceanfront strolls.

Recently, dead sea creatures such as horseshoe crabs and stingrays have been spotted washed up along area beaches. The sightings have led to speculation that offshore activity related to beach renourishment could be to blame.

The beach renourishment in North Myrtle Beach is part of a $72 million project entirely funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which will continue south for 26 miles. The project will add two million cubic yards of sand to the Grand Strand shoreline. The project is projected to move through North Myrtle Beach by early 2026, and continue down to Garden City by April 2026.

The renourishment project is aimed at protecting the area’s beaches by helping them recover from erosion caused by major weather events such as Hurricane Ian in September 2022 and Hurricane Debby in August 2024.

This process involves offshore dredging in pre-determined areas, where sand from the seabed is pumped through a submerged pipeline and onto the beach. Bulldozers later spread that sand on the beaches to shape and widen them.

Can beach renourishment hurt sea life?

While beach renourishment is a way of preserving the natural landscape of Grand Strand beaches, it can come at a cost to sea life.

Nourishing beaches can kill and scare away wildlife both on the shore and in the water, according to the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Explore Beaches project. The construction on beaches can impact shore birds, and the movement of sand can muddy waters, smothering some marine creatures.

However, beach renourishment is still considered more environmentally friendly than seawalls, which are a common alternative.

North Myrtle Beach spokesperson Gianna Forbis shared a statement from the Army Corps of Engineers explaining that environmental disruptions from renourishment can cause some sea life to wash up on shore, but it isn’t necessarily the sole explanation for what beachgoers have been seeing.

“Some marine animals washing up can happen during beach renourishment, but it also occurs naturally,” the statement reads. “The project can temporarily disturb nearshore habitats, which may contribute in a very small number of cases; however, these effects are short-term, not widespread and closely monitored.”

Protecting turtles, other marine life

The statement says that the Army Corps requires strict environmental protections during projects like this one, including daily monitoring by trained environmental observers, the use of turtle exclusion devices on dredging equipment and screening systems designed to prevent marine life from entering dredge intakes.

“If any protected species or unexpected biological material is observed, operations can be adjusted or paused. These measures are designed to reduce impacts, and the vast majority of marine life returns once the project is completed,” the statement reads.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the dead sea life, and what could be causing them to wash ashore.

Thousands of people are expected to make a move to South Carolina in the coming year. And with home prices on the rise in the Palmetto State, finding a place where you can get the most bang for your buck is probably at the top of the moving “to do” list.

It’s no surprise that the top landing place for those planning to relocate to the state is Myrtle Beach. But the coastal city didn’t make the list of the top “10 Cheapest Places to Live in South Carolina in 2026,” according to Houzeo, an online real estate site.

Only one city in Horry County made the list — Conway.

The city’s small-town charm with convenient access to Myrtle Beach earned it a place on Houzeo’s list. Conway is about 15 miles from the beach.

It offers affordable living with a wide-range of affordable homes — “an attractive choice for families, young professionals, and retirees,” the site stated. The median home price in Conway is $170,500, and the average rent is $1,793, according to the site. In addition, the cost of living is below the national average at 7%.

There are also quality schools and a balanced lifestyle, “making Conway one of the cheapest ocean cities to live in South Carolina.”

Conway has been identified as one of the top 10 Metros in South Carolina with the fastest growing sales price for homes, according to Redfin. In November 2025, home prices in the Horry County city were up by 4.5%. The Carolina Forest community in the Myrtle Beach area also was on the list, with home prices up by 10%.

The median home value in Conway is $287,000, according to Houzeo reporting.

Here are other South Carolina cities that made the list:

1. Bennettsville

2. Union

3. Dillon

4. Orangeburg

5. Newberry

6. Gaffney

7. Conway

8. Aiken

9. Laurens

10. Florence

Looking to make a move to South Carolina for the new year?

You won’t be alone. With its cost of living 6% below the national average and some of the lowest property taxes in the country, it’s considered a “smart choice for workers and money-smart people,” according to Houzeo, an online real estate site.

The site recently released its top 10 best places to live in South Carolina for 2026.

Myrtle Beach ranked No. 5 on that list. Houzeo said the coastal city is retiree-friendly with an abundance of 55+ communities and is known for its warm climate and beautiful beaches.

The cost of living in Myrtle Beach is 3.9% lower than the national average, the site said. The median home price is $324,747. Rent for a two-bedroom apartment ranges from $380 to $3,750 a month, depending on proximity to the ocean.

In order to live comfortably, a person would need an estimated annual income of about $66,880, according to the site’s figures.

While Myrtle Beach’s economy relies heavily on tourism and hospitality, the site pointed out that healthcare is growing, providing additional jobs.

There are some downsides to living in the Myrtle Beach area. Crime has increased in Myrtle Beach, and the city attracts a high volume of tourists during the warmer months, which causes traffic congestion and crowded public spaces, the site pointed out.

Houzeo’s best places to live in South Carolina

Here are what other South Carolina cities made the list:

1. Greenville

2. Lexington

3. Hilton Head Island

4. Spartanburg

5. Myrtle Beach

6. Rock Hill

7. Columbia

8. Charleston

9. Mount Pleasant

10. Summerville

From exciting new restaurants to longtime favorites, diners have plenty of options around the Myrtle Beach area.

But amid financial issues, family complications and life changes, some restaurant owners around the Grand Strand made the decision to permanently close these 23 eateries.

Here’s what we know about why these spots in Carolina Forest, Conway, Little River, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island and Surfside Beach shut their doors for good in 2025.

Anchor Bar

In August, Anchor Bar gave notice it would close and lay off 29 employees in an SC Works WARN report. The restaurant announced that it would not renew its liquor license after a year in business. Manager Sally Rice told The Sun News she didn’t know why Anchor Bar hadn’t renewed its license.

Bagel Dock Express

The North Myrtle Beach Bagel Dock Express location closed without explanation this year. Although the South Carolina restaurant ceased operations, the chain maintains two North Carolina locations with plans to open new spots in Georgia and Tennessee, according to its website.

Bar Louie

The Broadway at the Beach Bar Louie location closed for good in 2025. The chain opened in Myrtle Beach in 2019. The closest location now is in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Sun News was unable to reach the restaurant for comment at the time. According to court records, the franchise, BLH TopCo LLC, filed for bankruptcy in Delaware in March.

Bumstead’s Pub and Dagwood’s Deli

Downtown Myrtle Beach staples Bumstead’s Pub and Dagwood’s Deli closed in August after about 22 and 37 years, respectively. Despite the Myrtle Beach Dagwood’s closure, the North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach locations remain open.

Burger King

The popular fast food chain shuttered its Seaboard Street location in Myrtle Beach last January.

“An agreement with landlord and franchisor could not be met,” Kingdom Restaurants LLC’s Director of Operations Jason Pridgen said in a post. “Thank you all for all the years of patronage and support.”

Although one location closed, Burger King’s website shows six other restaurants around Horry County.

Cinnaholic

The vegan bakery chain known for gourmet cinnamon rolls and personalized sweet treats is closing its Myrtle Beach location for good, citing “low daily sales.” Cinnaholic, which opened in fall 2023, will close its doors for good on Dec. 31, 2025.

Hart’s Cafe and More

After less than two years, the breakfast, lunch and pastry spot closed in March. Doreen Hart, owner of Hart’s Cafe and More, said she would step away from the restaurant to take care of her mother, whose health was declining.

Le Manna Bread

Although it was intended to be a fixture in Myrtle Beach’s Arts & Innovation District, Le Manna Bread bakery and restaurant shut down less than a year after its opening. Co-owner Gus Pena said after his partner, Frank Rodriguez’s health declined, running the business alone was not feasible. Le Manna Bread sold its equipment and furnishings to the City of Myrtle Beach, which now rents the Ninth Avenue space to Winna’s Kitchen.

Jiggy’s Bistro

The Myrtle Beach Italian restaurant closed its doors after two years in business. Owner Holly DiFrancisco told The Sun News it was a challenge to stay open.

“It’s just a hard market,” DiFrancisco said. “We had some of the neighborhood support, but you know, you need more than just your surrounding neighborhood and customers and businesses to support you… The tourists don’t support the smaller restaurants.”

Kaminsky’s Deli

The longtime Myrtle Beach Deli announced its permanent closure this fall. Kaminsky’s Deli, which opened in 2008 and transferred ownership in 2023, was known for sandwiches and matzah ball soup.

“We want to thank everyone who supported us on this incredible journey and we wished it lasted longer. This is coming on the heels of us winning best deli on the beach for the second consecutive year, which makes this all the more difficult,” a social media post said.

Kaminsky’s didn’t disclose why it was shutting down, and The Sun News was unable to reach the restaurant, as the number had been disconnected.

Kluck It

The second Grand Strand Kluck It chicken spot closed over the summer about a year after expanding into Conway. The Sun News couldn’t reach the owner for comment, but the Conway Kluck It interior had been gutted by the end of July. Although one location closed, the Myrtle Beach Kluck It remains open to customers.

Lulu’s Cafe

After 15 years as a Myrtle Beach breakfast favorite, Lulu’s Cafe announced plans to close its doors in November. However, devotees can find Lulu’s menu items in Murrells Inlet starting next year. In 2026, Lulu’s Cafe will begin a partnership with Conch Cafe.

“Today, I’m 50. My kids are now 25 and 21 and we’re now a family of 14 and I’m a grandmother! As life changes so does business and plans for the future. I’ve made the bittersweet decision to close Lulu’s Cafe at the end of the 2025 season. But this is not goodbye, just a new chapter,” owner Misty Coan wrote on Facebook.

Maple Street Biscuit Co.

The Myrtle Beach breakfast spot, which opened in the Coventry Marketplace in 2023, closed its doors for good this year.

The Sun News was unable to reach Maple Street Biscuit Co. for comment and a recorded phone message said simply, “We have made the difficult decision to close our Myrtle Beach location. We appreciate the continued support of many guests that have dined with us over the years.”

Mura

The Market Common Korean barbecue restaurant closed without explanation over the summer after about two years in business. At the end of June, tables and chairs had been cleared from the conveyor belt-style restaurant. Mura didn’t post an announcement about the closure, and The Sun News was unable to reach the restaurant for comment.

Player 1UP

The arcade, bar and eatery in Murrells Inlet, which opened in 2022 at the entrance of Inlet Square Mall, closed for good in March. The Sun News couldn’t reach owner Howard Bohrer at the time, but Player 1UP’s Facebook account posted that it was “Game Over.”

Tbonz Gill & Grill

After more than 30 years, the TBonz Gill & Grill on Seaboard Street announced it would close in favor of a new restaurant concept.

“Following the closure, the restaurant space will be reimagined under a new concept, introducing a breakfast-driven experience with expanded brunch offerings and an in-house bakery,” Charlotte Bruton, a representative for South Carolina-based Homegrown Hospitality Group said in a statement.

Tbonz’s final day will be Dec. 31, 2025.

The Rat Hole

The popular Grand Strand biker bar announced plans “to roll down our bar doors for the final time” following this year’s Myrtle Beach Fall Bike Rally. The Rat Hole, which has been a staple among bikers for years, was known for live music, biker rodeo and pudding wrestling. Ownership did not return The Sun News’s request for comment.

“We want to thank all our Rat Hole friends and family for joining us and allowing us to continue our biker fun over the years, but with much sadness we have decided it is time to close this chapter of life and start the next!” a Facebook post said.

Roca Roja Cantina

The popular North Myrtle Beach Mexican eatery announced plans to close after four years with an eye on an “ambitious project.”

A Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant called La Perla was planned for the space, but in light of financial issues, legal problems and ongoing disagreement, the location remains unfilled.

Sea Merchants Restaurant

After 40 years as a steak and seafood Grand Strand staple, Sea Merchants Restaurant in North Myrtle Beach closed its doors for good in January when operators Danny and David Huddle decided to retire. The brothers put the restaurant up for sale in 2024 for $1.8 million, and a new seafood restaurant called White Heron is set to open in its place next year.

Snooky’s on the Water

In February, Snooky’s on the Water took to social media to announce it was permanently closing, but didn’t offer a reason. The Little River restaurant, which was known for seafood, served customers from 2017 until its 2025 closure.

“Thank you all for your support throughout the years,” the post said. “Stop by and see us before Sunday. This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later.”

Its sister restaurants, Snooky’s Ocean Front and Hurricane Juel’s, remain open and offer dishes from the Snooky’s on the Water menu.

Solé Italian Restaurant

Located along Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach, Solé Italian Restaurant closed its doors in late summer.

A hand-written note posted on the door read, “Sorry we are closed due to my mother’s illness. Thank you.”

Uncle Mikey’s Pizza

While Uncle Mikey’s Pizza closed this year, a new pizza spot with a similar name opened in its place. After more than 24 years in business, Mike Zalloum sold Uncle Mikey’s Pizza in January. His brother, Sammy Zalloum, then acquired the space to open Mikey’s Pizzeria.

Walter’s on the Waterway

The Murrells Inlet waterfront eatery at the Wacca Wache Marina closed in January, apparently due to unfulfilled lease obligations.

“Unfortunately, within the last few months the restaurant was unable to fulfill certain aspects and remain financially aligned with the obligations outlined in the lease, which both parties agreed to, which has ultimately led to Walters closing,” the marina wrote on Facebook.

According to the same post, the Wacca Wache Marina is working to bring in a new restaurant operator.