Once you arrive on Pawleys Island and experience its slow-paced lifestyle, you will automatically begin to unwind. Your mind relaxes and time slows down. But eventually, your stomach—or hungry children just back from the beach—will demand a trip off the island to get a meal.
Fortunately, there are a host of options, from the expected fast-food chains to easygoing, casual spots offering burgers and fresh fish tacos to fine dining restaurants.
Local Favorites
There are many favorites frequented by island residents and the summer crowd—once they find out about them!
The PIT is a locals' hangout. Part bar, part restaurant, it offers indoor and outdoor seating with a “beach chic” decor. This is a place where you go for the ambiance, burgers, pizza and beer—not necessarily in that order. Even if you decide to eat outdoors, be sure to go inside and check out the personalized dollar bills tacked to every surface.
Quigley's Pint and Plate offers an English pub experience with Lowcountry-inspired comfort food and house-made ales and lagers. There’s also a second location in nearby Murrells Inlet. Along with daily specials, such as baby back ribs, meatloaf and blackened ahi tuna, you'll also enjoy the daily entertainment, which includes karaoke and team trivia.
Bistro 217 is a bit on the fine dining side of things, but is casual and inviting, with Chef/Owner Adam Kirby creating a diverse and delicious menu pulling heavily from local seafood. And don’t forget to finish off lunch or dinner with a house-made dessert like the churned-on-the-premises ice cream.
Barbecue
Hog Heaven, located on Highway 17 just below Pawleys Island, serves seafood, barbecue and country cooking with a daily buffet.
Moe’s offers Alabama-style barbecue with inside and outside dining.
Fine Dining
Frank's Restaurant is an institution in Pawleys Island that opened in the 1930s as Marlow's Supermarket and operated as such for 50 years. The supermarket was a favorite hangout for locals and offered the only telephone on Pawleys. In 1988, the restaurant was opened with indoor dining, and in 1992 the owners expanded and created what is known as Frank's Outback. Frank's offers everything you would expect from a fine dining experience with small plates and entrees such as crab cakes, shrimp and grits with andouille sausage and a variety of steaks and fresh seafood. It's great food in a relaxed, outdoor setting that is still a hangout for locals.
Chive Blossom Restaurant & Bar offers Southern classics for lunch and dinner as well as dishes with Mediterranean, French and Asian influences.
Italian
Gios Italian Kitchen is a small, family operation serving up Italian favorites in a beautiful and relaxed atmosphere.
Costa, located in nearby Murrells Inlet, offers authentic Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Stop in for a relaxed meal and then explore Murrells Inlet and take a walk along the boardwalk.
