There is a moment, somewhere between your first sip of a cold craft beer and the arrival of a plate of seared ahi tuna that smells faintly of the ocean it came from, when Myrtle Beach stops being a destination and starts feeling like home. That moment, for me, happens every single time I pull into the parking lot at Wicked Tuna on Restaurant Row.
Tucked along the Intracoastal Waterway in the Restaurant Row district — that beloved stretch of Highway 17 Business that locals have long considered the true culinary heart of the Grand Strand — Wicked Tuna occupies a sprawling waterfront perch that looks like it was designed specifically for the kind of long, unhurried evening that good coastal living demands. The views alone are worth the trip. Watching the sun drop behind the marsh grasses while a pelican glides impossibly low over the water is the sort of thing that reminds you why you saved up for this vacation in the first place.
But the scenery is just the opening act. Wicked Tuna’s menu is a genuine love letter to fresh seafood prepared with confidence and care. The kitchen keeps things focused — this is not a place trying to be everything to everyone. They know fish, and they know it extraordinarily well. The tuna dip appetizer is a cult favorite among regulars, creamy and bold with just enough heat to wake up your palate. The blackened grouper sandwich is the kind of thing you will quietly think about on the drive back home. And if you are lucky enough to visit on a night when they are running a whole fresh-catch special, order it without hesitation.
The staff here have clearly been told that hospitality matters, and they took the memo seriously. Service is attentive without being overbearing, the kind of easy rhythm you find in restaurants where the team actually enjoys being there. Ask your server what came in fresh that day — they will know, and their enthusiasm for the answer will be genuine.
The outdoor deck seating is the obvious choice on a clear evening, with string lights overhead and the sound of water lapping against the dock below. It fills up quickly, so arriving early or making a reservation is genuinely advisable, especially during peak summer months. If you end up seated inside, the interior is warm and nautical without veering into kitschy territory — dark wood, soft lighting, the kind of room that makes dinner feel like an occasion.
Wicked Tuna is located at 4123 U.S. 17 Business in Myrtle Beach, right along the water’s edge. Whether you are a first-time visitor to the Grand Strand or a returning regular who thinks you have already found all the good spots, this one deserves a place at the top of your list. Come hungry, come with people you like, and plan to linger. The waterfront is not going anywhere, and neither will you once you settle in.
