Sometimes nothing will fill the void in your appetite but the wonderful fresh cuisine of Italy. The marinaras, the fresh herbs, the garlic, the bread, the light and lovely desserts.

You can get your fill during your stay in the Myrtle Beach area at any of a number of excellent restaurants. Buon appetito!

Amici’s Brick Oven & Italian Bistro

1310 Celebrity Circle

Broadway at the Beach

U.S. 17 Bypass between 21^st and 29^th avenues North

Myrtle Beach

444-0006

My family loves going to Amici’s at the height of tourist season and getting a table by the window. While we dine on Fried Calamari, Lasagna, Fruitti di Mare, Chicken Piccata, Stromboli or Molto Meat Pizza, we can enjoy the ever-changing and always-interesting flow of humanity streaming by. It’s a locals’ form of cheap entertainment.

Angelo’s Steak and Pasta

2011 U.S. 17 Business S. (Kings Highway)

Myrtle Beach

626-2800

www.angelossteakandpasta.com

Some diners go for the Italian buffet, while others can’t resist entrees from the menu such as steaks that arrive at the table sizzling on special platters. The food is consistently delicious, and it’s affordable.

Anthony’s Pizza and Pan Pasta

U.S. 17 Bypass at Glenns Bay Road

Surfside Beach

215-5444

Anthony’s Pizza & Pan Pasta is a well-liked neighborhood restaurant with a lot going on. Their pizza with its crunchy crust has been a hit since they opened several years ago, and their customized pan pasta is already legendary. Anthony’s new menu items include Lasagna, Cheese Ravioli, a family-size Stromboli, Turkey Club sandwich and a BLT; and new beers are Widmer and Bass. On Friday nights there’s an all-you-care-to-eat fish fry, and on Tuesdays starting at 7:30 p.m. they host Team Trivia. Diners can sit inside or outside and enjoy subs, salads, wings, calzones and bruschetta, or food can be ordered for take-out or delivery.

Athens Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

5419 Dick Pond Road

Myrtle Beach

650-0044

A few menu items available for dinner include Linguini alla Giovanni with clams, mussels and shrimp; Pollo Marsala; Cannelloni; and Gnocchi al Ragu. Athens also has hot subs, pizzas, gyros, calzones and salads.

Bada Bing! Italian Ristorante

3001 N. Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach

946-9800

www.Bada-Bing.Biz

You can get an Italian dinner at Bada Bing! Italian Ristorante in Myrtle Beach, and if your order is more than $10 and you live in their delivery area, it can be brought to your door. The menu offers Bruschetta, Stuffed Cherry Peppers, salads, pizzas, soups and subs. They have spaghetti, cheese ravioli and meat ravioli that can come with marina, meatballs or sausage; and manicotti and seafood pasta. Desserts include cannoli and cheesecake. Hours are 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily.

Café Panini

3550 Old Kings Highway

Murrells Inlet

357-3080

Owner Danielle Santopietro serves creative and delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners, including frittatas, pastas, smoothies, specialty coffees and teas, salads and, of course, lots of delicious paninis.

Caruso’s

4700 U.S. 17 Bypass South

Myrtle Beach

293-8682

Moderately priced Italian food is presented in a busy and happy atmosphere with live piano music. An added service the classic Italian restaurant now provides is tableside cooking, including special appetizers, Caesar salad and desserts such as Bananas Foster. The menu still offers appetizers like Eggplant Rollatini and Clams Oreganato; Pasta such as Cavatelli and Broccoli and Homemade Lasagna; entrees like Veal Sorrentino and Chicken and Sausage Giambotta; and chef specialties including Zuppa di Pesce, Frutte di Mare and Grouper a la Soreno.

Chianti South

2109 U.S. 17 North

Little River

249-7888

www.chiantisouth.addr.com

Owner Angelo Bertolozzi was born in Tuscany, and he and his wife, Marie, take pride in their authentic Italian fare and excellent inventory of Italian wines. The restaurant is in a sprawling building with a gracious décor and country setting that makes it feel like you’re dining in their Tuscan home. A few offerings include Imported Prosciutto with Melon, Stuffed Shrimp, Crepes Florentine, Gnocchi, Ossobuco ala Milanese and Profiterolle.

Ciao! Italian Restaurant & Deli

5223 North Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach

449-5700

This cozy spot features white linens, a casual friendly atmosphere and wonderful Italian lunches and dinners. A few dishes include Fried Calamari, Mozzarella Capresse, Lasagna, Spinach Ravioli, Antipasto, Spinach Salad, Veal Parmesan, Chicken Limone, Crab Cakes, Scallops Diavolo and Tiramisu. This is a locals’ favorite that residents want to keep a secret, but here is a tip for new diners: There is more parking behind the restaurant.

Crudo’s Pizza

8724 S.C. 707

in the J-Mike Plaza near St. James High School

650-8088 and 650-8830

Pepperoni Rolls, hand-tossed New York Pizza, Calzones, Chicken Parmigiana and much more can be brought to your door if you live in the Surfside Beach/Socastee/St. James/Murrells Inlet area. Of course customers are always welcome to stop by and pick up the food themselves, or stay at the restaurant and enjoy Baked Ziti; Antipasto Salad; Chicken Alfredo; Stromboli; Garlic Bread with Cheese; Fried Mushrooms; White Pizza topped with Buffalo chicken, spinach or broccoli; or an Italian Parmigiana Sub with peppers and either hot or mild sausage. They open at 11 a.m. daily.

Finocchio’s

3100 U.S. 17 Business S.

Murrells Inlet

651-2110

http://finocchios-italian-ristorante.com/index.htm

Go here once, and it will likely become a place your heart and stomach often leads you. A few of our favorite dishes include Ravioli Rustici (sautéed with pancetta, onions, vodka, tomato sauce and cheese), Pasta al Forno (baked ziti with ground beef, peas, hard eggs and tomato sauce), Salmone al Pepeverde (grilled salmon with brandy/green peppercorn cream sauce), and Fettuccine Lizu where fresh noodles are sautéed with wild mushrooms, pancetta, roasted pignolis and brandy cream sauce. 

Fontinello’s

5341 U.S. 17 Bypass

South Inlet Plaza

Murrells Inlet

277-0960

Owners Kim Amadeo  and Joe Mancuso, and Executive Chef Steve Martin, are experienced restaurateurs offering a variety of appetizers, salads, paninis, pastas, pizzas and more.  We recommend Whole Roasted Garlic; Baked Artichoke Hearts; Walnut Chicken Salad; Tuna with Black Olive Pesto Sandwich; pasta such as Cavatelli and Kalamata with prosciutto, garlic, Romano cheese, fresh parsley and sun-dried tomatoes in white wine sauce; and Ravioli of the Day.  Pizza choices are gourmet, such as Gorgonzola Pizza.  Dinner menus change weekly.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p. Mondays-Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays.

The Humble Crumb

2521 Highmarket Street

Georgetown

546-7090

www.TheHumbleCrumb.com

The food at this family-owned business is all homemade and natural – they even make the pizza crust and breads daily. They also grind their own sirloin to make the ground beef. While you dine on Artisan Pizzas, Beef or Veggie Lasagna, Garlic Cheese Bread or Shrimp Scampi, you can enjoy locals’ artwork. They’re closed Sundays and Mondays.

Junior’s Pizzeria & Pub

Piggly Wiggly/Forest Square shopping center

Carolina Forest

903-7499

Junior’s is most known for its pizza, which has thin and crispy hand-tossed crust with a delightfully flaky crunch.  You can get a nice salad; a hot sub like Sausage, Onion and Pepper Parmigiana or a cold Italian Combo sub; Calzones; and Stromboli. There are more than a dozen pasta choices such as Lasagna, Sausage Palermo and Stuffed Shrimp Parmigiana, and you can also choose to create your own pasta from a variety of pasta shapes, sauces and toppings. Pasta dishes are available in lunch-size portions until 4 p.m., and there are nightly steak and veal specials. For dessert there are cannoli, tiramisu and bags of zeppollis. They aim to be a neighborhood restaurant, and deliver food within the Carolina Forest community. You can place your order (there’s a $15 delivery minimum) by calling 903-7499.

Luigi’s Trattoria

503 61^st Avenue North

Myrtle Beach

497-7080

Since Luigi and Anna LoSanto moved their restaurant from 52^nd Avenue North to their new location at 61^st Avenue North in Myrtle Beach, they have much more room for diners to enjoy their Italian specialties. Beside the restaurant, where there used to be a bakery, there is now an Italian market with ravioli, stuffed shells, deli Italian meats, olives, condiments, cheeses and more. A few menu items include Veal Picatta, Chicken Sorrentino (Luigi is from Sorrento), Lobster Ravioli, Clams Casino and Shrimp Fra Diavolo. During lunch you can also get hot and cold sandwiches and specialty pizzas. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 4-9 p.m. Sundays.

La Rocca

713 Front St.

Georgetown

545-7777

http://www.larocca-restaurant.com/

La Rocca Authentic Italian Cuisine serves Italian dishes and a few Lowcountry recipes.  

Lunchtime choices include Italian specialties, burgers, Tuna Melt, Shrimp Po-Boy, Fried Green Tomato BLT, Philly Cheese Steak and a Sausage Hero with grilled peppers and onions. There’s also a Wrap of the Day, and Charles says their Charleston She-Crab Soup is incredible. The dinner menu offers many more dishes, from Calamari Fritti, Grouper Fingers and Stuffed Mushrooms, to Fresh Tomatoes with Mozzarella, Penne Pasta ala Vodka, Vitello Scaloppini Marsala and Herb-crusted Grouper. Cathy Lalomia’s cheesecake is divine, and they have Key Lime Pie, Tiramisu and a daily dessert special. There’s a shaded outdoor dining area overlooking the Sampit River.

La Villa Italian Cuisine

804 Inlet Square Drive

Murrells Inlet

651-5007

With a two-for-one lunch special, a $7.95 early bird special and delicious food prepared by chef/owner Alfonso Terrana, diners leave happy when they visit La Villa Italian Cuisine in Murrells Inlet. A few menu items include Antipasto Salad, Eggplant Parmesan, Manicotti, Linguine with white or red clam sauce, Mozzarella Tutto (sliced tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, Bermuda onion, prosciutto and sun-dried tomatoes), Cavatelli and Broccoli, Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce, and Flounder Oregatano.

Luigi’s Trattoria

503 61^st Avenue North

Myrtle Beach

497-7080

Since Luigi and Anna LoSanto moved their restaurant from 52^nd Avenue North to their new location at 61^st Avenue North in Myrtle Beach, they have much more room for diners to enjoy their Italian specialties. Beside the restaurant, where there used to be a bakery, there is now an Italian market with ravioli, stuffed shells, deli Italian meats, olives, condiments, cheeses and more. A few menu items include Veal Picatta, Chicken Sorrentino (Luigi is from Sorrento), Lobster Ravioli, Clams Casino and Shrimp Fra Diavolo. During lunch you can also get hot and cold sandwiches and specialty pizzas. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 4-9 p.m. Sundays.

Michael’s Pizza, Pasta & Grill 1701 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, 448-0344 and

9814 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, 692-0820

In this case it is not trite to say, “Ask any local, and they’ll tell you this is THE place to go for casual Italian food.” You can also get a burger, and they have great cheesecake.

New York Pizza & Deli

6613 N. Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach

497-5922

You can dine in, take out or have your food delivered by the friendly families who own this restaurant. The menu includes hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, stromboli, subs, wings, sandwiches (including gyros), fried shrimp and flounder, chicken fingers and fried mushrooms. They also have beer and wine. You can have your food delivered anywhere between 10^th and 82^nd avenues North, or you can dine in the restaurant and watch Gabe and Sam twirl pizza dough in the air. The number is 497-5922.

Old World Italian

3850 U.S. 17 Bypass

Murrells Inlet

357-3494

Owner George Hayek has offered consistently excellent Italian specialties for many years. If you want to check him out and get a deal, he has an incredible “Early Dining Special for Two” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays when he showcases Spaghetti with Meatballs and Meat Sauce; Eggplant Rollacini; Chicken Parmigiana; Baked Ziti; and Linguini with Clam Sauce. Two of those dinners may be purchased for $14.95, or one for $7.95. The meals include salad and bread.

Pacino’s Mediterranean Grille

3103 U.S. 17 Business S.

Garden City

651-0532

We like to call the cuisine at this dinnertime restaurant “Ital-Leba-Ranian,” because owner Rania Kawar offers an interesting blend of Italian, Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes. The entire menu is full of traditional favorites like Veal Parmigiana, Chicken Piccata and Manicotti, plus hot and cold subs and specialty pizzas. Italian specialties beyond the norm are also available, like Scungilli (conch) Salad, Roasted Red Peppers with Anchovies, and Shrimp Trattoria  with white wine mushroom cream sauce. Lebanese treats include Baked Kibbe, Sheesh Tawouk and Beef Shawarma. The décor is sophisticated without being fussy.

Pizzeli’s Italian Oven

1698 U.S. 17 North

Little River

280-8880

http://www.pizzelis.com

While Pizzelli’s may not look special from the outside, the inside is a welcome surprise with a tasteful décor. The menu is also a treat. Appetizer choices include Pepperoni Bread, Mozzarella and Provolone and Grouper Bites. There are Italian Wedding Soup, Grilled Shrimp Salad, Mediterranean Greek Salad and Antipasti salad. Several burgers and hoagies are available, including an Eggplant Parmesan Hoagie. There are also specialty pizzas, and many sandwiches like the Stacked Steak Sandwich and the Ultimate Club. For your pasta pleasure they offer Veal Parmigiana; Hot Italian Sausage and Peppers; Meat or Cheese Ravioli; Lasagna; Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo and Shrimp Scampi.

Pomodoro’s Trattoria and Bar

364 Robert M. Grissom Parkway

Myrtle Beach

626-3161

http://pomodoros.net

An innovative Italian menu features dishes such as a trio of bruschetta; Risotto Pescatore with spicy lobster, shrimp and mussels in a plum tomato sauce; Jambalaya di Napoli; and Lightly Blackened Trigger Fish on a roasted garlic polenta cake with mustard pancetta butter.

Rocco’s

13313 Ocean Highway

Pawleys Island

235-3674

www.myroccos.com

Prepare to be wowed with choices like appetizers of Sherry Mushrooms with Lump Crab Stuffing, or Goat Cheese Truffles with Wilted Spinach. Expect entrees such as Pan Seared New Bedford Sea Scallops with a tomato coulis and Grilled Vegetable Bouquet. The wine list is excellently thoughtful. Rocco’s is open for lunch and dinner.

Rosegarden Restaurant

Seaboard Street

Across from Coastal Grand Mall, opposite Belk’s

Myrtle Beach

839-4949

This new restaurant owned by Chef Greg Rose offer a wide variety of Italian and American dishes, from Veal Saltimbocca and Eggplant Parmesan to Cajun Barbecue Shrimp and a Turkey Reuben Sandwich. It is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Rossi’s Italian Restaurant

9636 N. Kings Highway, in the Galleria Shopping Center

Myrtle Beach

449-0481

Rossi’s is an institution in Myrtle Beach. The surroundings are swanky, and Rat Pack era tunes provide a sultry backdrop for diners enjoying a wide variety of Italian fare. Next door is Eighty-Eights, a fun piano bar with a dance floor. Lots of people dress up to dine here, but you don’t have to.

Southside Frankie’s Italian American Grill

117 Rivertown Blvd.

In Riverown Commons

Conway

365-5556

Open for lunch and dinner daily, Southside Frankie’s is a fantastic new addition to the Conway dining scene. Choices include Bruschetta, Sicilian Mussels, Uncle Carmine’s Nachos, Baked Garlic Shrimp, Hell’s Kitchen Potato Skins, a variety of sandwiches and burgers, and excellent pizzas.  There are entrees like Knobhill Chicken, and pasta specialties such as Smoked chipotle Salmon with tomatoes and onions on penne pasta.  There’s also a full bar.

Stefano’s Cucina Rustica

2005 Oak Heart Road

off Carolina Forest Boulevard

903-7238

Stefano’s has a warm décor rich with colors of a Tuscan sunset: umber, sienna, misty green. Low metal ceiling fans and lights have a terra cotta hue, and arches that peek into the kitchen lend an old-world air. The vintage theme fits with the heirloom family recipes the Toniolos use, like their marinara and meat sauce that’s rich and thick and sweetly peppery from fresh herbs and spices. There are lunch specials, paninis, pizza, hot subs, stromboli, and Stuffed Pizzas. Stefano’s has wings and salads, lavish appetizers like Provolone Fritta and entrees such as Lasagna Al Forno, Ravioli Di Quattro Formaggi (four cheeses), Manicotti, Parmigiana Alla Sorrentina, Personalized Pasta and Angry Rigatoni.

Toffino’s Italian Bakery & Deli

880 Farrow Parkway

on the former Air Base

Myrtle Beach

477-1598

www.Toffinos.com

From 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays you can get breakfast, lunch or dinner, plus purchase delectable baked goods to take home. The meal menu includes pizzas; hot sandwiches from Eggplant Parmesan to Cheesesteaks; and a vast array of hoagies and deli sandwiches. The bakery treats include incredible Bear Claws, Eclairs and Danish; Pignoli Cookies; and fantastic creations like Chocolate Mousse Roll. For many years Toffino’s has earned top prizes in local culinary competitions.

Umberto’s at Coquina Harbor

720 U.S. 17

Little River

249-5513

Umberto’s has a gorgeous view of Coquina Harbor, which is the largest harbor in the Mid-Atlantic. A few of their Italian specialties include Stuffed Banana Peppers (stuffed with Italian sausage), Zuppa di Mare with white or red sauce, Vodka Rigatoni, Grouper Piccata, Veal Marsala and Osso Bucco Milanese. The Double-cut Pork Chops, Lamb Chops and Veal Chops are enormous and cooked to juicy perfection. Umberto’s also has a market and deli next door that sells cheeses, hand-cut chops and steaks, sandwiches, seafood, olive oils, vinegars and gift items.

Villa Romana

707 S. Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach

448-4990

www.villaromanamyrtlebeach.com

You’ll feel like you’re a member of a large and happy Italian family when you pull your chair up to one of owner/chef Rinaldo Montrosse’s tables. The Osso Buco is moist, the gnocchi is fluffy and the accordionist is always cheerful.