Five Great Restaurants for Your Next Seafood Stroll at Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk

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You may have heard of a pub crawl, but a visit to the Murrells Inlet, just south of Myrtle Beach, is more like a scenic seafood stroll.

Located along a wooden walkway that borders the inlet, the Marsh Walk gives visitors that chance to take a leisurely jaunt from restaurant to restaurant, each offering their own unique Lowcountry dishes and atmosphere. The one thing they share in common: They all serve fresh local seafood that you can watch being unloaded on the nearby docks. Try to hit them all, but make sure not to miss these five eateries:

Dead Dog Saloon: This long-running favorite burned to the ground earlier this year, but a new and improved Dead Dog emerged from the ashes. The modernized and more spacious bar and grill features a large outdoor deck where patrons can sip on frozen drinks and cold beer while enjoying the famous oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp and chicken wings. Live music plays several nights a week and a fun but laid-back crowd play cornhole and rest in the hammock in the backyard.

Creek Ratz: Don’t let the name of this Murrells Inlet institution fool you. “Creek Ratz” is a good-natured nickname for locals who grew up in the tidal creeks and swamps of the Lowcountry, not for any unwanted rodents. This seafood shack offers affordable family food in a casual atmosphere. The raw bar serves steamed oysters and shrimp fresh from the Inlet, and “landfood” lovers can enjoy great burgers, pizza and sandwiches. Try the Creek Ratz Reuben that's swimming with spicy shrimp and sauerkraut.

Captain Dave’s Dockside Restaurant: The Marsh Walk is lined with restaurants that also serve as party spots, but Captain Dave’s offers a fine-dining experience that’s a bit different from the rest. Shrimp and Grits and Crab Cakes are among the Lowcountry specialties that come from the creative kitchen. For a less formal affair, visit the back porch and Bubba's Love Shak, where the good times and frozen drinks flow.

Wahoo's Raw Bar & Marina: The indoor dining area is modern and semi-casual, with large windows providing scenic views of the inlet. The menu is loaded with unique entrees in the $20 range, such as the Green Tea Sea Bass or the Soy Peanut Crusted Mahi Mahi. The outdoor tiki bar stays open late and offers live music during the warmer months.

(posted 3/12/14)