Best Breakfast/Brunch in Myrtle Beach

The name says it all - hot stacks of pancakes smothered in butter and syrup and covered with some bizarre yet tasty toppings - strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate chips or all of the above. Hot Stacks also serves the traditional Southern fare - made-to-order omelets, scrambled eggs and meats, biscuits with sawmill gravy - but flap jacks is what these fine folks do best. For late sleepers who prefer to skip straight to lunch, Hot Stacks also serves a wide selection of tasty sandwiches, such as a hot ham and cheese between two waffles that comes hot out of the iron.

Known for generations as the Biscuit Shack, this North Myrtle Beach institution is under new management with the same familiar country classics. The new crew kept the spirit of the old place alive - great Southern cooking and friendly service - while updating the menu and decor a bit. The Shack specializes in South Carolina favorites and serves daily meat-and-three specials. The food is like something you can only get at your grandmother's house - true Southern cooking, especially for breakfast. Country ham, sausage and bacon with scrambled eggs, toast, biscuits, grits and fried potatoes are a great way to start your day.

The tired old breakfast and lunch get an extreme makeover at Johnny D's Waffle House, where the traditional eggs and pancakes undergo a serious upgrade. In addition to an array of waffles and pancakes topped with fruit, chocolate chips and whipped cream, Johnny D's goes the extra mile by making red velvet cake waffles and creative pancakes. Egg combinations include a selection of omelets, Benedict combinations and even huevos rancheros. For lunch, try a fresh house salad, soup and sandwich combination, or get adventurous with the fajitas. Johnny D's has got it all. Be sure to grab some in-house baked goods to go.

This European-style bistro is a favorite for breakfast or lunch. Known for creative small plates and dishes, Croissants offer a wide selection of homemade breads, croissants, pastries and muffins that are simply out of this world! They also serve heartier dishes such as a fabulous souffle casserole with grits, eggs, cheese and ham, plus French toast and pancakes. For lunch you might try one of their hot sandwiches or specialty soups, salads or starters. And don't forget that this bakery is known for their heavenly desserts.

The menu may not be extensive, but you can be sure that everything on it is a time-tested winner. Ham and eggs, steak and eggs, grits and eggs, pancakes and eggs, biscuits and gravy and eggs – well, you get the idea. There are also egg sandwiches and omelets, and when it gets to be lunch time you can order up a great burger and fries. There are also plenty of items on the menu where the egg doesn't play a starring role, like the pancakes and waffles for breakfast and soups and sandwiches for lunch. Or you can just order some more eggs!

The latest sensation on the Grand Strand dining scene is the Crepe Creation Cafe in the trendy new Market Common district. The name says it best - yes, crepes, as in those thin French pancakes that most Americans don't eat and can't properly pronounce. But this cafe is doing some marvelous new things with crepes, things that Americans do best - stuffing them full of tasty ingredients. Breakfast favorites are the Stuffed French Toast filled with a cream cheese mix and the Western Morning Crepe filled with scrambled egg, ham, bacon and cheddar. Top lunch picks are the Gyro and the Cordon Bleu Crepe, and do save room for dessert crepes filled with fresh fruits or chocolate treats.

This restaurant and music hall offers Cajun fare and great live music performed by nationally and internationally known rock, folk, blues, jazz and blues bands. Besides offering interesting night life entertainment, they also serve up a wonderful Sunday Gospel Brunch. Phenomenal gospel music is performed live during the entire brunch. The regular lunch and dinner menus are filled with Southern stick-to-your-rubs favorites such as pulled-pork barbecue, salt-and-pepper fried catfish, jamabalaya and BBQ ribs. Call ahead for a schedule of upcoming events. Ticket prices and showtimes vary – most are about $20 and start around 8pm. Smoking section available during lunch hours only.

Known for its outstanding American fare and charming atmosphere, this restaurant tops many "favorites" lists. All of the fish and seafood they serve are fresh – How fresh? Try this on for size: The upscale restaurant owns and operates its own fishing boat. But for those with more terrene tastes, there are delicious steak, chicken, lamb and veal selections, helping Chestnut Hill stand as one of the Strand's most versatile dinner choices. Perhaps the best meal of the week is Chestnut Hill's Sunday brunch, which features Eggs Benedict, peel-and-eat shrimp, Southern fried chicken and a wide selection of house-made desserts.

Located on the ground floor of a hotel convention center, this restaurant draws lots of locals who only venture downtown in the summer months if there's something really good waiting for them. This buffet-style eatery serves three hots a day, but breakfast may be its best offering. Hot grits, gravy and biscuits along with eggs, bacon, sausage give guests a true taste of the South to start their days. Fresh fruit and French toast are available for those with a morning sweet tooth. The friendly service and relaxed atmosphere make this place well worth waking up to on your vacation.

This downtown Myrtle Beach institution has been serving locals and tourists hot, home-style meals for 60 years, Mammy's is famous for its breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. From freshly prepared pancakes, eggs, fried potatoes, sausage and bacon for breakfast to a wide selection of meats and vegetables for lunch and dinner, Mammy's has it all. But the main draw is the first meal of the day, perfect for filling up before a long day at the beach. Mammy's puts out a spread for breakfast, including fresh fruit that goes well over French toast and hot grits with all the fixings.