Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Georgetown / Pawleys Island

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in Georgetown / Pawleys Island? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Frank's Outback - Outside Dining

4.9

4.9 (1183)

$31 to $50

American

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Frank’s Outback has 45 seats inside the building and interestingly, the patrons get to walk through the open kitchen to enter the dining room. Once inside, you sense a warm welcoming atmosphere. The walls are painted in a cool blue with original artwork on the walls. White tablecloths, candle light, hand polished silverware and glassware grace the tables. There are also 100 seats outside, set in a garden setting under a canopy of trees. The outdoor seats are covered and not affected by weather. In the Fall and Winter guests are warmed by infrared heaters and the large outdoor fireplace.

Top review

Susanne

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful food, ambiance, and great service! Couldn’t ask for more!

Discover more

Popular dish

Blue Crab Ravioli

Popular dish

Whole 14 Layer Caramel Cake

Bistro 217

4.9

4.9 (1211)

$31 to $50

American

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Bistro 217 offers an eclectic menu that features seafood, steak, pasta and other delicious dishes. Owners Anne Hardee and Adam Kirby who was elected Chef Ambassador of South Carolina have created a culinary haven. Guests can gather indoors or in the newly renovated courtyard where you may enjoy libations and savory cuisine. You can begin your dining experience at Bistro 217 with an appetizer of Asian ribs or petite crab cakes with a lemon aioli. A main course of Herb-encrusted Grouper with a caper brown butter or Grilled Filet Mignon with seared shrimp will please the palate. The lunch menu offers sandwiches and burgers, as well as tasty fish tacos. Don't forget the incredible array of in-house made desserts and icecreams, you won't want to skip! Bistro 217 has reviews in publications like Southern Living and Grand Strand Magazine.

Top review

Mary Lynnvip

Dined 3 days ago

Bistro 217 is a favorite. Food is always great and service excellent!!

Discover more

Tomato Crab & Jalapeño Soup

Frank's Restaurant - Inside Dining

4.9

4.9 (1020)

$31 to $50

American

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Frank's Restaurant in Pawleys Island, South Carolina is an Italian-influenced American steakhouse and seafood joint that serves a range of traditional dishes for dinner. Frank's Restaurant has been featured in national press such as Bon Appétit and Southern Living and its kitchen strives to provide tasty dishes made with only the freshest, local and seasonally available ingredients. The atmosphere is elegant and refined and the full bar and extensive wine list complement the meals at Frank's Restaurant.

Start with an appetizer like fried oysters, Caribbean sautéed conch or a low country egg roll. Larger dishes include seafood like pan-seared New Bedford scallops and sautéed veal scallopini.

Top review

Chelsea

Dined 4 days ago

We always have a great experience every time we come to Frank’s. The food, atmosphere, and service is all top notch. I got the braised short rib this time and it is now my new favorite thing on the menu.

Discover more

Grilled Trio of Lamb Chops

Perrone's Restaurant and Bar

4.8

4.8 (240)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

World Cuisine with a Mediterranean Focus - Complete Chophouse Menu with USDA Prime (In-House) Dry Aged Beef, Local Wagyu Beef, Complete with Compound Butters, Sauces, and Steakhouse Sides - Responsibly Sourced, Fresh Local Seafood - Craft Cocktail Bar - Extensive Award Winning Wine List - Upscale Dining in a Casual, Laid Back Atmosphere with Local Art Laden Walls, Low Lighting, and Relaxing Jazz Music (P.S. We are not an Italian Restaurant! )

Top review

coleen

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Outstanding every time we dine. Casual but elegant. Food is wonderful. Waiter attentive, personable, expert!

Caffe Piccolo

4.8

4.8 (779)

$31 to $50

Italian

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Escape to Italy when visiting Caffe Piccolo. This authentic Italian eatery specializes in hearty, flavorful fare, featuring the freshest ingredients on the Grand Strand. Caffe Piccolo sources seafood locally, as well as produce and homegrown herbs, working with regional and ethical vendors. The menu is packed with delectable dishes, including appetizers, soups, salads and flavorful entrees. Entrees include land and sea choices, plus pasta dishes. Entrees include bread and your choice of soup or salad.

Caffe Piccolo features a comprehensive wine list, featuring imported and domestic selections. Dine indoors or outdoors on a beautiful patio, alongside a warm, open hearth.

Top review

Heather

Dined 3 days ago

More comfortable chairs needed . Chris our server is always excellent !

Costa Coastal Kitchen & Bar

4.8

4.8 (637)

$30 and under

Italian

Murrells Inlet

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Tammy

Dined 2 days ago

This was our second time here and our first time sitting inside. We sat on the deck by the fire the first time. The restaurant is so cute. The food was amazing! Probably the best veal I and my husband have ever had!

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (623)

$31 to $50

Regional American (Low Country)

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

We do not take reservations for lunch, it is first come first serve.
Dinner reservations are recommended.

One of Pawleys Islands most popular dining destinations is Chive Blossom Restaurant & Bar. Shaded by signature Lowcountry live oaks, the establishment is owned and operated by Paul Kelly and Trina Renualt, culinary professionals who combine their skills to create Southern classics with flair as well as delicious dishes with Mediterranean, French and Asian influences.

Incredible soups are a mainstay; Trina’s crab soup is local legend and not to be missed. All soups are offered in sips to a quart. Enjoy a taste, or take home a bounty! Choose from a variety of speciality salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts. Only the freshest ingredients are used, and the menu changes seasonally to take advantage of the locally sourced seafood, meats and produce.

Top review

Candice

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Absolutely charming restaurant. We sat inside and the ambience was perfect. Quiet but not too quiet, and casual dress felt appropriate. The service was great and the food tasted phenomenal. Definitely recommend the octopus and she crab soup — they were standout dishes!

Gios Italian Kitchen - Pawleys Island

4.8

4.8 (185)

$30 and under

Italian

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Prepare to be thrilled at this all-star Italian restaurant located off Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island, SC. Gios Italian Kitchen is family owned and operated since August 7th, 2014. Brothers/Chefs Klodjan & Renato Hoxha run the kitchen while the sister/GM Eri handles the front. Parents are also involved in the business operation on a daily basis. The Hoxha family was born in Albania and moved to the United States in 2003, seeking the American dream. The family has 17 years of experience in cooking. Our chefs make all the dishes with the freshest ingredients and highest quality of product. Gios serves the best marinara sauce and some of the tastiest authentic Italian dishes in the Grand Strand. We pride ourselves in providing quality consistent good food while emphasizing in excellent guest service. Eat Fresh. Eat Well. Eat Local.

Top review

Ariane

Dined 6 days ago

Always a great experience. Good service. Delicious food.

Rustic Table

4.8

4.8 (926)

$30 and under

Regional American (Southern)

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Rustic Table brings comfort food and home-style dining to Pawley's Island.

Top review

Diane

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful as always! I had a salad with Grouper and Balsamic. I had Ms. Anne's salad, which was wonderful, and my friends had soup and Mac and cheese. Excellent service and food. We love this restaurant!

Discover more

4.6

4.6 (328)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Georgetown

About the restaurant

The Independent is an ingredient-driven, seafood restaurant and raw bar showcasing the Lowcountry's surrounding local fisherman, farmers, and purveyors. Located on historic Front Street, the restaurant pays homage to the community's former, yet iconic seafood market by the same name, with a seasonal menu of Southern-inspired dishes guided by the region's bounty of fresh seafood.

Top review

Madelinre

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food and service The fish was delicious and cooked perfectly

Explore Diners' Choice best of Georgetown / Pawleys Island

Explore more Diners' Choice lists