From the parking lot, the building on North Kings Highway looks like any other steakhouse. Step inside, though, and you find fireplaces, horse-themed rooms, and a menu built around prime rib, ribeye, and lobster tail.
Thoroughbreds Chophouse has earned a 4.5-star rating from nearly 1,400 diners, and many of them return for birthdays and anniversaries year after year. Here is what makes this Myrtle Beach dining room worth planning a special night around.
A Steakhouse Tucked Along North Kings Highway
Head north on Kings Highway, past the beach traffic and the souvenir shops, and you will reach 9706 N Kings Hwy. That is where Thoroughbreds Chophouse sits, serving steaks, local seafood, and a long wine list to the Grand Strand crowd.
Google describes it simply as an upscale steakhouse with seafood and wine, set in a clubhouse with a fireplace. That short line hides a lot of personality, which is part of the fun of a first visit.
With 1,390 reviews and a 4.5-star average, the place has clearly built a following. Locals who have lived in the area for years call it the best fine dining they have found nearby, and first-time vacationers say they stumbled onto a little gem.
The menu leans classic. Steak earns the most chatter in reviews, followed by ribeye, lobster tail, prime rib, and the NY strip.
Bananas foster and bacon-wrapped scallops round out the list of dishes people keep bringing up.
So whether you are a South Carolina native or just in town for the week, this is a spot where dinner feels like an event rather than a quick stop between rounds of mini golf.
An Ordinary Outside Hiding an Old-World Estate
Don’t judge this book by its cover. One diner put it bluntly, saying the outside looks like an old chain-style steakhouse while the inside feels like an old-world mansion or estate.
That surprise is a big part of the charm. Rooms are arranged like spaces in a grand house, including one called the library, and each carries a theme tied to horses, which fits the Thoroughbreds name nicely.
Guests describe the decor as tasteful and thoughtful, with beautiful architecture in what one reviewer called a storied restaurant. Another felt transported back in time, describing the mood as very southern and traditional.
The management itself has described the vibe as an old-school country club, which explains the clubhouse label. Picture a warm fireplace, polished details, and quiet corners rather than flashing screens or loud bar TVs.
Around the holidays, the dining rooms get dressed up too. A New Year’s Eve guest said the festive decorations made the evening feel special and perfect for welcoming a new year.
Prime Rib Worth a Return Trip
Here is a detail that tells you plenty: one visitor’s wife cut her prime rib with just a fork. She and her husband were in Myrtle Beach for the first time, and that tender, flavorful slab became one of the highlights of their trip.
Prime rib comes up in 26 reviews, which puts it among the most talked-about dishes in the house. The restaurant notes that it works with prime certified Angus beef, so expectations run high.
A small tip from a New Year’s Eve diner is worth remembering. Their prime rib arrived a little more done than they wanted, so they suggested ordering one level rarer than usual if you like it pink.
Pair it with a side like the seasoned broccoli that another couple praised, and you have a classic steakhouse plate done the way people hope it will be. It is the kind of dish regulars plan their visit around.
Ribeye, Filet, and the Rest of the Steak Lineup
Steak gets mentioned 90 times in reviews, more than anything else on the menu. Ribeye leads the cuts with 48 mentions, followed by the NY strip and filet mignon.
Fans are not shy about it. One guest called a recent visit the best steak dinner of his life, praising the tenderness, flavor, and char.
Another said the filet was literally the best she had ever eaten, perfectly seasoned and tender.
A different diner described everything as melt-in-your-mouth and worth the cost. Anniversary couples name the ribeye as one of their favorite plates of the night.
Not every opinion is a rave, though, and that honesty helps. One visitor felt his steak was good but not amazing enough for the price, so expectations matter.
Steak and seafood combos are popular as well. A guest’s wife ordered the filet with lobster tail and loved it, and the asparagus on the side was cooked just right.
Angels on Horseback and Other Openers
Ask a server what to order first, and you might hear about Angels on Horseback. These are bacon-wrapped scallops finished with a bourbon glaze, and one waitress told a guest it is the most popular item on the menu.
The restaurant agrees it is a guest favorite. Reviewers keep circling back to it, with 14 mentions overall and plenty of exclamation points.
Even a diner who had mixed feelings about the rest of his meal said the scallops were not to be missed. That says a lot.
Other starters earn praise too. A Christmas Day guest called the calamari the best it had ever been, and a first-time visitor enjoyed a bowl of French onion soup before his entree.
Fun fact: the name Angels on Horseback is an old one for bacon-wrapped shellfish, and here it fits perfectly with the equestrian theme running through the dining rooms.
Seafood Beyond the Surf and Turf
Being near the ocean has its perks. The chophouse makes room for local seafood, and diners say the fish holds its own next to the beef.
Lobster tail is the second most mentioned item overall, with 43 nods. A returning holiday guest raved about the huge lobster tails, saying they were better than ever.
Fish lovers have options as well. Reviewers mention sea bass that tasted fresh and delicious, a grouper feature with mashed potatoes and lobster sauce, and salmon so good one guest ate it before she could take a photo.
Rainbow trout also appears in reviews, described by a local couple as perfect. Their table also ordered herb-crusted elk chops, another standout that shows the kitchen reaches past standard steakhouse fare.
Rack of lamb gets a shout too, with one traveler calling it among the best he has had. Clearly, the non-beef side of the menu deserves attention.
Tableside Theater: Caesar Salad and Bananas Foster
Some dishes come with a show. At Thoroughbreds, the Caesar salad is tossed right beside your table, and bananas foster is prepared tableside too.
One birthday guest called her server’s Caesar the best she had ever tasted. Others mention it as a must-order, and it shows up in 10 reviews.
Then there is dessert. Bananas foster appears in 24 reviews, and one first-time visitor summed it up with an excited OMG, adding that the scoops of vanilla ice cream made it awesome.
Other sweets get love as well. Diners mention a Grand Marnier creme brulee and a cheesecake that one steak fan called incredible.
Watching food come together in front of you makes the evening feel old-fashioned in the best way. It is a nice reason to save room.
Wine, Whiskey, and Cocktails at the Bar
Thirsty? You will not run short of choices.
The restaurant is known for a sizable wine list, and one reviewer praised the awesome selection of wine, whiskey, and other spirits.
Guests mention enjoying a Malbec with their meal, house red wine, and special holiday cocktails. Many describe the drinks as delicious and well made, and servers often help with wine pairings.
Happy hour also comes up in reviews, so it may be worth asking about when you call.
As with anything, opinions vary. One diner felt his Old Fashioned was missing its bitters and syrup, while others gave the cocktails glowing marks.
Here is a fun bit of history: the current general manager once worked behind the bar. A guest years ago praised the bartender and joked he was angling for a management job, and he got it.
Service That Makes Celebrations Feel Personal
Anniversaries come up again and again in reviews. Couples marking 23 years, first visits, and milestone birthdays all choose this dining room, and the staff seems to know how to make the night feel big.
One couple found a card and decorations waiting for their anniversary. Others praise servers by name for being attentive, friendly, and full of good recommendations.
A Christmas Day diner expected to be rushed so the staff could go home. Instead, their server took her time and made sure they enjoyed the holiday meal.
A longtime local described the service as attentive, understated, and knowledgeable, just what fine dining should be. Some even compare the place to chophouses in Charleston, Tampa, Boston, and D.C.
It is not flawless. A large family group on a busy night faced a loud room, missing dishes, and sold-out entrees, so it helps to speak up early if something feels off.
Who Will Love It and What to Expect
Planning a date night? Reviewers call it ideal for a fancy evening out, and the cozy, dim rooms set a romantic mood.
That dim lighting is the one comment that pops up often. A couple needed phone flashlights to read the menu, and another guest asked the server to raise the lights in the library, which they gladly did.
The website suggests smart casual dress. One local noted some diners dressed more casually since it is a resort area, but dressing up a little adds to the experience.
Rooms feel roomy, so you will not be squeezed against your neighbors. The space also handles private functions, though big parties can make some areas noisy.
Music can be a surprise too. One guest heard early-2000s hits playing in the traditional rooms, an odd mix he still enjoyed.
Hours, Reservations, and a Final Word
Timing matters here. Thoroughbreds opens at 4:30 PM and serves until 9 PM Tuesday through Saturday, staying closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Reservations are strongly recommended, and one reviewer said they are required, so call +1 843-497-2636 ahead. You can also check the website at thoroughbredsrestaurant.com before heading to 9706 N Kings Hwy.
Prices sit on the high end, and several guests warn that entrees are pricey. Some felt sides should be more generous for the cost, while many others said every penny was worth it.
So, is it for you? If you want a fireside steak dinner, a tender prime rib, and a little tableside flair, odds are good you will leave happy.
Plenty of South Carolina steak lovers already have. Many say they will be back, and judging by the reviews, they usually are.
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