Russell's Seafood Grill — Restaurant in South Carolina

Overall Impression Russell’s Seafood Grill in Murrells Inlet, SC, is the kind of place that instantly makes you feel like you’ve uncovered a local treasure. From the moment you step onto the property, the classic coastal-cottage architecture, with its weathered wood siding, welcoming front porch, and gabled roof line sets the stage for an authentic Lowcountry dining experience.

Food & Flavor Fresh-Caught Seafood: Every dish I tried—from the perfectly fried shrimp to the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth flounder—tasted as if it had been pulled straight from the inlet that morning. Generous Portions: You definitely won’t leave hungry. Even the side dishes (think creamy grits and tangy coleslaw) feel thoughtfully prepared. Signature Specials: Don’t miss the she-crab soup; its rich, sherry-laced broth is a testament to why Russell’s has such a devoted following.

Ambience & Design Classic Building Design: The restaurant’s vintage exterior isn’t just for show. Inside, nautical décor, warm wood paneling, and a collection of local memorabilia create a cozy, lived-in charm that transports you to an earlier era of the Grand Strand. Waterfront Views: Large windows and an elevated deck overlook Murrells Inlet, giving you a sunset backdrop that’s nothing short of postcard-worthy.

Practical Perks Free Parking Nearby: In a town where parking can sometimes feel like a scavenger hunt, Russell’s offers ample complimentary parking just steps from the entrance, making your visit stress-free from the start. Easy Access: Located right off U.S. 17 Business, the restaurant is simple to find whether you’re a local or a traveler on a seafood quest.

Service & Hospitality The staff embodies genuine Southern hospitality, friendly, attentive, and eager to share menu tips or a quick story about Murrells Inlet history. Owner Russell himself often circulates the dining room, adding a personal touch that makes you feel like part of the family.

Final Takeaway If you’re searching for fresh seafood, classic Lowcountry ambiance, and the convenience of free parking, Russell’s Seafood Grill is a must-visit. It’s the perfect blend of tradition, flavor, and warm hospitality, a dining experience that captures the heart of...

Understanding that most people don't know good, fresh and properly prepared seafood from a hole in the wall, I know to be skeptical about online reviews of seafood restaurants having, "The best seafood I ever had." That said, Russell's proved the point to me that you cannot trust raving online reviews of seafood restaurants.

My girlfriend and I know good seafood and ate at Russell's last night and did not have a great experience. Due to the crowd, we opted to eat on the deck. They assigned us a server that only had one outdoor table and thus we became the forgotten ones. I had a shrimp cocktail appetizer and my girlfriend had a cup of she crab soup and both were good although the soup had no crab in it. We also had some parmesan crab dip. It had no crab in it, but did have shrimp which we found to be strange. Also, because of server woes, we had to ask several times to get crackers to eat the dip.

Our entrees were a combo of fried shrimp and scallops for me and flounder and shrimp for my girlfriend. The shrimp were just okay to both of us, but I could never get the waitress to bring me any cocktail sauce. The flounder and scallops were good. The cheese potatoes were not hot.

By the time the waitress did not bring my girlfriend the second drink she ordered, my girlfriend told her nevermind about it. It then took several tries to get her to bring us some water.

We also realize that this was not really the server's fault because she should not have patrons seated for her outside if that was her only table in that area.

Reading the other reviews, I fail to see how this could be the best seafood in the seafood capital of South Carolina. If Russell's is the best, then there are a lot of places serving some really bad seafood because this place is just average. I could eat lots better seafood for less than the $83.00 tab they charged...

I don't even eat seafood but since my boyfriend loves this place, I am always a sport & go with him so he can enjoy some little neck clams. It has always been good in the last couple of years since we learned about it but recent updates and upgrades are phenomenal! The menu has expanded for seafood lovers and non-seafood lovers & I really appreciate that! The food was incredibly fresh, including the fried foods. My digestive system does not tolerate heavy foods or heavy grease & I feel I can quickly discern between fresh and stale grease. Everything was very flavorful, onion rings truly are hand battered, and the key lime pie was the perfect tart finish to our meal. The restaurant has had makeovers even to include serve ware / dishes. It is a casual restaurant and has a very comfortable atmosphere. Not sure if they ever have live music, but actually I'm glad there never has been since we have visited.....I enjoy being able to carry on a nice table conversation without having to scream over a band. Across the road (literally) is the marsh walk so if you need live music, that chaos is close enough. Prices are very fair, service was excellent and it was overall a very pleasant dining experience. Relaxing with a good meal here was a wonderful way to wind down a busy week for us. We will...