The latest addition to the Grand Strand's restaurant scene opened on April Fool’s Day, but this newcomer is no joke. Bringing the unique flavor of New England-style seafood to the heart of the Lowcountry on the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, The Claw House is a serious contender amid an ocean of seafood restaurants in the tiny fishing village known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.”
Murrells Inlet is known for its Lowcountry-style seafood, a fact that is supported by the dozens of local restaurants surrounding the waterfront area along the famed Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. Boasting some of the freshest seafood and best restaurants on the Grand Strand, Murrells Inlet has added one more to its already loaded lineup, and this one offers a lot more than the usual shrimp, fish and oysters from local waters.
In addition to fresh catches of the day served your way, The Claw House specializes in the tasty types of seafood that escape fishermen in Southern waters. North Atlantic classics like live Maine lobsters, which are delivered twice weekly and kept in The Claw House's special cold-water tanks, and New England clams and mussels give locals and visitors a chance to try something different for lunch or dinner.
Located next door to the popular Dead Dog Saloon, The Claw House has quickly become the new hot spot on the MarshWalk. A large covered patio that is climate controlled offers beautiful views of the Murrells Inlet waterfront, so patrons can look out over the bay as fishing and shrimp boats return from a long day at sea and unload the freshest possible ingredients for a seafood feast. Deckhands haul their catches directly to the kitchen for preparation, and patrons swarm to these places for the freshness and the view in a laid-back environment.
The Claw House’s indoor dining area is heavy on hardwoods with a nautical theme, providing a nice atmosphere for folks who are serious about their seafood. A 30-seat, horseshoe-shaped raw bar invites diners to belly up to the counter and load up their plates with fresh steamed shrimp, oysters and other shellfish. Crab and lobster claws are also included on the raw bar, so you can easily create your personal favorite seafood feast from the bounty.
There isn't a bad seat in the house, as every table and bar stool offers a view of the inlet, and the menu is designed to satisfy all taste buds. The Claw House offers a wide selection of New England favorites, such as the classic seafood pie, Maryland-style crab cakes and New England clam chowder, as well as Southern staples like shrimp and grits, Calabash-fried fish and shrimp, and she-crab soup. Land food-lovers are also in luck, with excellent steaks and chops served with all the sides.
The Claw House has a full that bar that offers a wide variety of drinks and an extensive wine list, perfect for enjoying with your meal or as a nightcap after a great meal. After dinner, take a stroll down the rest of the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk to see all the other popular hangouts. Live music plays on the patio decks of Wahoo’s, Bubba’s Love Shak and the Dead Dog Saloon, and many visitors simply relax along the waterfront to watch a sunset or take in the ocean views.
The Claw House is located about 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, which offers a nice day-trip escape for Compass Cove guests. Visit Brookgreen Gardens, Pawleys Island or Huntington Beach State Park during the daytime, and cap the trip off with an authentic New England seafood feast at The Claw House.
