Luigi’s Trattoria

The Restaurant

This family-owned Italian café sits just off the beaten path in the Dunes neighborhood of Myrtle Beach, but it’s a hidden gem. Open for late lunch and dinner, Luigi’s is a nice place to enjoy an early bird special or have a romantic meal in the evening.

The Food

Featuring a mix of traditional Italian classics, like the fresh-baked lasagna stuffed with beef, sausage and ricotta cheese and served with marinara sauce, and chef’s specials, such as the Veal a la Rose topped with a lobster cream sauce, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes and jumbo shrimp. Two of the most popular dishes are the Grouper Franchese in a white wine and lemon-butter sauce, and the Zuppa de Pesce served with a half-lobster tail, shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels, scallops and scungilli in a red sauce over linguine pasta. There’s a kids’ menu and a fine choice of desserts, including New York-style cheesecake and Tiramasu. Luigi’s also offers an extensive wine list and a full bar.

The Atmosphere

Luigi’s location is part of its charm. The building is far enough from Kings Highway to allow for a quiet meal on the patio that overlooks a neighborhood park. The interior is cozy and smartly decorated in classic Italian café fashion.