Myrtle Beach’s culinary scene is earning prestigious recognition on the national stage. The MICHELIN Guide has released its inaugural American South selection, and O.A.K. Prime,, led by Chef Jerrett King, has been named a Recommended Restaurant.
Congratulations to Chef King and his team at O.A.K. Prime! Located at 4210 River Oaks Drive in Myrtle Beach, O.A.K. Prime continues to deliver an exceptional dining experience rooted in craftsmanship, local flavor and Chef Jerrett King’s distinct culinary voice.
The MICHELIN Guide’s inclusion of O.A.K. Prime represents a landmark moment for the Grand Strand, underscoring the area’s growing reputation for exceptional food and hospitality. This recognition puts Myrtle Beach alongside celebrated culinary cities such as New Orleans, Nashville and Charleston in the eyes of the international dining community.
Under Chef King’s direction, O.A.K. Prime has built a reputation for refined yet approachable dishes that showcase Southern ingredients with sophisticated flair. The restaurant’s commitment to quality, creativity and consistency has now been affirmed by the MICHELIN Guide’s anonymous inspectors, who apply the same universal criteria used for awarding stars.
Those standards include:
Quality of ingredients
Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
The personality of the chef expressed through the cuisine
Value for money
Consistency over time
O.A.K. Prime joins 159 restaurants recognized as Recommended across the South, standing alongside MICHELIN Star and Bib Gourmand recipients. Its inclusion signals that the Grand Strand’s culinary scene is ready to compete with established dining destinations across the country.
“The cuisine of the American South is a rich blend of cultural influences, brought to life by skilled chefs who have crafted some of the region’s most iconic dishes,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide. “Our anonymous Inspectors were deeply impressed by the region’s culinary prowess, and this inaugural selection reflects their findings — from Southern staples like barbecue, Creole and seafood, to international flavors.”
For Myrtle Beach, this recognition is more than a restaurant accolade, it’s a signal that the region’s dining scene has arrived on the national map.
Unveiled during a ceremony at the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina, the 2025 MICHELIN Guide American South features 228 restaurants across 44 cuisine types. The new regional guide covers restaurants from Louisiana to North Carolina and Tennessee, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Southern chefs.