Mako's Bar & Grill
4492 Water Front Ave, Little River SC 29579
$$
American
Reservations
Business Info
- Address: 4492 Water Front Ave, Little River SC 29579
- Cross Street: The Little River Waterfront
- Cuisine: American | Seafood | Steak | Sunday Brunch |
- Cost: | Inexpensive
- Category: Upscale Casual
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Brunch | Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Public Lot | Private Lot |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover | Cash | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: makosmarinabar.com
- Phone: (843) 273-4944
- Features: Full Bar, Ocean View, Outdoor Seating, Takeout Available, Happy Hours, Free Wi-Fi,
- Occasion: Dining Alone, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, Special Occasion, Date Night,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.75 out of 5 stars based on 430 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 28, 2026
Ruth S.
Amazing staff and food.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 19, 2026
Michelle/Missy C.
Amazing restaurant food and the staff is so professional friendly and knowledgeable.
The bar area does get very loud.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 31, 2026
Denise B.
My husband and I love Mako’s past Saturday we took two other couples with us. They also enjoyed everything our waiter is Ryan. Super nice guy. An excellent service and food is always top-notch.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 26, 2026
Megan R.
Delicious food and excellent service!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 22, 2026
Lori P.
Food is exceptional! The presentation of the food just enhances the experience! Love Mako’s!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 22, 2026
Lisa S.
A favorite restaurant in North Myrtle! Jerk Mahi dis is excellent!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 24, 2026
George R.
Makos is by far the best Little River waterfront restaurant. You’re getting really great entrees at very fair prices, along with a very good drink menu and excellent service.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 09, 2026
Doug H.
Food is excellent and our server was great!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 08, 2025
Sue C.
We were a party of six on a Sunday night, so it was quiet. The server was wonderful. The food was absolutely delicious. We started with excellent crab dip. One person had New England clam chowder. It was served beautifully, but had clams in shells in it and he didn't like that; he enjoys more plain food. Three ordered the chicken dish and loved it. It was unique and filled with flavor. Two ordered Mahi and loved it. One ordered duck and I'm not sure what he thought. It may have been too unique for him. We also had a side of Brussel sprouts which were great. The inside of the restaurant is nothing special with little ambiance. We have had dinner outside on the covered deck on the water and enjoyed that more, but it was too cold out for that. This restaurant has the best food I've had anywhere in the area.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 9/10
Dec 06, 2025
Janice A.
We love Mako's. Wish there was more inside seating. The food is excellent as is the service.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 26, 2025
Roscoe W.
Mako's offers a unique menu that includes flavorful burgers, sensational seafood and specials that can include bison and elk. The setting on the ICW is both interesting and relaxing. When you visit it will be amongst your top dining places.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 24, 2025
Theresa G.
Had a reservation that I made through table agent the morning of. Gentlemen who greeted questioned when?? Why do you have it or not? There were plenty of open tables, in & out. Was it necessary? NO, fortunately the hostess said no worries and proceeded with table. Food was very good, service was very good. It was the initial greet that made me lower my rating. That young man needs to do better!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 30, 2025
Laura M.
Great service. Good food
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 18, 2025
Gail E.
Ryan gave us excellent service..Delicious dinners.Perfect presentation..Very nice waterfront dining experience..All fresh dishes..
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 16, 2025
John H.
Always nice.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 25, 2025
Teresa S.
Fantastic meal and experience. Our server Emily was delightful. We had the lobster ravioli which was amazing and the shrimp scampi which my husband said it was the best shrimp he ever had. The Chef/manager checked in with us several times and was very interested in how we liked the meal. We will be back again.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 23, 2025
Kim S.
This place was awesome!! Sat outside with the beautiful view and enjoyed excellent food!! We will be back!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 22, 2025
Susanne M.
It was an outstanding dining experience from food to service to location!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 07, 2025
Rose H.
Makos never disappoints!!
Food, Atmosphere and service is excellent every time we dine there!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 03, 2025
Fred P.
Very nice and welcoming place.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 02, 2025
Judy L.
Excellent food, service and outside dining on a beautiful day! Will be back soon!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 02, 2025
Connie W.
This is our second visit to Makos and it did not disappoint. Food, cocktails and wait staff all wonderful. We will be making another trip in two weeks with friends from Arkansas and Virginia.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 14, 2025
Scott B.
Our meals were fantastic, the service was super friendly and efficient, and we truly had a wonderful visit. We'll definitely be back!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 9/10
Aug 03, 2025
David D.
Bronzed corvina served with French green beans and roasted potatoes with a wonderful sauce was very good, my vegetarian wife had the jerk mahi with no mahi and loved it!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 02, 2025
Kathleen S.
The best find in nine years of living here! Food, staff & facility. Special compliments to the chef!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 01, 2025
BRUCE F.
The food is so amazingly delicious! This was our second visit and it was even better than our 1st. Great food, wonderful wait staff, awesome location, facility and views. We'll be back!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 20, 2025
Lisa B.
First time dining here and we were very impressed! The food was delicious with so many unique ingredients, service was outstanding. The wahoo and grouper dishes were highlights!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 17, 2025
Leslie B.
A wonderful dinner! The jerk mako was absolutle delicious. Server, Ryan was attentive, knowledgable and on point!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 08, 2025
Chuck P.
The food was excellent. Our server did a great job. The peel and eat shrimp and the crab cakes were out of this world.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 06, 2025
Nadine S.
Another excellent meal! The grits were creamy and the shrimp gigantic in the shrimp and grits. The special of Pompano was delicious and presented beautifully! Dessert was not a disappointment. Always a pleasant dining experience here.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 04, 2025
Lena C.
First time we ate here!! Amazing staff food and atmosphere!!! We will be back for sure!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 26, 2025
Trey M.
The food and the service (Ryan) were both 10 out of 10
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Jun 19, 2025
Lulu R.
The food was fantastic! Our compliments to the chef! Our waitress was wonderful and very knowledgeable. The drinks were perfect! We look forward to another trip!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 09, 2025
Jimbo S.
Best restaurant in the area. Chef driven food, including outstanding specials, can't be beat. Crabcakes, unlike most restaurants in the area, have no filler, just lump crab meat (and of course spices). The jerk mahi is probably my favorite though. Drinks superb, and wine list short but excellent. Back deck perfect for dining on a summer eve or anytime really. I was selfishly half tempted to say bad things as the word is getting out and the place is getting crowded, but that would not be remotely fair. Mako's deserves all the kudos they receive.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Jun 04, 2025
Paige H.
Service was top notch. She was well informed on all dishes. Its on the ICW but this is premier chef experience restaurant. Its not the usual. Excellent food, specials and views. GO!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
May 21, 2025
Fara P.
Meal was very good; service was great. It was rather windy on the porch, but there aren't a lot of indoor options. It's a little pricey but the portions were good. We would definitely return.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 17, 2025
Theresa G.
First time at Makos. The food, service, and table was fantastic! A perfect spot in Little River for a great dinner.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 02, 2025
Courtney B.
Everything was awesome! The food was perfect and the drinks were great! We will definitely go back to eat sooner than later. Our waitress, Valerie was super nice and knowledgeable.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 15, 2025
Kari N.
This was our first time dining here. We were very impressed with everything! The food was delicious, the service was excellent and the view from our outside table was fabulous! We are going back in a couple weeks!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 14, 2025
Nancy O.
Overall great experience. The food was delicious. The service was perfect. Not rushed as we have been in other places that want to turn over the tables as quickly as possible.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 06, 2025
Bob P.
Excellent cocktails, food, and service - we’ll return again soon!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 29, 2025
Pam R.
We loved our first visit there. We came there because of Cam! We love him. He is a great bartender and a great guy. We are snowbirds and we will absolutely be back next year. Hope to see Cam when we do!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Mar 20, 2025
Don O.
Our dinner was a great experience accept for the booking with your website. When we got there they restaurant had no record of our confirmed reservation with you. I will book with open table going forward.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 13, 2025
Tom M.
Food, service and atmosphere was fantastic
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 27, 2025
Gray W.
Excellent Meal. Chef knows flavors!! Restaurant's renovation just great!!!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 24, 2026
Jimbo S.
Mako's is my favorite restaurant in Little River and the surrounding area including Calabash. Staff cool and food is top notch. My only complaint was the seating. I'd made a reservation that day and it wasn't on the books, which the hostess seemed to think was the reason. I prefer to sit outside on the deck and told her as much. She seated us indoors at a high top despite there being numerous open tables on the outside that were still vacant after our meal.
One of the specials was grouper, which was outstanding. They seem to be one of only a few restaurants left anywhere that includes bread with the meal, and it, too, was outstanding.
I tend to select one of 3 or 4 entrees when I go and have never had a bad meal. I was stoked the special was still good to order as sometimes they run out.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Jan 18, 2026
Joyce P.
They were very busy so it took a long time to get our drinks, rolls etc. With that being said, the food was outstanding! We will definitely return.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 7/10
Oct 20, 2025
Mary K.
Great food and service! Emily was terrific!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 20, 2025
Katy H.
Food…wow! Service…friendly and courteous. My view with really dirty window and junk below was not appealing. And I had made reservations.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 27, 2025
Karen C.
A bad storm hit during our meal while seated outside. Staff handled the situation extremely well. Since a lot of the seafood outside Makos should invest in plastic storm curtains to help with outdoor dining during rain/storms.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Jun 08, 2025
Ray S.
Excellent food!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
May 02, 2025
William V.
Food and drinks were awesome! One of the best chefs we've encountered down here. Not a lot of table space inside, we sat at the bar. Would highly recommend reservations on weekends.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Apr 19, 2025
Ann P.
Food was great….but took awhile to get it. Very nice place. Would go back.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Apr 09, 2025
Donna M.
We had reservations and requested a table indoors but were seated outdoors. We were able to move with no problems. Our server, Valerie was awesome! She made excellent recommendations, was very attentive and had a pleasant personality. The atmosphere does not match the quality of food being served. It's a hidden gem to get gourmet fresh food in a relaxed atmosphere! I've already recommended it to two friends in the area!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 09, 2025
Ruth Anne M.
Love Mako's. Great service. Sat on the patio. With the heat lamps, it was very comfortable. Only issue was that my desired entree and the soup were already sold out. Second choice was delicious though. Great menu.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 16, 2026
Sally H.
We love Makos! The food and service are always great. However, this was the first time we'd eaten inside. We were at a deuce at the window just across from the bar. It was a a little loud until a couple who had already had a few drinks came in and sat at the bar. Once they arrive their loud obnoxious conversation with the couple sitting next to them prompted us to have dessert somewhere else. Not really any way to avoid that but in the future, I will make a point to request a table on the porch.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 07, 2026
Carole G.
I wouldn’t quite call it a dive, but it’s pretty rustic. No need at all to dress up.
However, the food is superb, and the staff are friendly and good.
We have had dinner there twice and will go back again and again.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 22, 2025
Kara V.
Food was decent. Duck was a bit dry and tough. Food service was slow. We waited an extremely long time for our appetizers and entrees. At the time we placed our order there were maybe one or two other parties in the entire place, so it was unexpected to have to wait so long.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Apr 13, 2025
Bobbi L.
The wind was bad. It was pulling up the plastic. The plastic should be tied down all the way around. Seems as though it could be dangerous. Drink service was a little slow. Server was excellent.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 11, 2026
Samantha M.
The food was cooked perfectly and clearly made with care, but it was super salty— and I’m from Maryland, where Old Bay is basically a food group.
It was salty enough where we could not eat it. I just think it was a mistake on their part.
Also at like the food got a double dose.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 7/10
Jun 30, 2025
Walter L.
Food was good, service was OK, very busy time. We sat outside, very pretty views of the water, but the music was loud, and we could barely talk to each other across the table. A little surprised at the cost, $35 for only 4 scallops and risotto!