A new restaurant and bar blending classic Southern comfort food with Asian flavors is set to open in Myrtle Beach.
Southern Spirit, co-owned by Chef Laura Smith and her business partner Bill, will open at 4620 Dick Pond Road in the former Indo Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar space, which Chef Smith also owned.
Chef Smith brings more than 20 years of experience in Asian cuisine, with a background spanning Malaysian, Indonesian, Filipino, Chinese and Japanese cooking.
Although Indo relocated in December 2025, Chef Smith told What Now Charleston many customer favorites will reappear on the Southern Spirit menu.
“Southern Spirit, we’re giving it to the local people, which is not only Asian, which I already have so much success in, but we’re also giving their favorite food–Southern food, soul food,” she said.
Chef specials will feature Asian classics such as house lo mein and house fried rice, along with a pad thai combo made with rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, shrimp, housemade pad thai sauce, egg, peanuts, bean sprouts and green onions. The menu will also include Thai red curry with bamboo shoots, pineapple, peppers and zucchini, as well as sushi and hibachi options.
The rest of the menu will feature a Southern chicken sandwich and burgers such as the Hawaiian burger with ham, cheese, pineapple and mayo, and the Mexican burger topped with chipotle mayo, guacamole and shredded cheese.
Coastal seafood options including shrimp, flounder and oysters, along with steak specials, round out the offerings.
“A family, they can come together to the restaurant and enjoy all kinds of different dishes from us,” Chef Smith said.
A nod to its name, Southern Spirit will feature a full bar program with cocktails and a range of spirits. The restaurant will also serve sake in flavors such as pineapple, apple and peach, along with a selection of wine and beer.
Chef Smith is excited to return to her former space and welcome both familiar faces and first-time guests.
“The most exciting thing is to see all my customers back. I miss them, and they all miss me too. They cannot wait to come back and have our food,” she said.
Visit the Southern Spirit website and follow them on Facebook for grand opening updates.
