O.A.K. Prime Secures Second Consecutive Michelin Recommendation in American South Guide

Key points

• O.A.K. Prime, located at 4210 River Oaks Dr. in Carolina Forest, was named a recommended restaurant in the 2026 Michelin Guide American South for the second year in a row.
• It is the only restaurant in the Myrtle Beach area to be included in the 2026 guide.
• The restaurant, opened in 2023 under Chef Jerrett 'JK' King, serves premium steaks, seafood, and seasonal ingredients with a focus on 'reimagined classics' and 'southern flair.'
• The 2026 Michelin Guide American South awarded no new stars, with Nashville’s Bastion, Locust, and The Catbird Seat retaining their one-star ratings.
• The guide expanded its coverage to include Eastern North Carolina and Charlotte, where Counter- remains the only one-star restaurant.

Background

The Michelin Guide American South launched in 2025, marking the first time the prestigious international rating system evaluated restaurants in the region. Previous coverage noted that the 2026 guide expanded to include Eastern North Carolina and Charlotte, while also adding new recognitions in Texas and Colorado. O.A.K. Prime’s inclusion follows the guide’s initial debut, where it was first named a recommended restaurant.

How outlets are covering it

Myrtle Beach Sun News highlights O.A.K. Prime as the sole Myrtle Beach area restaurant in the 2026 guide, emphasizing its second consecutive recognition and its focus on innovative twists on classic dishes. The Tennessean focuses on Nashville’s retention of three one-star restaurants and the impact of Michelin recognition on local business, noting that no new stars were awarded in the region. Discover Atlanta provides a detailed breakdown of Atlanta’s 64 recognized restaurants, including six new additions, but does not mention O.A.K. Prime or the Myrtle Beach area. The outlets differ in focus: Sun News centers on the local significance of O.A.K. Prime’s recognition, while The Tennessean and Discover Atlanta emphasize the broader regional and city-specific outcomes of the 2026 guide.

Why it matters

O.A.K. Prime’s second consecutive Michelin recommendation underscores the growing recognition of Southern cuisine on the national stage. As the Michelin Guide American South expands, it brings increased visibility to regional restaurants, potentially boosting tourism and local dining economies. The lack of new stars in the region suggests a focus on broadening the base of recognized establishments rather than elevating a few to the highest tier, which may influence how diners and travelers perceive Southern dining destinations.

What to watch

O.A.K. Prime will continue to operate as a recommended restaurant in the Michelin Guide American South. The guide’s expansion to new areas, including Eastern North Carolina and Charlotte, may lead to further recognitions in future editions. Restaurants in the region may seek to improve their standing in the guide, potentially leading to new Bib Gourmand or recommended listings in subsequent years.