Hilton Head is an incredible destination for food lovers, offering a vast array of dining options. From Lowcountry cuisine to soul food and Italian fare, there's something for everyone on the island. Italian restaurants serve up classic dishes, while southwestern eateries offer bold flavors. Of course, seafood abounds in Hilton Head, with some of the freshest catches you can find anywhere. No matter what your taste buds are craving, you're sure to find it among the best restaurants in Hilton Head.
Skull Creek Boathouse is a must if you've come for seafood. Dive into a Lowcountry boil or sample the dive bar's sushi-grade fresh ingredients. Happily, you can also look out over the water while dining here. The beautiful sunsets and wonderful ambiance are some of the perks. Skull Creek Boathouse ticks all the boxes with delicious seafood, a relaxed vibe, excellent views, live entertainment, indoor and outdoor dining, and tasty cocktails.
This "down home" restaurant serves mouthwatering Lowcountry dishes like shrimp burgers, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and banana pudding. The space is casual and comfortable, and the food is filling. Menu items range from appetizers and sandwiches to seafood boils and salads. You'll also enjoy diverse alcoholic beverages here, including moonshine.
This restaurant started as an oyster factory in 1925. Oysters were harvested for the cannery in the nearby waterways into the 1990s. Today, those local oysters are the main attraction, served fresh daily and featured in an oyster bar. Of course, the scenery is another huge draw, with busy docks and picturesque marshlands. The menu includes jumbo lump crab, shrimp Creole, stuffed flounder, and lightly breaded and broiled dayboat scallops, yet there's enough variety to please non-seafood diners too. Think build-your-own steak combos.
Enjoy fine dining and authentic Italian cuisine at Michael Anthony's Cucina Italiana. Launched in 2002, this family restaurant serves fresh seafood and produce sourced from Hilton Head, plus imported ingredients for genuine Italian flavor. The Tuscan décor and artistic food presentation heighten your dining experience. Spaghetti con Vongole is a signature dish with creamy saffron sauce and fresh clams. Other menu items include veal, handmade pasta, ravioli, and Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. This eatery also features a café, an Italian gourmet market, and a cooking school.
Are you pining for French-themed deliciousness? They're serving it up at Chez Georges Bistro and Bar with a Lowcountry cooking influence and imported French wines. You'll be seated comfortably with an interior design that merges old Victorian with modern cosmopolitan. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced and integrated into innovative dishes.
Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks is a Hilton Island staple that started as a seafood processing plant in 1920. Chefs work with fresh fish, oysters, clams, shrimp, and crabs delivered straight from the docks. The water views at the Port Royal Sound's edge stand out at every table in the joint. So, take in the views as chefs transform their bounty into delectable dishes like blackened shrimp and jumbo lump crab. Sandwiches and appetizing desserts round out their menu.
Head to The Lucky Rooster for some downhome cooking with soul. This rustic spot creates dishes with sustainable ingredients from local sources. The extensive menu covers soul food staples like fried chicken and pork chops. However, it also has more innovative offerings like venison chili, duck fat fries, and grilled octopus. The carefully curated cocktails are another reason to dine at The Lucky Rooster.
It's a long way to Santa Fe unless you hit this café in Hilton Head. Immerse yourself in Southwestern cuisine, ranging from beef tenderloin fajitas to painted dessert soup. This rooftop cantina crafts regional dishes with a New Mexico vibe. The enchanting kiva fireplace and ever-changing Southwestern décor are a couple's dream spot. Partake in signature dishes like grilled pork tenderloin with habanero sauce. Stop in for dinner when visiting the island.
Crazy Crab is another waterfront eatery you mustn't miss. Dive into baked crab dip, gator bites, and baby back ribs that melt in your mouth. Overlooking Jarvis Creek, this restaurant also serves award-winning Alaskan Snow Crab legs and other delectable seafood delicacies. There's even an outdoor bar for al fresco dining. There's also live entertainment and a playground – so bring the kids.
For steak, seafood, sushi, and cocktails done right, dine at Poseidon Coastal Cuisine. Indigenous-inspired lamps, brightly colored chairs and flags, and dim blue lighting make this a memorable experience. Their happy hour is fantastic in the rooftop bar from 4 to 7. Reserve a seat during the sunset for added enjoyment. Try the Big Eye Tuna bowl, oysters on the half-shell, Margherita flatbreads, and other unforgettable bar snacks.
The Jazz Corner excels with gourmet food, cocktails, and entertainment. Live jazz sets this venue apart, but the cuisine is also stellar. This exclusive bar and restaurant seats about 50 with set showtimes. So, check the schedule when making reservations. When you're in Hilton Head, visit The Jazz Corner for an exciting night out that feeds your soul and your belly. Signature dishes include prosciutto-wrapped scallops, drunken mussels, and Cajun crab cakes with Lowcountry flair.
Nunzio Restaurant and Bar is another entry in outstanding Italian fare. The service is exceptional, and the locally sourced ingredients deliver quality entrees. Some of their popular dishes include Roman-style veal medallions, espresso crème brûlée, Petto di Pollo Marsala, ravioli, veal, and seafood linguine.
The Southwestern yummies at Java Burrito Company keep diners coming back from more. Start your day with a filling breakfast burrito and an intoxicating coffee bar. You can also indulge in light breakfast fare with avocado toast or a made-to-order breakfast sandwich. Or grab lunch and build your own taco, salad, burrito, or quesadilla to sate your appetite and meet personal tastes. Convenience and customized dishes make this an ideal dining choice. It's quick, casual, and delicious.
Choose Salty Dog Café when you need a quick, easy dinner or lunch with the family. Seashore-themed décor and casual dining are on the menu at this café. There's a fun vibe with tons of natural light and waterfront views. The cuisine ranges from seafood to steak and chicken, and traditional appetizers include crab dip, gator bites, and pimento cheese dip. This eatery has been open since 1987, proving it's stood the test of time.
Fishcamp on Broad Creek embraces a natural outdoor dining experience while maintaining indoor comforts. The views are spectacular, day or night, but star-studded skies give nighttime meals the edge. Yet, even without the breathtaking vistas, the food at Fishcamp would still bring diners in by droves. Every dish is carefully crafted for fresh, mouthwatering flavor. The refreshing lemon aioli and zesty tomato sauce served with battered calamari and pickles are one of many remarkable dishes on offer.