Restaurants in Hilton Head
Hilton Head has the dubious distinction of having the most expensive restaurants in South Carolina. What on the island might be ranked as moderate would be considered very expensive in other parts of the state. The good news is that quality is high and the options are varied, though, as you’d expect, fresh seafood, Southern, and Lowcountry cuisine tend to dominate.
- SOUTHERN
Annie O's Southern Eats
With its nondescript location on the side of a small strip mall, this restaurant might not get a second glance from the road, which is a shame. Annie O's serves up solid Southern comfort food at reasonable prices and the mood here is quite friendly. You can expect a range of…$Around Town - SOUTHERN, SEAFOOD
Bomboras Grille
This grill is a great place for starting the night right in Hilton Head, with solid appetizers and a creative drink list. Get things going with some fried garlic pickles or Southern popcorn, which happens to be fried black-eyed peas with Cajun seasoning. There's a well-curated…$Around Town - BARBECUE
Bullies BBQ
The down-home feel of the barbecue at Bullies is quite authentic, and the fact that its modest storefront is next to a gas station doesn't hurt any. This is a low/no-frills type of place that's a good stop for anyone with a penchant for slow-cooked pork. The 'cue here is solid…$Around Town - French/Southern
Charlie's L'Etoile Verte
Charlie's is the only restaurant on Hilton Head that conjures up its entire meal each and every day based on what local seafood comes in on the docks. It's an ambitious program; on any given visit you might find grilled snapper, local cobia, and tilapia among other fruits of the sea.…$$$Around Town - WINE BAR/NEW AMERICAN
Corks Wine Co.
Located a short drive away from Hilton Head in the community of Bluffton, this cosmopolitan wine bar is the perfect place to start or finish a romantic evening out. The brick-walled interior is nicely lit with exposed bulbs. Chef Abi Hernandez has worked with his colleagues to craft…$$Bluffton - Breakfast/Southern Diner
Harold's Diner
Belly on up to one of the counter stools at this loud and cholesterol-laden Southern diner for a greasy cheeseburger or a butter-slathered omelette without equal in these provinces. Service with sarcasm is the diner's forte, and they might even tweak the experience by adding a rubber…$Around Town - JAPANESE
Hinoki
In a region distinguished by its elaborate seafood preparations, it's nice to find a low-key Japanese restaurant that serves sushi in a way that's accessible and inviting to both seasoned fans of sashimi and those who might be unaccustomed to such culinary experiences. The décor…$$Around Town - CAJUN/SOUTHERN
Kenny B's French Quarter Cafe
Decked out in purple, green, and gold, with a smattering of New Orleans street scene murals, Kenny B's French Quarter Cafe is casual in the best way possible and a place that channels the culinary spirit of the Crescent City in fine form. Breakfast has shades of the Big Easy all over…$Around Town - AMERICAN
Market Street Cafe
Nestled within a small shopping plaza, the Market Street Cafe is a go-to casual lunch spot that's distinguished by its sandwiches and soups. Wraps of distinction here include a sautéed veggie delight and a hot roast beef. You might also pair one of the Greek salads with a bowl of…$Around Town - MEXICAN
Mi Tierra
Brightly colored sunflowers adorn the interior of this fine casual Mexican restaurant, which is a nice place to have a relaxing lunch or dinner. A good starting place is the guacamole, which isn't made tableside, but is still fresh (and the kitchen doesn't skimp on the cilantro).…$Around Town - BREAKFAST
Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe
The best way to get up in the morning in Hilton Head is to head over to this waterside café at 6am (okay, you can sleep in until 7) and sit outside with a cup of coffee and some breakfast delights (the outdoor seating is an especially nice bonus on a brilliant spring day). Early…$Palmetto Bay Marina - NEW AMERICAN
Red Fish Restaurant
For a romantic evening out, the wine list, warm interior, and elaborate entrées here unite in a perfect troika. What makes the place so special are the unique dining rooms, which feature beautiful carpets and, in several instances, elaborate wine shelves (good to have close at hand,…$$$Around Town - BAKERY, BREAKFAST
Signe's Heaven Bound Bakery and Cafe
Lemon squares, Key lime pie, and a slew of brownies are the big draws at this Hilton Head institution, which boasts some four decades in business. It's spacious enough to accommodate large parties, and friendly enough to welcome dogs (outside, of course). If you can make it by the…$Around Town - BREAKFAST/SEAFOOD
Skillets Café & Grill
Skillets Café is a three-meal type of place, but the standout course here is breakfast. True to its name, the best menu offerings are found in a skillet. Folks fancying seafood should try the crab cake Benedict, which is accompanied by a very flaky biscuit. The other standout for…$$Around Town - SEAFOOD, SOUTHERN
Skull Creek Boathouse
Loud, a bit raucous, and fun, Skull Creek is the place to be every night in Hilton Head. Yes, the seafood is fresh, and the views are lovely at sunset, but the real reason to come here is the live music and the bacchanalian atmosphere that dominates during the evening hours.…$$Around Town - BBQ
The Smokehouse
With a bevy of televisions, 12 beers on tap, and Friday night jam sessions featuring bands like Taco Donkey and La Bodega, The Smokehouse is the busiest barbecue place in Hilton Head. The interior is contemporary, with stone walls behind the bar, and wood floors, ceilings, and…$$Around Town - VEGAN, VEGETARIAN
Urban Vegan Cafe
Vegan and gluten-free travelers can rejoice: The Urban Vegan has them covered. It might seem a bit odd that this restaurant is located within Captain Fishy's (which serves, well, you know) but Urban Vegan has a bevy of excellent salads, wraps, and seasonal vegetables. The salad…$Palmetto Bay Marina
