Travel South Carolina 13 Best Places To Eat In Hilton Head Eat your way across Hilton Head. By Justine Harrington Justine Harrington Justine Harrington is a travel, food, and lifestyle writer whose work has been published in Travel+Leisure, Food & Wine, Real Simple Magazine, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, American Way Magazine, USA Today, Texas Highways, and many others. She's the co-author of two guidebooks, including the 2023 Lonely Planet guide to Texas. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on May 26, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Courtesy of Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks (Facebook) Most people come to Hilton Head for pristine beaches, championship golf courses, and family time, but this beach town also has a thriving culinary scene. Naturally there’s fresh seafood aplenty, but you’ll also find Southern-inspired bites, farm-to-table dining, and homemade Italian cuisine. Best of all, many places offer oceanfront dining, so you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the Atlantic while you eat (and maybe enjoy a frozen cocktail or two). 01 of 13 Hilton Head Social Bakery Courtesy of Hilton Head Social Bakery (Facebook) Get your French pastry fix at Hilton Head Social, which is owned and operated by award-winning French chef Philippe Feret. There are two locations (the original is at Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina, and the newest one is near the Sea Pines Circle), both of which serve Insta-ready pastries, decadent desserts, and buttery croissants galore. You’ll feel as if you’ve been magically transported to the streets of Paris. hiltonheadsocialbakery.com, 17 Harborside Ln (building 1), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 02 of 13 Lulu Kitchen Courtesy of Lulu Kitchen (Facebook) Lulu’s menu is wide-ranging and delicious, offering American favorites with a Southern twist. Think butter poached lobster, short rib grilled cheese, and house fried chicken. Come for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch and bask in the cheery, laid-back setting. lulukitchen-hhi.com, 890 William Hilton Pkwy Suite 1, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 03 of 13 The Sea Shack Courtesy of The Sea Shack (Facebook) This no-frills, counter-serve restaurant is a gem. Check out the daily “Blackboard” special, or take your pick from grilled, fried, or blackened seafood that’s fresh from the sea. Expect to wait in line during the peak summer months—The Sea Shack is popular with locals and tourists alike. seashackseafood.com, 6 Executive Park Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 04 of 13 Chez Georges Courtesy of Chez Georges (Facebook) Enjoy tasty French bistro staples like escargots de bourgogne (served with garlic herb butter sauce and crispy leeks), perfectly cooked cassoulet, and two kinds of moules-frites at Chez Georges. The wine list is impeccable, as well. Catch the aperitif hour from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, when adult beverages are two dollars off and there’s a small plates menu offered. chezgeorgeshhi.com, 37 New Orleans Rd Suite J, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 05 of 13 Nectar Farm Kitchen Courtesy of Nectar Farm Kitchen (Facebook) For a fresh-off-the-farm feast, head to Nectar Farm Kitchen, where every dish is lovingly prepared with locally sourced ingredients. The breakfast and lunch menu features Southern classics like sausage biscuits and gravy, country fried steak, and Benedicts. Hearty “supper plates and bowls” include blue crab and grits, meatloaf, and filet mignon, alongside lighter fare like salads and soups. nectarfarmkitchen.com, 35-A Office Park Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 06 of 13 Coast Courtesy of Coast (Facebook) With incredible ocean views and a spacious, twinkly-lit outdoor patio, Coast is the picture-perfect date night spot. Located at the Sea Pines Resort, this restaurant serves all manner of seafood, sandwiches, tacos, and more; there’s also a great raw bar. Wash it all down with a frozen specialty cocktail. During the summertime, there’s often live entertainment. seapines.com/dining/restaurants-bars/coast-oceanfront, 87 N Sea Pines Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 07 of 13 Skull Creek Boathouse Courtesy of Skull Creek Boathouse (Facebook) You’ll likely want to linger for hours at The Boathouse, thanks to the scenic location (on the banks of Skull Creek) and fun, relaxed ambiance. Apart from multiple dining areas, there’s an indoor sushi bar with raw oysters, ceviche, and sashimi, and an outdoor bar with Adirondack chairs and killer sunset views. Don’t leave without trying the famed salt and vinegar crab cakes. skullcreekboathouse.com, 397 Squire Pope Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 08 of 13 The Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar Courtesy of Lucky Rooster (Facebook) Billed as an “American bistro with Southern soul,” Lucky Rooster has an exceptional menu that changes all the time based on the seasons and what’s fresh. Expect refined comfort food like grilled oysters, seafood pasta, and surf & turf. luckyroosterhhi.com, 841 William Hilton Pkwy Unit A, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 09 of 13 Black Marlin Bayside Grill Courtesy of Black Marlin Bayside Grill (Facebook) Whatever you do, be sure to try a cup of the seafood chowder at Black Marlin; it’s what they’re known for. The fish tacos are delicious, too, although the broad menu also includes seafood entrees, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and various pastas. There’s ample indoor and outdoor seating. blackmarlinhhi.com, Palmetto Bay Marina, 86 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 10 of 13 Burnt Church Distillery Courtesy of Burnt Church Distillery (Facebook) Pair a charcuterie board or brick-oven pizza with creative cocktails made from authentic Lowcountry spirits. Burnt Church also offers a 7,000 square-foot tasting room, gift shop, humidor, history room, and on-site manufacturing facility—it’s a whole experience unto itself. burntchurchdistillery.com, 120 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910 11 of 13 Nunzio Restaurant + Bar Courtesy of Nunzio (Facebook) Get your fill of homemade Italian fare at Nunzio. Traditional dishes run the gamut from Pugliese-style meatballs to homemade ravioli to tagliatelle alla bolognese. Round out your meal with a mouthwatering dessert like lemon sorbet or hot chocolate souffle cake. nunziohhi.com, 18 New Orleans Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 12 of 13 Hudson’s Seafood House On The Docks Courtesy of Hudsonâs Seafood House on the Docks (Facebook) Boasting beautiful views of Port Royal Sound, this iconic seafood joint has been around for more than 50 years. Seafood doesn’t come fresher than this—Hudson’s sources its fish and shrimp directly from one of only two remaining local fishing fleets on Hilton Head. Always order the specials, which can change multiple times a day depending on what’s being unloaded from the boats. hudsonsonthedocks.com, 1 Hudson Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 13 of 13 Johnson Creek Tavern Courtesy of Johnson Creek Tavern (Facebook) Satisfy your craving for pub grub at this low-key hangout on Harbor Island. Kick back with a cold beer or glass of wine and stay awhile. johnsoncreektavern.com, 2141 Sea Island Pkwy, St Helena Island, SC 29920 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit