Destination Guidebook for Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
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| Dining Overview | Top  |
Hilton Head Island has a variety of dining opportunities to satisfy even the most discerning palates. In all, there are more than 200 restaurants on the island, including family-friendly venues and elegant, romantic spots.
As might be expected on a barrier-island destination, Hilton Head is known for its seafood, including popular local dishes with oysters or shrimp and grits. But that's not all you'll find. Other dining experiences include Italian, Mexican, Asian and American.
The dress is "resort casual" at almost all of Hilton Head's restaurants, and most recommend that you call ahead in season. Some locations have limited hours or are closed during winter. There are not many breakfast places on the island. Visitors usually take advantage of their hotels' complimentary breakfasts instead of eating out.
There are several restaurants on Hilton Head Island where you can dine by boat. Those who spend the day on the water often dock at Crazy Crab, Black Marlin Bayside Grill, Hudson's or San Miguel's for a late dinner. Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of a dinner for one, not including drinks, tax or tip: $ = less than US$10; $$ = US$10-$20; $$$ = US$21-$50; and $$$$ = more than US$50. | Local & Regional | Top |
It may not look like much, but locals know to hit Harold's for the best burgers on the island. If you are really hungry, try the Big H—the one-pound burger is sure to satiate any appetite. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations not accepted. $. 641 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-842-9292. This eatery offers a wide selection of sandwiches and salads. There is always freshly baked bread. One favorite is the Lana Tuna, which comes with tuna, steamed broccoli and melted cheese wrapped in a pita. There is a second location in Pineland Station. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch. Reservations not accepted. $. 102 Fountain Center, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-785-9966. This Irish Pub serves authentic dishes such as corned beef and cabbage with plenty of burgers, steaks and chicken dishes. The friendly staff treats everyone like a local. The north-end location is in Port Royal Plaza off Matthews Drive. The south-end location has outdoor seating and an outdoor bar. Daily for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Reservations available. $-$$. Most major credit cards. Hilton Head Plaza (off Sea Pines Circle, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-842-4414. http://www.reilleyshhi.com. This place is popular with locals and tourists alike, serving breakfast dishes in a porcelain skillet. Try The Beach, which is a skillet of blended home fries, chopped bacon, diced ham, onions and mushrooms in a blanket of sausage gravy topped with two poached eggs. There is an extensive salad bar on its lunch menu. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations not accepted. $$. Most major credit cards. J-11 Coligny Plaza, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-785-3131. Featuring fusion cuisine, this restaurant combines the best of American, southern and international fare. Try the goat-cheese cobbler for starters, then the Thai shrimp and scallops. It serves more than 70 wines by the glass and has about 300 varieties by the bottle. Open Monday-Saturday for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 211 Park Plaza, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-686-5212. http://www.211park.com. Spice serves outstanding global cuisine with Indian influences. The setting is lovely and exotic. Vegetarians will find plenty of options, and meat lovers will be happy, too. The lounge offers a variety of drinks and appetizers, and the atmosphere is cozy and sophisticated. Open nightly except Sunday for dinner. Lounge is open til 2 am. Reservations recommended. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. The Village at Wexford, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-785-4850. http://www.spicehhi.com. A big-city atmosphere and a huge menu are the highlights of this north-end hot spot. One popular entree is the Tuscan filet, a 9-oz/250-g filet mignon that is charcoal-grilled with olive oil, rosemary and garlic, and served with roasted potatoes. Daily for lunch and dinner, Sunday for brunch. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1301 Main Street Village, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-682-4455. http://www.frankiebonesrestaurant.com. Try the stuffed pizza or one of the excellent pasta dishes. Giuseppi's serves some of the best sandwiches around. There is a second location in Sea Pines Center. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations not accepted. $. Most major credit cards. 32B Shelter Cove Lane, Shelter Cove Plaza, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-785-4144. http://www.giuseppispizza.com. Locals argue that this place serves the island's best pizza. The dough and sauce are both made fresh daily. Dine inside or outside in a casual, fun environment. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations not accepted. $$. Most major credit cards. 1107 Main St., Main Street Village, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-682-2444. http://www.mangiamo.net. Offers a broad range of excellent Mexican, Italian, American and Tex-Mex cuisine, so even picky eaters will find something they love. There is a tasty seafood enchilada and some "accidents" in the kitchen that were so tasty, they were incorporated into the menu. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$. 69 Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-785-7700. This longtime island favorite features an extensive menu of Mexican fare, plus seafood and salads. One favorite is the enchiladas Acapulco. Dine indoors or outside at the harborside bar with live music. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. Harbourside III, Shelter Cove, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-842-4555. This place barely advertises, as word of mouth keeps it packed every night. Southwest flavors are a part of every dish at this local favorite. The Santa Fe salads are a hearty mix of vegetables and red beans, and the fajitas are very popular, too. Dine inside or at the rooftop cantina near the roaring fire and heat lamps. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. Reservations recommended. 700 Plantation Center, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-785-3838. http://www.santafecafeofhiltonhead.com. | Breakfast & Brunch | Top |
A hidden gem, Signe's offers the freshest of creative foods for breakfast (try the corned beef hash sunrise) and lunch (locals love the Monterey Jack and veggie sandwich), along with a wide range of sinfully delicious baked goods. One specialty is the All American Cake, a chocolate fudge cake filled and covered with white-chocolate frosting and trimmed in chocolate chips. Open Monday-Saturday for breakfast and lunch. Reservations not accepted. $. Most major credit cards. 93 Arrow Road, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-785-9118. http://www.signesbakery.com. This eatery serves a wide selection of dishes in an attractive, casual atmosphere. This is a great place to take the family for fresh, local seafood, Black Angus steaks, ribs, homemade soups, salads and French-bread sandwiches. There is a second location in Bluffton at Belfair Village. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. Sea Pines Center, Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-671-6136. http://www.trufflescafe.com. The staff will help you select wine to complement delicious seafood and steaks. For enjoying a glass of wine, stay at the bar or take your glass out to the enclosed porch. The setting is lovely. Alexander's is within walking distance of most resorts and condos in Palmetto Dunes. Open nightly for dinner. $$$. Queens Folly Road in Palmetto Dunes Resort, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-785-4999. http://www.alexandersrestaurant.com. With two locations on the island, Crazy Crab is mostly a tourist spot—and a popular one. It's great for families, and the platters are large enough to share. There's a second location off Highway 278 on Jarvis Creek. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Habour Town, Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-363-2722. http://www.thecrazycrab.com. Oysters, crabs, fresh fish and lobsters—if it comes from the ocean, Hudson's probably serves it. Eat outside overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway or shuck some oysters at the Hurricane Bar. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations not accepted. $$. Most major credit cards. Off Squire Pope Road on Skull Creek, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-681-2722. http://www.hudsonsonthedocks.com. This tropical hideaway restaurant has a wide range of drinks and dishes, such as the voodoo spiced swordfish, which is cooked on a wood-fire grill using mesquite wood to enhance the flavor. The Rasta chicken pasta is excellent, as are the fish tacos. There's often a wait, but there's a festive outside area to pass the time. Daily for dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. 35 Office Park Road at Park Plaza (just before the entrance to Sea Pines), Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-686-5800. http://www.marleysislandgrille.com. This restaurant specializes in seafood and steaks with a Cuban flair in a contemporary, attractive setting. The trout almandine—North Carolina red trout with grits, harvest vegetables and a tasso-amaretto meuniere, is a popular favorite. There is a full bar and retail shop inside. Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday for dinner only. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 8 Archer Road (at Palmetto Bay Road), Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-686-3388. http://www.redfishofhiltonhead.com. Oyster lovers should look no further. This place was built on an old oyster cannery, and it serves up seafood in a variety of styles. Great steaks, too. Trust the server for a nice wine pairing. Nightly for dinner. Reservations not accepted. $$-$$$. Off Marshland Road on Broad Creek, Hilton Head Island. Phone 843-680-6040. http://www.oldoysterfactory.com.
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Editor's Choice of Luxury, Deluxe, and Value priced hotels in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina:
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