Hilton Head is a popular destination for those seeking so much more than golf. While swinging the clubs is vital to the Hilton Head experience, culture, relaxation and an incredible food scene can make up for any lack in golf-game. Freshest seafood around at several spots that offer up amazing sunset views. Breakfast, brunch, and dessert-focused spots cater to everyone seeking a sweet fix. And who doesn't need a sweet fix while on island time?
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Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks
If you love watching sunsets and find it relaxing to watch boats and yachts that are docking, Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks is the perfect place for you! If you head to Hilton Head Island, don't skip the experience of dining at Hudson's. They offer freshly caught seafood, which you can enjoy while sitting at one of the tables with a waterfront view.
Customer Reviewer: While on an impromptu trip to Hilton Head during my stay in Savannah, I saw that Hudson's was highly rated for oysters. I mentioned my plans get oysters to the HH fire crew, & the Captain asked if I was going to Hudson's? I said, YES! He said, good choice!
I went to Hudson's on a Saturday late afternoon and they were fairly crowded. Since I was solo, I was hoping to grab a seat at the bar -- fyi, they have two bars (one inside & one outside). I eventually got a seat at the outside bar. Aside from a drink, I ordered six "Roddy Rocks (SC)" oysters & six "Dixon Points (NB)" oysters, then six "Wild Chincoteague" char-grilled oysters, finished with pan-seared local swordfish over jasmine rice & beans with a sherry cream crab sauce over asparagus. AMAZING!! I will definitely be back!!
Click here to learn more about Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks
Skull Creek Boathouse
Enjoy creative and refreshing drinks while watching the beautiful sunsets from the tables of Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head Island. You can also enjoy raw oysters, ceviche, and sashimi from their sushi bar. They also have vegan options and offer takeout, so you can bring good food home. You can make a reservation ahead of time to secure a table with an excellent view.
Customer Reviewer: Hey Food Fans,
What will your evening be like tomorrow?
Will it be filled with pristine natural beauty in every direction you gaze with a soft, raise the hair on your arm breeze gently caressing your body as it floats aimlessly by you and loving Partner as you both sit back in awe of the majestic Chechessee River and Pinckney National Wildlife Preserve directly in front of you both, providing a natural theatre of wonder.
Birds fill the air in the distance, some providing their mellifluous and enchanting tones, some flying and playing wistfully, some resting on tree branches, and still others fishing for their supper as yours is placed gently in front of you.
As you look up at the pale blue, artisan cloud filled skies, you feel the late afternoon sun peering through the hundreds of years old natural oaks fostering flickers of pearl white light with rippling, light yellow accents in your Partner's eyes. Your eyes are transfixed on her breathtaking, alluring natural beauty as you feel etherial with the love of your life, and your dinner with a show as this enchanting spell becomes a moment to relish, and one, you'll not soon forget, because this, is a great day to be alive!
If you really look at this place closely, it is magical, peaceful, and is, a full of life experience intersecting and entwining with your life, where you can feel rested, renewed, and rejuvenated. You speak at a slower, more relaxed pace, and are more thoughtful in selecting your words. Your body unwinds from your hyper-aware self while your hearing focuses keenly in delight, your eyes take it all in, like a blind person seeing for the first time in amazement. You let go, and you are completely fascinated with everything around you, just watching, feeling, hearing, experiencing, and smiling!
Miss Personality, Milessa is your Server, who grew up here in Hilton Head but was born in the Dominican Republic. She efficiently takes your order accurately, exactingly, respectfully and delivers it perfectly. She completes her task professionally with a huge welcoming, very friendly smile, and a Rock Star personality while sharing that while she loves living here, she goes home, once a quarter to really enjoy being with many more people of her generation. She is a very engaging person and a lot of fun to talk with as we commiserate together about our over fifty-five dominate age here, in our beloved Low Country which is much like San Francisco's oppsite dominate under forty-five demographic. She loves the weather here as pines for some night life with more people of her age range.
Your Vodka Martini tastes light which helps ignite your appetite to take flight. Your food is very good, seasoned just right, savoury in each bite, which allows your stomach to feel, just right.
I am not sure, like many of you, what your evening tomorrow night, will be like. But I do know, it will be a much more fun, enjoyable, delicious, deletable, relaxing, and a more life fulfilling experience dining at the Skull Creek Boathouse.
How do I know?
Think of the last time you read a restaurant review like mine above. If you feel you are in need of a profoundly different dining experience, we believe fervently, you have found your spot!
Enjoy
Click here to learn more about Skull Creek Boathouse
A Lowcountry Backyard
Are you a fan of shrimp and grits? Check out A Lowcountry Backyard to taste one of the best shrimp and grits in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It's a great place to enjoy good food. A Lowcountry Backyard has a full bar and offers South Carolina Moonshine. It also has vegan options, making it perfect for anyone!
Customer Reviewer: This place has one of the best shrimp and grits dishes I've ever had. Same for its key lime pie. You MUST order these two items! Our mimosas came served in mason jars. Gotta love that. The cornbread is fantastic too! Freshly made with a bit of sweetness.
The venue is super cute. We sat outside and it literally looks like someone's backyard engulfed in trees with string lights, a small stage and a fountain.
The service was warm and accommodating. Our lovely waitress was from South Africa and regaled us with suggestions for African travel.
Do not miss this place. The pics don't do justice.
Click here to learn more about A Lowcountry Backyard
Poseidon
Experience the coast-to-coast dishes made from freshly caught ingredients and the wide range of seafood selection at Poseidon. They also have steak, wines, and more! One of Poseidon's highlights is their so-called "The world is your oyster," where they serve raw oysters that you can pair with their drinks or white wine specifically.
Customer Reviewer: I loved this place! It was recommended by a local and I had a wonderful experience. It's beautifully decorated with a covered outdoor area and bar. There is also a rooftop bar which is unique. This area is adorable and conveniently located to resorts close by, and the parking is easy.
One weird thing was that we were sat at a table by the outside Nauti Bar (less than 10 feet from it), asked about happy hour specials and were told these were exclusively for sitting at the bar or the surrounding tables on the other side. So naturally, we moved. That was strange (maybe it's a separate business?) but the specials were great! $1 oysters and $6 margs, for example. We ordered oysters and then for our mains I had the Fish & Chips which were honestly the best I've ever had in my life. The fish pieces are HUGE and so incredibly crispy. I sent a friend here that traveled to HHI after and he also agreed. My other friend enjoyed her Salmon dish. The portions are grandeur especially for the price point.
Our bartender was outstanding and attentive. We also met the manager and he was so nice! He wasn't wrong about this Fish & Chips either - yum! Cannot recommend Poseidon enough!
Click here to learn more about the Poseidon
Catch 22
Become a member of Catch-22 and enjoy membership discounts and other perks! Catch 22 in Hilton Head Island, SC, is a good place to enjoy food made from freshly caught ingredients and steak made from grass-fed beef. Catch 22 is using locally sourced produce. They have a great place with a cozy and artistic ambiance.
Customer Reviewer: This restaurant is best selection near Hilton Head. Good chef skills, Romantic dinning, Early bird special can be found here. I would said go to their website search for their early dinning specials. The table decorated with crush seashells glass table top.
We were serve with compliments bread and main dish accompanied Cesar salad. My dish is the Pan Seared Scallops and Ravioli. This dish come with sautéed onions, spinach and shiitake mushrooms. It also comes with spinach ravioli. The dish top with prosciutto creamy sauce. My wife dish is the Carolina Trout. The trout is dusted in cornmeal deep fried. My wife cannot take the onion and the exchange with grilled Brussels sprouts. It also serve with garlic potatoes and top with red pepper aioli.
Food is perfect, service is good. Definitely recommend. I would said 4.5 stars.
Click here to learn more about Catch 22
Nectar
Nectar is an excellent place to experience fresh ingredients, perfect for health-conscious people. They work with passionate farmers who love food. Nectar Farm Kitchen has a seasonally changing menu because they uses fresh farm ingredients. Dining at Nectar is one for the book experience you shouldn't miss.
Customer Reviewer: Should one come to the beach and expect to find quality Southern cooking? Maybe, maybe not. But fried chicken and collard greens and skillet fried cornbread are always a must. And the beach is no exception. Thus, I found Nectar in my Yelp search and knew I would be making a visit.
I will mention that I loved their outdoor seating area, just secluded away enough that you don't feel like you're right by a major road or the parking lot (though you are near both). Though if weather did not permit, there is more than enough indoor seating for a individual-couple-group.
When I commit, I commit. And the half fried chicken, with two sides was that commitment. I knew I might have regrets, but the joy of tasting that delicious meal would not be one of them. And yes, I knew I would still order dessert. I love for food to be of quality, but I also hold a high standard in regards to presentation. Plating is a art form in and of itself. Here, they check all the boxes. Each item comes out perfectly framed and set as if they are daring you not to take a photo (which inevitably someone will). Everything was cooked to perfection. And that is coming from someone who grew up eating fried chicken that went from raw to egg bath to flour breading to Crisco in a skillet. There were no shortcuts in that house. I topped it off (though honestly I was already topped off) with banna pudding. Also delicious. I stumbled my way to the car, as the food coma was setting in. But I have a clear memory of how amazing my visit here was.
I look forward to visiting their new location when I return to HH.
Click here to learn more about the Nectar
The Sandbar Beach Eats
If you happen to be in the Hilton Head Island area of South Carolina, you might want to visit and dine at The Sandbar Beach Eats. Create memories with good food and drinks with your loved ones. The cozy environment complements the delicious food; it's like having your comfort food away from home.
Customer Reviewer: My friends and I went to the Sandbar last night and got a bunch of different things to split and each item was to DIE FOR!! I feel like somehow we got the best things on the menu our on our first go!
It was nice that we were able to sit outside even though it's still the off season, therefore a little chilly once the sun went down. But they had live music and the service was great!
Now onto the important part: the food!
The sweet potato tots were the perfect amount of tot to sauce ratio. The mango pepper sauce was something I was unsure about but it ended up being each of my friend's favorite item that we got!
The jerk chicken Alfredo was good but we all agreed that we wanted a little more spice the balance out the Alfredo.
The Rajun Cajun apps flavor was absolutely perfect. That slightly sweet flavor of steak with the tangy/spice of the horseradish sauce that came with it was heavenly!
I didn't try the tacos but they were a hit with my friends. I will admit that when the description said pineapple salsa I was picturing something other than pico with pineapple on top. But it was still a hit!
All in all The Sandbar did a great job with creating a great flavor profile that had equal amounts of sweet to savory. We loved everything and didn't leave anything left on the plates!
10/10 would recommend to people going to Hilton Head Island!
Click here to learn more about The Sandbar Beach Eats
Okan
Satisfy your craving with Caribbean and African flavors and enjoy an excellent dining experience at Okan. Their elegant, luxurious, but cozy vibe is a great way to have a unique cultural dining experience. At Okan, they support local farmers, ensuring they only use fresh ingredients. Don't miss a pleasant dining experience if you are on Hilton Head Island.
Customer Reviewer: What a wonderful dining experience! The decor it was impeccable, but also comfortable. Great service. And the food is amazing. Would definitely recommend!
Click here to learn more about the Okan
Bowdie's Chophouse
If you are a fan of steak, Bowdie's Chophouse is a gem for you! They offer excellent steak dishes, ceviche, and more. Although they only have indoor dining, their place is as exquisite as the dishes they offer. They have various wine selections perfectly paired with the steak. It's an excellent place to have your steak and wine date!
Customer Reviewer: We've been to all their locations in Michigan and had to try out their new spot in Hilton Head. It did not disappoint. Truly one of the best steakhouses I've ever visited. The filet is one of the best cuts of meat I can recall, perfectly tender and flavorful. The half chicken entree is always a crowd pleaser, too. For appetizers, the shrimp cocktail was excellent (the cocktail sauce is so potent) as was the burrata.
The sides are excellent, and we enjoyed the mac and cheese and mushrooms as we always do. Service was great as well.
It's in an unassuming place, just sitting in a strip mall...but it's not to be missed.
Click here to learn more about Bowdie's Chophouse
Hilton Head Social Bakery
Hilton Head Social Bakery is heaven if you have a sweet tooth or love pastries. They make their cakes and pastries from scratch. They offer authentic French bread, pastries like croissants, and desserts like French Macarons. It's a great place to enjoy coffee time or meet friends.
Customer Reviewer: We stopped in this morning for some coffee and pastries and absolutely loved the selection of treats that they have. The service was speedy even with the line almost to the door. Love that it feels like you are stepping into a French bistro as soon as you walk in the door. Gluten free selection included macaroons pictured. Baguettes will be a staple for family dinner.
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