Editorial Guides

The Best of Hilton Head

Our editors have eaten their way across Hilton Head Island and Bluffton so you don't have to guess. These curated guides cut through the noise and point you to the restaurants that actually deliver.

6 curated guides · 39 hand-picked restaurants

Seafood8 picks

Best Seafood

Hilton Head Island sits at the heart of the South Carolina Lowcountry, where the Atlantic meets a network of tidal creeks, salt marshes, and shrimp boat docks. That geography makes fresh seafood not just a menu category but a way of life. From the legendary shrimp boats that dock at Hudson's to the raw oyster bars lining Shelter Cove marina, the island's seafood scene is among the best on the East Coast. These are the restaurants we return to again and again — the ones that do justice to what the water provides.

1Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks$$
2Old Oyster Factory$$
3Skull Creek Boathouse$$

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Brunch7 picks

Best Brunch

Brunch on Hilton Head is a serious institution. Whether you're recovering from a late night at Skull Creek Dockside, fueling up before 18 holes, or simply making the most of a slow Sunday morning, the island delivers. The best spots range from no-frills Southern breakfast counters where the biscuits are made from scratch to waterfront patios where the mimosas flow and the eggs Benedict arrive with local crab. Here are the ones worth setting an alarm for.

1Skillets$$
2Lowcountry Kitchen$$
3Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe$

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Fine Dining7 picks

Fine Dining

Hilton Head Island punches well above its weight in fine dining. The resort economy has attracted serious culinary talent, and the result is a collection of upscale restaurants that would hold their own in any major city. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, impressing a client, or simply treating yourself to a proper night out, these are the restaurants that deliver — white tablecloths, exceptional wine lists, and cooking that justifies the price.

1The Sage Room$$$$
2Red Fish$$$
3River House at Palmetto Bluff$$$$

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BBQ4 picks

Best BBQ

South Carolina has its own distinct BBQ tradition — mustard-based sauce, whole hog, and a slow-smoke philosophy that predates the state itself. Hilton Head and Bluffton sit at the edge of that tradition, and the best BBQ spots here honor it while adding their own personality. Whether you want a paper-plate lunch of pulled pork and slaw or a full smokehouse dinner with craft beer, these are the spots that take their smoke seriously.

1One Hot Mama's$$
2Smokehouse BBQ & Brews$$
3Bluffton BBQ$

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Waterfront7 picks

Best Waterfront

Hilton Head Island is surrounded by water — the Atlantic to the east, the Intracoastal Waterway to the west, and a network of tidal creeks and salt marshes threading through the interior. That means waterfront dining isn't a novelty here; it's a way of life. The best waterfront restaurants combine the view with food that's actually worth eating. These are the ones where the setting and the kitchen are equally matched.

1Skull Creek Boathouse$$
2Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks$$
3Old Oyster Factory$$

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Happy Hour6 picks

Best Happy Hour

Happy hour on Hilton Head is a serious ritual. The island's resort culture means the bars are well-stocked, the bartenders are skilled, and the settings are often spectacular. Whether you want a frozen drink on a dock watching the sun go down over Skull Creek, a craft cocktail in a sophisticated lounge, or a cold draft beer at a neighborhood bar, the island delivers. These are the spots where the deals are real and the drinks are worth showing up for.

1Harbour Town Rooftop Bar$$$
2Skull Creek Dockside$$
3Lowcountry Spirits$$

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How we make our picks

Every restaurant in these guides has been visited and evaluated by the Food Hilton Head editorial team. We don't accept payment for inclusion, we don't rely on aggregated star ratings, and we don't include restaurants we wouldn't personally recommend to a friend visiting the island for the first time.

Our picks are updated regularly as restaurants open, close, and evolve. Last updated: October 2026.

Read our research methodology