Dining on Hilton Head Island
Enjoying some Crab Legs at The Crazy Crab-Harbor Town
When vacationing at the beach in South Carolina on Hilton Head Island, there are many things that people look forward to. Some people love the miles and miles of beautiful sandy beaches, some people love the flat bike trails that surround the entire island, some people love to golf or play tennis at some of the many facilities the island has to offer, some people love to kayak or paddle board or partake in aquatic adventures and check out the sea life. We enjoy all of those things when we go, but we also really enjoy going out to eat at the many restaurants that the island has available.
With a wide range of choices, you can find cuisine from seafood, to Mexican, to Thai, to French, Italian, Creole, and Asian. There are over 250 restaurants on the 12 mile Long Island, so you are bound to find something you and your family will love.
In this blog I will share some of the places my family and I tried on our most recent trip so that you have a place to start, along with some resources to help you make some choices during your visit. Bon Appetite!!
Skull Creek Dockside
A classic seafood joint nestled in between two other seafood restaurants (Hudson’s and Skull Creek Boathouse), Dockside is a classic and a favorite when people visit the island. It was designed to resemble a old style river house with authentic architecture and reclaimed wood. The views of Skull Creek are the real reason to go and if you can, opt for a table outside so you can enjoy all of the exquisite scenery.
This is the only restaurant that we visited all week (for dinner) that did not accept reservations. So be prepared for a wait-especially during the summer season.
We arrived at 6:30pm on a Sunday night in September and were quoted 45 min to an hour to sit outside but got a high top immediately. We were quoted 15 to 20 min for inside but only it took about 6 min for them to text us that they had a table available.
$$ Entrees from $18.75-$64
Open Daily 11am-10pm
The Atmosphere
Here are some photos of the inside and outside. Anytime we can sit outside we prefer to do so. There is a covered sitting area adjacent to the main dining room with views of Skull Creek and the majestic moss covered trees and Palms. There is always a longer wait for outside seating, but the high top tables around the bar are first come first serve and they provide the full menu at those tables and this trip we got lucky and scored one of these tables immediately!! If you sit inside, they have full pane glass windows throughout the restaurant so that you can still enjoy the view.
Outside there are things to entertain the whole family like corn hole, foosball, a fire pit, occasional live music, and even a playground for the kiddos. You can also walk down the dock and enjoy the ocean breeze and watch boats pass by. In December 2022 we sat out on this dock to watch the Christmas light boat parade. Once we even saw an 8 foot alligator swim under the dock.
Both bar areas (there is a bar inside and outside) have tons of TVs and feature whatever major sporting event is going on at the time and seems to be a hang out spot to catch the game.
There is even a gift shop inside to check out while you wait or after your meal.
The Food
During our most recent visit, we ate here on our first night so we left our house at 5am, made the 4 hour drive, ate breakfast/lunch at a picnic table outside with our dogs, and waited around until we could check in to our Air B & B at 4pm. We got unpacked, got showered and were basically starving when we got to the restaurant at 6:30. We ordered the pork nachos to share, a local beer (Beach City Pilsner), and Matt and I shared the Fried Seafood Bounty. They do not serve complementary bread or anything while you wait but they have a large selection of appetizers to choose from if you are feeling peckish.
The nachos were not a win for us the chips tasted stale, the pork tasted dry and they were not in any kind of sauce, just dry pork, and the cheese tasted like it came from a jar. The pico tasted fresh but the lettuce was slightly wilted. We give it a 2/10. $16
We have had the seafood platter probably 5 or six times over the years and we come here specifically for this because the batter is lighter here and we think it tastes fresher and not super heavy or greasy. It came with a piece of fried flounder, coleslaw, fries, scallops, shrimp, oysters, tarter sauce, and cocktail sauce. My parents ordered the same thing and it was really inconsistent. Our plate had 4 oysters 4 shrimp and 4 scallops while Mom and Dad got 8 shrimp, 5 scallops and 5 oysters. We give it a 5/10 $36.75
CQ’s
In the picturesque portion of the island known as Harbor Town, surrounded by ancient twisted trees covered in moss and guarded by “The Blue Lady” is the absolute divine restaurant called CQ’s.
We made reservations for Wednesday evening at 7:30pm about a month in advance through open table. You have the option to choose indoor or outdoor. We originally chose outdoor but there was a high chance of rain and we got there about half an hour early so they not only accommodated us early but they also sat us inside with no problem.
It is important to know that if you are not staying in the Harbor Town area, you have to pay $9 for a day pass. If you bring your pass in to dinner, they will validate it for you by putting $9 back towards your meal. We usually plan for this and arrive an hour or so early so we can walk around and check out the shops and get some photos. You can also pay to walk up to the top of the lighthouse (it’s a lot of stairs so maybe do this during the day and come back for dinner-your pass is good all day).
$$$ Entrees from $32-$48
Dinner served nightly starting at 5pm
The Atmosphere
The building was the first built in the Harbor Town area and was designed by Ralph Ballantine in 1970. The floors are original pine and the building is packed with charm. Besides the lovely outdoor seating, there is a bar area right when you walk inside (a few tables are found here), a main dining area, and then lots of fun other dining areas tucked away. Up the stairs you can see a dining area but then there is a room off of that room. There is also a dining area off of the main dining room down a few stairs. The house has so much charm and the furnishings and lighting makes for a really warm and inviting atmosphere.
Outside there is a statue of “The Blue Lady”. This is meant to commemorate the story of the ghost of Caroline Fripp the lighthouse keepers daughter who legend says was buried in her blue dress and who has been known to rattle the liquor bottles behind the bar, flicker the lights, and squeak the floorboards of the restaurant with her footsteps. Materials from the lighthouse she and her father used to service as well as their cottage were used in the construction of CQ’s, and this is why she is believed to frequent the restaurant.
The Food
The food here has never disappointed and we have been probably 6-8 times over the years. With fine dining prices and incredible ambiance, it’s nice that the food matches up. I normally get one of two things (scallops or crab cakes) but the boys have been known to mix it up. This time we got the pear martini, a Caesar Salad, a Tomato Lobster Bisque (special), a Shea Crab Soup (our waitress is a local who grew up here and said it is the best she has tasted), a Wedge Salad, Crab Cakes, Seafood Pasta, Bouillabaisse (special), and the Crème Brûlée (the best on the island in our opinion). They also serve complementary bread and butter before your meal so make sure to pace yourself because you will want a piece of that as well!
Mom and I are not big drinkers but we love the Pearfection Martini and always get one when we come. They are refreshing and delicious. Pear vodka with elderflower liqueur and a splash of lemon. 7/10 $13.50
I chose to have my Caesar without the anchovies. Dressing not as flavorful as other Caesar dressings but there was plenty of it. Also plenty of cheese. 5/10 $11
Mom and dad split the Iceberg Wedge salad and the kitchen split it onto two plates for them. Each of them got a full piece of crispy bacon and some blue cheese. 4/10 $12
The waitress highly recommended the She Crab Soup and said that she had tried many around the island and claims that theirs is still the best. Dad gives it a 10/10. $10
Matt tried the special Tomato Lobster Bisque (lobster bisque is my favorite so I tried a spoonful). He gives it a 8/10. $10
For dinner mom and I both went with the Crab Cakes and agree that they were delicious and that the sauce absolutely made the dish. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside and not too bready. We give them a 7/10. $41
Matt went with the Shellfish Pasta. Full of shrimp, lobster, spinach, and grape tomatoes in a Boursin soubise sauce. He gives it a 9/10. $39
Dad went with the special. The waitress claimed that they don’t have it very often and there were lots of creatures of the sea in the white sauce. Mussels, scallops, shrimp, and andouille sausage with a rating of 1/10. $37
For dessert we all shared a few bites of the thick and sweet crème brûlée. The topping was crispy and charred to perfection and the custard was the exact consistency you want crème brûlée to be. 10/10 $10
As a little surprise, when our waitress brought our bill she also brought some truffles as a thank you from the chef. They do this every time and it is always a surprise and delight.
Charlie’s Coastal Bistro
Formerly known as "L'Etoile Verte", Charlie’s focuses mainly on fresh local seafood with a French, Lowcountry flare. When reviewing the menu with us our waiter was sharing all the local seafood options and we were really pleasantly surprised.
We booked a reservation through OpenTable for a Tuesday evening at 7:30pm about a month in advance and you could choose between indoor or outdoor seating.
Our server was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the cuisine and the preparation. The menu changes every day and is available online at 4pm. It was handwritten on a piece of paper that had been photocopied.
$$$ Entrees from $30-$48
Takeout available
Lunch Hours Monday - Friday : 11:30AM – 2:00PM
Dinner Hours Monday - Saturday : 5:00PM – close
Bar Hours Monday - Saturday : 5:00PM – close
The Atmosphere
With options to sit inside or outside, the French decor theme is apparent throughout the entire restaurant. The outside area can either be on the wrap around porch or in the little dining area under the twinkle lights and is quite charming. We opted to sit outside and enjoy the pleasant late summer evening.
The Food
One nice thing about Charlie’s is that all of the main courses include a house salad, and are accompanied with potatoes au gratin and a vegetable medley. We also got some bread and butter brought to the table while we waited for our salads to come out.
The downside about everything being super fresh and mostly locally sourced is that they run out of things often. By the time we went to order they were out of monkfish, red fish, flank steak, and blueberry ice box cake.
Our salads were on appetizer sized plates and were lettuce, feta cheese, black and green olives, cherry tomatoes, and champagne vinaigrette dressing. Not bad but not super exciting. 4/10
Dad and Matt both got the Flounder for dinner as the server raved about it and how it was locally sourced and super fresh. It was fresh but really lacked flavor. The potatoes were delicious and the best thing on the plate. 4/10 $35
I ordered the scallops because they are my favorite and I get them any chance I can get. The sides are the same because they are included in every dish and again the potatoes were amazing. The scallops had a blueberry component to them and so they were different and tasty but not the best scallops I have ever had (they were better at CQ’s). The dish came with 5 scallops and they were a good size. I give it a solid 6/10. $40
Mom ordered the salmon and we all agree hers was the best. Again same sides as everyone else and still delicious. Bacon onion caper topping for the win with this one. Mom gives it a 7/10. $33
For dessert the waiter talked about the Caramel Cake and said it was a local favorite brought in from a bakery nearby. We went for it and all shared one piece. The cake was dry and the frosting was thick. Not our favorite. 4/10 $12
Cocos on the Beach
When you have been on the beach or biking along the William Hilton Parkway, no place quenches your hunger for a burger or hot dog or your thirst for a piña colada like Cocos.
We have been coming here for years and found about about it through my aunt and uncle who stay on the property where the restaurant is located. If you are not staying at the Hilton Head Resort, you can either drive and park here or ride your bike here and tell the guard at the guardhouse you are going to Cocos. There is a $5 fee, but if you show your ticket at the bar they will give you a $5 credit towards your tab.
If you are walking or riding your bike on the beach, look for beach marker 94A at Singleton Beach and walk up the beach walkway.
$ Entrees from $5-$14
Mid March-Mid May Mon-Sun 11a-6p
Mid May-Mid September Mon-Sun 10a-10p
Mid September-October 31st 11a-6p
November-Mid March Closed for the season
Atmosphere
Cocos is named after the owners beloved cat and is a beach side bar with fun loving and very casual vibes. Most people are in their bathing suits having lunch or drinks in the middle of their beach day so don’t be surprised to see some bikinis. It can get really busy and we have had to wait around for a table before and sit at the little stools around the edge of the restaurant before (people can end up lounging here for a while) so be prepared to wait especially during the high season and try to come at off times like 3pm.
The Food
This is beach bar food at its finest, but where Cocos really shines is it’s drink menu. They have every frozen concoction you could possibly think of, and even a make your own option. They offer ketchup, mustard, honey mustard, and hot sauce on the table so you can customize your food as needed as it all comes out plain.
This time Matt and I both went for the Slaw Dog and as usual it was absolutely delicious and just the right amount of food on this hot September day. The bun was toasted, the slaw was sweet and for the price, you can’t beat it! I added ketchup and mustard to mine. 10/10 $6
We also shared some onion rings and by golly if they were not some of the best onion rings we had ever eaten. I don’t know if we were just starving, if it’s the batter, if it’s because we were some of the first customers there, or what but they were hot, crunchy, and delightful. 10/10 $8
We also had a piña colada. I am not a huge drinker and I don’t especially like sugary frozen drinks (crazy I know) but if I get one I want a thick creamy one. This one didn’t do it for me. Thin and icy and without much flavor. 4/10 $13
Mom and dad shared the Buckeye Burger. 1/2 pound angus burger with pepper jack cheese and onion rings and their special mustard. The pickles that came with it were heaven. 10/10 $10
Jane Bistro & Bar
Jane Bistro & Bar became known to us almost by accident a few years ago. It is located inside the Shelter Cove shopping center and we were getting Dodgers photos with Santa and noticed it on the corner. They are open for lunch and dinner and brunch on Sundays and our first visit was for lunch on our way off the island the day we’re checking out to go home. We sat on the outside covered patio with our pups and the salads were exquisite (and I would never say that about a salad). The next time we came we ended up coming once for lunch and twice for dinner and it is officially our favorite place to eat on the island.
On this trip we ate here twice for dinner and made reservations through Open Table about a month in advance. You can reserve either outside or inside and we choose outside both times.
$$ Entrees from $14.5-$36
Monday to Saturday 11am to 9:00pm (limited menu 3pm-5pm)
Sunday Brunch 11am to 2pm
Atmosphere
Relaxed yet modern costal design, they best way I would describe it is comfortable. The tables outside are large and inviting and some have benches covered in cushions. The entire outside is covered, so you can even eat in the rain or you can catch some shade during the savage summer heat.
The Food
The menu here does not change very much but the lunch salads are very different than the dinner salads (both good just different flavors). We have not had any of the appetizers and have only tried one dessert. They do not serve complementary bread or anything so if your feeling hungry, an appetizer may be worth trying. We have never had a main corse we didn’t like. Below are some reviews of what we had this trip, but we have also had the shrimp and grits, Thai salad, and fish and chips.
We went a little wild this trip and got an appetizer for the first time. We went with the Sticky Thai Chicken Wings Sweet chili sesame glaze, cucumber jalapeño salad, topped with toasted sesame seeds and peanuts, and a side of red pepper sauce. Sauces are really Janes specialty we give it a 8/10. $14
This trip Matt tried Mamas Freaking Meatloaf. We have looked at it every time and he finally caved and gave it a try and he was so glad he did. Bacon wrapped, over whipped potatoes, and topped with crispy onions and bacon jam. He gives it a 9/10 $28
The first time we went this week, mom got the Greek Goddess Salad. Chicken kabob with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, olives, feta cheese, and creamy basil dressing. 5/10 $18.5
The second time we ate at Janes this week dad got the Shrimp Mexi Cali Salad. Blackened shrimp, corn, black beans, tomatoes, cheddar and Monterey cheese blend, red onion, crispy tortilla strips, cilantro lime dressing (he got a side of goat cheese). 9/10 $19.5
Mom and dad also shared a Marigold Margarita with tequila, grand marnier, mango, citrus. 5/10 $12
I absolutely obsess over their tea! I get it unsweetened and it is infused with I think mango? They bring it out with all kinds of lovely fruit inside. Get it. You won’t regret it. They make it sweetened as well. Matt even got it in an Arnold Palmer (they make their lemonade in house as well). 10/10 $3.95
On our second visit this week, Matt decided to try another new main corse and went with the Cajun Mahi Mahi. Cajun dusted Mahi Mahi on top of a crispy grit cake, Cajun lobster cream sauce, shrimp and scallops. He gives it a 9/10. $36
The Seafood Pasta is also a favorite of Matt’s. Shrimp, scallops, roasted garlic, pancetta, cherry tomato, spinach, spicy arrabbiata sauce, linguini, parmesan and asiago cheese. Matt likes that this seafood pasta is different from other places with some spice and loads of flavor he gives it a 7/10. $28
The BEST thing on the menu is the Crispy Flounder. I don’t know what witchcraft they use to make it so light and so crunchy crispy but it is one of the best meals I have ever had. It comes on top of lowcountry smoked sausage dirty rice mixed in with black bean relish. Topped with chili lime cream fraiche. 12/10 $27
Lagerhead Tavern
Three words: Friday Fish Fry. We discovered Lagerhead Tavern a few years ago when my mom and dad were looking for places with dog friendly patios. They happened to book an table on the patio on a Friday night and discovered that every Friday they offer their Fish and Chips at $4 off the normal price…and they are super tasty! Since then we have eaten several times and have tried a few other things but always go back to the fish and chips. We made a reservation through OpenTable about a month in advance for 7pm on a Friday night and had the option to choose indoor or outdoor seating and choose outdoor.
$$ Entrees from $14-$36
11a-8p Daily
The Atmosphere
To get to Lagerhead Tavern, you will have to pass through Hilton Head Plantation. When you get to the security checkpoint, scoot over to the far right and tell the guard that you have dinner reservations at Lagerhead Tavern and they will give you a free day pass to get in. Display the pass on your dashboard.
We always follow our GPS because it can get kind of tricky back through the neighborhoods that you have to pass through to get to the restaurant. When you pull up, the first thing you will see will be the clubhouse, just keep going around to the left and you will see the restaurant (but you can get to the restaurant by walking through the clubhouse-it is probably just frowned upon). You actually walk through a little gift shop area to get to the host stand and you will see that there are indoor and outdoor tables available, as well as seating at and around the bar.
We always sit outside and try to get there before the sunset so that we can enjoy the views of the golf course and take in the final moments of the day.
The Food
From Hiltonheadgolf.net: Showcasing southern comfort food with a twist, our team utilizes fresh, regional ingredients in signature dishes, such as Shrimp Gazpacho, Seafood Chowder and the Low Country Reuben, featuring in-house pulled pork and slow-smoked Smithfield ham from Smithfield, Virginia. The Grilled Salmon Salad features Atlantic Salmon that is delivered fresh every morning and seared with LagerHead Tavern’s secret seasonings. The Grilled Oysters, a LagerHead Tavern staple, are plucked from the local May River and shucked fresh per order, infused with garlic butter and topped with golden breadcrumbs for a true taste of the Low Country. Dinner entrees feature a selection of locally sourced fish, including the Herb Crusted Salmon, topped with lemon shallot butter. The tender Grilled Shoulder Steak, served with peppercorn demi, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, is also a popular choice among guests.
Laderhead Tavern does not serve complementary bread or anything and we were pretty hungry when we arrived so we got two appetizers to share between the four of us, and the standout of the two was the Coconut Crunchy Shrimp. Mom liked it so much that she ordered a second order as her meal! 6 Lightly fried shrimp with a citrus chili dipping sauce. 9/10 $14
The second appetizer we tried was the Cheddar Jalapeño Hushed Puppies. They came with a Aleppo pepper honey butter and were slightly dry but still tasty at a 8/10. $12
As I mentioned previously, we came for the Fish and Chips and Matt, Dad, and I all got this as our main corse. It came with three pieces of fish (one average and two small), some really nicely seasoned fries, sweet coleslaw, and tartar sauce. We requested ketchup and vinegar to complete our ensemble. It was hot and fresh from the fryer. 7/10 $14 but normally $18
We decided to get some key lime pie to take home with us as we were craving a little something sweet. It came topped with whipped cream and even had a raspberry drizzle on the bottom of the to go container. It did have some tang to it and was creamy but was just ok. We give it a 6/10. $8
Resources
Aside from just driving around and finding restaurants while visiting, there are several great resources you can use ahead of your vacation or while you are on vacation to find and even book great restaurants:
Yelp
OpenTable
Google
Local Magazines or Newspapers (example below)
Trip Advisor
Facebook Group: We ❤️ Hilton Head Island
Honorable Mentions
Here are some other places we have frequented over the years but did not visit on this most recent trip that you should take a look at:
Alexander’s
Ella’s On The Water
Java Burrito (Get the Espresso Milkshake)
The Crazy Crab-there are a few locations and we prefer Harbor Town
The Sage Room
The French Bakery
San Miguel’s
The Old Oyster Factory
The Black Marlin
Michael Anthony’s
I hope this makes it easier for you and your family to choose where to have a nice meal out while you visit. Again, there are SO many choices you really can’t go wrong!! Have a favorite? Leave it in the comments! Enjoy!
