Hilton Head Island, renowned for its breathtaking coastal views and vibrant culinary scene, offers a plethora of outstanding dining destinations that promise a great meal with a fantastic view. Whether you're looking for a casual spot to enjoy fresh seafood or a more refined setting to celebrate a special occasion, the island's waterfront restaurants cater to various tastes and experiences. Read on for a guide to some of the most alluring waterfront dining options on Hilton Head Island.
Coast
87 N Sea Pines Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Located within the posh confines of the Sea Pines Beach Club, Coast provides an oceanfront dining experience that showcases the beauty of Hilton Head Island’s incredible coastline. This glamorous restaurant specializes in offering fresh, local seafood dishes crafted to reflect the richness of the surrounding waters. With an open-air patio and a chic dining area, Coast presents a menu with innovative seafood dishes, from crab cakes and seafood towers to Atlantic salmon and their signature fresh catch of the day. The panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean complement a dining experience designed to impress, making Coast a must-visit for those seeking a memorable meal by the water.
Located within the posh confines of the Sea Pines Beach Club, Coast provides an oceanfront dining experience that showcases the beauty of Hilton Head Island’s incredible coastline. This glamorous restaurant specializes in offering fresh, local seafood dishes crafted to reflect the richness of the surrounding waters. With an open-air patio and a chic dining area, Coast presents a menu with innovative seafood dishes, from crab cakes and seafood towers to Atlantic salmon and their signature fresh catch of the day. The panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean complement a dining experience designed to impress, making Coast a must-visit for those seeking a memorable meal by the water.
Fishcamp on Broad Creek
11 Simmons Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Fishcamp on Broad Creek offers a relaxed and refined dining atmosphere — perfect for those who appreciate a wonderful meal served with a side of history. This restaurant pays homage to Hilton Head Island's storied past with a menu that blends traditional Southern flavors with the bounty of the ocean. Diners can enjoy their meals on a large outdoor patio that overlooks Broad Creek Marina, providing stunning water views and a chance to spot local wildlife. The Lowcountry boil is a standout dish, perfect for sharing with friends as you take in a glittering sunset over the water.
Fishcamp on Broad Creek offers a relaxed and refined dining atmosphere — perfect for those who appreciate a wonderful meal served with a side of history. This restaurant pays homage to Hilton Head Island's storied past with a menu that blends traditional Southern flavors with the bounty of the ocean. Diners can enjoy their meals on a large outdoor patio that overlooks Broad Creek Marina, providing stunning water views and a chance to spot local wildlife. The Lowcountry boil is a standout dish, perfect for sharing with friends as you take in a glittering sunset over the water.
Skull Creek Boathouse
397 Squire Pope Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Perched on the banks of Skull Creek, The Boathouse is one of Hilton Head Island’s premier destinations for waterfront dining. The setting is vibrant and full of energy, with diners treated to spectacular views of the water as they enjoy a delightful meal on the outdoor waterfront pavilion. The menu at The Boathouse focuses on fresh catches and Southern classics, offering everything from crispy calamari and shrimp tempura rolls to “salt and vinegar” crab cakes.
Perched on the banks of Skull Creek, The Boathouse is one of Hilton Head Island’s premier destinations for waterfront dining. The setting is vibrant and full of energy, with diners treated to spectacular views of the water as they enjoy a delightful meal on the outdoor waterfront pavilion. The menu at The Boathouse focuses on fresh catches and Southern classics, offering everything from crispy calamari and shrimp tempura rolls to “salt and vinegar” crab cakes.
Skull Creek Dockside
2 Hudson Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
For a truly iconic Hilton Head Island restaurant experience, Skull Creek Dockside — found just south of Skull Creek Boathouse — offers a picturesque setting right on the water. This beloved establishment is famed for its commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients and its full-pane glass windows that allow diners to enjoy a meal alongside colorful sunsets and the gentle ebb of the tides. The seafood here is prepared with a nod to Hilton Head Island’s culinary heritage, with dishes like the crispy fried shrimp or the red seafood chowder highlighting the menu. Plus, don’t miss their outstanding barbecue selections. Skull Creek Dockside is a perfect place for those who love their meals served with a hearty dose of maritime charm.
For a truly iconic Hilton Head Island restaurant experience, Skull Creek Dockside — found just south of Skull Creek Boathouse — offers a picturesque setting right on the water. This beloved establishment is famed for its commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients and its full-pane glass windows that allow diners to enjoy a meal alongside colorful sunsets and the gentle ebb of the tides. The seafood here is prepared with a nod to Hilton Head Island’s culinary heritage, with dishes like the crispy fried shrimp or the red seafood chowder highlighting the menu. Plus, don’t miss their outstanding barbecue selections. Skull Creek Dockside is a perfect place for those who love their meals served with a hearty dose of maritime charm.
Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks
1 Hudson Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
A staple on the island since 1967, Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks is a direct link to Hilton Head Island’s fishing legacy. Initially a seafood processing plant, this dining destination operates its own fishing fleet, ensuring that the seafood served is as fresh as possible. Located directly on Port Royal Sound, diners at Hudson's can watch as the boats dock and deliver their daily catch. This connection to the local seafood suppliers allows Hudson's to offer an unmatched variety of fresh oysters, soft shell crabs, shrimp, and shellfish.
A staple on the island since 1967, Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks is a direct link to Hilton Head Island’s fishing legacy. Initially a seafood processing plant, this dining destination operates its own fishing fleet, ensuring that the seafood served is as fresh as possible. Located directly on Port Royal Sound, diners at Hudson's can watch as the boats dock and deliver their daily catch. This connection to the local seafood suppliers allows Hudson's to offer an unmatched variety of fresh oysters, soft shell crabs, shrimp, and shellfish.
ELA’S On the Water
1 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
ELA’S On the Water stands out with its sophisticated decor and upscale approach to seafood-and-steak dining. Located on Shelter Cove Harbour, ELA’S offers amazing views of the water with a backdrop of luxury yachts. The fantastic menu offers a blend of classic and contemporary, featuring dishes like pan-seared dover scallops, Brasstown New York strip, and steamed lobster over citrus risotto. ELA’S is particularly popular for romantic dinners, thanks to its elegant atmosphere and exceptional service.
ELA’S On the Water stands out with its sophisticated decor and upscale approach to seafood-and-steak dining. Located on Shelter Cove Harbour, ELA’S offers amazing views of the water with a backdrop of luxury yachts. The fantastic menu offers a blend of classic and contemporary, featuring dishes like pan-seared dover scallops, Brasstown New York strip, and steamed lobster over citrus risotto. ELA’S is particularly popular for romantic dinners, thanks to its elegant atmosphere and exceptional service.
Quarterdeck
160 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Situated at the base of the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse, Quarterdeck offers diners a panoramic view of Calibogue Sound. This delightful dining spot is particularly famous for its spectacular sunsets on the rooftop oyster bar and nightly live outdoor music performances. The menu features a variety of seafood and steak options, all prepared with an eye for quality and presentation, from specialty salmon to East Coast shrimp.
Situated at the base of the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse, Quarterdeck offers diners a panoramic view of Calibogue Sound. This delightful dining spot is particularly famous for its spectacular sunsets on the rooftop oyster bar and nightly live outdoor music performances. The menu features a variety of seafood and steak options, all prepared with an eye for quality and presentation, from specialty salmon to East Coast shrimp.
The Crazy Crab Jarvis Creek
104 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Last but not least, The Crazy Crab at Jarvis Creek is a fun and friendly restaurant that provides a laid-back atmosphere without compromising on the quality of the dishes. Known for its rustic setting and exceptional seafood, The Crazy Crab offers a range of dishes that reflect the heart of Southern cooking, from Alaskan snow crab legs and fried seafood platter to the Lowcountry shrimp boil. The restaurant's prime location along Jarvis Creek ensures beautiful water views, enhancing the dining experience with a serene landscape. It’s an ideal spot for casual meals where the focus is on comfort, flavor, and enjoying the natural wonders of Hilton Head Island.
Each of these waterfront dining venues on Hilton Head Island offers a unique setting while delivering culinary excellence that highlights the very best of coastal cuisine. If you’re intrigued by life on Hilton Head Island, team up with Karen Ryan to explore the real estate landscape and find the right fit.
Last but not least, The Crazy Crab at Jarvis Creek is a fun and friendly restaurant that provides a laid-back atmosphere without compromising on the quality of the dishes. Known for its rustic setting and exceptional seafood, The Crazy Crab offers a range of dishes that reflect the heart of Southern cooking, from Alaskan snow crab legs and fried seafood platter to the Lowcountry shrimp boil. The restaurant's prime location along Jarvis Creek ensures beautiful water views, enhancing the dining experience with a serene landscape. It’s an ideal spot for casual meals where the focus is on comfort, flavor, and enjoying the natural wonders of Hilton Head Island.
Each of these waterfront dining venues on Hilton Head Island offers a unique setting while delivering culinary excellence that highlights the very best of coastal cuisine. If you’re intrigued by life on Hilton Head Island, team up with Karen Ryan to explore the real estate landscape and find the right fit.
