Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks is at the end of Hudson Road, in a building that began as a seafood processing plant. It opened as a restaurant in 1967 and calls itself the oldest seafood restaurant on Hilton Head Island. Working boats still tie up at the docks outside, and the restaurant says more than 90 percent of what it serves comes from boats fishing nearby waters.

What to Order at Hudson’s Seafood House

Oysters, shrimp and soft shell crabs are the core of it, alongside whatever local fish is running: swordfish, mahi-mahi, grouper, tilefish, triggerfish, snapper and sea bass. Reviewers keep naming the crab cakes and the hush puppies, and you can choose how the fish and shrimp are cooked. Fried, blackened and coconut shrimp all turn up in reviews. The menu button above opens the dinner menu.

Waits and Reservations

Hudson’s does not take reservations or call-aheads. Tables go first come, first served, and at dinner in season a wait of about 45 minutes shows up even in five-star reviews. The outdoor deck has a bar to hold you over, and the water and sunset view is the reason most people do not mind. Go at lunch or early in the evening if you would rather not wait. On Sunday it opens at 10 a.m. with a brunch menu until 2.

Getting There

Hudson’s is at 1 Hudson Road, Hilton Head Island, with a parking lot beside the building. More places to eat on the water are on the Hilton Head restaurants page, and the full Hilton Head dining guide sorts them by meal and style.