Sweetwater Steamer
Hours
Where it is
Get directionsSweetwater Steamer is a take-out counter at 37 New Orleans Road on Hilton Head Island, in the middle of the south end, and it does one thing well: the Lowcountry boil. There is no dining room. You order, pick up, and eat at your villa or beach house, which is why it is popular with families and groups who want a big seafood dinner without a restaurant table for twelve.
Two Ways to Order the Boil
The steamed and ready-to-eat boil is cooked just before pickup: local shrimp, smoked Lowcountry sausage, corn, Vidalia onions and red potatoes, finished with butter and lemon. The cook-at-home option comes as a raw, packed bucket, with instructions, that takes about 40 minutes on a gas or electric cooktop. Tell them how many people you are feeding and they size it. You can add crab clusters, lobster tails, clams or crawfish, and there are pulled chicken, BBQ pork, sides and drinks for anyone who does not want seafood. Reviewers say the portions are generous and leftovers are normal, and one warns that the regular spice level runs warm.
Ordering and Hours
Orders go in online or at the counter, and same-day pickup is possible, although a group order goes more smoothly the day before. There are no reservations or seats. The counter is open 12 to 7 p.m. daily, and one reviewer had trouble at a 5:30 pickup, so leave yourself a cushion at the end of the day. Call (843) 715-3110 with questions or allergies.
Getting There
It is on New Orleans Road, close to Pope Avenue and the beach. For sit-down seafood, see the Hilton Head restaurants page and the full Hilton Head dining guide.
Order a Lowcountry Boil
Sweetwater Steamer sells its boils through FareHarbor: steamed and ready to eat, or packed to cook at home.
Booked through FareHarbor, the island operators’ own booking system. HHI.com may earn a commission.
What diners say
Visitors call this the easiest big seafood dinner on the island. The boils are fresh and hot, the portions feed large groups with leftovers, and the crab, crawfish and Lowcountry sausage get the most praise. Both the ready-to-eat and cook-at-home options are simple, and orders are ready when promised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated
Is Sweetwater Steamer take-out only?
Yes. There is no dining room. You pick up a steamed, ready-to-eat boil or a bucket to cook at home.
How do I order from Sweetwater Steamer?
Order online or in person at 37 New Orleans Road, or call (843) 715-3110. Same-day pickup is offered.
How long does the cook-at-home bucket take?
About 40 minutes on an electric or gas cooktop, following the instructions packed with it.
How many people does one boil feed?
You tell them your headcount and they size the order. Reviewers report feeding groups of 11 to 14 with leftovers.
What are the hours at Sweetwater Steamer?
Every day, noon to 7 p.m. Call (843) 715-3110 to check holiday and off-season hours.
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