Where Do the Locals Eat in Hilton Head?
Ask people who live here where they eat and the answers are rarely the biggest names on the water.
Seafood locals recommend
Casual local hangouts
A small taproom that calls itself the island's first brewery, with a shady patio.
Breakfast locals swear by
About this list
They are counter-service seafood, a cash-only diner, a barbecue patio and a French bistro that has been full for years. These are the places island residents send visitors to first.
The list below is grouped by what you are in the mood for. If you want more, the full restaurant directory covers every venue with its own page.
More ways to choose where to eat
The best restaurants in Hilton Head Island, sorted by dinner, lunch and breakfast, with the area, phone number and reservation link for every listing.
Hilton Head Island seafood restaurants by setting: creekside docks, casual baskets, special-occasion dinners and Sea Pines, with phone numbers.
Breakfast Hilton Head guide: all-day diners, coffee-shop cafés, marina breakfasts and Sunday brunch, with hours notes and phone numbers.
Dog friendly restaurants Hilton Head Island: patios, decks and breweries that welcome pets, with what each serves. Call ahead, since policies change.
Where to eat on Hilton Head Island: restaurants by meal, cuisine and area, from Sea Pines and Coligny to Shelter Cove, plus private chefs and catering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the locals eat in Hilton Head?
Island residents point to the Sea Shack and Hudson's for seafood, Charlie's L'Etoile Verte for a special night, One Hot Mama's for barbecue and Harold's Diner for breakfast.
Where do locals eat seafood in Hilton Head?
The Sea Shack, Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks and A Lowcountry Backyard come up most. Charlie's L'Etoile Verte writes its menu daily around the fresh catch.
What are the best local restaurants for breakfast?
Harold's Diner, Hilton Head Diner and Sea Grass Grille are the breakfast favorites on this list.
Are these restaurants touristy?
They are the places residents recommend to friends and family, and most are casual counter-service or neighborhood spots rather than resort restaurants.
Local guides like this come standard for Guests of Partner Properties — one small part of what a Partner Property gives every guest.
Book Partner Properties