CQ’s Restaurant in Harbour Town

CQ’s Harbour Town is the dinner restaurant in the oldest building in Harbour Town. Ralph Ballantine designed it in 1970 as his art studio, taking its shape from the old Lowcountry rice barns, and it was the first building to go up in the harbor village. It became CQ’s in 1973.

The name comes from the founder’s son, Courtenay Quentin, which is why you see it spelled CQ’s, CQs, C Q and CQs HHI. CQ’s Restaurant Hilton Head Island is independent, not part of the resort, and it sits under the live oaks a short walk from the marina.

Dinner at CQ’s Restaurant Harbour Town

CQ’s serves dinner only, every night from 5 p.m. The kitchen cooks contemporary American food with classic roots, seafood and steaks among it, and the wine list is one of the island’s longest, at more than 400 bottles with around 70 poured by the glass. The rooms keep the building’s heart-of-pine floors, old mantels and stained glass, with Lowcountry photographs on the walls, so it reads as a night out rather than a quick meal.

CQ’s Restaurant Hilton Head: Reservations

Reservations go through OpenTable, from the reserve button above. For a party of seven or more, call the restaurant at 843-671-2779. It is a good fit for a date night or a grown-up family dinner.

Getting There

CQ’s is at 140-A Lighthouse Road, in Harbour Town inside the Sea Pines gate. Visitors not staying in Sea Pines pay the gate fee, $10 per day for a standard car. The lighthouse is a short walk away for after dinner, and the other places to eat are on Harbour Town restaurants.