Hilton Head Island Lovers....what are your favorite restaurants on the island??

[LJC1861]

Hi,

Lisa and I have fallen in love with HHI!!!! We decided to stay both going down and coming back from WDW and have already booked two more visits.

In looking through the restaurant guide in the room, we found tons...but most were pretty pricey. Have you found any that you LOVE... that are maybe off the beaten track...that cater more to locals rather than tourists?

If so, can you share your favorite dining spots please?

Thanks in advance,

Linda

 

[experiment659]

Morning!
We love HHI as well! We bought there because that's what DVC was selling at the time, but I'm so glad we did! You are right, there are so many restaurants that it's overwhelming! We tend to eat in a lot while we're there but one place that we always visit though is the Hilton Head Island Brewing Company. It's reasonable and is more of a local place. Lots of sandwiches and burgers, but more dinner like things are also available for those who want it. They also brew their own root beer - among other things. We're headed back this June and are already looking forward to stopping in there.

 

[LJC1861]

We discovered the Sea Shack last night....and the name truly fits it. It is a little hole in the wall place with FANTASTIC seafood...very reasonably priced.

The menu is on the wall, you must order before you get a table, all the table cloths are different and it is as casual and down home as you can imagine.

We loved it and will go back when we are here again in March.

Thanks for the suggestion on the Brewing Company. We will be sure to check it out.

Linda

 

[starbox]

I really love Hudson's. I am very allergic to MSG, which is in lots of fried seafood - but Hudson's (like WDW) is a MGS-free zone.

BTW - LJC - my son is named after your hometown. I used to pass the sign outside of Asheville when I was pregnant w/him and loved the name.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We discovered the Sea Shack last night....and the name truly fits it. It is a little hole in the wall place with FANTASTIC seafood...very reasonably priced.

The menu is on the wall, you must order before you get a table, all the table cloths are different and it is as casual and down home as you can imagine.

We loved it and will go back when we are here again in March.

Thanks for the suggestion on the Brewing Company. We will be sure to check it out.

Linda

We love the Sea Shack! Did you have dessert there? DH had something-I think it was blueberry cheesecake and his mouth is watering every time he thinks about it.
This is such a fun question-it gives me the chance to daydream about my favorite place. Our absolute favorite is Signe's Bakery, but it's only open for breakfast and lunch. Sea Shack is good and inexpensive. We like Salty Dog and Hudson's. And for a change from seafood we like It's Greek to Me, the British Open Pub, and DH likes Hilton Head Diner. Another seafood place we used to like (haven't been there lately as it's closed when we're there at Thanksgiving) is the formerly named Cafe Europa in Harbortown. Can someone remind me of its current name-something about waterfront, I think?

 

[Ellester]

Another vote for the Sea Shack. I love their seafood chowder! Funny story, last time we were there my seafood-phobic dd10 ordered a cheeseburger. She was complaining that it was chewy and we were chiding her for being the picky eater that she is. Well, turns out the cook forgot to take the plastic wrapper off the slice of cheese! Yeah, I'd say it was chewy. They were very apologetic and fixed her a new one right away and gave us dessert. The Sea Shack is casual and quick enough that dining there with several kids is not overly stressful.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Our favorites are Kingfisher (best Shrimp and Grits I've ever had), San Miguels, Salty Dog (and Wreck of Salty Dog), Uncle Bubbas in Savannah, Hueys in Savannah and Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House in Savannah.

 

[iloveokw]

Sea Shack, La Hacienda, Kurama (early bird), Harold's Diner (B & L only), and Wild Wing Cafe we never miss. We try a new place every year and enjoyed the early bird at Marley's. Love planning those HH trips.

 

[twebber55]

Sea Shack, La Hacienda, Kurama (early bird), Harold's Diner (B & L only), and Wild Wing Cafe we never miss. We try a new place every year and enjoyed the early bird at Marley's. Love planning those HH trips.

on the early birds do you have to be there to check in at a certain time or do you have to be eating at a certain time

 

[SLM]

One of the nice ladies at the resort suggested The Grumpy Grouper-it was reasonable, great seafood in a casual, but nice atmosphere. I really wanted to go to Signe's but we ran out of time.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

but Hudson's (like WDW) is a MGS-free zone.

Sorry to jump OT, but WDW is MSG-free? Even the Asian-themed restaurants? If so, that's good to know - hate the stuff, but reluctantly put up with it at times...

 

[RobDoc]

We just got home from HH and have been trying a number of the nearby restaurants on our last few trips. There are several with early dining specials and we've tried several of those. A few seem to offer the early dining year round (but , of course, that could change at any time) and several offer it on a seasonal basis in the off-season. The early menu is typically around $15 and many of the restaurants include a salad, entree and glass of house wine with at that price.

We have really enjoyed RedFish and Alexander's (these are owned by the same company and are both a short drive from the resort), Crane's Tavern (nice ambiance and menu) and Catch-22 (ambiance/menu). Kingfishers is within walking distance of the resort. Old Oyster Factory was a disappointment for us, but was OK and Crazy Crab was also very disappointing, athough several have reported a more positive experience. (We ate from the regular menu, as the early menu was very limited.)

All of these offer early dining. RedFish, Alexander's, Kingfisher, Crane's and Catch-22 all offer the glass of wine with the meal. Redfish, Kingfisher and Alexander's have been offered year round - while Crazy Crab, Crane's, Catch-22 and OOF are all seasonal (some offer the early program from Sept - Feb, others only Jan - Feb).

We have also enjoyed Scott's, San Miguels, Little Venice and Parrot Cove ( walking distance to the resort). Ocean Grille (formerly Harbour Master - and within walking distance) was OK, but a little pricey (even the early dine). Giuseppis (at Shelter Cove) is pizza place we go to each trip. HH Diner is OK - but nothing fancy at all. Mangiamo's offers 1/2 price spaghetti on Wednesday's - lots of local go there for the meal (lots of Mercedes and BMWs in the parking lot for the $5 meal - ).

We still have quite a few on our list to try with future trips (February will be the next). Our current faves are RedFish, Alexander's, Cranes Tavern and Catch-22 - all had nice ambiance, great service, nice menus and great food.

We plan to try Big Bamboo (early dine - but closed now for remodeling) and several others in the near future.

 

[LJC1861]

Thanks everyone! Keep the suggestions and recommendations coming.

We are now going down in February for one night as well as our March long weekend.

Can you tell that we have fallen in love with this place???

Linda

 

[disneydiz]

Just want to add our favorite -- The Sage Room (at Heritage Plaza). A lot of locals recommended the place. It is our favorite and I think its one of the top restaurants at HH (however, definitely not a kid restaurant). www.thesageroom.com
You can read reviews on TripAdvisor, or do a google on it -- there are a lot of reviews on different rating sites.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

We like Signe's, the Brick Oven Pizza, and the grills at the pool and beach house.

There is an Italian Restaurant near the Jazz club that was good but it's been a bit since we have been there.

As for Savannah, the River House on River Street is quite good.

If you go as far as Tybee, you HAVE to go to Grace: Food for the Soul or the North Beach Grill. Best food anywhere! If you go, tell them the Walter and DreAnna sent you.

 

[starbox]

Sorry to jump OT, but WDW is MSG-free? Even the Asian-themed restaurants? If so, that's good to know - hate the stuff, but reluctantly put up with it at times...

If they are Disney owned and operated, they are MSG free - I've been reassured by numerous chefs and have stayed reaction-free eating just about everywhere - including most of the WS restaurants It's one of the reasons Disney is my happy place - the ability to eat anything on the menu without fear. VB restaurants are also MSG free.

However - Yak and Yeti is not operated by Disney and there are lots of reports about bad reactions from their food (even food they claimed as safe) on allergy boards - so I'd avoid that one.

 

[Cobra B.]

Not to get off topic, but what is the weather like in late March, early April? Thanks.

 

[6mouselovers]

we have a home on hilton head and visit there often. 2 adults and 4 kids. our favorite restaurants on the island that are a little off the beaten path are: the boathouse (right outside the back gate of hilton head plantation), the old fort pub (inside the plantation, but you just need a reservation), better for older kids and they have an on-line menu. steamers is really good, it is in coligny plaza, near the back gates of seapines, and alexanders is within walking distance, right across 278 in palmetto dunes. if you are going with kids 12 and upish, michael anthony's is wonderful, real italian, and the crazy crab right over the bridge when you first come on the island is better food and inside atmosphere than the one in harbortown. that being said, though, for entertaining areas, marley's, crazy crab in harbour town, san miquels at shelter cove (great nightly entertainment), and you can't go wrong with the salty dog if you have young kids and want a laid back night of it! hope this helps, we just got back 3 weeks ago and had a great time as always, and wish you the same!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for the suggestions! We were just talking about Old Fort Pub yesterday. Do they get very crowded even off-season (specifically Thankgiving-time)? And I'll have to check on-line about Alexanders. DH likes to golf at Palmetto Dunes, and that might be a great place to go after.

 

[6mouselovers]

off-peak you should have no trouble. even though you have families visiting in november, many of the locals don't go down until mid-december or later. in the past we have had no trouble over thanksgiving. just remember it could be pretty cool! in january we had my in-laws with us and had no trouble for tables of eight, even new years eve! by that saturday it had died down with a lot of families returning home, but while it was comfortably busy (all stores and restaurants were open), there were no waits.