What are the Not to Miss Restaurants when Visiting HH? Also, Bike Rental ?

[lat]

We are going to HH this summer during Labor Day week, staying at Marriott Grand Ocean. We have never been there and would like to find out the places that we should definitely try. We will have 5 adults and 4 kids (11, 9, 6 and 3). Not into fine dining, but good food with reasonable price, and kids friendly.

I have heard a lot of talks about Our Lady and Sons buffet in Savannah, anyone tried it?

Also, where should we go to rent bikes?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Dean]

There are many great restaurants on HH but only two I'd personally put on a do not miss list. One is Wild Wings on Pope Avenue just around the corner from GO between Coligny and Sea Pines Circle and beside the minigolf and Bi Lo store. The other is The Old Oyster Factory on Broad Creek. I've attached a list I did a couple of years ago, I think it's still pretty accurate. Unfortunately my third don't miss closed (Charleston's). A few items as it relates to GO. Right next door is a small and out of the way place called Fitzgerald's. It is walking distance and was quite a pleasant surprise. You will get a Sea Pines pass so you can hit the places in Sea Pines without any extra costs. I'll emphazie that Old Oyster Factory has twice allowed me to use the 10% DVC discount and the free salad option. I'm two for two and the lst time for about 15 people. Marriott will also give you a list of discount places, make sure you double check it. There are many early birds, the Menu book I reference will list many of them. Good luck and enjoy. We'll be there next week but I doubt we'll try any new places, too many we already know we like too much.


Fine Dining

1. Old Fort Pub
2. Sunset Grill
3. Fitzgerald's
4. Charlie's (french something)
5. Alexander's
6. Santa Fe
7. Captain's table
8. Cafe Europa
   [/list=1]
   Pizza
   1. Dunes
   2. Guisseppi's
      [/list=1] Both right close by DVC
      Fun/Family
      1. Old Bamboo
      2. Old Oyster Factory
      3. Truffle's
      4. Wild Wings
      5. Hafbrauhouse (? sp)
      6. Crazy Crab, especially at Harbour Town
         [/list=1]
         
         I'd avoid CQ's and Charlie's Crab.
         
         Others to consider that I don't know much about are:
         1. HH and Blufton Diner
         2. Alligator Grill
         3. Abe's Shrimp House
         4. South Beach Cafe (? name)
         5. Scott's
         6. Kingfisher's (recommended for seafood by a friend and right by DVC)
         7. La Pola (in with Kingfisher's)
         8. Quarter Deck
         9. Harbor Masters
         10. Westin Seafood Buffet
         11. Cafe at Wexford
         12. Tony Roma's (how different can it be)
         13. Hudson's (near Old Ft Pub, my partner really liked it)
             [/list=1]
             
             Discounts, DVC has a discount list, just use your room key or member card. Many of these above have early bird specials. There is a Restaurant Guide that has menus as well as a list of early birds, etc. For seafood, Old Oyster Factory is a must but doesn't take reservations. There are coupons in the books for free salads and they let me use the free salad as well as DVC 10% off both. If you at all like wings, Wild Wings is a must, I think they have 23 flavors of Wings. Best steak was Fitzgerald's. Old Bamboo is like World War II or MASH, good food also. Best Views were South Beach Cafe, Cafe Europa, Quarterdeck, Old Ft Pub, Sunset Grill (so I'm told) and maybes Harbormasters and Kingfishers. Best Value likely Old Bamboo, Wings, Old Oyster Factory, Dunes Pizza. Some of these are in Sea Pines and there is a $5 fee per day.

 

[dvc_john]

You can also rent bikes right at Grande Ocean. I can't remember the price, but I'm sure it was very reasonable.
Staying at Grande Ocean gives you Sea Pines privileges, and there are some really nice bike paths at Sea Pines.

 

[lat]

wow, thanks SO MUCH!! I have to print this one out before I leave. Thanks again.

Dean, have a great time at HH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Disneyaholic]

I'd like to add a few of our favorites:


Alexander's and Garden Oak Grill are a bit pricier, but we have had great food and service when we've gone there.

Marley's (a new restaurant near Sea Pines Circle) is also very good.

And a few updates/clarifications to Dean's list (hope you don't mind, Dean!):


I think it's Charlie's E'Toile or something like that. Haven't been there yet, but we have also heard GREAT things about it. Probably also a bit on the pricey side, though.

Dunes pizza is no longer there. Nor is La Polla, which was upstairs from Kingfisher. Alligator Grill and Abe's Shrimp House are no longer around.

When you get to HH, be sure to pick up one of the restaurant guides that has menus in it. It will help you decide who has what, and most locations also list their prices!!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Disneyaholic
I'd like to add a few of our favorites:


Alexander's and Garden Oak Grill are a bit pricier, but we have had great food and service when we've gone there.

Marley's (a new restaurant near Sea Pines Circle) is also very good.

And a few updates/clarifications to Dean's list (hope you don't mind, Dean!):


I think it's Charlie's E'Toile or something like that. Haven't been there yet, but we have also heard GREAT things about it. Probably also a bit on the pricey side, though.

Dunes pizza is no longer there. Nor is La Polla, which was upstairs from Kingfisher. Alligator Grill and Abe's Shrimp House are no longer around.

When you get to HH, be sure to pick up one of the restaurant guides that has menus in it. It will help you decide who has what, and most locations also list their prices!!

Thanks. Charlie's is on my list. It's moved to the old Charleston's location. I actually had removed Dune's pizza but I must have found the old list and not my newest one by mistake. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to update it as I had missed that.

 

[VMS]

Another place we like is Just Pasta, in the Coligny Plaza. Great fresh pasta, and you pick the sauce you want on top. It is a small place, so I would suggest getting there for when it opens. There is a Rita's Ice right there too, and that is where we get dessert. Their ices are really good, and they have real frozen custard.

As for Giuseppi's, we ate there on our first trip to HH a few years back, and we all thought their pizza was terrible. They get very mixed reviews.

 

[vernon]

Have you coinsidered " A Private affair" run by Chef Gordon. When I did this it was held in one of the DVC "show villas" but I believe now is held at the DVC beachhouse. I thought the food was outstanding and Chef Gordon was an excellent and knowledgable host. I thought this was the best meal I had on HH ( or anywhere else in a long time, for that matter). Of the restaurants mentioned I liked the Old Oyster factory most of all. Great view out over the inlet , good food and a reasonable price. If you like to eat early you shouldn't have any problems getting a table for a group of your size, but turning up at 7.30-8.30 might give you a wait.

 

[Disneyaholic]

Originally posted by vernon
Have you coinsidered " A Private affair" run by Chef Gordon. When I did this it was held in one of the DVC "show villas" but I believe now is held at the DVC beachhouse. I thought the food was outstanding and Chef Gordon was an excellent and knowledgable host. I thought this was the best meal I had on HH ( or anywhere else in a long time, for that matter).

I agree that this is the best meal and the best atmosphere on Hilton Head, but you have to be a guest at the Disney resort in order to take advantage of this. The OP is staying elsewhere.

 

[canda]

I would eat at as many sea pines area rest. as possible. THe reason is that it will cost $5 per car to enter Sea Pines if you are not a guest. take advantage. As for Lady and Sons, do not go without a ressie. tour bus groups have been making it their stop, and it is getting crowded and hard to get tables.

I can back up all the ones that Dean suggested. For our family, we sit only on the patios of the rest. that have them. We happen to like Alexander's patio. Also we think that they have the best early dinning menu. For about 1/2 off the regular menu. From 5-5:30 YOu get iced tea or Lemonaide, soup or salad, bread, starch, veggie, and entree. for 13.95.

For fun we like San Migeuls patio. (it is not a mexican rest. like that are all over the place. It has been there for 30 years and has a different taste.) anyway they have a good outdoor seat and a good musician. For taste, Aunt Chiladas is better, but they can't beat the outside.

 

[VMS]

You asked about Lady and Son's, and I forgot to mention that we did visit Savannah during our trip this year and did eat there. We really enjoyed it, and Paula Deane (Lady) was there, and I got one of her cookbooks signed and had a photo taken with her. I hear she is there quite often. Very good meal, make sure you make reservations ahead of time.

 

[GrammieMame]

I'll add a bit. LeBistro is Pineland Mall has great high-end seafood, although a bit crowded and noisy. I'll second the motion for Charley's, although it's expensive. We were there last week and all the entrees are $23. We go often, and my husband absolutely refuses to pay a fee to get into Sea Pines, so we stay away from that area. One family place we never miss is the Crazy Crab at the location when you first get on the island. They have a large outdoor deck overlooking the marsh that's absolutely beautiful and a great place to have a drink and wait for your table. Also music in the summer months, and a small playground for children. There's also a very good Mexican restaurant on the right, just before the ramp to the toll road. It's a little hard to see from the road, but very good Mexican and not the usual burritos/enchiladas/tacos menu.

 

[SusieJ]

We found the Old Oystery Factory to be delightful and it was our favorite restaurant on HHI. I highly recommend it! Be forewarned that it is very popular so plan to arrive way before 5 PM so you don't have to wait. I've never known any restaurant to have two guards directing traffic in the parking lot!! Enjoy, enjoy!!!