Here are 15 best restaurants on Hilton Head, SC, Southern Living says. A Food Network star owns one
From a restaurant owned by a Food Network star to a French bakery owned by an award-winning chef and a 50-year-old eatery that serves seafood from locally owned fishing fleets, Hilton Head Island’s culinary scene was featured in a recent Southern Living story.
Coming in at No. 1 was Hilton Head Social Bakery, owned and operated by French chef Philippe Feret, originally from Normandy, France, who reopened Windows on the World after the 9-11 bombing destroyed the World Trade Center.
He came to Hilton Head in search of less frenetic work he experienced in a number of famed Paris and New York restaurants. He and his co-owner and wife Marissa have two locations on Hilton Head — Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina and South Island — which Southern Living said offer “beautiful, photo-perfect pastries, decadent desserts, and buttery croissants galore. You’ll feel as if you’ve been magically transported to the streets of Paris.”
Second on South Living’s list is Lulu Kitchen, described as “American favorites with a Southern twist.” The magazine recommends butter-poached lobster, short rib grilled cheese, and house fried chicken.
“Come for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch and bask in the cheery, laid-back setting,” the magazine said.
3. The Sea Shack, “no-frills, counter-serve restaurant” Southern Living calls a gem.
Grilled, fried, or blackened seafood fresh from the sea.
“Expect to wait in line during peak summer months — The Sea Shack is popular with locals and tourists alike,” the magazine said
4. Chez Georges, a French bistro with escargots de bourgogne, cassoulet, and two kinds of moules-frites. There’s an impeccable wine list and an aperitif hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, “when adult beverages are $2 off and there’s a small plates menu offered.”
5. Nectar Farm Kitchen, locally sourced ingredients, serving breakfast, lunch (think sausage biscuits and gravy) and dinner.
They also serve country fried steak and a slew of Benedicts.
“Hearty ‘supper plates and bowls’ include Lowcountry cioppino, root beer-braised short ribs, and filet mignon, alongside lighter fare like salads and soups,” the magazine said.
The Hilton Head location has closed but the Bluffton location, 8 miles up the road, remains open. It is one of the Serg Group Restaurants.
6. Coast — waterfront views and twinkly-lit outdoor patio is located in Sea Pines Resort, a 5,000 acre (a third of the island) development and first on the island. Visionary Charles Fraser developed Sea Pines Plantation in the late 1950s.
As expected, Coast serves seafood, but also has sandwiches, tacos and a raw bar.
“Wash it all down with a frozen specialty cocktail,” Southern Living said.
7. Skull Creek Boathouse, also a Serg Group restaurant, is located beside Skull Creek and overlooks the marina. It has multiple dining areas, including an indoor sushi bar with raw oysters, ceviche, and sashimi, and an outdoor bar with Adirondack chairs and sunset views.
“Don’t leave without trying the famed salt and vinegar crab cakes,” Southern Living said.
8. The Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar, whose tagline is American bistro with Southern soul. Southern LIving calls it “refined comfort food” and recommends deviled eggs topped with smoked salmon, bacon, tomato, and parsley or scallops and shrimp finished in a cognac cream sauce and served with Charleston red risotto.
9. Black Marlin Bayside Grill, another Serg Group restaurant, is known for its Bayside Chowder.
The restaurant calls itself “taste of the keys” with views of Broad Creek and a wide ranging menu from burgers to fish tacos.
10. Burnt Church Distillery, located in Bluffton, has a 7,000 square-foot tasting room, gift shop, humidor, history room, and on-site manufacturing facility.
It calls itself spirits with a story to tell, that can be paired with a charcuterie board or brick-oven pizza.
11. Nunzio Restaurant + Bar
Traditional Italian food, including Pugliese-style meatballs to homemade ravioli to tagliatelle alla bolognese. For dessert, Southern Living says try lemon sorbet or hot chocolate soufflé cake served with vanilla gelato.
12. Hudson’s Seafood House On The Docks, is the 50-year-old seafood joint overlooking Port Royal Sound.
“Seafood doesn’t come fresher than this — Hudson’s sources its fish and shrimp directly from one of only two remaining local fishing fleets on Hilton Head,” the magazine said. “Always order the specials, which can change multiple times a day depending on what’s being unloaded from the boats.
13. One Hot Mama’s, operated by Food Network star and barbecue pit mistress Orchid Paulmeier, who offers among many other things baby-back ribs and chicken wings in many variations. The restaurant is part of the official South Carolina Barbecue Trail.
“Dishes like the Stack A Mac (fried mac and cheese bites topped with queso, chopped brisket, Perfect 10 barbecue sauce, coleslaw, and scallions) are sure to stick in your mind for years to come,” Southern Living said. It is a Serg Group restaurant.
14. Fishcamp on Broad Creek on the site of a fish camp built there in 1955.
“Housed in the camp’s original building, you’ll find fried shrimp and blue crab cakes served with a side of history and nostalgia,” Southern Living said.
Lunch and dinner daily, brunch on Sundays.
No. 15, Marley’s Shrimp and Burger Shack, permanently closed Sept, 14, its Facebook page said. It was owned by the Serg Group, which promises a new concept in the spring of next year. The Serg Group started with a pizzeria on Hilton Head in 1984 and now owns more than a dozen restaurants.
