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ELA'S On the Water, Hilton Head Island, SC

ELA'S On the Water

4.6 (7038)
$30 and under
Seafood
One Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 64 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for outdoor dining
Featured in Bon Appetit and the winner of numerous Open Table awards, ELA'S On the Water is a shining star on the Hilton Head scene. Fresh catch seafood and prime cut steaks of the highest quality, artfully prepared by our culinary team of experts, compliment the extensive boutique wine selection. Located at Shelter Cove Harbour overlooking the marina and Broad Creek, ELA'S is known for the best water views on the island. A casual intimate interior, wrap around dining patio exterior, and nightly entertainment provided by local recording artists sets the perfect dining experience or location to host special events, private parties, or rehearsal dinners.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak, Wine Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    Second Level private dining for Wedding & Private events for up to 80pp<br />Penthouse VIP Dining Room available for parties up to 20pp
  • Private party facilities
    Best Water View Dining on Hilton HeadSecond Level private dining for Wedding & Private events for up to 80ppPenthouse VIP Dining Room available for parties up to 20pp
  • Neighborhood
    Hilton Head Island
  • Parking details
    Enter Shelter Cove Harbour and follow Shelter Cove Lane to the private parking for guests.<br /><br />OMNI RESORT / MARRIOTT RESORT / WESTIN RESORT offer free shuttles to ELA'S <br /><br />For directions call our concierge at 843-785-3030
  • Public transit
    OMNI RESORT / MARRIOTT RESORT / WESTIN RESORT offer free shuttles to ELA'S Palmetto Dunes - DunesBuggy - free shuttle to ELA's
  • Entertainment
    Original Artist Productions, Classic Rock, Island Music John Wasem every Thursday & Friday from 7 - 11pmReid Richmond every Saturday from 7 - 11pmBill Peterson every Sunday 11 - 2pmDean St. Hillaire every Sunday 7 - 10pm
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 7,038 people are saying

ELA'S On the Water reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • South Carolina

    Great for scenic views

  • South Carolina

    Most Booked

  • Hilton Head

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Hilton Head

    Romantic

  • Hilton Head

    Great for scenic views

  • Hilton Head

    Seafood

  • Hilton Head

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
ELA'S On the Water offers a stunning waterfront dining experience with "excellent food, wonderful service," and a varied menu featuring fresh seafood and delicious cocktails. Guests appreciate the "beautiful views," attentive staff like Karen and Vanessa, and the ambiance enhanced by live music. A must-visit for special occasions!

7,038 Reviews
  1. Sheri VIP

    Raleigh4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding! I highly recommend it. I will definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Mary VIP

    Denver128 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Hubby and I had a lovely outdoor table. I started with the oysters Rockefeller (oddly, it only came as a group of 4 - I've never had less than 6 served at any other restaurant) but they were excellent. The spinach, bacon, parm topping was perfect. Moist and crispy at the same time. My husband ordered the special raw oyster selection - 3 of each of the 2 oyster options. Unfortunately, he got to number 4 and hit a very bad oyster. The kitchen sent 3 replacements as they took the remaining plated oysters *just in case.* (No, he did not get sick!) I ordered the lobster bisque and the Kumato tomato caprese as my main. The lobster bisque was creamy and extremely flavorful - however no pieces of lobster in the soup. I'm from the Northeast (grew up off the coast on an island) and I've never had it without lobster pieces in the soup. Oh well. The Kumato salad was amazing! Tomatoes were fresh and the balsamic was just the right amount to flavor the salad without overwhelming it. My husband ordered the special - tile fish with mashed potatoes, asparagus and a fruit compote on the side (it might have been apple or pear - forgot how it was described). He loved it! Overall, very good meal - I would have given 5 stars if not for the bad oyster!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Christopher

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service, food, and atmosphere we're all terrific. This is definitely a place to have on your list of places to eat in HH.

    Is this helpful?

  4. zara VIP

    New Orleans16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Had drinks inside at bar before eating on patio. Everything was delicious. Get their hummingbird cake if they have it. Scored flounder was cooked perfectly.

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  5. gail

    Des Moines6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waitress Karen was wonderful and the food was superb

    Is this helpful?

  6. Rebecca

    E. Tennessee1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Monday brunch (11am). It wasn’t busy and the food was delicious. The cocktails we also very good. Highly recommend.

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  7. Lanie VIP

    Hawaii8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a gem of a restaurant tucked into the Shelter Cove marina. Lovely indoor and outdoor tables with beautiful views. Live jazzy lounge like music made it feel even more upscale. Our bottle of wine was delicious chilled and not overpriced. The food was delectable! Crab stack was bright with pickled veggies mango and a generous amount of crab. Crab cake dinner was delicious and everything you want a crab cake to be - more crab less filling - even the green beans and red pepper side was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The Shrimp scampi bucatini was teaming with large shrimp, mussels and scallops and had a delicious well rounded flavor. Even the desserts of blueberry cheesecake and chocolate peanut butter mousse was enjoyable. If I had to say a fault is that everything came out of the kitchen very fast - maybe a touch too fast?? I would have liked perhaps just a few minutes more between courses to enjoy this amazing meal and experience.

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  8. Bill

    Coastal Georgia4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great view, great food, great service! What else can you ask for?

    Is this helpful?

  9. Cecil VIP

    Atlanta122 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    A beautiful day and an outside table make Ella’s a great choice for Sunday brunch. Menu options are varied and will suit just about any craving. I usually enjoy one of their several eggs benedict offerings. Serviced is friendly and unrushed. Food is dependable and usually quite good. Also great place for evening dining to enjoy the sunset. Been a HHI staple for many years and we hope for many more.

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  10. Donna

    Chicago1 review

    4.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and experience was amazing but the service was a little slow. Our server was a little un attentive. It could have been better but overall a great experience.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

ELA'S On the Water offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (843) 785-3030.

ELA'S On the Water is rated 4.6 stars by 7038 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. South Carolina
  4. Hilton Head
  5. Hilton Head Island

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 64 times today
Google Map for ELA'S On the Water

One Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Hilton Head Island
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak, Wine Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Enter Shelter Cove Harbour and follow Shelter Cove Lane to the private parking for guests.<br /><br />OMNI RESORT / MARRIOTT RESORT / WESTIN RESORT offer free shuttles to ELA'S <br /><br />For directions call our concierge at 843-785-3030
  • Public transit
    OMNI RESORT / MARRIOTT RESORT / WESTIN RESORT offer free shuttles to ELA'S Palmetto Dunes - DunesBuggy - free shuttle to ELA's
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Original Artist Productions, Classic Rock, Island Music John Wasem every Thursday & Friday from 7 - 11pmReid Richmond every Saturday from 7 - 11pmBill Peterson every Sunday 11 - 2pmDean St. Hillaire every Sunday 7 - 10pm
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Second Level private dining for Wedding & Private events for up to 80pp<br />Penthouse VIP Dining Room available for parties up to 20pp
  • Private party facilities
    Best Water View Dining on Hilton HeadSecond Level private dining for Wedding & Private events for up to 80ppPenthouse VIP Dining Room available for parties up to 20pp
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