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

4.6 (7108)
$30 and under
Seafood
One Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM

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 7,108 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
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • South Carolina

    Great for scenic views

  • Hilton Head

    Great for brunch

  • 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 "beautiful views" and a "comfortable atmosphere" with a "varied menu" and "delicious food". Highlights include the "lobster bisque", "seafood entrees", and "bloody marys". While some service inconsistencies were noted, many guests praised the "friendly and attentive staff". It's a "must-visit" for its "spectacular waterfront location".
7,108 Reviews
  1. Melinda

    Charleston1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Varied selection, top notch taste and presentation, classy atmosphere! Great for seafood with flavorful sides! Highly recommended!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Stephen

    Asheville / Western North Carolina5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Ela’s is a favorite, sat at a high top over looking the marina. Warm friendly welcoming. Yazmin our Server / Bar Tender is incredible attentive a true professional. Seafood Scampi is phenomenal served hot with shrimp, mussels, scollops, noodles, in a broth cooked to perfection.

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  3. Christine VIP

    Charleston75 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We sat outside the mosquito were out and bitting. Bug spray next time.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Elizabeth

    New York City5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic experience! Great view. Staff is super pleasant.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Dave VIP

    New Orleans47 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    This was less than normal. Kumar was great, but drinks from bar took forever and were just fair, and food this time was just fair. Not hot when arrived

    Is this helpful?

  6. Kenneth

    Phoenix / Arizona1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Overall excellent experience as always... the food is absolutely delicious.. the only issue I encountered was that the filet ordered medium came out closer well done. The Bloody Mary was absolutely incredible with a unique and amazing presentation.

    Is this helpful?

  7. William

    Las Vegas1 review

    2.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was terrible. Service and atmosphere was great.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Kevin

    Charleston1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our hotel highly recommended your restaurant and they were spot on. Everything was perfect. Look forward to coming back to Hilton Head and dining there again.

    Is this helpful?

  9. tim

    Charlotte7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always one of our favorite restaurants on Hilton Head Island, we were celebrating my wife’s birthday and the service and food was excellent as usual…

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We're here on vacation, and Ela's was by far our favorite meal. The service was friendly and attentive, the bar was nice and the overall atmosphere was comfortable. I feel they seated us in the best corner of the place, and they graciously acknowledged our anniversary w a champagne toast. I had a surf & turf and both the lobster and ribeye were cooked beautifully. The drinks were very tasty, and we enjoyed desert. Big recommend.

    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 7108 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
7:00 PM
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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