Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Hilton Head

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Hilton Head? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Studio, An Artistic Dining Experience

4.9

4.9 (1755)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Entice Your Senses While You Dine in our Fine Art Gallery. Innovative International Cuisine featuring Local Seafood, Grassfed Beef as well as Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten Free Menu Options. Also offering Live Musical Entertainment, Artists Creating at the Easel, Patio Seating

Private Dining Room Available for up to 35 People

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence

Top review

Martin

Dined 3 days ago

Delicious food, great restaurant vibe & atmosphere as well as excellent service.

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Popular dish

Halibut Fillet

Popular dish

Shrimp & Vidalia Onion Bisque

HogsHead Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.8

4.8 (476)

$31 to $50

Southern

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Known as one of the best scratch kitchens in the area, HogsHead offers guests fresh and innovative cuisine, along with Lowcountry staples like chicken & waffles and shrimp & grits, all with the best staff in town. Ask them to recommend their favorite handcrafted cocktail or expertly pair wine from the extensive by the glass or bottle list to complement your dinner.

The ever-present Chef/Owner and Philly native John Pashak has been nominated for four James Beard Awards in the Mid-Atlantic area. All the sauces, dressings, desserts and even focaccia bread are made daily from his handwritten recipes. Local fresh catch and filet specials are offered nightly along with the full menu which includes gluten-free options.

Top review

Eliott

Dined on Jun 17, 2025

Always the most welcoming and gracious owners. Menu is outstanding and the kitchen is exemplary.

Chez Georges Bistro & Bar

4.8

4.8 (1462)

$30 and under

French

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Chez Georges Bistro & Bar is a delightful French bistro in the heart of Hilton Head Island. With a warm atmosphere and a menu of classic French dishes made from fresh, local ingredients, it’s an ideal spot for a romantic dinner or special occasion. The intimate setting and attentive service create a Parisian cafe experience. Enjoy a variety of classic dishes like steak frites, coq au vin, and bouillabaisse, complemented by a selection of fine wines and cocktails. Whether celebrating a special moment or simply indulging in a delicious meal, Chez Georges Bistro & Bar is the perfect destination for a memorable dining experience.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great feed and quality service. The omelette was outstanding as was the French toast. Lovey interior family owned and operated.

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4.7

4.7 (3034)

$30 and under

Seafood

Bluffton

About the restaurant

Bringing to Old Town Bluffton a bright, fresh take on the dining experience, The Pearl Kitchen & Bar will please your palate with the freshest of ingredients prepared in a manner that will excite, entice, and keep you coming back for more.

Top review

Cindy

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent food, good service, a lovely place to celebrate my birthday

Celeste Coastal Cuisine

4.7

4.7 (1132)

$31 to $50

American

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Experience Celeste Coastal Cuisine, a hidden gem on the north end of Hilton Head Island. Celeste offers a unique blend of Cajun-Creole influence, complemented by an excellent wine selection, a full bar, and outdoor seating. The menu features a variety of enticing options, including succulent scallops, blackened red fish, and expertly prepared steaks. Signature dishes like jambalaya and crawfish étouffée ensure there's something to satisfy every palate. The inviting decor, accented with New Orleans-inspired touches, creates a warm and welcoming environment for relaxing evenings, whether indoors or on the veranda. Guests can join nightly at 5 PM for dinner and enjoy live music every weekend in the spacious bar and lounge. Don’t miss the Sunday brunch from 11 AM to 2 PM, featuring favorites like Crab Cake Benedict. Escape the tourist rush and unwind for an enjoyable evening out. Reservations can be made by calling 843-802-4744 or visiting celestehhi.com.

Top review

LeslieVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Exceptional service by Maitre 'D and server Nadia....always enjoy returning for dinner, want to try for brunch too! Absolutely love this restaurant.

CRUDO Bluffton

4.7

4.7 (117)

$30 and under

Seafood

Bluffton

About the restaurant

We source the freshest possible seafood and produce available from dedicated farmers and fishermen. Our chefs take great care in using the finest ingredients available and looks forward to creating your new favorite dishes.
Try one of our delicious craft cocktails or a time honored classic that is treated with respect to tradition. Highly allocated Bourbon and Tequila play a prominent role on our back bar.

We are committed to finding great bottles from all over the world made by vignerons and farmers, not factories. Featuring the Verre de Vin tower, we can offer a greater variety of wines by the glass including Cru class Champagne! Come see what Certified Sommelier Brian Behnke has available.

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We had a wonderful lunch and excellent drinks made by Grant.

Saltus River Grill

4.6

4.6 (3900)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Beaufort

About the restaurant

We are now booking reservations for parties of up to 4 people online! Please call the restaurant at (843)379-3474 to make a reservation for parties of 5 or more people. All reservations are held for inside as outdoor seating is weather permitting. Comments specifying seating preferences are honored if and when available. We will try to honor all requests, but they are not guaranteed. We look forward to serving you soon!

Saltus River Grill is a unique, and exciting restaurant in historic downtown Beaufort, South Carolina. With a grand view of the Intracoastal Waterway from its Sonoma-style patio or from the expansive full-service bar and dining room, this sizzling contemporary seafood grill combines the atmosphere of a chic Manhattan eatery with the historic charm found only in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Top review

Les

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent service and food! Consistently a very nice dining experience.

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4.6

4.6 (980)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Welcome to LULU KITCHEN, where exquisite cuisine it’s paired with exceptional service and eclectic ambiance!

Open Monday through Saturday for Lunch and Dinner, and Sunday for Brunch.

Lulu Kitchen Dinner Service is intended as an adult dining experience. Respectfully, children under 12 years old are welcome only for patio dining after 4:00pm.

Until we see you again, stay well and be sure to eat well!!

-Chef Scott Hastings

Top review

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

Outstanding food and service! Welcoming atmosphere with great cocktails. Bravo Lulu Kitchen, the locals on the beach were right, this is the best little gem on the island and we all look forward to dining with you again!

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Tio's Latin America Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (216)

$30 and under

Latin / Spanish

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Chef Lynden Zuniga grew up in Honduras, CA and worked in kitchens through high school to pay rent. He quickly realized making people happy through his cooking would be his lifelong passion. Shortly after marrying his wife Sally, they dreamt of their concept of Tio's and in 2018 it became a reality!

Quality matters. We're committed to serve the highest quality steak, pork, chicken, and seafood. Our proteins are always fresh- sourced locally and domestically across the United States.

You'll hear the sizzle of the grill in our open kitchen as each meal is made to order. Pairing our high-quality proteins with our delicious salsas and vegetables, rice, beans, and tortillas is a winning combination. We pride ourselves on making great tasting food made with simple ingredients.

You might be entering Tio's for the first time as a guest, but we hope you leave as a friend. We hope you enjoy your experience. Thank you for dining with us.

Cheers,
Lynden & Sally Zuniga

Top review

Jody

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

They were very aware of celiac and extremely careful even though they started with the caveat that some cross contamination could occur. They even brought us an anniversary dessert of gf Churros!

Madre & Mercado

4.5

4.5 (259)

$30 and under

Latin American

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

We are excited to be open and bring you a taste of our take on Latin American Food.

Proudly brought to you by the owners of Jane Bistro and Bar

Top review

Colin

Dined 5 days ago

A a hidden gem on Hilton Head Island. The food is exceptional, the décor is beautiful, and the ambiance strikes just the right balance—elegant without being too formal. While the service was excellent, the real standout is the food. It’s easily one of our new favorite spots on the island. If you’re expecting typical “American-style” Mexican food, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you’re seeking authentic Mexican cuisine infused with touches of traditional Spanish flavors, this is absolutely the place to go.

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