Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Hilton Head

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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

4.8

4.8 (1737)

$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

TerriVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We had a superb dining experience. We were welcomed with open arms and enjoyed every dish. Our family included a vegetarian, who was highly impressed with the veggie entrees. A musician played quietly in the background, which enhanced the ambiance.

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Popular dish

Halibut Fillet

Popular dish

Shrimp & Vidalia Onion Bisque

Popular dish

Seared Diver Scallops

Saltus River Grill

4.7

4.7 (3867)

$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

Mark

Dined 4 days ago

We dined on their softly lit patio in the evening with a perfect view of the waterfront park and river. The Bouillabaisse was to die for, the wine list was comprehensive and the cheesecake light and not too sweet. Our server was attentive but not intrusive and the pacing of the meal was perfect. It was our anniversary and they seated us with complimentary glasses of prosecco which was a nice touch.

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Red Fish - Hilton Head

4.6

4.6 (5696)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Red Fish specializes in excellent seafood and steaks. A recipient of Wine Spectator Magazine's Best of Award of Excellence since 2001, Red Fish offers over 1300 wines from around the world for you to choose in our retail shop to enjoy with your meal (with a small corkage fee) or to take home.

Top review

Rhonda

Dined 6 days ago

A wonderful atmosphere. Friendly staff. We ordered the fried oysters and the coconut shrimp appetizers. The entrees were the shrimp and grits and the scallops. Everything was very good.

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4.6

4.6 (406)

$31 to $50

Southern

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

The new Ruby Lee’s on Wild Horse!
The new Ruby Lee’s offers more of what patrons of Hilton Head Island have come to love and expect in the past: delicious southern cooking and a comfortable yet stimulating atmosphere that offers the perfect way to enjoy sports or outstanding blues, jazz and soul from local and regional artists. If you’re not familiar with Ruby Lee’s, it’s a locally owned restaurant, started by Tim Singleton (known to Low-country residents as an athlete and head coach). The restaurant is named for Singleton’s late grandmother who is the inspiration for the Southern-style menu. The new and revamped version of the original; yet it still captures the Southern feel-good themes that have an uncanny way of making you hungry for fried chicken, shrimp and grits, corn bread, and sweet tea the moment you walk in the door. If, for some reason, you’re not quite ready to eat after walking in the door of Ruby Lee’s, you’ll notice a pang of hunger once you look at the menu.

Top review

Doris

Dined on Apr 29, 2025

Patty, our waitress did an outstanding job. She was very friendly, helpful and professional. Really enjoyed the experience!!

Skull Creek Dockside Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (5230)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Skull Creek Dockside Restaurant, dropped its anchor in the Fall of 2017 and forever changed the culinary landscape of the Lowcountry. In early 2017 the partners of the restaurant began to transform it into their vision for Hilton Head's newest waterfront dining destination. This restaurant, which resembles an old-style river house, is full of authentic architecture, reclaimed wood, and nautical accents that leave you feeling like you've stepped into a Melville novel. The sweeping waterfront view is showcased by full pane glass windows throughout the restaurant which you can enjoy no matter where you dine. The covered patio dining area, and massive outdoor bar, the shark bar, allows patrons to enjoy the Lowcountry climate and serve to further highlight the amazing sunset views over skull creek. If you are concerned about long wait times, the good news is the restaurant accepts reservations and provides a family recreation area between dockside and boathouse. Kids and adults can enjoy a variety of games, the very popular shark bar and 'shrimp boat' playground. Kids can play while families are waiting for a table, or simply enjoying the amazing waterfront views.

Top review

JoeVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding night beautiful ambiance and professional service

Chophouse 119

4.6

4.6 (514)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Chophouse 119 pays homage to the original New York dining experience, the Steakhouse. We have captured the nostalgic glamour of yesteryear and adapted the ambiance to today’s modern society. Chophouse 119 combines bold flavors and a unique style to create a twist on American classics.

Prime steaks, exceptional seafood, pastas, roasted chicken and signature dishes, showcase the bold, vibrant flavors this team are known for delivering. Our restaurant sources from the finest meat purveyors finding seasonal and local ingredients that bring our unique dishes to life.

The intimate Bar 119 is a lively meeting place offering new spins on the classics, as well as innovative bespoke and craft cocktails.

Offering a new spin on the classics with the experience we are all looking for, don’t miss the ultimate night out.

Top review

SandraVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent quality meal. Each entree was 5 star. We had: grilled pork chop (great!), sea bass (excellent), and center cut filet (very good!). Appetizers were delicious, especially crab dishes. All desserts were excellent. Cocktails best on the island! (get Aviation and Espresso Martini).

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Popular dish

New York Strip

Nectar Farm Kitchen- Bluffton

4.6

4.6 (392)

$30 and under

South Carolina

Bluffton

About the restaurant

At Nectar Farm Kitchen we work with farmers who are as passionate about food as we are. Our group of distinguished chefs thoughtfully prepare every dish using ingredients made and grown throughout the Lowcountry and the South. Paired with a farmhouse atmosphere and local southern charm, Nectar Farm Kitchen is a pleasure one can only experience in our small corner of South Carolina.

Top review

GregoryVIP

Dined on May 3, 2025

Our waitress Bree was a complete joy! Thanks again for a great experience once again!

Poseidon-Hilton Head Island

4.5

4.5 (4349)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

From our fresh catch items to our "Coast-to-Coast" entrees, we have the best selection of seafood, steaks and much more! Coastal cuisine highlighting wonderfully realized use of local and seasonal ingredients; with skillful service by an informative staff. Poseidon continues to impress with its phenomenal high-caliber dishes especially the melt-in-your-mouth Grilled Gulf Grouper. Check out our "The World Is Your Oyster" Raw bar, whether you are an oyster aficionado, or not, it is worth it to visit. Pair with a cold glass of white wine and you're in raw bar heaven. Poseidon's unique waterfront site at Shelter Cove Towne Centre overlooks broad creek, allowing for some of the best water and sunset views on Hilton Head. from our outside nautibar to the inside "the world is your oyster" raw bar, and upstairs rooftop bar, Poseidon offers something special for everyone!

Top review

ChristianVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great service and wonderful menu! I would definitely go back.

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Popular dish

SHE CRAB SOUP

The Black Marlin Bayside Grill

4.4

4.4 (3774)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

The Black Marlin Bayside Grill offers the island's best selection of fresh seafood and is home of the Hurricane Bar. Dine inside or out on the expansive covered patio just steps from the water. Start your dining experience with our Signature Food Network approved appetizer, Sushi Nachos. Then, prepare your taste buds for our fresh seafood entrees including Grouper Daufuskie, and Sweet Heat Mahi Mahi. Join us for lunch and enjoy our Shrimp Burger, as Chef Curtis Stone, Food Network Star, called "The Best Shrimp Burger Ever!" Don't miss our Weekend Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays offering all of your breakfast and lunch favorites including benedicts, omelets and our Create-Your-Own-Bloody-Mary bar with spicy asparagus, pickled okra, stuffed olives and a variety of hot sauces. The adjacent Hurricane Bar is a favorite "Dive bar" among locals and visitors. Locals and visitors enjoy the home of the island's most robust live music series, newly rebuilt marina and our signature drink "The Hurricane."

Top review

BarbaraVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We went to celebrate Mother’s Day early. We sat outside and had a table looking out at the water. Even though the view is somewhat obstructed by trees, it was still very nice. I had the Grouper Daufuskie & my husband had the Grouper Oscar. Both dishes were fantastic! I thought that the Oscar could have used a little more Hollandaise sauce, but it was still tasty. We also enjoyed their Top Shelf Margarita, that was perfect! Our waitress was very attentive & our meal was delivered at a great place. This place will be going on our list of favorites.

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Zunzibar - Hilton Head

4.1

4.1 (45)

$30 and under

American

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Beachy Sports Bar Serving Signature Cocktails, Frozen Drinks, Local + Import Beer, Wine, + Full Bar! Our Menu Features Zunzi's Award-Winning Sandwiches, Wings, Sauces, + More! Happy Hour DAILY from 4PM-7PM and 10PM-11PM! Live Music or Sports EVERY DAY!

Top review

Tony

Dined on May 2, 2025

Great food and service. Will definitely be going back

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