Eat & Drink · Local Picks
Casual Eats We Recommend
Eight waterfront spots, seafood shacks, and laid-back favorites that locals keep coming back to — no dress code required.
Hilton Head has no shortage of places to eat, but these eight are the ones we actually send our friends to. They're all casual, all waterfront or close to it, and all consistently good. Some have been here for decades; a couple are newer spots that have already earned their place on the list. Whether you're feeding a family, grabbing lunch after a morning on the water, or looking for a low-key dinner with a view — start here.
Waterfront · Sunset Views · Seafood · Casual
Skull Creek Boathouse
HHI's most awarded waterfront restaurant
Perched right on Skull Creek at the north end of the island, the Boathouse has been the go-to for sunset dinners and cold drinks on the water for years. The views alone are worth the drive up island — but the food keeps you coming back. Market-fresh fish, a raw bar stacked with local oysters, and one of the best outdoor decks on the island. Come early or put your name in — it fills up fast.
Must order: Lowcountry Boil or the fresh catch of the day
Iconic · Waterfront · Local Favorite · Seafood
Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks
Hilton Head's oldest and most iconic seafood restaurant
Hudson's has been feeding locals and visitors since the 1960s, and it's still one of the best meals on the island. Sitting right at the edge of Port Royal Sound, every table has a water view. This is the real deal — dock-to-table seafood, cold beer, and the kind of laid-back atmosphere that makes you forget you're on vacation and feel like you actually live here. Don't skip the she-crab soup.
Must order: She-crab soup and the steamed shrimp
Marina Views · Creative Menu · Outdoor Seating · Casual
Benny's Coastal Kitchen
Fresh, local, and seriously good
Benny's is one of those places that keeps getting better. Located at Broad Creek Marina, the setting is casual and the food is anything but ordinary. The menu leans into fresh coastal ingredients — think creative seafood dishes, solid cocktails, and a crowd that's clearly in the know. The outdoor seating area is a gem on a nice day, and the vibe is relaxed enough that you can linger for hours.
Must order: Fresh catch special and the coastal cocktails
Family Friendly · Waterfront · Oyster Bar · Fire Pit
Fishcamp on Broad Creek
Family-friendly waterfront dining with a backyard feel
Fishcamp is the kind of place you bring the whole family and nobody leaves unhappy. Right on Broad Creek with a fire pit, oyster-roasting pit, and backyard games — it's less of a restaurant and more of an experience. The food is solid coastal fare: fresh oysters, seafood baskets, and cold drinks. Kids can run around while you watch the sun go down over the marsh. It doesn't get more Hilton Head than this.
Must order: Roasted oysters and the fried shrimp basket
Harbour Town · Rooftop Oyster Bar · Sunset Views · Iconic
Quarterdeck at Harbour Town
270-degree sunset views next to the Harbour Town Lighthouse
You can't talk about casual eats on Hilton Head without mentioning the Quarterdeck. Sitting right next to the iconic red-and-white lighthouse at Harbour Town, it's got 270-degree views of the yacht basin and Calibogue Sound. The rooftop oyster bar is one of the best spots on the island for a cold beer and a dozen oysters as the sun goes down. The menu is seafood-forward with Southern classics — and the setting makes everything taste better.
Must order: Rooftop oysters and the Harbour Town Shrimp & Grits
Upscale Casual · Waterfront · Award-Winning · Date Night
ELA'S on the Water
Award-winning waterfront dining at Shelter Cove Harbour
ELA'S sits right on the water at Shelter Cove Harbour and consistently earns its reputation as one of the best restaurants on the island. The menu mixes fresh catch seafood with prime cut steaks, and the wine list is one of the strongest around. It's a step up from the typical casual waterfront spot — but the atmosphere stays relaxed and the views are spectacular. Great for a special dinner that doesn't require a jacket.
Must order: Fresh catch of the day and the signature cocktails
Waterfront BBQ · Casual · Seafood · Lowcountry
Skull Creek Dockside
Waterfront BBQ, seafood, and cold drinks on Skull Creek
Dockside is the laid-back sibling to the Boathouse — same great location on Skull Creek, different vibe entirely. The building looks like an old-style river house, all reclaimed wood and nautical accents, and the menu leans into slow-smoked BBQ alongside fresh seafood. It's the kind of place where you order a bucket of something, grab a cold beer, and watch the boats go by. No rush, no fuss — just good food on the water.
Must order: Smoked BBQ platter and the Lowcountry boil
Take-Home Boil · Local Favorite · Lowcountry · Family
Sweetwater Steamer
The real Lowcountry boil — order it, take it home
Sweetwater Steamer is a local institution. This isn't a sit-down restaurant — it's a take-home boil shop where you order a steaming bucket packed with fresh shrimp, crab legs, clams, corn, potatoes, and andouille sausage, then take it back to your rental and spread it out on the table. It's the most authentic Lowcountry experience you can have on the island, and it's become a vacation tradition for families who come back year after year.
Must order: The full Lowcountry boil bucket — feeds the whole family
Local Tip
Beat the Wait
Most of these spots don't take reservations, and summer waits can stretch to an hour or more. Go early — aim for 5pm or right at opening for lunch. Weekdays are significantly easier than weekends. If you're flexible on timing, you'll always get a great table with a great view.
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