Skillets Cafe and Grill

Skillets is the closest thing Hilton Head has to a classic American diner done well — the breakfast is excellent, the endless salad bar at lunch is a legitimate institution, the fresh seafood specials are always worth asking about, and the Southern-style comfort food is the real deal.

Locals eat here multiple times a week. That's the endorsement. If you're looking for a great, unpretentious breakfast before heading to the beach, start here. The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the coffee is hot.

The shrimp and grits at Skillets are a sleeper hit — not the fancy version you get at the fine dining spots, but a solid, satisfying Lowcountry classic at diner prices.