RANKED BEST AT TOP (just my opinion)

  1. Jane’s Bistro & Bar – super clean nautical-like atmosphere, indoor or outdoor,  food is good, service is good  Yelp Reviews  http://janehhi.com/ 
  2. Charlie’s – happy hour 5-7, but get there at 5 sharp and eat on couches in the bar and bartender Jeff will serve you, like eating/drinking at someone’s house http://charliesgreenstar.com/
  3. Dunes House – right on the beach, tasty fish tacos, open 11 to sunset depending on weather, check the live CAM to make sure they are open here https://www.palmettodunes.com/hilton-head-resort-webcam
  4. Sea Pines Beach Club South – great drinks and food right on the beach, resort feel  https://www.seapines.com/
  5. Lucky Rooster – American southern, great atmosphere at bar, farm-to-tableish   Yelp  http://www.luckyroosterhhi.com/
  6. Red Fish – fish restaurant with an upscale environment, great service, best wine inventory on the island, a bit pricey, – Yelp Reviews, http://www.redfishofhiltonhead.com/
  7. Hinoku – authentic Japanese restaurant on New Orleans road.  The closest thing to good Japanese food in SC.  Look for the red awning. http://www.hinokihhi.com/  Yelp reviews
  8. Nood – ramen bowls along with your favorite Asian appetizers and Boba Tea in Coligny Beach area. Website – https://www.noodhhi.com/
  9. Low Country Backyard – good southern food inside or outside, 32 Palmetto Bay Road http://hhbackyard.com/
  10. Frankie Bones – a happening place, feels like an NYC kind of restaurant, Italian and seafood, good food & reasonable pricing, 1301 Main Street  http://www.frankieboneshhi.com/
  11. Claude & Uli – GREAT food that is a mix of French, Italian and Austrian. Reasonable pricing for GREAT food. Located in a cheesy little shopping center just off the island, Tue-Sat 5 pm ’til…  – http://www.claudebistro.com/
  12. San Miguels – go for happy hour (4-6 M-F) and eat outside, live music and great cheap tacos, on shelter cove marina – http://www.sanmiguels.com/
  13. Land’s End Tavern – part of the Salty Dog complex within Sea Pines Resort, with a terrific happy hour menu, even on the weekends, including $3 fish tacos. http://saltydog.com/menus/#let
  14.  Mangiamo’s Hilton Head Pizza Company – 2000 Main St., owned by an Ohio expat and filled with Ohio State Buckeyes memorabilia. They serve a tasty pizza, too – http://www.hhipizza.com/
  15. Bistro 17 – Great French fare prepared by a real Chef and great service, hidden in Shelter Cove, eat inside or outside,  Website   Yelp Reviews 
  16. CQ’s – old house near Light House, great atmosphere, a little pricey –  https://www.cqsrestaurant.com/
  17. Sunrise Cafe – Palmetto Bay Marina, south end of the Cross Island. Great breakfasts – http://palmettobaysunrisecafe.com/full-menu/
  18. Low Country Produce – Lighthouse Rd in Sea Pines, great breakfast until 2 each day, dog-friendly – http://www.lowcountryproduce.com/
  19. Java Burrito – 1000 William Hilton Parkway, think Chipotle but better, great food, great prices, super fast  – http://www.javaburritoco.com/
  20. Watusi – on Pope, homey, casual coffee shop with a big patio offering breakfast eats, salads, sandwiches & smoothies, http://www.hiltonheadcoffeeandyogurt.com/
  21. Hudson’s Seaford House on the Docks – best at sunset, huge restaurant, 1 Hudson Rd – http://www.hudsonsonthedocks.com/
  22. Marley’s Island Seafood – family place, live music – http://www.marleyshhi.com/
  23. Michael Anthony – best Italian on the island, happy hour 5-6:30  https://www.michael-anthonys.com/
  24. Hilton Head Social Bakery – a real little French bakery run by a chef who is dripping French. https://www.hiltonheadsocialbakery.com/    Yelp Reviews
  25. Crazy Crab – Yelp Reviews, –  http://thecrazycrab.com/
  26. Truffles – Sea Pines Circle, been there forever so must be doing something right, elegant dinner setting, good food Yelp Reviews – http://trufflescafe.com/
  27. Ombra Cucina Italiana –  homemade pasta dishes, fancy service, white tablecloths and lots of vino, a bit pricey, in Wexford shopping center   http://www.ombrahhi.com/
  29. Chow Daddy’s – American, outside Ping-Pong tables for kids, reasonably priced, Yelp Reviews –  http://www.chowdaddys.com/
  30. The Sea Shack – Executive Park Road, off Pope Avenue. Tasty seafood, cheap prices, Yelp Reviews – https://sites.google.com/view/theseashack/
  31. The Quarterdeck  –  843 671-2222. Great views of Harbour Town, fantastic sunsets and outstanding food and service, Yelp Reviews, –  http://www.quarterdeckhhi.com/
  32. Salty Dog Cafe – Jimmy Buffet style atmosphere, live music, all tourists go there, these guys sell a billion T-shirts so you kinda have to go there before you die, Yelp Reviews  – http://saltydog.com/
  34. Alexanders Restuarant & Wine – good food, a bit pricey, older clientele, feels like you are on a ship, in Palmetto Dunes but on the outside of the gate, Yelp Reviews   https://www.alexandersrestaurant.com/
  35. The Jazz Corner – not cheap but the food + entertainment make it a great night out, world-class jazz (no kidding), tucked away in the corner of a strip mall near Wexford, Yelp Reviews – http://www.thejazzcorner.com/
  36. The Sunset Cafe – a small upscale restaurant where you will need reservations, food can be variable based on the menu of the day and the chef’s mood, best sunset on HHI. Yelp Reviews – http://www.sunsetgrillehhi.com/
  37. Sea Grass Grill – Seafood and American food, 807 William Pkwy – Yelp Review, – http://www.seagrassgrille.com/ 
  38. OKKO – sushi on Mathews Dr, LA like atmosphere, Yelp Reviews, – http://www.okkohhi.com/
  39. Ela’s Blu Water Grill – great atmosphere looking down on the marina in shelter cove, good food, expensive and small portions – http://www.elasgrille.com/ 
  41. Big Jim’s – feels like a country club bar, casual American eatery at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course offering pizza, drinks & more – https://www.palmettodunes.com/dining/big-jims-restaurant
  42. Alexander’s – Elevated takes on seafood & hearty mains in sophisticated, airy surrounds on the water – https://www.alexandersrestaurant.com/
  43. The Black Marlin – Escape to the islands best selection of fresh seafood, hand cut steaks and home of The Hurricane Bar!   http://www.blackmarlinhhi.com/
  44. HH Prime – Set in the Omni Oceanfront Resort, this refined steakhouse features fireplaces & a vast wine list – https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/hilton-head/dining/hh-prime
  45. [CLOSED] Old Fort Pub – Expensive so go for 1/2 price happy hour, sophisticated American food served in romantic environs, with outdoor seating overlooking the water – https://www.oldfortpub.com/
  46. Bella Italia – family restaurant, affordable, pizza/lasagne/spaghetti kinda place on Matthews – https://www.bellaitaliahhi.com/
 

PASS ON THESE

Pomodori Italian Eatery – quaint crowded little Italian restaurant, but too pricey and too loud – Yelp Reviews –  http://www.gopomodori.com/
Sante Fe Cafe – nice live music and atmosphere, but very mediocre food – http://santafehhi.com/
Sage Room – overpriced, slow, $10 to split a really small entre, 81 Pope Avenue -Suite 13 Heritage Plaza – http://thesageroom.com/
 

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