One of the many great things about Hilton Head Island is that it’s hard to find a bad meal. With so many restaurants on the island, however, how do you know which is the best? We’ve put together a list of the best places to eat lunch on Hilton Head. With food ranging from American to Greek and seafood to vegetarian, there is big flavor on the Island.
Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza
Located at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course inside of Palmetto Dunes, Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza is the perfect spot for families, golfers, locals and visitors alike to enjoy southern BBQ, juicy burgers and mouth-watering pizza. This relaxed restaurant offers weekday happy hour, eight big screen TVs, an outdoor patio overlooking the golf course, a full bar and a friendly staff.
The Salty Dog Cafe
232 South Sea Pines Drive, (South Beach)
The Salty Dog Cafe is one of, if not, the most famous Hilton Head restaurant. They are known for great food, service, and of course, their t-shirts. Great for families because of the fun atmosphere and food.
Up the Creek Pub and Grill
18 Simmons Road
Overlooking Broad Creek, Up the Creek Pub and Grill is one of the more popular casual waterfront dining options on Hilton Head, especially for lunch. Up the Creek offers a variety of options from seafood, to American cuisine, and an expansive kids’ menu. The name of the game here is fun. Every evening Up the Creek Pub and Grill holds some kind of entertainment. Whether it be a fire juggler, live music, or fireworks, they have you covered.
Up the Creek’s entire concert series schedule is on their website, so you can pick the date and local band. Being next to Zipline Hilton Head and Aerial Adventure, you can fly above the island and then enjoy lunch. They also provide bike parking, as well as regular parking. Of course, being a waterfront restaurant Up the Creek has a wide deck with gorgeous views of Broad Creek. They have attached fans and misters to help keep you cool during the hot summer afternoons.
Top Dawg Tavern
Top Dawg Tavern is open year-round on Hilton Head Island. Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina is located across HWY 278 from Palmetto Dunes Resort and is easily accessible by car, bicycle or even local trolleys during the season. Enjoy gorgeous waterfront views from our pet-friendly patio and catch a game on our TVs or sit at the full bar and grab a drink with your crew! And don’t forget, we offer $5 Kids Meals year-round and welcome all ages to play in our Lil’ Dawg House kids room with bubble machine and Interactive Gaming Floor.
The Crazy Crab
Jarvis Creek Location: 104 William Hilton Parkway
Sea Pines Location: 149 Lighthouse Road (Harbour Town)
Hilton Head is known for its seafood throughout the South and Lowcountry, especially its oysters. Open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch and 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner, the Crazy Crab offers a wide array of options, even some vegetarian. Their specialty is the Alaskan Snow Crab, which happens to be the best on the island for over 30 years.
There are two Crazy Crab restaurants on the island, one at Harbour Town, and the other overlooking Jarvis Creek. The Jarvis Creek location, boasts a large saltwater aquarium, a playground for children and live music! At Harbour Town, all the shops, water sports, and cruises, are at your fingertips. Private parties are welcome. Since there are two locations, the Crazy Crab is one of the most easily accessible and recognizable restaurants on the island. Perfect for a lunch date, break from work or a family meal!
It’s Greek to Me
11 Lagoon Road (Coligny)
It’s Greek to Me started in 1979 when owners Barbara and Vassili Maniotis married, and spent their month-long vacation in Greece. Barbara learned traditional Grecian family recipes from her new in-laws and soon mastered them, dreaming one day they would open up their own restaurant. With most of the restaurants focusing on American pub, or Mexican food, It’s Greek to Me offers a refreshing respite from that while simultaneously providing amazingly delicious food.
Opening their restaurant in 1997, It’s Greek to Me has now become a Hilton Head Island foreign cuisine staple, with its amazingly delicious, and most recognizable, Greek dishes of spanakopita and tzatziki, lamb, gyros and of course, baklava. You can either dine inside with beautifully painted scenic views from Greece right behind you, or you can eat outside among the beautiful views that Hilton Head has to offer. Either way, It’s Greek to Me is the perfect stop for lunch when you are craving something savory and made with loving care.
San Miguel’s
9 Shelter Cove Lane (Shelter Cove Harbour)
Named one of the “Top 10 Reasons to Visit Hilton Head” by the Huffington Post, San Miguel’s is an Island favorite. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Shelter Cove Marina. With numerous shops, water sports, San Miguel’s is in the thick of it all.
They serve classic Mexican fare tailored to fit all pallets. Vegetarian, kids and gluten free options are available. Every day introduces a new special at San Miguel’s. Come relax on the outdoor patio with a frozen margarita while you take a break from an afternoon of shopping.
Photos by Nicolette Kay and Andrea Six.