Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Hilton Head

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Saltus River Grill

4.7

4.7 (3785)

$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

Ivan Allen

Dined 4 days ago

This was our 3rd visit. Food has been consistently good. Last night I was brought the wrong entree even though the bill reflected the item that I ordered.

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4.7

4.7 (6808)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head

About the restaurant

Featured in Bon Appetit and the winner of numerous Open Table awards, ELA'S On the Water is a shining star on the Hilton Head scene. Fresh catch seafood and prime cut steaks of the highest quality, artfully prepared by our culinary team of experts, compliment the extensive boutique wine selection. Located at Shelter Cove Harbour overlooking the marina and Broad Creek, ELA'S is known for the best water views on the island. A casual intimate interior, wrap around dining patio exterior, and nightly entertainment provided by local recording artists sets the perfect dining experience or location to host special events, private parties, or rehearsal dinners.

Top review

ScottVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Awesome experience as usual! Out standing food and service also as usual. One of our favorites!

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4.7

4.7 (1171)

$30 and under

American

Hilton Head

About the restaurant

LagerHead is not your typical tavern; Chef Michael Toscano, a James Beard “Rising Star Chef” Semi-Finalist, inspires the dining experience at LagerHead Tavern. The name and décor for LagerHead were inspired by the indigenous Loggerhead Sea Turtle and the natural beauty of Hilton Head Island. Developed by Chef Toscano, the menu showcases southern comfort food with a twist, using fresh, regional ingredients and features signature items such as our House-Smoked Chicken Wings and the Low Country Reuben featuring in house pulled pork and smoked ham. The Grilled Salmon Salad is completely unique in that we use fresh grilled salmon that we prepare every morning. Fresh Grilled Oysters are also a Lagerhead Staple, shucked fresh per order and prepared using garlic butter and breadcrumbs for an oyster packed full of low country flavor!!

Top review

RosalieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Butternut Squash Salad a definite must have. Have also enjoyed their Delicious Ribs as well as Burgers. Service is exceptional. Great ambience to meet friends for Lunch, views of the Golf Course. When weather permits great outdoor dining as well.

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Popular dish

Chicken Piccata

Poseidon-Hilton Head Island

4.6

4.6 (4190)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head

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

Deana

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food. Good prices. Great service. Quiet atmosphere so you can talk

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Popular dish

She Crab Soup

Jane Bistro & Bar

4.6

4.6 (3016)

$30 and under

American

Hilton Head

About the restaurant

Jane Bistro & Bar, voted Favorite New Restaurant AND Favorite New Chef , is the perfect place for friends and family to gather. Delicious food, creative cocktails and interesting beer and wines are served in an urban coastal comfort, inside and out. Join the Jane Family to celebrate lowcountry living in style!

Top review

Theresa

Dined 3 days ago

One of my favorite restaurants and try to make sure we eat there whenever we're on HHI. Ambience is friendly and cozy and the food and cocktails are elevated favorites. Service was very good.

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Popular dish

Crispy Flounder

Popular dish

Fried Green Tomato Caprese

Popular dish

Cajun Mahi

Skull Creek Dockside Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (5032)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head

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

Pat

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Our server was attentive and polite. Plenty of attention to our needs. Overall experience was positive

The Ribaut Social Club - Anchorage 1770

4.5

4.5 (492)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Beaufort

About the restaurant

Ribaut Social Club is a restaurant and social space for Beaufort locals and visitors to mingle over cocktails and impeccable regional cuisine.
Our aim is to capture the incorrigible spirit and convivial atmosphere of the original Ribaut Club, established at the Anchorage in 1891. In its heyday, the Club hosted performances, grand parties, dances and even gambling—a raucous getaway from buttoned-up social strictures of the time. Today, guests can cocktails and dinner with unrivaled water views or a sophisticated brunch surrounded by 300 years of Beaufort history.

Top review

RonVIP

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Excellent food and wine experience! Chef made numerous visits to explain the coming dishes, as did the wine merchant who discussed her next wine pours.

Nectar Farm Kitchen- Bluffton

4.5

4.5 (322)

$30 and under

Regional American (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

EricVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We had a good meal at Nectar. Both the Chicken and Waffles and Pork Chop were excellent- largely portioned, fresh, and well-prepared. Dessert was excellent as well, and we also enjoyed the in-house coffee. Serving staff was attentive. We plan on adding this to the short list.

The Black Marlin Bayside Grill

4.4

4.4 (3657)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head

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

Janice

Dined 2 days ago

We were hoping for a sunset view but it pretty obscured in the outdoor seating area and wind was a bit too much to enjoy outside so we moved to an indoor heated space and that made for a more enjoyable meal. The weather certainly isn’t anything against the establishment and they offered a great alternative. Our server was really wonderful, very attentive and friendly. The food was good, portions were ample and priced good. We wished we’d had more of a view, but we had a view of a little bit of water and one of the bridges. The staff was phenomenal so this gets our vote!

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Calhoun Street Tavern

4.2

4.2 (290)

$30 and under

Regional American (Southern)

Bluffton

About the restaurant

A comfortable room where fine spirits are drank, laughs are had, and stories are told. A public house for travelers and locals alike. Cold beer, classic cocktails, and familiar faces are just the start of it.

We strive to offer Old Town Bluffton, SC a timeless neighborhood watering hole just a couple blocks from the bluff. Paired with a chef driven menu of southern plates, thoughtful service and comforting lowcountry classic food.

After a swell day on the river or a rough one at work, bring a friend or come alone. Whatever you do... pull up a stool and stay awhile.

You are home.

Top review

patrickVIP

Dined on Dec 3, 2024

Our server/bartender was super friendly, nice and funny!!! Our food was fantastic

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