Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Hilton Head

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

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

The Studio, An Artistic Dining Experience

4.9

4.9 (1684)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Entice Your Senses While You Dine in our Fine Art Gallery. Innovative International Cuisine featuring Local Seafood, Grassfed Beef as well as Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten Free Menu Options. Also offering Live Musical Entertainment, Artists Creating at the Easel, Patio Seating

Private Dining Room Available for up to 35 People

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence

Top review

Debbi

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Consistently excellent, both food and service. I usually order the pallet, which consists of three smaller portions of fish, lamb chops, and filet. All three dressed differently and delicious.

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Popular dish

Halibut Fillet

Popular dish

Shrimp & Vidalia Onion Bisque

Popular dish

Seared Diver Scallops

Breakwater Restaurant & Bar - Beaufort

4.7

4.7 (2510)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Beaufort

About the restaurant

"Chic, sexy and glamorous", are words that have been used to describe the decor of this downtown Beaufort hotspot. If you are looking for where the locals eat, Breakwater is it. The atmosphere is upscale casual, the staff is friendly, welcoming and attentive.

Chef Lang and Chef Shaw's version of 'New Southern Cuisine' contains the past, present, and future all at once. Younger, lighter, and fresher than traditional Southern 'Old School' deep-fried fare while acknowledging culinary influences from the world beyond. Exceptional tapas menu, outstanding fresh local seafood and produce.
The bar at Breakwater exudes a lively energy with locals and travelers alike. Exceptional wine list with 75 wines by the glass.

Top review

AngelaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

As always, Breakwater delivered! It was our wedding anniversary, and I felt as if we were treated like royalty. The food was beautiful and delicious, and our server was attentive without being intrusive. This is one of our go-to spots for special occasions and will continue to be.

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OMBRA Cucina Italiana

4.7

4.7 (5936)

$30 and under

Italian

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Top chef Michael Cirafesi, voted Best Chef Hilton Head Island seven years in a row, brings to Hilton Head Island and the low country region one of the area’s most acclaimed Italian restaurant and bar, OMBRA Cucina Italiana, located in the beautiful Village at Wexford on the south end of Hilton Head Island. Come and enjoy innovative Italian cuisine along with an extensive wine list including Italian Benchmark wines. Stop by to relax at our bar and lounge with a spectacular selection of Italian specialty cocktails, apertifs, and digestivos. Our pasta entrees can be made with gluten free pasta upon request to accommodate customers with allergies. We also have vegan/vegetarian options upon request.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 5 days ago

OMBRA is our favorite Italian restaurant in the Low Country. The food selections are amazing and all are delicious so choosing is difficult. The wine offerings are great with some wines even being affordable. The service is impeccable. Our server was Gaston who made a point of learning and using our names. Conversation with him was a highlight of our visit.

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Tagliatelle alla Bolognese

Lulu Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (852)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Welcome to LULU KITCHEN, where exquisite cuisine it’s paired with exceptional service and eclectic ambiance!

Open Monday through Saturday for Lunch and Dinner, and Sunday for Brunch.

Lulu Kitchen Dinner Service is intended as an adult dining experience. Respectfully, children under 12 years old are welcome only for patio dining after 4:00pm.

Until we see you again, stay well and be sure to eat well!!

-Chef Scott Hastings

Top review

SueVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Delicious dinner. We enjoyed salmon, fried chicken and Gnocchi!! Chocolate soufflé was amazing!!!!

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4.6

4.6 (3016)

$30 and under

American

Hilton Head Island

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

HogsHead Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.6

4.6 (447)

$31 to $50

Southern

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Known as one of the best scratch kitchens in the area, HogsHead offers guests fresh and innovative cuisine, along with Lowcountry staples like chicken & waffles and shrimp & grits, all with the best staff in town. Ask them to recommend their favorite handcrafted cocktail or expertly pair wine from the extensive by the glass or bottle list to complement your dinner.

The ever-present Chef/Owner and Philly native John Pashak has been nominated for four James Beard Awards in the Mid-Atlantic area. All the sauces, dressings, desserts and even focaccia bread are made daily from his handwritten recipes. Local fresh catch and filet specials are offered nightly along with the full menu which includes gluten-free options.

Top review

Linda

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

I definitely need to come more regularly. It's conveniently located in Bluffton and the food and service are exceptional! Great place for enjoying some small plates and nice wine.

Madre & Mercado

4.6

4.6 (179)

$30 and under

Latin American

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

We are excited to be open and bring you a taste of our take on Latin American Food.

Proudly brought to you by the owners of Jane Bistro and Bar

Top review

Missy

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Service and food excellent as always! One of my favorites on the island.

Nectar Farm Kitchen- Bluffton

4.5

4.5 (322)

$30 and under

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.

CRUDO Bluffton

4.4

4.4 (58)

$30 and under

Seafood

Bluffton

About the restaurant

We source the freshest possible seafood and produce available from dedicated farmers and fishermen. Our chefs take great care in using the finest ingredients available and looks forward to creating your new favorite dishes.
Try one of our delicious craft cocktails or a time honored classic that is treated with respect to tradition. Highly allocated Bourbon and Tequila play a prominent role on our back bar.

We are committed to finding great bottles from all over the world made by vignerons and farmers, not factories. Featuring the Verre de Vin tower, we can offer a greater variety of wines by the glass including Cru class Champagne! Come see what Certified Sommelier Brian Behnke has available.

Top review

PeterVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great sushi . Halibut special was outstanding. Service excellent as usual .

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