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

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

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

The Pearl

4.7

4.7 (2972)

$30 and under

Seafood

Bluffton

About the restaurant

Bringing to Old Town Bluffton a bright, fresh take on the dining experience, The Pearl Kitchen & Bar will please your palate with the freshest of ingredients prepared in a manner that will excite, entice, and keep you coming back for more.

Top review

StevenAVIP

Dined 4 days ago

We had a wonderful dinner and the service was terrific also!

Saltus River Grill

4.6

4.6 (3862)

$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

PAUL

Dined 2 days ago

We had a terrific dinner. The food was delicious and our server, Bre ,was amazing.

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4.6

4.6 (7021)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

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

Maxine

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was great- the service, food and ambiance. The fish special, lobster, steak, shrimp and grits, crab cakes and scallops were the dishes that our party had and everything was delicious and well presented. The desserts were excellent too! I gave the value just 3 stars because I felt that the prices were a bit too high, perhaps by 10%. Overall though, I highly recommend trying Ela’s!

Skull Creek Dockside Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (5199)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

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

Marylou

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent overall experience Fair prices and great food

Nectar Farm Kitchen- Bluffton

4.6

4.6 (387)

$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

DianeVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful! From Regan our sever and the food, bartender, atmosphere. Will go back for sure!

Buffalos - Palmetto Bluff

4.5

4.5 (29)

$31 to $50

American

Bluffton

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Wilson Village, Buffalos is a favorite gathering place for all and a community staple at Palmetto Bluff. Offering Lowcountry coastal dining, Buffalos recently underwent a complete renovation and menu refresh, featuring an oyster bar and rotating daily offerings. Guests can also choose from an extensive wine list or sample signature cocktails to tantalize their taste buds.

Buffalos is walk-in only for lunch and will take reservations as well as walk-ins at dinner. The bar at Buffalos is first come first serve.

Top review

Barbara

Dined on Apr 3, 2025

The food and service was wonderful. I have already book another reservation.

Poseidon-Hilton Head Island

4.5

4.5 (4325)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

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

Paulette

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was great!! A menu that has something for everyone!

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Popular dish

SHE CRAB SOUP

Jane Bistro & Bar

4.5

4.5 (3125)

$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

LynnVIP

Dined 1 day ago

My friend and I enjoy going to Jane’s for lunch. Make a reservation cause they get busy between 11:30 am-2pm. We both ordered a margarita (there’s is blended). Very tasty! For lunch I had the Shrimp Mexi Cali salad. Very tasty. My friend had a Caesar wrap which she enjoyed as well. Manager, Helen, was very attentive. Staff always working hard!

The Black Marlin Bayside Grill

4.4

4.4 (3762)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

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

Eric

Dined 1 day ago

The food and service was excellent our waiter Sam was great

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Zunzibar - Hilton Head

4.4

4.4 (44)

$30 and under

American

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Beachy Sports Bar Serving Signature Cocktails, Frozen Drinks, Local + Import Beer, Wine, + Full Bar! Our Menu Features Zunzi's Award-Winning Sandwiches, Wings, Sauces, + More! Happy Hour DAILY from 4PM-7PM and 10PM-11PM! Live Music or Sports EVERY DAY!

Top review

DineenVIP

Dined on Mar 22, 2025

The service was great! The food was good. Wings and chips were tasty. Live music was great.

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