Local Recommendations
Jay & Linda's hand-picked favorites on Hilton Head Island — restaurants, activities, and hidden gems.
Sea Pines Racquet Club
Tennis facility with 20 clay courts and a pool, plus lessons and clinics.
Tennis and pickleball courts, rented by the hour. Conveniently located in the heart of Harbour Town.
Java Burrito Company
Counter-serve cafe serving locally sourced Mexican fare paired with high-level coffee & cocktails.
Chipotle, but better - with a bar! Enough said. The line can often snake outside and around the parking lot at Wexford Plaza. Worth the wait.
Publix Super Market at Island Crossing Shopping Center
Supermarket chain with a wide selection of groceries, plus deli & bakery departments.
Truffles Cafe
Upmarket eatery for sandwiches, salads & grilled fare, plus cocktails, beer & wine.
A great dining option inside of Sea Pines. Amazing food, locally owned. Worth at least a visit during your trip.
Fraser's Tavern
Southern-style restaurant at the Sea Pines Resort with sports-bar vibes, golf-course views, and a fireplace.
Fraser's tavern is an often overlooked dining gem inside of Sea Pines. We love popping in here for lunch, dinner, or a quick drink.
Links, an American Grill
Upscale breakfast, lunch & dinner establishment serving classic fare & cocktails with links views.
Links is a great fine dining option in Sea Pines. It's often overlooked since it's inside of the Harbour Town Links clubhouse, but the food and service are amazing.
Asian Bistro
Casual cafe offering an extensive menu of Chinese & Japanese dishes, including sushi & fried rice.
This is our go to for Chinese food takeout. It's right outside of Sea Pines. Also, the lunch buffet is all you can eat and probably the best lunch deal on HHI, especially for those with big appetites or teenagers that have bottomless pits.
OKKO Japanese Sushi & Hibachi Restaurant
Sleek venue offering Japanese, Thai & Chinese specialties, plus a take-out option.
Hibachi? Need we say more? Super fun time. Reservations are required for Hibachi.
Masala Mantra Indian Bistro
Casual, family-run restaurant serving traditional Indian fare, such as chicken tikka masala and tandoori chicken.
Hilton Head's one and only Indian option. We are big fans. We usually take out, but the dining room is super cute too.
Hinoki Japanese Restaurant
Japanese restaurant with serene, contemporary decor serving sushi & steaks, plus wine & sake.
Sit at the sushi bar, if you can. It's a fun experience and the chefs are amazing. The sushi is the main event here. Their menu ventures out into other asian cuisine, but you will do well to stay with sushi.
Skull Creek Boathouse
Bustling waterfront spot for seafood & Southern classics, with a sprawling, tree-shaded outdoor bar.
They do not take reservations, but you can often find seating in the high top area that's by the bar outside. Great views and connected to a literal boat house, with a huge lift that shuttles boats back and forth from the water to the storage buildings. In the summer, you may spot manatees in the water below.
Hudson's Seafood House On The Docks
Dayboat seafood served in a 1912 factory, still partly used to process fish, with dockside seating.
Fresh, local seafood, year round. If you're here in a month that has an R, try out the cluster oysters. These are a low country delicacy. They do not take reservations.
Shore Beach Services
Shore Beach Services is the only company allowed to do full service beach chairs and umbrellas on the entire island. If you want to stroll up to the beach and have chairs and an umbrella setup and waiting for you, you need to set it up with Shore Beach Services.
Sea Pines Fitness Center
Located inside Sea Pines, they sell daily and weekly passes to visitors.
The Jazz Corner
Live jazz shows in a moody space, accompanied by oversized martinis & contemporary Southern food.
Jazz corner is the best. Great music, great food, great drinks!
The Crazy Crab Jarvis Creek
Southern seafood favorites served in a waterfront, nautical-themed setting with outdoor seating.
If you want to hit up a Crazy Crab on your trip to HHI, it's worth making the trek up to Jarvis Creek. The Crazy Crab in Harbour Town is on life support, and we suggest staying away from that one.
Captain Woody's Bar & Grill
Crab legs & fried fish are offered at this seafood place sporting palm trees & nautical accents.
Another local's favorite. They have a small section of lawn games and things to keep the little ones entertained.
Forsythe Jewelers
Boutique jewelry store offering designer pieces including earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces, plus repair services.
Great jewelry store right in Sea Pines. Linda is a HUGE fan.
Giuseppi's Pizza
Cozy yet festive sports-themed joint dishing up Italian favorites plus pizza by the slice or pie.
Decent pizza right in side of Sea pines. Free delivery. Note: this is not the same as the Giuseppi's in Shelter Cove and Bluffton.
Sage Room
Elevated American fare & wines in a casually upscale space with an open kitchen & chef's table.
A great spot for a date night or special occasion! One of the best on the island.
Piggly Wiggly Hilton Head
Casual market chain carrying a variety of groceries as well as beach gear and souvenirs.
Piggly Wiggly in Coligy is one of the oldest grocery stores on HHI, but the real local's secret is their seafood window has some of the best, freshest local fish options you will find anywhere on HHI.
Sea Pines Beach Club
Elegant eatery offering seafood and other upscale comfort fare with ocean views.
Always open to the public. However, parking is restricted at the beach club from mid-March through Labor Day. You'll need to walk, bike, or take the Sea Pines Beach Shuttle. Park at Lot 8, located at Greenwood and Willow Oak Road West.
Fiesta Fresh Mexican Grill
Local counter-serve chain offering tacos, tortas, burritos & other Mexican faves in a casual space.
A true local's spot, Fiesta Fresh serves up some great (and inexpensive) food. Their breakfast burritos are also legit.
South End Seafood
Family-owned outlet focusing on locally caught seafood, including shrimp, flounder, scallops and oysters.
Locally owned seafood shop. Looking for anything particular? Call a couple days ahead and they can source just about anything! Just outside of Sea Pines.
White Sands Transportation
Chauffeur and sprinter van service using SUVs and sedans, often for airport transfer.
Our personal go to option for private airport transportation.
Low Country Grocery Runner
Looking for full service grocery deliver or a private chef? Keri is great at both things!
Sprout Momma
Bakery and caterer known for its sourdough loaves, cakes and other breads, plus sandwiches and salads.
Watusi Cafe
Homey, casual coffee shop with a big patio offering breakfast eats, salads, sandwiches & smoothies.
CQ's Restaurant
Upscale seafood-focused American cooking with regional ingredients served in a charming house.
Poseidon
Casual, waterfront seafood joint with steaks & a hip rooftop bar with live music.
Santa Fe Cafe
Vibrant, refined Southwestern restaurant with a New Mexico look & a rooftop cantina.
Red Fish Restaurant
A Southern-leaning American dining room complete with a patio, fireplace & a wine shop.
Honey & Thistle
British destination featuring wines, meads and beers from various regions, as well as gifts.
Charlie's L'Etoile Verte
Warm, French-American venue featuring a seafood-focused menu & an extensive wine list.
Coast
Casual bar/eatery at Sea Pines Beach Club with upscale seafood dishes, outdoor seating & live music.
Quarterdeck
Southern seafood favorites served in a waterfront, nautical-themed setting with outdoor seating.
Nunzio Restaurant + Bar
Low-key, dinner-only eatery offering locally sourced, Italian cuisine, wine & happy-hour specials.
Lowcountry Produce Market & Cafe
Casual spot serving breakfast staples like pancakes, donuts and omelets alongside salads and sandwiches.
The Sandbox Children's Museum
Indoor educational activities & play areas for kids 8 & under include a climbing wall & spaceship.
Art Cafe
Relaxed space for painting your own piece of pre-made pottery, with glazing and firing services.
Gregg Russell Harbour Town Playground
Free park for kids featuring slides, swings and tree houses.
Lowcountry Celebration Park
Family-friendly park featuring slides, a pirate ship, and other play equipment, plus space to run.
Local Pie Woodfired Pizza
Pizza joint featuring wood-fired pies, salads and local beers.
Coastal Discovery Museum
Learning center with programs & walks on 68 coastal acres with ancient buildings, trees & wildlife.
Mandy+Ally
Coastal Bliss
Pirates of Hilton Head
Swashbuckling crew for a cruise aboard a custom ship with dolphin sightings and water cannons.
Pirate's Island Adventure Golf of Hilton Head SC
Mini-golfers putt by waterfalls & skeleton-guarded pirate's treasure at this elaborate course.
Adventure Cove Mini Golf & Arcade
Entertainment center with 2 mini-golf courses ringed by lagoons, plus a video arcade.
South Beach Racquet Club
The nicest pickleball courts in all of Sea Pines. They have tennis too, but let's be real, Pickleball is the main event here.
Hilton Head Dolphin Tours®
Pleasant guide offering tours of the area and local waters to see dolphins and other sea life.
H2O Sports
Kayaking, boat and jet ski rental establishment, also offering wildlife tours.
Charbar Co. Burgers & Sushi
Easygoing restaurant & bar with classic comfort food & sushi, plus regular happy hours.
Adventure Hilton Head
Healthy Habit
Casual eatery offering acai bowls, smoothies and juices as well as sandwiches, burritos and salads.
Park Plaza Cinema Hilton Head Island
Independently run movie theater with a cafe & lounge serving American & Mexican bites.
The Smokehouse
Higher-end sports bar with a barbecue/grill menu, live music & deck seating with a fireplace.
Pomodori Italian Eatery
Family photos adorn the walls of this casual eatery serving housemade pasta & other Italian dishes.
Hilton Head Dolphin Cruises Tale Hunter
Tours on a 27-ft. boat sail Skull Creek in search of dolphins, with sunset cruises also available.
Fresh Market Shoppes
Upscale grocery store chain with an old-world vibe offers local produce, prepared eats, wine & more.
Harris Teeter
Large supermarket chain with deli & bakery departments, plus health & beauty aids.
Lawton Stables
Laid-back outdoor locale, open year-round, offering horseback riding, pony rides and carriage rides.
Gullah Heritage Trail Tours
Knowledgeable tours via bus or van of the history, culture and heritage of the Gullah peoples.
Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III
Seaside course featuring fairways and greens framed by coquina shells and seaside grass.
Harbour Town Golf Links
Scenic course designed by Pete Dye with a par-4 18th hole, hosting the RBC Heritage tournament.
Heron Point by Pete Dye
Public 18-hole golf course designed by Pete Dye and maintained since 2013, popular for its layout and challenging holes.
Sea Love | A Candle Bar and Boutique
Chic shop, which features clean ingredients, for scented candles, diffusers, jewelry and gifts.
Chez Georges Bistro & Bar
Upscale eatery featuring a menu of classic French fare such as bouillabaisse and escargots and duck.
This is one of our favorite date night spots. Classic and modern takes on French cuisine.
Chronic Games +Golf
Indoor spot for golf and other sports simulations, plus food and drinks, also for all ages.
Great rainy day activity. Enjoy some adult beverages and food along with a sports simulator.
Starbird Spirits & Bites
This is a great place to grab a drink before or after dinner.
Local Legend Brewing Company
Local legend is a hit with our kiddos. They love the arcade games and claw machines. Our wallets aren't the biggest fans, but it's always a fun time!