12 Best Restaurants in Hilton Head and the Low Country, South Carolina

Appealing to locals and tourists alike, the menu at upscale Red Fish features classic seafood dishes, mouthwatering apps, and delicious desserts. The contemporary restaurant's wine cellar is filled with some 1,000 bottles, and there's also a retail wine shop. Add live music and both indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s a winner.

This busy waterside restaurant specializing in seafood platters and smaller bites like lobster and fish tacos is open for lunch and dinner every day, and brunch on the weekend. Located in Palmetto Bay Marina, the Black Marlin has indoor and outdoor seating, as well as family-style meals available for takeout.

This classy downtown restaurant offers tasting plates such as tuna crudo and fried shrimp, as well as main dishes like lamb meatloaf and filet mignon with a truffle demi-glace. The presentation is as contemporary as the decor. There's an attractive bar area and an impressive and affordable wine list.

This second-generation family-owned culinary landmark has been serving French cuisine with a Lowcountry flair since 1982. The name changed in recent years (from Charlie’s L'Etoile Verte) but the rest remains true to the spot's origin. Classic dishes like escargot, pâté, and rack of lamb star on the varied menu, which changes daily, and the wine list runs deep. Don’t miss out on the caramel cake.    

The early '60s theme here appeals to an older crowd that likes the traditional Italian dishes on the early dining menu, but younger patrons who order flatbread pizzas and small plates can be found at the bar area. Reservations are accepted at both the Hilton Head and Bluffton locations, and you can buy house-made marinara and Bolognese sauces, meat rubs, and spice blends to go.

This upscale restaurant wins over diners with its sailing motifs, great cocktails, and modern Southern menu. Take in the sunset and a plate of seared sea scallops from the gorgeous outdoor seating area overlooking the waterfront park. From Lowcountry flavors to innovative dishes, Saltus sets the standard for a memorable dining experience.

The sights, sounds, and aromas of New Mexico greet you here: Native American rugs, Mexican ballads, steer skulls and horns, and the smell of chilies and mesquite on the grill. Listen to guitarra music in the rooftop cantina, enjoy the adobe fireplaces on chilly nights, or dine under the stars.

When a restaurant keeps its customers happy for decades, there's a reason, and in the case of Truffles, it's the consistently good service and excellent food. Popular entrées include grilled salmon with a mango-barbecue glaze and the chicken potpie. Order meals to-go or enjoy the indoor and outdoor seating available. A second spot is located in Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton.

The red-and-black decor is modern and sophisticated at this lively restaurant on the north end of the island. The food is a spin on the classics, from seafood to steak, and the shared plate menu is on point. A great selection of cocktails and wine makes WiseGuys a popular spot to grab a drink.