Best Burgers On Hilton Head
We Did The Research So You Can Reap The Benefits Of The Best Hamburger In Town!
As the famous saying goes, “you can’t trust everything you read on the internet.” Like most situations, this also applies to food reviews online. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve looked up reviews of our favorite local spots in town and discovered bad reviews when our experiences have been nothing but the best.
We can’t blame them though — Hilton Head can get pretty hectic during the peak travel months. When you consider the fact that many people visit to enjoy the warm sand under their toes, it’s pretty easy to understand that: a popular travel spot + hot weather + hungry bellies = upset customers when every other family in town is trying to order lunch at the same time. So if you’re in town visiting, how do you know which reviews you can trust?
As locals who have lived and dined on Hilton Head for years, we came up with the best burger spots in town that serve up great burgers, enjoyed by visitors and natives alike. You can really tell a lot about a restaurant by how great their burgers are, so we wanted to highlight the restaurants on the island who are great through and through.
We didn’t include any chains because well, if you’re reading this, then chances are that you don’t want to eat the same, pre-made patties that you can get anywhere. All of our choices are based on the fact that each restaurant actually grinds down their own meat and hand forms their patties on site. No frozen or pre-bundled patties allowed on our list! Without further ado, let’s get started!
CharBar Company: The Dirty South Burger
Charbar Company has this saying posted smack dab in the middle of their website: “After one bite you’ll accept no substitutions.” For a claim that is as presumptuous as this one, we can tell you first hand that Charbar Company definitely walks the walk and doesn’t just talk the talk!
After all, they can back it up proudly because they’ve been voted Hilton Head’s best burger from 2012 all the way through 2018! How did they earn this award for so many years you might ask? Well, it’s all thanks to their gourmet island fan favorite: the Dirty South Burger.
With the Dirty South Burger, you’ll notice a few staple ingredients such as tomatoes, red onions, and of course, a patty in the form of their own signature beef blend. But the reason why we love it so much is because they also incorporate smoked pork belly, candied jalapenos, pimento cheese, and bourbon barbeque sauce for a fresh spin on a typical hamburger. To top it off, this monster creation is served on a toasted brioche bun for an ultimate gourmet presentation. With a perfectly balanced blend of savory flavor and a hint of spice in every bite, it’ll be hard not to devour this beast in seconds.
Along with an excellent menu of burgers, Charbar Company is one of our favorite spots to cool down on a hot day. They offer live music, patio seating to escape the crowds, and an awesome selection of different drinks that caters to everyone’s own tastes.
With a wide variety of craft beer, cocktails, boutique wines, and even a prohibition-style whiskey room with an expertly curated selection, Charbar Company truly offers a world-class feel that you can sense from the moment you walk through their door. “This monster creation is served on a toasted brioche bun for an ultimate gourmet presentation with a perfectly balanced blend of savory flavor and a hint of spice in every bite!”
Charbar Co.
33 Office Park Rd #213
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843.785.2427
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Lucky Rooster: Smashed Lucky Burger
Lucky Rooster is the next spot on our list because everything on their menu is sourced from the region’s local farms and waters for the freshest, most crisp ingredients available. For a restaurant that specializes in refined southern favorites and seafood such as southern fried chicken, shrimp & grits, and even adventurous items like “Octopus a la Plancha” (which are all outstanding, we might add), we were pleasantly surprised to experience their same level of cooking expertise with their “Smashed Lucky Burger.”
The Smashed Lucky Burger features not one, but TWO 4oz. ground beef patties, thick hand-cut braised bacon, lettuce, pickled red onions, baby swiss, and sweet & spicy pepper jam, all served on a brioche bun.
With this spread, it’s almost as if the chefs smashed together some ingredients that were lying around and got lucky with the outcome. As funny as this scenario sounds, the Smashed Lucky Burger is the culmination of everything but luck and boy, does it deliver on all fronts.
With two ground beef patties, you of course get the mouthwatering, juicy base, but for us, the thick, hand-cut braised bacon combined with the sweet & spicy pepper jam really steals the show. This burger expertly combines unique ingredients for an explosive flavor. When you stop by, be sure to save some room for their cocktail menu! As a restaurant that takes all of its menu seriously, you can expect the same culinary savvy with both their classic and contemporary drink options!“As funny as this scenario sounds, the Smashed Lucky Burger is the culmination of everything but luck and boy, does it deliver on all fronts.”
Lucky Rooster
841 William Hilton Parkway
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843.681.3474
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Street Meet: Elk Burger
Next on our list is the locally owned Street Meet. Operated by proud patriots and Hilton Head residents, this American tavern embodies the spirit of patriotism by donating a portion of their proceeds to the “Honor our Heroes” foundation and other charitable organizations that give back to our local community.
Once you take one look at their menu, you can tell that they’re dedicated to providing the best nationwide cuisines, from hotdogs to wings, with their wide selection of classic American dishes. But since you’re reading this list to find the best hamburgers on Hilton Head, let’s take a look at their contender: the Elk Burger.
Where most restaurants use tried and tested beef, Street Meet takes it a step further with the introduction of Elk. If you didn’t already know, the Elk is one of the largest land mammals in North America so it’s fitting that it can contend just as well as beef in a classic American hamburger. Just like the large, beefy cows in our country, the taste of Elk still packs a mighty punch with its unique flavor. And when you add in the fact that all the Elk used at Street Meet is 100% grass fed, it makes their homemade offering taste that much better.
Every Elk Burger is made to order with your own choices of toppings, but since it’s a unique protein choice, feel free to take this opportunity and go all out with your creation by adding a fried egg, guacamole, or feta cheese!
If you’re the type of person who thinks they’ve tried it all, let me tell you that Street Meet’s offering will shatter your expectations in the best way possible. Oh and one more thing, if you’re a dedicated Cleveland Browns fan, you’ll feel right at home here at Street Meet. “Just like the large, beefy cows in our country, the taste of Elk still packs a mighty punch with its unique flavor.”
Street Meet
95 Mathews Dr.
Suite #D11
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
843.842.2570
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British Open Pub: Aberdeen Burger
Okay, so we all have an idea of what an ‘American’ burger looks like, but have you ever wondered how they do it across the pond? Luckily for you, you don’t need to book a plane ticket and travel to the U.K. to enjoy the next offering on our list, British Open Pub’s “Aberdeen Burger.”
The Aberdeen Burger is simple, yet delicious and suitable for even the most picky eaters, making it a great choice for members of the whole family. Also known as ‘The Scoe Daddy,’ this burger features an 8 oz. potion of 100% certified Angus Beef, your choice of Sharp Cheddar, Harvatti, Swiss, American, Feta, or Bleu cheese along with your choice of favorite toppings.
As simple as it may seem, this menu piece still provides the taste of a great American hamburger in a British pub – which is why it earned a spot on today’s list. And of course, it’s served with a side of Brew City Chips so you can experience the taste and feel of British cuisine in a state-side setting.
As the name suggests, this location also makes for a great spot to wind down after work. Their “Titleist Bar” offers both domestic and imported beer, fine ales, stouts, and single malts so you can grab a pint, sit back, and relax either inside or on their outdoor patio. For all you golfers out there, British Open Pub pays homage to golf’s greatest traditions with a curated atmosphere that any enthusiast can appreciate. “The Aberdeen Burger is simple, yet delicious and suitable for even the most picky eaters, making it a great choice for members of the whole family.”
British Open Pub
1000 William Hilton Pkwy
Ste D3
Hilton Head, SC 29928
843.686.6736
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Captain Woody’s on Hilton Head: Lowcountry Burger
Finally, we couldn’t complete this list without mentioning Hilton Head’s own Captain Woody’s. For over 37 years, Captain Woody’s has provided the Lowcountry with fresh seafood cuisine as well great land offerings for all those people out there whose sea legs haven’t quite grown in yet. But what if you enjoy the taste of savory seafood AND the juiciness of a great beef patty?
For us, it’s as if Captain Woody’s read our minds, which brings us to the last contender on our list – the ‘Lowcountry Burger.’
The Lowcountry Burger is truly the best of both land and sea as it combines a 6oz. grilled patty with fried oysters, along with the usual lettuce, tomato, onions, your choice of american, swiss, or provolone cheese, and any other ingredients that suit your tastes.
To truly bring out the flavor of this oyster and beef hybrid, the chefs at Captain Woody’s serve it on a brioche bun and flawlessly top it all off with cajun mayo. Personally, the cajun mayo is the perfect background sauce that really complements both of these superstar ingredients for an experience that truly embodies the best of what the island has to offer.
Captain Woody’s has two locations, both in Hilton Head and nearby Bluffton, but we absolutely love the look and feel of their location right here on the island. Whether you want to grab a quick bite at lunch or are looking for a great night out, this spot is conveniently tucked away in the middle of town and serves as the perfect launching point or end to your day.
When you stop by, be sure to grab a cold beer from the bar, take a seat on their outdoor patio, and soak in the rays of the warm sun. Also, don’t forget to check out their calendar and take advantage of the great events that you’re sure to enjoy! “The Lowcountry Burger is truly the best of both worlds, land and sea, as it combines a 6oz. grilled patty with fried oysters.”
Captain Woody’s
6 Target Rd
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843.785.2400
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Best Burgers Spots On Hilton Head Island
And there you have it, the best burgers on the island! Hamburgers are an integral part of casual and gourmet restaurants alike so we really tried to highlight the town’s best as they all bring their own prowess to the table. Sure, you could always grab a quick bite at your favorite chain, but if you’re in Hilton Head, then you should experience Hilton Head. Whether you’re just passing through or you’re a local native looking to experience the best burgers in town, you can’t go wrong with any of the offerings on our list!
