The Best Family Friendly Restaurants On Hilton Head | We Have 16 Spots To Try Out!
It’s no secret that Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is full of great restaurants.
But things can get somewhat challenging when searching for a place that’s also just as great for the entire family. Taking kids out to eat can be a daunting task (trust us, we know) and a lot of times it can be easier to hit up a fast food joint, order take out, or to cook something up at home. But that can get old really quickly. We parents want good food too! Luckily, families don’t have to be relegated to cheesy kid-themed restaurants, boring chains, and iffy fast food places. There are plenty of places on Hilton Head Island that are perfect for families. Some are clearly designed as “family friendly” while others aren’t necessarily “kid” restaurants, but are surprisingly well equipped to handle the extra needs that a family with small children might have (think: high chairs, decent kid’s menu, quick service).
So where on Hilton Head Island are spots that kids won’t just tolerate eating at, but look forward to visiting? No worries! At Lowcountry Style and Living we have done all the research for you. You won’t have to dig around the internet, checking reviews, and reading comments. We’ve done all that, visited these places, tried their food, and only saved the best places for this article
The entries on our list all offer an experience with children in mind, from unique and extraordinary kid’s menus to on-site activities and entertainment, these restaurants make dining out with little ones fun for parents and kids alike.
So, take the stress out of choosing the perfect dining spot and check out one of these family-friendly restaurant picks below. The choices are in no particular order but at each spot parents can be at ease bringing their energetic children to these welcoming kid-friendly restaurants.
Skull Creek Boathouse and Skull Creek Dockside
Actually two restaurants in one great location, both are great options for casual dining with a lowcountry vibe. These sister restaurants are part of the Serg group and are right next to each other, so it’s easy to float back and forth between them. Menus are similar but there are distinct offerings at each.
The Little Shuckers menu at Boathouse includes fried shrimp, a kids surf and turf, and a grilled cheese quesadilla. Kids drinks come with a souvenir cup.
At Dockside the kid’s menu includes bbq pulled pork, curly pasta, and cheeseburgers.
At either spot you will have great views and sunsets. Kids can enjoy playing at the pirate ship playground and sprawl out on the grassy lawn. After dinner families can gather around fire pits and play life size Jenga, cornhole, giant Connect Four and more.
Skull Creek Boathouse
397 Squire Pope Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-3663
https://www.skullcreekboathouse.com
Skull Creek Dockside
2 Hudson Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 785-3625
https://docksidehhi.com/
One Hot Mama’s
This family-friendly BBQ restaurant also has a location in neighboring Bluffton, SC. The executive chef of the two restaurants is chef Orchid Paulmeier (or Mama Orchid), a Food Network star known for her Southern-style BBQ. The restaurant is known for their ribs and wings, but all the food is top notch.
The kid’s menu is reasonably priced and includes kid-sized portions of their famous ribs, boneless chicken wings, sliders, mac’n cheese, and hot dogs.
One Hot Mama’s American Grill
1 Greenwood Drive, Ste 7A
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 682-6262
https://www.onehotmamas.com
Charbar Co.
As soon as you sit down at Charbar, you’ll appreciate that this eatery understands families
Think burgers for the whole crew: from a kid friendly patty on a bun to the award winning Dirty South burger with pimento cheese, confit pork belly, red onion, tomatoes, candied jalapenos, and bbq sauce on a brioche bun. Charbar has the entire family covered.
But what really seals the deal is the tablet at every table preloaded with games and activities. Want a little quiet time? Let the kids play. Or have the whole family join in and enjoy each other’s company. Large yard games and outdoor seating are also a great bonus if you have kids who want to get up and run around in the middle of dinner. (Don’t they all?)
Charbar Co. Burgers & Sushi
33 Office Park Road # 213
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 785-2427
https://www.charbarhhi.com
A Lowcountry Backyard
True to its name, Lowcountry Backyard makes their guests feel welcome in a homey backyard setting. A small stage with live acoustic music, a porch swing, and old fashioned outdoor kids games will keep the little ones occupied while you dine on home cooked meals like meatloaf, fried green tomatoes, shrimp & grits, and banana pudding.
The special kid’s menu features a BLT, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, and a burger – all served with a choice of a side dish.
A Lowcountry Backyard
32 Palmetto Bay Road, Suite 4A
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 785-9273
https://www.alowcountrybackyard.com
Nectar Farm Kitchen
Nectar Farm Kitchen uses only locally grown ingredients in a farmhouse atmosphere.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Kids will love the sweet treats offered in their regular breakfast menu (like donuts and a big sticky bun), but there’s also a kid’s breakfast menu. For lunch and supper, the kid’s menu includes sandwiches, burgers, mac’ n cheese, and fried or boiled shrimp. The main menu offers a diverse, Southern-style, farm-to-table experience.
Nectar Farm Kitchen has a second location just over the bridge in Old Town Bluffton
Nectar Farm Kitchen
35-A Office Park Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 682-2337
https://nectarfarmkitchen.com/
The Crazy Crab
The Crazy Crab is one of the best kid-friendly restaurants on Hilton Head with two awesome locations. We prefer the Harbour Town location as it offers scenic water views and has a large outdoor patio with live music on the weekends.
If you’re looking for fresh seafood, this is a great place to eat. For picky eaters they do offer more traditional kid’s orders like hot dogs and chicken fingers. Plus the kids will love their kiddie cocktails like “The Cinderella.” After dinner take a walk up to the lighthouse, grab some ice cream, or head to the nearby playground with the family.
The Crazy Crab – Harbor Town
149 Lighthouse Road
Hilton Head, SC 29928
(843) 363-2722
https://thecrazycrab.com/
Fishcamp on Broad Creek
On beautiful Broad Creek you’ll find the family-friendly Fishcamp restaurant. Grab a seat out on the pet-friendly patio if you can, where there are games and outdoor activities to keep the kids entertained. There’s often live music, too. On the menu, you’ll find lots of fresh seafood, from a shellfish tower to Daufuskie Island Blue Crab Cakes. And for the kids? The menu has the basics like chicken fingers and kid pasta for pickier tasters, and petite filet mignon and snow crab legs for the more adventurous young adults.
Fishcamp on Broad Creek
11 Simmons Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 842-2267
https://www.fishcamphhi.com/
Frankie Bones
Settle into a comfy booth at Frankie Bones for a family meal. The kid-friendly staff will help you get high chairs and booster seats to your table.
Customers love the restaurant’s amazing kid’s menu that features pepperoni pizza, fettuccine alfredo, corn dogs, sliders, fried popcorn shrimp, grilled chicken, and surf & turf. They even have a kiddie cocktail menu.
Frankie Bones on Hilton Head Island (there is also a Bluffton location) has a bar menu that caters to adults with its huge selection of beer and cocktails, along with a full wine list. After your meal, order the Frankie’s Campfire S’mores. The server brings out everything you need, and you warm the marshmallows over an open flame.
Frankie Bones
1301 Main Sreet
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 682-4465
https://www.frankiebones.com
Holy Tequila
Between tacos and ooey, gooey cheese nachos, Mexican food is always a hit with the little ones, and Holy Tequila offers the best burritos on the island. The kid’s menu includes tacos, quesadillas, salads, and house-made chicken tenders with rice or beans. Have a strawberry lemonade which includes a 24 oz take-home cup.
Holy Tequila has some mouth-watering signature dishes like Acapulco Mahi Mahi and Surf & Turf Fajitas. It also boasts the largest selection of tequila and mezcals on the island.
Holy Tequila
35 Office Park Road # 228
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 681-8226
https://holytequila.com
Giuseppi’s Pizza
With a pizzeria-meets-sports-bar vibe, Guiseppi’s is the perfect family-friendly, casual and fun environment.
If your kids are like ours, they love pizza. The issue is that the rest of the family may want some other options while eating out. Giuseppi’s is a great choice. Not only do they have tasty pizza, they also offer other Italian and American favorites if the adults are not in a “pizza mood.”
They also have a special kid’s menu that includes French bread pizza, chicken fingers with fries, and cheese ravioli.
Giuseppi’s Pizza
71 Lighthouse Road, Unit 210
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 671-5133
https://www.besthiltonheadpizza.com
Marley’s Shrimp & Burger Shack
This New England style “shack” offers a fun, fast, casual environment for the whole family. Not only does it offer a kid’s menu (shrimp & fries, fish & fries, chicken fingers & fries, hot dog & fries) but they also offer a family friendly menu ranging from shrimp burgers to chili dogs (Hilton Head’s biggest hot dog) and so many delicious things in between. Wash it down with one of their frozen lemonades (for adults spiked with vodka, rum, tequila or bourbon).
With a large patio and kids games, dining alfresco is the way to go.
Marley’s Shrimp & Burger Shack
35 Office Park Road Suite #72
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 686-5800
https://hiltonheadshack.com/
Kenny B’s French Quarter Cafe
Add a little French Cajun flair with a visit to Kenny B’s French Quarter Cafe. On the menu you’ll find lots of Creole classics like Jambalaya, Red Beans & Rice, and Muffulettas. Kids will get a kick out of their meals being served in dog bowls. The real draw here though are the Beignets. These French-inspired donuts are made fresh daily and are served piping hot out of the oil, with a liberal dusting of powdered sugar. Kids of all ages go crazy for ‘em.
They also serve breakfast including a special kid’s menu.
Kenny B’s French Quarter Cafe
70 Pope Avenue
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 785-3315
https://www.eatatkennybs.com/index.html
Street Meet – The American Tavern
This casual restaurant features patio dining, live entertainment and is known for its hot dogs (german frank, happy griller, Nathan’s Famous, bratwurst, veggie dog) and burgers including an elk burger and veggie burger. The kid’s menu has such names “I Don’t Know” (hot dog chips), “I Don’t Care” (chicken fingers & chips), “I’m Not Hungry” (grilled cheese & chips), “Are We Leaving Yet?” (hamburger & chips), What’s the WIFI?” (cheeseburger & chips), “I’m bored” (fluffernutter & chips), “Tell (sibling) to Stop (hitting, touching, staring at) Me” (popcorn shrimp & chips). Fries or raw veggies can be substituted for the chips.
Street Meet – The American Tavern
11 North Port Royal Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 842-2570
https://streetmeethhi.com/
Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks
Hudson’s is a casual, family-owned and operated restaurant located on the water serving lunch and dinner. You can watch fishing boats bring in the fresh catch. While families can enjoy seeing the fisherman and picture perfect sunsets, they will also savor the delectable, sustainably-caught seafood and famous hushpuppies.
Kids’ menus offer fried shrimp, hamburgers, corn dogs, grilled cheese, peanut butter & jelly, and more.
Make sure to ask your server about the “Dinner on the Docks” children’s book, a story of shrimp season on Hilton Head Island.
Hudson’s Seafood House On The Docks
1 Hudson Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-2722
https://www.hudsonsonthedocks.com/
Phillys Cafe & Deli
This casual eatery is open for lunch Monday to Saturday, serving (arguably) the best sandwiches on Hilton Head Island. They can compete with any NYC deli. Extensive kid’s menu with offerings including pita pizza, chicken fingers, peanut butter & jelly, hamburger, hot hoagie, and grilled cheese. All meals come with a juice box. Kids eat Free Every Saturday with Adult meal purchase.
Phillys Cafe & Deli
55 New Orleans Road # 102
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 785-9966
https://www.orderphillyscafe.com/
Reilly’s Bar & Grill
This island institution is definitely a stop on your family-friendly restaurant tour. A family-owned restaurant for over 35 years, Reilly’s is known for catering to families and making you feel at “home” when you walk through the doors.
Kids can choose from offerings such as fried shrimp, fish and chips, pasta, mac and cheese, or go big with Reilly’s premium steak and fries. Enjoy daily specials for everyone and kids eat free on Tuesday nights with the purchase of an adult entree.
Reilly’s Grill and Bar
70 Greenwood Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 842-4414
https://www.reilleyshiltonhead.com/
Some Final Thoughts
Most lists of family-friendly restaurants on Hilton Head Island include The Salty Dog Cafe. Not on our list. After three visits we found that it just wasn’t meant to be. At Lowcountry Style & Living we are emotionally invested in Hilton Head Island and thus were saddened that this once-venerable restaurant has become dated and overhyped. Unfortunately, they have become too chainy. On two visits we were rushed in and out. Steaks and vegetables were clearly frozen at two of our meals.
Yes, they have some kid-friendly activities but a restaurant needs to be running on all cylinders and they are not. Don’t be fooled by the iconic name, there are better family-friendly restaurants on the island.
Family Friendly Dining
Using our list will have you all set for the best in family-friendly dining on Hilton Head Island. As you can see, there are plenty of choices!
One final thing to keep in mind when dining out with young kids that might be the most important tip of all: relax.
As parents, you might flinch with every squall or dropped spoon, but other patrons are too busy enjoying their own delicious meals to notice, and all of these restaurants are used to serving up food to tired kids – from babies to toddlers to tweens and teens.
