My first dining experience on Hilton Head Island was spent at one of the local’s favorite restaurants called Tapas. Tapas is Spanish for “snack or appetizer, served with wine or beer.” It is a different concept in dining that focuses on sharing numerous small dishes with a wide assortment of tastes. My girlfriends and I have been doing this for years. We go to our favorite restaurant, sit at the bar and share appetizers over cocktails or wine. Tapas has captured my favorite dining experience. We started with the Award Wining “She Crab Soup” followed by Pot stickers, mini Lamb Chops and Sourmash Chicken. We finished our meal with deep fried strawberries and bananas. The food was great and the concept of “Tapas” is fun. The best part for me was the environment. It is apparent that the owners Ardis and Max, Head Chef and Busboy truly enjoy their restaurant and customers. I highly recommend this Tapas dining experience to all who are searching for a unique Hilton Head Island Restaurant. My review is five stars. Treat yourself and friends by visiting Tapas in the Northridge Plaza at the corner of Highway 278 and Matthews Drive.

Tapas Restaurant
11 Northridge Plaza
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-8590

Lunch & Dinner Menu
Map & Directions

Il Carpaccio is probably one of the best Italian restaurants on Hilton Head Island. It is tucked away in Pineland Station across a lagoon from Juniper Café. The owner is directly from Italy and can be found on the premises every night making sure that things run smoothly.

The food includes a wide variety of excellent and authentic Italian dishes ranging from cuisine of Northern Italy to crispy thin-crust pizza. Depending on the weather, you can dine indoors or outside on the deck. This is a very casual, comfortable restaurant where you can enjoy some great food in a warm friendly atmosphere.

Il Carpaccio is open 11:30-2:00 for lunch and dinner from 5:30 Monday- Saturday. Call 843-342-9949 for reservations.

Hilton Head Restaurants~Il Carpaccio

 Stacks Pancake Restaurant is located on Rte. 278 just after the Hilton Head Diner near the Red Roof Inn. All their breakfasts are made with 3 eggs. They have great Eggs Benedict.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings they have a very nice buffet. The
space is large and open and they have seating in a glass enclosed porch area which is really nice on a sunny morning.

The staff is friendly and helpful. They also serve lunch but not dinner. All in all, Stacks is a place I enjoy and I think most people would enjoy also.

 
Hilton Head Restaurants

I stopped by Hollywood Video and parked by a local pizza place. The name is
TJ’s Take & Bake. A guy by the name of Ryan Trexler helped me and told me,” We make it, you bake it.” He let me know that the dough is made fresh daily and that it rises in the cooler for 3 days. He also stated that they have fresh produce that is cut fresh everyday. I told him that sounded freshly delicious.

I asked if he had any recommendations on a pie. He said the local favorites were the supreme named “TJ’s Favorite” which comes loaded with sausage, red onion, green pepper, mushroom, and the number one pepperoni in America. He also recommended the “Bella” a virgin oil white based sauce that consists of spinach, artichokes, aroma onions, red onion, basil, and garlic. With other choices like an Italian, bbq chicken, and a bacon cheeseburger pizza it sounds like this place has a little something for everyone.

They also have salads and wings on their menu. They offer Italian, buffalo, and bbq wings. They also offer boneless wings with some dipping sauces like bbq, blue cheese, and a homemade ranch sauce that I was told you could dip your shoe into and take a bite.

Last but not least they also offer a couple desserts to make it an all around great local place to go. They have Hilton Head Cookie Company cookie dough and cannolies.

I walked away with a large pepperoni pizza and a dozen of their # 1
wings for only $20.00. Took the pizza home, cooked it, and I have to
say honestly it was the best pizza I had ever eaten. Not to mention it was so fresh and hot right out of the oven. I think these guys are on to something. With the overall menu, selection, originality, and friendliness
I give TJ’s Take & Bake a ten out of ten and two thumbs way up.

843-842-TAKE (8253) Pizza on Hilton Head Island

Daniel Duke Jackson

Attention sushi lovers. When visiting Hilton Head Island, do not miss
Hinoki Japanese Restaurant, located in Orleans Plaza on New Orleans Rd. I have eaten sushi in New York, California, Atlanta, and almost ever city I have visited in the past five years. Hinoki can compete with the best of the best anywhere in the U.S. This extremely popular sushi bar is almost like a social club for the locals. Regulars are friends, and the conversation is as lively as the chef’s knives are fast. Whether you enjoy sushi or sashimi, the seafood is pristinely fresh. You’ll find
the chefs very friendly. Although somewhat limited in language skills, they make every effort to prepare each plate to your liking. Order from the menu, make up your own combinations, or let them surprise you. You won’t be disappointed.

Although the restaurant is fairly large, the sushi bar fills up fast. If you want to enjoy the complete sushi experience, which includes the fascinating preparation, you may have to wait for a seat. I have waited as long as an hour, and for me, it’s worth every minute. The bar area is comfortable, and the beer, wine and sake make the time pass by fast.

If you are with a large party or if you don’t feel like waiting, the good news is you can make a reservation for the main part of the restaurant where traditional table service is offered. In addition to the sushi, the restaurant offers many other Japanese specialties, including tempura, seafood, chicken, duck, steak, sukiyaki, a variety of noodle dishes and creative daily specials.

If you are looking for the traditional hibachi-style dining, head over to their sister restaurant, Kurama, located on Palmetto Bay Rd. The sushi bar is popular there, too. You will be equally pleased with the food, but maybe not as impressed with the overall atmosphere. The building is old and could use an upgrade.
www.hinokiofhiltonhead.com 843-785-9800

Map and Directions

Located on New Orleans Road in Fountain Center is Hilton Head Ice Cream.
Your kids will have a real treat eating great homemade ice cream
that was voted “Best of Hilton Head’s” Winner and also in
Southern Living Magazine.

They also will have a lot of fun when they see splashing around in a
huge aquarium the famous Nemo, Darcy, and Gill.

Parents: You’ll enjoy a little dessert too, that includes a free toppings
bar, a nice collection of antique and unique cookie jars to admire, and best
of all the people feeders full of delicious free salted roasted peanuts in
the shell.

Call 842-6333 for their winter hours.

We had dinner at Antonios Restaurant in Wexford Plaza on Hilton Head Island last night. The dining room is very warm and inviting, with dark wood furnishings and soft lighting.

Service was excellent and the staff very helpful to the
point of providing me with a pair of reading glasses so
I could read the menu.

Dinner itself was very good,food was prepared properly
and to everyones liking.

This being said, the menu is very pricey, with all side
dishes being ala carte. Prepare for a nice dining
experience but also be prepared to pay for it.

2 Village at Wexford Plaza
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 842-5505
Map and Directions

The wonderful food at this cafe is truly addicting. I’ve been there twice this week alone. Located in the circle Center on Pope Ave. Hilton Head Island. Kenny B’s French Quarter Cafe is unique.

The menu is traditional New Orleans style food, cajun and creole cuisine. It is open seven days a week, lunch and dinner and even has a drive through window, so call ( 843-785-3315) ahead for pick-up. They also serve a Sunday brunch complete with beignets. You can eat inside or outside in nice weather.

Kenny and Laverne Ballard are the owners and you will find one or both at the restaurant every day. Kenny cooks and Laverne takes your orders. There is a fabulous hand painted wall mural depicting the French Quarter in New Orleans.

My three rotating favorite dishes for dinner are the Jean LaFitte’s seafood au gratin over grits with fried green tomatoes, Claiborne St. (tenderloin tips, sausauge, potatoes with onions and peppers) and King Rex seafood platter. 

Don’t forget lunch with Po Boys, muffeletta bread, crabcake sandwiches and their She-Crab soup (best on Hilton Head). 

Ask any Hilton Head Islander and Kenny B’s French Quarter Cafe is on their favorite list.

    Kenny B’s French Quarter Cafe on Hilton Head Island