Need another reason to love Hilton Head? Our beautiful little island is full of pet-friendly establishments — including many of our restaurants!
One of the perks of having mild weather year-round is that outdoor seating isn’t just a seasonal thing! With tents, heaters, and fans, the outdoor seating areas tend to stay pretty comfortable year-round. And where there’s outdoor seating on the island, Fido is usually allowed!
If you’re looking for the best place to dine outdoors with your pup, here’s a list of some of our favorite pet-friendly restaurants on Hilton Head Island:
(An added bonus? Many of these restaurants also offer spectacular views!)
In The Sea Pines Resort:
- Harbourside:
This completely outdoors restaurant in Sea Pines is a great place to dine with your pup! It’s a casual restaurant with great views located in the heart of Harbour Town — perfect for good weather days. Their menu ranges from burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches to snow crab legs. Learn more here.
- Harbour Town Bakery (outdoor dining area):
Another Harbour Town favorite, Harbour Town Bakery allows dogs in their outdoor dining area. This is a great place to stop for a coffee and treat, or to have a casual breakfast or lunch outdoors in Harbour Town. Check out the menu here.
- Quarterdeck (lower deck area only):
One of Sea Pines Resort’s fine dining restaurants, Quarterdeck allows dogs on their lower deck area. Situated on the harbor and next to Harbour Town’s iconic lighthouse, it’s a fantastic place to grab a meal with your furry friend. Learn more here.
- Sea Pines Beach Club (lower deck area only):
Want to grab a bite before or after hitting the beach — or just dine with ocean views? Sea Pines Beach Club’s restaurant allows dogs on the lower deck area only (the wood deck area) and has a seafood-heavy menu as well as a full bar. Learn more here.
Bonus: Check out the Sea Pines Resort’s tips for dog owners — including beach rules — here.
Office Park Road (right outside of Sea Pines):
Office Park Road & Greenwood Drive has a number of great local restaurants all located within walking distance of the Sea Pines gate. Here are a few of our favorites with pet-friendly patios:
- Nectar Farm Kitchen
Located just outside the Sea Pines gate, Nectar Farm Kitchen is a farm-to-table restaurant serving up dishes created using ingredients from farms across the Lowcountry. They have a patio area that’s great for bringing your pup. Check it out here.
- Charbar Co.
Another great dog-friendly restaurant just outside Sea Pines Resort is Charbar Co. This restaurant is known for having the best burgers on the island — as well as some of the best sushi. They have a pet-friendly patio and often have live music outdoors as well. Check it out here.
- Holy Tequila
Craving Mexican food? Holy Tequila is known as one of the island’s best Mexican restaurants. Located in the same strip mall as Charbar, this restaurant also has a dog-friendly patio area. Learn more here.
- One Hot Mama’s American Grill
If you’re looking for BBQ, you have to check out One Hot Mama’s. Food Network Star & Executive Chef Orchid Paulmeier brings her expertise in Southern BBQ straight to your table. From baby-back ribs to brisket, pulled pork and BBQ wings, their menu is sure to satisfy any BBQ cravings. And they have a dog-friendly patio! Check out their menu here.
Coligny Beach area:
Coligny is one of the most popular beach access points and shopping areas on Hilton Head Island. It also is home to the new Lowcountry Celebration Park, which features the pirate ship-themed Adventure Playground. There are a ton of great restaurants located in Coligny Plaza and the nearby area. Here are a few of our favorite pet-friendly restaurants:
- The Sandbar Beach Eats
If you’re looking for a snack, light meal or some great seafood in the Coligny area, check out The Sandbar Beach Eats. Their dog-friendly patio and inviting atmosphere make it a great place for a bite near the beach. Check out their menu here.
- Frosty Frog Cafe
We’d have to vote the Frosty Frog Cafe as one of the most dog-friendly restaurants on Hilton Head Island simply because they’re one of the few that offer a special Dog Menu! For the adult humans, the Frosty Frog is best known for their frozen daiquiris and fun, beachy atmosphere. They have a huge, dog-friendly patio and often have live music. Their menu features a wide variety of food, from pizza and wings to tacos to seafood. Check it out here.
- Skillets Cafe & Grill
Skillets is another great local restaurant with its own Doggy Menu! It’s an island favorite for breakfast, but they have great options for lunch & dinner as well! Pups will love the large, covered patio. Check out Skillets Cafe here.
- Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Cafe
Aunt Chilada’s is a Hilton Head Island for “Tex-Mex” and Mexican cuisine, as well as excellent seafood, steak and American fare. Their patio is dog-friendly, and they also offer seasonal live music on the patio. Check it out here.
Shelter Cove:
Shelter Cove has two main areas: Shelter Cove Towne Centre and Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. Both locations are great for shopping and dining. Here are a few dog-friendly restaurants in Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina:
- Top Dawg Tavern
Top Dawg Tavern features waterfront views, a covered pet-friendly patio, tons of TVs and a variety of food at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. The large, covered patio is a great place to grab a bite with your dog and take in the view or watch a football game with friends. Check them out here.
- Scott’s Fish Market
With a large, dog-friendly patio right on the water, seasonal live music and delicious seafood, Scott’s Fish Market is a great pet-friendly restaurant in Shelter Cove. It’s also a fantastic place to watch Hilton Head’s summer Thursday night fireworks shows. Learn more here.
- San Miguel’s
Another great waterfront restaurant, San Miguel’s offers “Mexican on the Marina.” Their authentic Mexican food is known as the best on the island — and so are their margaritas. Enjoy your meal — or a drink — while soaking in the view or catching a sunset with your pup on their dog-friendly patio. They also offer occasional live music. Check out their menu here.
Elsewhere on the island:
- Skull Creek Boathouse
Known for their breathtaking views — especially at sunset — Skull Creek Boathouse is a favorite for dinner on the island. They have a huge outdoor dining area — including a covered and heated area for the colder/rainy days — and an outdoor bar. The outdoor area is dog friendly. Learn more here.
- Skull Creek Dockside
Next door to Boathouse, Skull Creek Dockside is known for its barbecue as well as its views. It also has a large outdoor dining area, outdoor bar, and there’s a play area in between Skull Creek Dockside & Boathouse. Learn more here.
- Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks
Hudson’s is on the other side of Dockside. It’s known for having the freshest, local seafood on the island as it works with local fishermen to bring fresh seafood straight from the docks to your table. It’s also one of the island’s oldest restaurants. You and your pup can sit right over the water on their pet-friendly deck area. Check them out here.
- The Black Marlin Bayside Grill
Another waterfront location, The Black Marlin has a huge covered patio and their outdoor “Hurricane Bar.” They’re known for their Shrimp Burger, Sushi Nachos, shrimp & grits, as well as other seafood options. Dogs are welcome at their outdoor dining area. Check out their menu here.
- WiseGuys
If you’re craving a steak, a glass of wine or a cocktail, check out WiseGuys. Their dinner menu includes amazing seafood creations and hand-cut Stock Yard steaks that are aged a minimum of 28 days for maximum flavor, with tenderness in every bit. While they have an upscale indoor dining area, they also have a relaxed patio area where dogs are allowed. Check them out here.
- Frankie Bones
Next to WiseGuys is Frankie Bones Restaurant & Lounge, which also features steaks, pasta, seafood and martinis. Dogs are welcome on their patio area. Learn more here.
- The Crazy Crab Jarvis Creek
The Crazy Crab is one of the most kid-friendly and pet-friendly restaurants on the island. This waterfront restaurant has a huge outdoor dining area and outdoor bar, plus a playground for the kids and a firepit for the cooler evenings! It’s also one of the best restaurants on the island to watch the sunset. Check them out here.
- Fishcamp on Broad Creek
Another great restaurant for catching the sunset and bringing your pup, Fishcamp on Broad Creek has a pet-friendly patio, a firepit, an outdoor game area, and waterfront views. Check them out here.
- Up the Creek Pub & Grill
A casual hideaway next to Broad Creek Marina, this pub & grill is a great stop after a day on the water. Dogs are allowed on their outdoor waterfront dining area, and they offer a variety of burgers, sandwiches and seafood baskets. Check out their menu here.
- Captain Woody’s Bar & Grill
Another great kid- and pup-friendly restaurant, Captain Woody’s has a large outdoor dining area as well as an outdoor games area. Part of the outdoor dining area is covered and includes TVs, which are great for football Sundays! Check them out here.
