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Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Hilton Head

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OpenTable
Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Hilton Head? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of River House - Montage Palmetto Bluff restaurant
4.9
4.9 (399)
$50 and over
American
Bluffton
About the restaurant
River House does have a dressy casual dress code consisting of no shorts, flip flops, baseball hats or tank tops in the dining room for the gentlemen. Comparable attire for the ladies. Children under 16 are exempt. We do offer complimentary pants to guests that may need them.
River House corkage policy is a maximum of 3 bottles per reservation without management consent at $35 per bottle.
River House has a 24-hour cancellation and No-Show Policy consisting of $25 per person plus a 18% SVC Charge.

In the South, there’s an intimate connection between the table and the land. Our fertile soil feeds corn and cattle. The palmettos provide cover for quail and game. And the ocean provides its bounty with the incoming tide. The River House is a culinary celebration of this relationship and our professed love for the land and waters of the Lowcountry.

Top review
KimVIP
Dined on Dec 27, 2024
Excellent food. Our second time there. We requested Bryce for our server since he was amazing the first time. He is amazing. Wonderful ambience.
A photo of Zunzibar - Hilton Head restaurant
4.8
4.8 (39)
$30 and under
American
Hilton Head Island
About the restaurant
Beachy Sports Bar Serving Signature Cocktails, Frozen Drinks, Local + Import Beer, Wine, + Full Bar! Our Menu Features Zunzi's Award-Winning Sandwiches, Wings, Sauces, + More! Happy Hour DAILY from 4PM-7PM and 10PM-11PM! Live Music or Sports EVERY DAY!
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 6 days ago
Igloo experience was a great way to celebrate a January birthday. Ryan our server was great and we had the best time and great food.
A photo of The Bluffton Room restaurant
4.9
4.9 (2171)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Bluffton
About the restaurant
At The Bluffton Room, we serve inspired American cuisine prepared with the finest ingredients in an intimate and vibrant atmosphere in the heart of Old Town Bluffton. Our well crafted cocktails, gracious service and tableside preparations evoke the feeling of a classic dinner party.

Please note that due to the size of our dining room and our tableside service, the restaurant is not suited to children under 13 years of age. Thank you for your understanding.

Top review
DavidVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Top notch as always - the Bluffton Room never disappoints. I do wish the regular menu had a little more variety (it's very steak-heavy), but I usually end up with one of the non-steak daily specials anyway. Last night was roasted duck, and it was outstanding. My wife's fish was also excellent. We topped it off with the bananas foster desert, which is always a special treat. Service was excellent, drinks were well made - like I said, the Bluffton Room never disappoints. We'll be back.
A photo of Olive & Fig Mediterranean Kitchen restaurant
4.9
4.9 (407)
$30 and under
Mediterranean
Hilton Head Island
About the restaurant

It was Chef Munjid and his wife Tammy’s dream to one day be able to open their own Mediterranean restaurant and share his cuisine with the world. That dream is now a reality with Olive and Fig Mediterranean Kitchen. Together they take great pride in making each plate transport you to the Greek Isles or the banks of the Mediterranean Sea where some of the finest cuisine is served. We are excited to bring you some flavors from the Mediterranean and we hope you enjoy!

As we are in our peak season we are requesting that you have patience as our cuisine is made to order. You will find no precooked items and we do not use microwaves or steam tables to heat or store food. In addition, no frozen items except those that should be such as French fries or ice cream desserts.

We take pride in our quality and request if have any concerns or not satisfied please ask to speak with Tammy the owner.

Thank you for choosing us as part of your dining experience. We look forward to serving you!

Top review
AmyVIP
Dined on Dec 24, 2024
Wonderful and delicious! We’ll be back! Thank you for a warm and cozy Christmas Eve experience.
A photo of The Studio, An Artistic Dining Experience restaurant
4.9
4.9 (1689)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Hilton Head Island
About the restaurant


Entice Your Senses While You Dine in our Fine Art Gallery. Innovative International Cuisine featuring Local Seafood, Grassfed Beef as well as Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten Free Menu Options. Also offering Live Musical Entertainment, Artists Creating at the Easel, Patio Seating


Private Dining Room Available for up to 35 People

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence

Top review
LoraVIP
Dined on Dec 27, 2024
All around cozy, inviting, wonderful evening. The family owned restaurant/gallery provides unique Entrees, interesting art pieces, and music. Made the evening out for my husbands birthday, quite special.
A photo of CQ's restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3297)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Hilton Head Island
About the restaurant
Nestled amidst the ancient, moss draped oaks in Harbour Town, CQ's combines great fun, fine dining and a touch of Hilton Head Island history. CQ's has the feeling of an old, cozy, and comfortable inn. Heart-of-pine floors, wooden mantle pieces, stained glass, and the photographs and memorabilia of the Lowcountry culture all contribute to the charm that has made CQ's the place to dine since 1973. Inspired by the abundant varieties of fresh seafood, beef and game available. Our chef creates dishes that are best described as contemporary American with classic influences. Recognized for having the most extensive wine list on Hilton Head Island, CQ's offers more than 400 wine selections with over 70 poured by the glass.


Top review
NancyVIP
Dined 4 days ago
CQ’s is a wonderful experience. Fantastic service, beautifully plated food, lovely place settings, well informed servers, mixed drinks well prepared. Just a lovely adult evening
A photo of Ruby Lee's restaurant
4.8
4.8 (363)
$31 to $50
Southern
Hilton Head Island
About the restaurant
The new Ruby Lee’s on Wild Horse!
The new Ruby Lee’s offers more of what patrons of Hilton Head Island have come to love and expect in the past: delicious southern cooking and a comfortable yet stimulating atmosphere that offers the perfect way to enjoy sports or outstanding blues, jazz and soul from local and regional artists. If you’re not familiar with Ruby Lee’s, it’s a locally owned restaurant, started by Tim Singleton (known to Low-country residents as an athlete and head coach). The restaurant is named for Singleton’s late grandmother who is the inspiration for the Southern-style menu. The new and revamped version of the original; yet it still captures the Southern feel-good themes that have an uncanny way of making you hungry for fried chicken, shrimp and grits, corn bread, and sweet tea the moment you walk in the door. If, for some reason, you’re not quite ready to eat after walking in the door of Ruby Lee’s, you’ll notice a pang of hunger once you look at the menu.

Top review
Gail
Dined 2 days ago
Always fun great entertainment & friendly staff as well as customers.
A photo of Celeste Coastal Cuisine restaurant
4.8
4.8 (968)
$31 to $50
American
Hilton Head Island
About the restaurant
Experience Celeste Coastal Cuisine, a hidden gem on the north end of Hilton Head Island. Celeste offers a unique blend of Cajun-Creole influence, complemented by an excellent wine selection, a full bar, and outdoor seating. The menu features a variety of enticing options, including succulent scallops, blackened red fish, and expertly prepared steaks. Signature dishes like jambalaya and crawfish étouffée ensure there's something to satisfy every palate. The inviting decor, accented with New Orleans-inspired touches, creates a warm and welcoming environment for relaxing evenings, whether indoors or on the veranda. Guests can join nightly at 5 PM for dinner and enjoy live music every weekend in the spacious bar and lounge. Don’t miss the Sunday brunch from 11 AM to 2 PM, featuring favorites like Crab Cake Benedict. Escape the tourist rush and unwind for an enjoyable evening out. Reservations can be made by calling 843-802-4744 or visiting celestehhi.com.
Top review
peter
Dined 3 days ago
Perfect ambiance, elegant, intimate. Outstanding, extremely polished staff.
A photo of Charlie's Coastal Bistro (L'etoile Verte) restaurant
4.9
4.9 (5359)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Hilton Head Island
About the restaurant
Focusing predominately on fresh local seafood with a French, Lowcountry flare, Charlie’s is the place for good food, good wine and unforgettable memories all enjoyed in a quaint French country atmosphere.

A Savannah native, Charlie Golson’s interest in the French language and culture took him to Paris. After a long stint in the fast paced hotel kitchens of Washington DC, he was ready to move back closer to home. It was at that time he was able to open up a one room French bistro. The restaurant has grown over the years, but the ‘Green Star’ remains steadfast in offering the finest ingredients the Low country has to offer with a menu that is hand written daily. Resort Casual.

Top review
Alicia
Dined on Dec 26, 2024
My husband ordered the duck & he said his was cooked perfectly - medium rare. The scalloped potatoes & veggies (green beans & carrots) were also delicious. He cleaned his plate. I had the smoked salmon appetizer which was good, not much different than what can be found in Costco or ordering online - it came with a lovely horseradish & dill sauce. I also had the crab, avocado appetizer which was more interesting. We had an early reservation which is what I prefer to eating later, but there were people waiting by the time we left around 6:30.
A photo of Chophouse 119 restaurant
4.5
4.5 (446)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Hilton Head Island
About the restaurant
Chophouse 119 pays homage to the original New York dining experience, the Steakhouse. We have captured the nostalgic glamour of yesteryear and adapted the ambiance to today’s modern society. Chophouse 119 combines bold flavors and a unique style to create a twist on American classics.

Prime steaks, exceptional seafood, pastas, roasted chicken and signature dishes, showcase the bold, vibrant flavors this team are known for delivering. Our restaurant sources from the finest meat purveyors finding seasonal and local ingredients that bring our unique dishes to life.

The intimate Bar 119 is a lively meeting place offering new spins on the classics, as well as innovative bespoke and craft cocktails.

Offering a new spin on the classics with the experience we are all looking for, don’t miss the ultimate night out.

Top review
Arianna
Dined 4 days ago
My experience at Chophouse 119 was behind what I expected. The service resumed from Jake and Diego was unmatched as well as they recommended some GREAT options for us to try and they did not disappoint. I celebrated my anniversary and it was a memory that I truly won’t forget. No complaints. Thank you Chophouse!
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