There’s no better way to start a Hilton Head morning than with sunlight bouncing off the water and the promise of a long, leisurely brunch ahead. The island’s brunch culture is more than eggs and coffee — it’s a celebration of slow mornings, good company, and the art of savoring coastal life one bite at a time.
From mimosas on the marina to shrimp and grits served with a side of salt air, these Hilton Head brunch spots bring together everything the island does best: food, friendship, and unforgettable views.
To truly taste the island at its finest, we begin with the brunch destinations that define Hilton Head’s culinary identity — the SERG favorites that make mornings by the water feel like a mini vacation all on their own.
Skull Creek Boathouse
Island Icon, Legendary Brunch
If there’s one place that turns brunch into an island ritual, it’s Skull Creek Boathouse. A flagship of the SERG Restaurant Group, this beloved waterfront spot has become synonymous with lazy weekend mornings filled with laughter, sunshine, and the smell of fresh coffee and griddled crab cakes.
Their famous Sunday Brunch Buffet is nothing short of an experience — omelet stations, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, Southern biscuits, and carving boards loaded with slow-roasted meats. Add in a mimosa or two and views of Skull Creek shimmering just beyond the deck, and you’ll understand why locals swear by it year after year.
We recommend: The Lowcountry Shrimp & Grits — creamy, buttery, and packed with flavor that perfectly balances rich Southern comfort and coastal freshness.
Why we chose this spot: Because Skull Creek Boathouse isn’t just brunch — it’s Hilton Head’s Sunday ritual.
Skull Creek Boathouse
397 Squire Pope Rd,
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-3663
https://www.skullcreekboathouse.com/
Poseidon
Elevated Midday Dining with Broad Creek Views
At Poseidon, brunch gets a modern makeover. This SERG favorite, located in Shelter Cove Towne Centre, offers a vibrant atmosphere where fresh seafood, steak, and cocktails come together in the sunshine. It’s stylish yet approachable — the kind of place where you’ll see locals in sundresses and vacationers snapping photos of their Bloody Mary flights.
Their Sunday Brunch lineup includes everything from classic pancakes and omelets to creative coastal entrées like crab-stuffed omelets and shrimp avocado toast. The waterfront patio makes every table a “best seat in the house.”
We recommend: The Seafood Omelet — fluffy eggs filled with shrimp, crab, and scallops, then topped with a drizzle of lemon-chive cream sauce.
Why we chose this spot: Because Poseidon is where brunch feels glamorous — the perfect mix of food, fashion, and fresh air.
Poseidon
38 Shelter Cove Ln,
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 341-3838
https://www.poseidonhhi.com/
Skull Creek Dockside
Casual Vibes, Big Flavor
Right next door to Boathouse, Skull Creek Dockside (another SERG restaurant) offers the same unbeatable water views with a slightly more laid-back energy. Families love it, couples linger for hours, and the staff’s Southern hospitality makes everyone feel like a regular.
Brunch here leans into Lowcountry favorites — fried chicken and waffles, shrimp po’ boys, and fluffy biscuits piled high with gravy. Whether you grab a table inside or sit out on the deck surrounded by palms and sunshine, Dockside makes “relax and refill” the motto of the day.
We recommend: The Bananas Foster French Toast — thick slices of brioche soaked in caramelized banana rum sauce. Sweet, decadent, and absolutely unforgettable.
Why we chose this spot: Because Dockside makes brunch feel unhurried — like the rest of the world can wait while you enjoy one more cup of coffee by the water.
Skull Creek Dockside
2 Hudson Rd,
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 785-3625
https://docksidehhi.com/
Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks
Historic Charm, Coastal Comfort
After you’ve visited the SERG brunch landmarks, it’s only fair to pay homage to one of Hilton Head’s most beloved local institutions. Hudson’s has been serving fresh-caught seafood since the 1960s, and their brunch is as classic as it gets — the kind of simple, heartfelt meal that reminds you why coastal dining never goes out of style.
Expect crab omelets, shrimp and grits, and the island’s best hush puppies, all paired with dockside views that stretch across Port Royal Sound. It’s authentic, unfussy, and deeply local.
We recommend: The Seafood Omelet — loaded with fresh crab and shrimp, finished with melted cheese and herbs.
Why we chose this spot: Because Hudson’s is Hilton Head history — the kind of place that proves good food and great views will always stand the test of time.
Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks
1 Hudson Rd,
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-2772
https://www.hudsonsonthedocks.com/
Old Oyster Factory
A Brunch Classic Above the Creek
With its panoramic marsh views and breezy deck seating, the Old Oyster Factory brings a touch of timeless Lowcountry beauty to every meal — brunch included. While it’s best known for oysters and seafood platters, weekend mornings here offer something just as special: hearty Southern plates served with a side of serenity.
The menu features house-made biscuits, seasonal seafood omelets, and crab Benedicts that could convert even the most loyal pancake lover.
We recommend: The Blue Crab Benedict — perfectly poached eggs layered over fresh crab cakes and topped with creamy hollandaise.
Why we chose this spot: Because every bite feels like a Sunday morning on the coast — relaxed, comforting, and beautifully indulgent.
Old Oyster Factory
101 Marshland Rd,
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-6040
https://oldoysterfactory.com/
ELA’s on the Water
Romantic Views, Refined Midday Flavors
Few places make brunch feel as effortlessly elegant as ELA’s. Overlooking Shelter Cove Harbour, this locally loved restaurant turns morning meals into miniature celebrations. With natural light flooding through the windows and boats drifting by, it’s the ideal spot for a slow brunch with someone special.
Their weekend menu features coastal favorites with upscale touches — crab Benedicts, shrimp and grits, fresh fruit parfaits, and an excellent mimosa list.
We recommend: The Lobster & Avocado Toast — delicate lobster meat layered on toasted brioche with citrus aioli and microgreens.
Why we chose this spot: Because ELA’s transforms brunch into an art form — refined, romantic, and made for those who linger just a little longer after the plates are cleared.
ELA’s on the Water
1 Shelter Cove Ln,
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 785-3030
https://www.elasgrille.com/
The Crazy Crab – Harbour Town
Family Fun with a Lighthouse View
Brunch doesn’t have to be fancy to be fabulous. At The Crazy Crab, you’ll find comfort food, cheerful service, and an unbeatable view of the Harbour Town Lighthouse. It’s lively, friendly, and perfect for families looking to start their day on the water.
Think fluffy pancakes, shrimp omelets, and seafood platters served alongside steaming coffee and salty breezes.
We recommend: The Shrimp Omelet with Cheddar — light, flavorful, and full of that unmistakable Lowcountry comfort.
Why we chose this spot: Because sometimes the best brunches are the simplest ones — casual, cozy, and made better by a view that never gets old.
The Crazy Crab – Harbour Town
149 Lighthouse Rd,
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 363-2722
https://thecrazycrab.com/
Fishcamp on Broad Creek
Southern Brunch with a Creekside Breeze
A longtime local favorite, Fishcamp on Broad Creek blends Southern comfort with coastal charm. The moment you sit down under the string lights on their patio, you feel like you’ve stumbled into one of the island’s best-kept secrets for weekend relaxation.
The brunch menu offers everything from avocado toast and eggs Benedict to fried green tomatoes and shrimp tacos — all elevated with fresh, local ingredients. Their Bloody Marys and specialty cocktails are as beloved as the food itself, making this the kind of place where brunch effortlessly stretches into afternoon.
We recommend: The Crab Cake Benedict — sweet lump crab, silky hollandaise, and perfectly poached eggs. Pair it with a peach Bellini for peak island luxury.
Why we chose this spot: Because brunch here feels like a scene from a postcard — bright, breezy, and just a little bit indulgent.
Fishcamp on Broad Creek
11 Simmons Rd,
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 842-2267
https://www.fishcamphhi.com/
The Morning Tide
Brunch on Hilton Head isn’t rushed — it’s savored. From the lively decks of Skull Creek Boathouse to the quiet elegance of ELA’s, each restaurant tells its own story of coastal mornings and Southern grace.
It’s the clink of champagne glasses, the shimmer of water in the sunlight, and the laughter that carries across the docks. Because here on Hilton Head, brunch isn’t just the first meal of the day — it’s the most beautiful excuse to never be in a hurry.
