It’s beginning to be brunch season again. What is brunch season, you ask? Well, to be honest, we just completely made that up. But we are heading into the time of year when there are more reasons to plan on spending your mid-morning sipping on mimosas and enjoying a delicious plate of French toast. With Easter Sunday and Mother’s Day fast approaching, it’s a good idea to start making plans now—especially if you’re able to make reservations ahead of time! Here are our recommendations for some of the best brunches on Hilton Head Island:
Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café
Website | (843) 686-3232
86 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Located in Palmetto Bay Marina, this café is a great option for breakfast or lunch—or in this case, brunch! Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café is a local favorite that quickly turns new customers into regulars. With a full bar that can whip up delicious Bloody Marys, and a regularly updated specials menu that continues to wow, this island favorite offers a dog-friendly patio where you can enjoy a beautiful morning waterside.
We recommend the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict or their signature, Breakfast Burrito with homemade salsa. Although breakfast items are served all day, their “Late Risers,” or lunch menu, is equally delicious. Try the Shrimp Scampi, Leslie Burger, or the Egg Salad Melt. Add an order of Crab Wontons from their “Snax” menu, or try their delicious She-Crab Soup.
Poseidon
Website | (843) 341-3838
38 Shelter Cove Lane, STE 121, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
While Poseidon only offers brunch on Sundays, this restaurant is still a top contender for the best brunches on Hilton Head Island! This also means that we highly recommend reserving a table for your group ahead of time! Poseidon is known for having robust menus filled with fresh seafood, mouthwatering appetizers, sushi rolls and bowls, and an impressive line-up of handmade cocktails.
The brunch menu is not excluded in this trend, and includes everyone’s favorite breakfast and brunch plates (we’re talking eggs, biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, grits, etc.), an array of Belgian Waffle combinations that range from savory to sweet, and a seemingly endless selection of breakfast and lunch favorites that incorporate fresh seafood, like the Seafood Crepe, Maine Lobster Benedict, Shrimp Salad Roll, Gulf Coast Shrimp Burger, and more.
Black Marlin Bayside Grill
Website | (843) 785-4950
86 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
A favorite spot for locals and visitors who want to step away from the crowds for a relaxing meal while still enjoying beautiful views, the Black Marlin Bayside Grill offers a delicious brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Sit inside in the refreshing AC or outside on the covered patio to fully enjoy the water views—either way, your group will have a calm and charming Lowcountry experience. Reservations are accepted, and highly recommended for weekends during peak season.
Every menu option is out of this world, from southern favorites like Steak and Eggs, Shrimp and Grits, as well as Biscuits and Gravy, to dishes that incorporate fresh seafood like the Low Country Omelet, Mussels Mesina, and even Sushi Nachos. Try the Sushi Bowl, Strawberry and Pecan, or Tropical Cobb salads if you’re looking for a lighter bite to eat. The Bananas Foster French Toast will rival any French Toast you’ve had previously, and let’s not forget about the Black Marlins’ famous, Create-Your-Own Bloody Mary bar!
Old Oyster Factory
Website | (843) 681-6040
101 Marshland Rd, HIlton Head Island, SC 29926
Not many visitors have just happened upon the Old Oyster Factory, as the restaurant is tucked away on Marshland Road that cuts through the middle of the island and parallels Broad Creek. The restaurant itself was built on the original site of the Broad Creek Oyster Factory—hence the restaurant’s name paying homage to the region’s oystering heritage. While lunch, dinner, and happy hour being all popular times for the restaurant, Sunday Brunch is always a fan-favorite. Eat inside the beautiful dining area, or sit outside on the restaurant’s decks that overlook the island’s marsh and Broad Creek.
The Sunday Brunch menu gets straight to the point, offering plates that cover all of the brunch basics. Looking for something sweet? The Belgian Waffle is the way to go. Order the iconic, Eggs Benedict that comes with home fries and fresh-cut fruit to start your day right, or the Steak and Egg Hash to pack in the protein. Looking for something with a Lowcountry flair? Try the Seafood Omelette, made with shrimp, crabmeat, asparagus, and Swiss cheese! Now, don’t forget the classic brunch cocktails like the Ultimate Bloody Mary, or a more refreshing spirit like the Blueberry Smash, Lowcountry Peach Lemonade, or the Broad Creek 75.
Frankie Bones
Website | (843) 682-4455
1301 Main Street, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Open seven days a week at both Hilton Head Island and Bluffton locations, for our purposes, we’ll be highlighting the Hilton Head location on the north end of the island. The restaurant and lounge sends guests back in time to the 1960s’ carefree lifestyle, with an upscale atmosphere that would make the famous, Rat Pack, feel right at home. Specializing in American-Italian cuisine, Frankie Bones has one of the best Sunday brunches in the Lowcountry. Offering brunch favorites like Biscuits & Gravy, Buttermilk Pancakes, and Frankies All American, a plate that includes eggs your way, applewood smoked bacon, sausage patties, hash brown casserole, and toast, the menu also includes Italian classics like Spaghetti & Meatballs, Toasted Ravioli, Crispy Calamari, and more. Try any of the variations of Pinsa Dough Pizzettas, or stick to the brunch-basics with an Eggs Benedict.
What’s brunch without a specialized cocktail? Choose between the Frankies Brunch Bloody Mary or the Gazpacho Bloody Mary, or, if you’re wanting something sweet, order a classic, Mimosa, Peach Bellini, or even a Strawberry Bellini. Frankie Bones is known for their Martinis, including The Politician, Chocolate Martini, Key Lime Colada, and more. Try a cocktail from the Frankies Classics list, like Fly Me to the Moon Manhattan, Frankies Cadillac Margarita, or Hilton Head Tea. Or, you can never go wrong with a strong Cappuccino or refreshing glass of Sweet Iced Tea!
Plantation Café & Deli
Website
North End: (843) 342-4472 | 95 Mathews Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
South End: (843) 785-9020 | 81 Pope Ave, STE C, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
A Hilton Head staple that has been in operation for almost half a century, Plantation Café & Deli has three convenient locations that cover both the island and Bluffton. For early risers that want to get a head start on their day, visit this café before eight a.m. to order from their delicious Early Bird Specials menu. If sleeping in is on the day’s to-do list, both breakfast, lunch, and Sunday Brunch menus are packed with mouthwatering plates. A must-stop while visiting Hilton Head, visitors and locals alike rave about the delightful, family-friendly atmosphere and scrumptious southern-style cooking.
The breakfast menu boasts country skillets, an array of benedicts and omelets, as well as plates from the griddle that are all beautifully topped with powdered sugar. Our favorite breakfast plate is Ellie’s Southern Breakfast, a more traditional order with a southern spin that includes fried green tomatoes. You can’t go wrong with a Creole skillet or golden, Belgian Waffle. Our Sunday Brunch favorites include the Salad Platter and Pimento Grilled Cheese.
