Top Gluten Free Restaurants in Hilton Head Island
Hello there, buoys and gulls! Today we are going to talk about the best gluten free restaurants in Hilton Head! If I win the lottery tomorrow, you know where we’ll be buying our beach house. We even got married in Hilton Head, and yes, I had gluten free fried chicken as my dinner entree. And yes, I may have snapped at my new husband for interrupting my enjoying of it.
In my defense, one of my favorite things to do in Hilton Head is eat. My family has been going there at least once a year since I was four years old. My husband and I have continued this tradition, and dining as always been a huge part of my Hilton Head vacation experience. Even if you’re not a big seafood person (and if you’re not, this the place to give it a try), Hilton Head dining has so much to offer, especially for us gluten free folks!
So don’t get tide down trying to find the best gluten free restaurants in Hilton Head. Read on, my friend, because my Hilton Head Top Seven are shore to delight.
Poseidon
Unbeatable Gluten Free Fried Appetizers Steal the Show
The dedicated gluten free fryer really makes Posiedon one of my top gluten free restaurants in HHI. My favorite things to get at Poseidon are the appetizers. I normally get at least two out of the four gluten free appetizers and make a truly awesome meal out of them.
Fried Green Tomato Caprese – It’s so good! The goat cheese brings it to the next level.
Hot Blue Crab Dip – Crab meat mixed with pimento cheese = genius.
Rhode Island Calamari – Crispy goodness, complete with Kalamata olives, cherry peppers, and pepperoncinis.
All of these appetizer are marvelous. I’d have trouble picking my favorite one—or favorite two for that matter. But, because ordering two appetizers for your entree seems somewhat normal and ordering three appetizers for your entree seems just plain gluttonous, I normally split the crab dip with my husband. He loves it too and it’s definitely richer than the other two.
Call me shellfish, but I like to have the fried green tomatoes and calamari all to myself.
On occasions, when we’ve gone with a slightly larger group and I’m in a sharing mood, we’ve gotten my favorite gluten free appetizers as actual appetizers. In which case I typically get the fried shrimp entree, which is also fabulous.
Beach, please! How often do you get the opportunity to eat gluten free fried shrimp? In my world, hardly ever.
The last time we were in HHI, I ordered my awesome appetizer trio for the table and everyone literally attacked it before I could get a picture for this post, ugh. So, I got the GF fried shrimp and decided to try the GF fried clams as well. The fried shrimp were much better.
Poseidon is located in the somewhat new Shelter Cove Towne Center and has beautiful sunset marshland views. There is also a park and a big grassy lawn across the street for the kids to run around in in case you have to wait for a table. Poseidon is part of the SERG Group Restaurants, most of which have pretty great gluten free options and are also worth looking into.
Check out Posiedon’s menu at www.poseidonhhi.com. Stick Poseidon’s trident in it, I’m done.
Fishcamp on Broad Creek
Camp?! You’ll Want to Move Right In!
Oh Fish Camp, my whole extended family loves you. I think everybody does. We always recommend Fish Camp whenever anyone is going to Hilton Head and people are always blown away. The outdoor atmosphere and scenery can’t be beat. From the beautiful view of the water, to the moss covered trees on all sides, to the little wooden boat that’s great for photo ops. Sail-fie anyone?
Fish Camp also has live music, an outdoor bar, and a little pier you can walk out on. If you have to wait for a table, which you most likely will be, there is still plenty to enjoy in their striking outdoor area. While the atmosphere puts Fish Camp ahead of the game, the seafood is also top-notch.
Gluten free menu items are not marked on their menu, but keep palm and carry on as the staff is always super knowledgeable and friendly here. The servers are quick to provide suggestions and modifications to ensure you have a phenomenal and safe gluten free meal.
I just pulled up their website to refresh myself on some of the proper names of the entrees and oh my goodness, these pictures are like food as art. Just beautiful. You should check out their website, fishcamphhi.com. It makes me want to drive back down there right now.
Anyways, the Seafood Risotto is one of my favorite things on the menu. The Seafood Risotto includes lobster, shrimp, Prince Edward Island mussels, and a delectable saffron lemon and spinach risotto.
On our most recent trip, I tried the Pan-Seared Triple Tail without having much idea what a triple tail even was and it was amazing. I was in love with the Southwest cream sauce on the thick flaky piece of fish. The Pan-Seared Triple Tail also came with asparagus and street corn risotto. It was awesome. I’m kicking myself for not getting a picture. The kids wouldn’t stay in their seats so I was distracted. Next time!!!
Other notable gluten free mentions go to the Prince Edward Island Mussel appetizer made in a garlic, white wine, Parmesan sauce; the shrimp and snow crab lowcountry boils; and the Seared Maine Scallops with goat cheese chive risotto.
This is also our favorite place on the island to get raw oysters if you are into that kind of thing, yummmm.
They do not take reservations for outside, so get there early. This is a restaurant WHERE YOU NEED TO SIT OUTSIDE. My husband hates eating outside, but even he loves to sit outside here.
They also have gluten free dessert—Crème Brûlée! I kind of feel like crème brûlée is the gluten free dessert of Hilton Head. So heck yeah, beach! Go for it. It’s delicious, though my favorite crème brûlée is from Skull Creek, discussed below. Still, do not be ashamed to make it a two-crème-brûlée-vacation! I do!
Skull Creek Boathouse
A Gluten Free Menu that Runs Deep as the Sea
This one from the SERG Group is almost an embarrassment of riches, or dare we say an embarrassment of pirate’s treasure? There are just soo many gluten free options. There’s sushi; there’s a choose your seafood type and style ceviche with over 100 combinations; there’s chilled seafood; there’s deviled eggs; there’s steamed seafood, there’s broiled seafood; there’s some kickass entree salads; there’s low country boils; there’s jambalaya; there’s gluten free pasta; there’s steak…
There’s a lot to choose from, it’s very intense.
Fortunately, Skull Creek has a fun nautical themed inside and large outside seating area as well, because it’s a popular place and can get very busy. Skull Creek is also on the water and has a big outdoor bar. It’s a very fun outdoor area, though it lacks a bit of the picturesqueness of Fish Camp.
My favorite gluten free food options at Skull Creek are the Philly Roll, Ceviche, Hot Peel-N-Eat Shrimp, and Napa Salad.
The Peel-N-Eat Shrimp are mouth watering and the Napa Salad may be the best salad I’ve ever had. I’m a fare weather fan about salad in general, but if it’s outstanding, I love it. This one has baby spinach, toasted almonds, baby green beans, avocado, fresh grapes, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, crumbled goat cheese, and honey poppy seed dressing. I always want it so I’ve been having trouble trying new things at Skull Creek since I discovered it, which is kind of sad since there is so much to try!
Lastly, if you are feeling a little nauti, this place has one of my favorite desserts on the island. So you should definitely save some room for dessert! I usually can’t kelp myself. It’s the Nutella Chocolate Chip Crème Brûlée and omg someone take me there now so I can stuff it in my mouth. Click here to check out Skull Creek’s many gluten free offerings.
Truffles Cafe
If it’s Good Enough For Opie, It’s Good Enough for Me. PS, There’s Gluten Free Bread
Like seagulls drawn to crackers, Truffles has been an old family favorite of ours for a long time. We also saw Ron Howard here back in the day when I was probably about 10 years old, and Happy Days was on Nick at Nite all the time. Yes, I am so cool.
One of my favorite things about this restaurant is the buttery herby spread that comes with the bread. It’s just the little things sometimes, ya know? The gluten free bread itself is nothing to write a postcard home about, and it will cost you $3 extra, but the scrumptious herby butter spread is where it’s at.
Gluten free items are not labeled on their menu, but the staff is very knowledgeable and many of the menu items can be made gluten free with little or no modifications. One of my favorite entrees is the Dinner Roasted Wild Cod. It’s served with a Parmesan glaze, pesto, green beans, and mashed potatoes. If you are at all a fish and/or Parmesan fan, this meal is absolutely kriller.
Truffles is located in Seapines on the way to Harbor Town in the back of a small shopping center. I think it may be a bit of a hidden gem. While most the tables are always full, we’ve never had to wait for a table here, knock on wood. Maybe people opt for other places because it doesn’t have a waterfront or fun outdoor dining area, but if they want to go elsewhere, yeah buoy! Works for me! Just bring a little sweater or something, because it’s been chilly in Truffles since ‘95.
CharBar Co. Burgers and Sushi
If You’re a Land Lover or Need a Break from Seafood by Now, Let’s Turn the Tides
Clearly, we have some old standby family favorites in Hilton Head, so trying a new place is always done after much debate and research. Then add on extra research to figure out what can safely be eaten gluten free. But, just for the halibut, my husband and I decided to go on a date night to the CharBar one night.
CharBar is also owned by the SERG Group, so I figured it would be a pretty safe bet since I already love Posiedon and Skull Creek, and CharBar did not disappoint! Since CharBar has been voted the best burger in Hilton Head seven times over the last ten years, we splurged and both got Wagyu burgers and fries (gluten free fryer), and they were delicious.
But, what realllllly stole the show were their wings. We were both just blown away by them. We got them as an appetizer, so we just split six wings between us. Afterwards we wished we would have made a meal out of them.
CharBar is also known for their sushi, but I was pregnant at the time, so I had to pass on this and Chris isn’t a huge sushi person. I’m looking forward to trying some next time for sure—as an appetizer prior to eating about 20 chicken wings most likely. Would you like to try some?
Coast at Seapines Beach Club
Just What Seapines (and My Family) Needed
This recent trip was our second year going to Coast and we really love this relatively new restaurant find that my brother-in-law recommended. We also went to Coast TWICE in one trip, just like we did last year.
For people who like to stay in South Beach, but dislike the 15+ minute drive it takes to get out of Seapines, Coast is a breath of fresh sea air. It’s Fish Camp quality without having to go the distance.
There were definitely some changes to their gluten free menu since our last visit a year ago. First, and most sadly, they don’t have the Manchego cheese grits anymore. They used to be in the Seafood Sofrito and while it’s still good, it’s just not super delicious like it used to be.
I enjoyed the Blackened Redfish more. It’s served with island rice, garlic haricot verts, mango salsa, and red pepper coulis.
Other gluten free options include the Chili Lime Shrimp Skewer, Farmer’s Market Salad, Raw Oysters, Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Claw Cocktail, Seared Sea Scallops, Cashew Crusted Salmon, Roasted Whole Red Snapper, 8 oz Filet Mignon, and the Cuba Libre Braised Short Rib. This list reflects lots of changes since last year.
My husband gets credit for getting the “Small” Seafood Tower, pictured above. All of which was gluten free, except for the crackers, of course. My brother and I did help him with it a little. My brother said getting the tower at a seafood restaurant is the equivalent of getting fajitas at a Mexican restaurant, everyone turns to look at it, and this was so true.
Dessert-wise, the ice cream and sorbet are listed as gluten free. But, if you get the Flourless Chocolate Torte without the extra stuff it comes with, like I did, then that is gluten free as well.
They also have great cocktails! The Paloma, below, was so refreshing and delicious!
I think you’ll love it as much as we did! Click here for a sneak peek at the menu.
Local Pie
A New Addition!!! Killer Gluten Free Pizza
It’s been our tradition to order pizza our first night on the island. Getting back in the car after the long car ride is the absolute worst. And up until our last trip, I hadn’t found a GF pizza I was too crazy about.
Enter, Local Pie Wood-Fired Pizza! I’d noticed there were a ton of recommendations for it from people on the Hilton Head Gluten Free Facebook group and was excited to give it a try. I was not disappointed.
Local Pie has a nice, thin gluten free crust and we ended up ordering it twice. The first time I got the Mr. Miittake which has a roasted garlic spread base, blistered tomatoes, button and shiitake mushrooms, shaved onion, ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and truffle oil.
The second time later in the week, I had a gluten free pizza with red sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and garlic. I would definitely get both again. They had a lot of specialty pizza options that sounded really good, including a Buffalo Bacon one.
Gluten free pizzas are 10” and an extra $2.
Looking for a bakery or sweet treat? Try…
- Hilton Head Social Bakery – While only a few items here are gluten free, options really aren’t necessary when the gluten free options you do have are so unforgettable. I think about these larger than life decadent and beautiful macaron type desserts from this French bakery all the time.
- The G-Free Spot – This is where you go for a wide variety of gluten free baked goodies, they also have sandwiches if you feel the need to have a real meal before you snack on pastries the rest of the day.
- Rita’s – I know this is a chain, but we don’t have any near us in good ole Northern Kentucky, so it’s a special Hilton Head treat for me none the less. It’s custard and Italian ice, you can get them apart, but they are so much better together.
On My List to Try
- Skillet’s – We haven’t made it there yet, but I recently found out that Skillet’s has gluten free fried chicken as well as GF dessert and other gluten free options!
Don’t feel like getting all dressed up after a day at the beach and want to spend the evening in? You can always buy some fresh, local seafood and whip up a meal in your condo/rental. Thrive Market has some great seafood and blackening seafood seasoning. It’s also a fantastic place to look for car snacks if you have a long road trip ahead of you. Read more about my favorite gluten free grocery delivery service here.
So enjoy, and remember… The ocean doesn’t talk, it just waves 😉
Wanting more great gluten free ideas on where to eat in Hilton Head? Subscribe to my newsletter and I’ll send you details about other Hilton Head restaurants (and other vacation destinations) that are also fabulous, but just missed the cut for this post!
Sea ya later!
I hope you eat something great today.
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