What's New on Hilton Head Island

This page will be updated frequently for the returning visitor.  This page will show four years of changes on Hilton Head. We will not attempt to keep up with the rapidly changing events in Bluffton.

Restaurants and Nightlife

Red = closed, at least for now.   Blue = new  The dates are just so I know when to remove old entries.

The Atlanta Bread Company opened in the Festival Center (near Wal Mart). It's a bakery/café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner sandwiches, soups, salads and bakery items.

Shoney's on the North end (the last Shoney's on Hilton Head) closed. Applebee's opened in it's place.

The Sage Room Four Corner Café has opened in Heritage Plaza. You can sit at one of two bars and watch the food being prepared.

Mellow Mushroom, a pizza, calzone, hoagie, salad, and beer restaurant has opened in Park Plaza not far from Wingo's. Judging by the number of patrons we have seen there in the early going, it will be popular. They sell 24 varieties of beer on tap and 50 more in bottles.

The Internet Café and Sundries opened in Coligny Plaza where the Hilton Head Pharmacy was. You can check your e-mails for $3.00 for 15 minutes, $5.00 for ½ Hr. and you can get coffee, though it's mostly a retail store for tourist related products.

Riders Lounge opened where the Blue Night was on Target road. They are open from 4 PM to 3 AM and offer live music or DJs most nights. They advertise a Tapas menu (appetizer portions).

Spartina Grill now has a sign Garden Oak Grill. The owner is the former head waiter from Spartina and the menu is new. [thanks, Bob]

Charlestons, sadly, has closed. The building is now occupied by Charlie's L'etoil Verte which has moved from the Plantation Center.

Yummy House is a new Chinese and Japanese restaurant offering lunch, dinner and free delivery. It's on Hgwy. 278  North of Pineland Station near the St. Francis Thrift Shop.  03/04

Crabby Nick's has closed and is now Stack's Pancakes. 04/04

Stack's Pancakes serves pancakes and eggs as well as burgers and meat entrees 24 hours per day. Located next to the Red Roof Inn on 278. 04/04

Sea Grass Grille has opened where Charlie's was. It is owned by former Charlie's employees, including chef Chad. 05/04

The Studio is a new restaurant that combines art with food. Artists paint at their easels and there is live entertainment. Located at 20 Pope Ave Exec. Park in the RMC building. This location was La Maisonette earlier. 06/04

Skillets has reopened in the original location in Coligny Plaza but in a much larger facility and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. 08/04

TJ's Take and Bake Pizza is not very new but worth noting, as they sell raw, unfrozen pizzas to be cooked at home. Voted best pizza Dec 2004. Also sell wings and cookie dough. 01/05

Flavors restaurant has announced their opening at 12A Heritage Plaza. Open 7 days/ Wk. 04/05

Hypnotik in now Insomnia. 04/05

Applebee's has returned to  Hilton Head,  on Museum Street  next to the Quality Inn 05/05

Henry's, the seafood restaurant in the Barmuda triangle off Sea Pines circle, has closed. 07/05

Palmetto Star is a new yacht offering lunch, brunch and dinner cruises from Shelter Cove Harbour. 07/05

L'woods is a new restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and featuring an all you can eat for $9.95 menu. It's in Circle Center next to the Bi Lo. 09/05

Murphy's Irish Pub was recently opened by Paul Murphy in Heritage Plaza. Offering Irish inspired food and snacks and, of course, cocktails and beer. 09/05

Dunston's restaurant/deli has opened in the Sea Pines Center. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on a limited menu. 09/05

Dunston's Changed name to Calibogue Cafe and Trading Company. It looks the same as before. 02/07

Garden Oak Grill now has reverted to it's old name, Azteca. 11/05

The Hoffbrau House, the islands only German restaurant, has closed, but we hear it will reopen under new management as a Truffle's. 11/05

Hemingway's Bayside Grill has opened in the Palmetto Bay Marina, where Iguana John's was (Shucker's originally). Owned by the owners on The Lodge, Marley's, etc. Lunch and Dinner 7 days/ week, brunch Sundays. (Now called Blue Marlin)

Street Meet, a new restaurant serving "street food" reminiscent of taverns and street vendors of the 1930's, has opened in Port Royal Plaza near Reilley's. They specialize in hot dogs and have a variety of sandwiches. 01/06

The Café at Wexford has closed. In its place is Hugo's (see Below).03/06

Hugo's, a new restaurant opened by the long time manager of Fitzgerald's and staffed by many of the Fitzgerald's employees is now serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch (11 to 3) in the Village at Wexford.03/06

Carrabba's, an Italian Grill chain owned by Outback has opened at the corner of William Hilton Parkway and Folly field Rd., next to the Family Fun Center. 03/06

Eugene's, in the Palmetto Bay Marina has been sold and renamed (see below). 03/06

Homeport Waterfront Steakhouse & Oyster Bar is the new name for Eugene's in Palmetto Bay marina. 03/06

Captain's Seafood, A long standing Hilton Head favorite has reopened in the Beach Market, off Coligny Circle. Lunch and dinner  are served from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. 03/06

Ruan, A Thai restaurant, has opened where Fratello's was, just South of the Palmetto Dunes entrance. Chef/owner Benruan Suphata prepares food of Central Thailand, including a variety of curry dishes. 03/06

The Flamingo House of Doughnuts opened in Park Plaza between the theater and the UPS Store. From 7:00 AM. 04/06

Vassili's, which bills itself as a Mediterranean Tavern, was just opened by the owners of It's Greek to Me.  It's at 11 Lagoon Rd. across from the Coligny Piggly Wiggly and next to the Sheriff's station. 06/06

The Sandbar, a restaurant with a Tapas style menu and pool, ping pong and shuffleboard opened in Heritage Plaza behind New York City Pizza. 07/06

Redfish announced that Melissa Cochran has joined them as chef. Melissa was owner/chef at Julep's and later at Iguana John's. 07/06

B5 Bistro in Port Royal Plaza has closed. Look for a new seafood restaurant in this space in December or January. 12/06

Juniper's Café in Pineland Station has closed. See Dye's Gullah Fixin's, below. 10/06

Dye's Gullah Fixin's, a restaurant featuring native islander Gullah cooking will open December 1, 2006. It's the first since Abe's closed. 10/06

Olivier's apparently has closed. Their phone has been disconnected and rumor is people were seen cleaning out the place.
See Riviera Oaks Café, below. 10/06

Spice is now the Island's only Indian restaurant. It opened in the Village at Wexford where Iron Wolf was, across from the Jazz Corner. 11/06

La Hacienda has opened where Dosidoe's was near Staples in the Crossroads shopping center. 11/06

Stu's Surfside II has opened in Port Royal Plaza. This is the second location for this Coligny based sub shop. 01/07

Dye's Gullah Fixin's is a new restaurant located in Pineland Station behind the water wheel. 01/07

Danielle's in Park Plaza has closed. 01/07

Camellia Grill, a Southern food restaurant has opened where Danielle's was in Park Plaza, behind Mellow Mushroom. 01/07

Bullfeathers Char House has opened beside Shag's on Lagoon road. 01/07

Moe's Southwest Grill in Park Plaza has closed. 01/07

Shrimp Michaels, a new seafood restaurant opened February 21 in Port Royal Plaza, where B5 Bistro was. Michael, formerly of the seafood bar at Homeport (Nee. Eugene's) will preside. Co-owner and chef Crawford Campbell was with the Sage Room 01/07

Café St. Tropez is a new name for La Normandie, which continues under the same management and with the same chef. 01/07

Horny Hooter , the late night eatery, has moved from Shag's to Rider's Lounge. They do not yet have a sign in front. 01/07

Azteca has reopened in its original location on Marshland Road - serving Mexican cuisine. 02/07

Hemingway's in the Palmetto Bay Marina has changed their name to Black Marlin as the result of a letter from the attorneys for the estate of Ernest Hemingway. Someone needs to get a life. 02/07

The Hilton Head Brew Pub has reopened with a new owner, new management a new brewer and a new menu. 02/07

Café Europa has changed name to The Waterfront Café to better reflect the ambiance and menu. 02/07

Ichi Sushi, a Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi and other Japanese dishes has opened in Pineland Station. Open for lunch and dinner. Mon. - Sat. 3/07

One Hot Mamma's has opened in the Barmuda Triangle, across from The Lodge. Specialize in barbeque, serve continuously from 11 AM 'till late. 06/07

The Santa Fe Café has been acquired by long time employees Sean Crosby and Marshall Sampson. 03/07

Reilly's on the North end has completely remodeled and is vastly improved. 05/07

Montego Bay has announced they will close after the night of June 30, 2007, but Target  will perform most Saturdays at  the Regatta Lounge in the Hilton hotel. 6/07

Teache's, a new restaurant in Park Plaza has opened where Moe's Southwest Grill was briefly. They advertise entertainment five nights a week and a full menu 'till closing. Open at 4 PM, happy hour 4 to 7.08/07

Truffle's have opened their second island location (there is one in Bluffton also) at the Executive Park Road off Pope Avenue. It is where the Hoffbrau House was. It is open for dinner only.  09/07

Land's End Baha Grill, has changed it's name back to Land's end Tavern. 09/07

Scratch Kitchen has closed. Rumor has it a deli has opened in it's place - see below. 09/07

Plantation Deli has opened where Scratch Kitchen was in Port Royal Plaza. 10/07

Beach Break Grill has opened at 24 Palmetto Bay Road (next to Pappa John's). Open 11AM to 9PM, serving light fare, mostly seafood. 09/07

Imperial Gardens restaurant in Park Plaza has changed it's name to Hong Kong Gardens. 10/07

Prescott's/Remy's has closed.  See Remy's, below. 10/07

Mostly Seafood at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort has closed due to weak performance. 10/07

Regatta's Lounge at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort has closed to be replaced (see below). 10/07

XO Wine and Champagne Bar at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort is scheduled to open December 8. It is said to have music and dancing as at the Regatta but more intimate. It will be located where Mostly Seafood was. 10/07

Fireside Steak and Seafood will open at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort February 7 where Regatta's was. Ocean View dining and an open kitchen will be featured and outdoor dining will be available. 10/07

Flamingo House of Doughnuts has changed hands and is now just Flamingo. The new owner has added a line of Eastern Mediterranean lunch dishes. 10/07

Trinity Restaurant and Bar has opened in The Gallery of Shops, where Rendezvous was. Advertised as having "big city decor". Lunch Mon. - Fri. 11Am to 2 PM, dinner seven days, 5 to 10 PM. 10/07

Riviera Oaks Café opened on New Orleans Rd, where Olivier's was. Offering a tapas menu, bar menu and regular dinner menu. Rumor on the street is it's owned by Chef Olivier of the original restaurant. 11/07

Takes Two to Tango opened in Port Royal Plaza in the strip along Mathews Drive at the corner with Hgwy. 278. It'd reported to be Argentinian. 11/07

Remy's like the proverbial Phoenix, has reopened at their new location in Heritage Plaza next to Murphy's Irish Pub. They advertise live music nightly.  12/07

Spice is no longer an Indian restaurant. They have a couple of Indian dishes but the cuisine is otherwise eclectic. 12/07

The Barmuda Triangle, actually more of a square bounded by Reilley's, the Hilton Head Brew Pub, One Hot Mamma's and the Lodge, with Jump and Phil's at one corner, now provides a place for smokers to hang out. There are outdoor bars and a centrally located fireplace to keep you warm on chilly nights. 12/07

Moneypenny's has closed due to complaints of rowdiness. 01/08

Twister, a martini bar has opened where Monypenny's was in the Village Exchange. They serve 28 different martinis, including one at $1,000. It is billed as alternative-friendly, apparently to attract gay patrons. 01/08

Monkey Business has reopened as Stages. 02/08

Burger King on the south end (near Sea Pines circle) has closed. 03/08

Panera Bread is scheduled to open at the site of the former south end Burger King. It's planned opening is in July. 03/08

Other Businesses

Marriott Corp. has taken over management of the previously named Hyatt Regency Hilton Head Resort in Palmetto Dunes. It is now the Marriott Beach and Golf Resort.

Sea Pines Company is now charging $1.50 admission to the Harbour Town lighthouse, up from $1 last year.

The motel on South Forest Beach Drive has undergone it's seventh (to my knowledge) name change and is now the Hilton Head Metropolitan Hotel. 01/07

Dolphin Plus Jetboat Tours offers a day trip to Daufuskie Island on a twin engine jet boat with bus-style seating. The trip includes use of golf carts on Daufuskie. More info here.

Chaplin Community Park and Best Friends Dog Park has opened just off 278 bus. at Singleton Beach Rd. Your dog can run free at the dog park and play with other dogs.

De Gullah Creations, a store selling Gullah arts, crafts, and collectibles opened in the Mall at Shelter Cove.

The town purchased the Gullah Flea Market, which closed January 31, 2004. It has since been leveled.

A new Recycling center has opened off Dillon Rd. Details here.

Educational opportunities are now available for retired people courtesy of USC. Click here for more information.

Thumbprints art gallery in Northridge Plaza has closed. (10/05)

Dunston's, a gourmet delicatessen, has opened in Sea Pines Center. Huge selection of wines, gourmet foods, deli case.  07/05

Island Bookseller, Hilton Head's last independent book store has been purchased by a new owner and continues to operate in Sea Pines Center. 03/07

D A Welch, a local author has published a low country novel of action, romance and adventure for summer reading. It's available at Island Bookseller in Sea Pines Center and Walden Books in the Mall at Shelter Cove.

The Sea Pines Trolley will added the South Beach Marina Village to it's stops. 03/05

The Gus Macker basketball tournament will no longer be held here after state officials ruled bed-tax money cannot be used to support it. 04/05

Fish Haul Creek Park, a new town park, opened April 7, 2005 at 284 Beach City Rd. It includes bathrooms, picnic facilities and trails and observation points on Port Royal Sound. More information here. 04/05

Saks Fifth Avenue is now Saks off 5th outlet with more modestly priced products. 04/05

Park Plaza Theater is under new ownership and has been extensively remodeled and upgraded. 07/05

Northridge Cinema 10 has a new rule prohibiting anyone under 18 years old on premises after 8:00 PM unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

A new boat launching ramp opened August 1, 2005 in Broad Creek at the Cross Island Expressway bridge. It provides deep water access and includes a floating dock. This is a big improvement on the Marshland Rd. facility, which can be iffy at low tide and which is much farther up the creek. Access is from Helmsman Way. 08/05

Adventure Cove Family Fun Center at Hgwy. 278 and Folly Field Rd. has closed while residential units are being built. It has now reopened without the driving range, with two much improved miniature golf courses, and with indoor activities a mere shadow of what they once were. 01/17

Island Winery, the only place wines are made and bottled on Hilton Head (from grapes primarily from California and Chile) has opened at 12A Cardinal Court. They currently offer 3 whites, 7 reds, and some specialty wines. Their Cabernet was awarded a Silver medal at the 2006 Hilton Head Wine Festival. Wine tasting any time Wednesday through Saturday 12:30 to 6:00 PM. 843-842-3141.  On Cardinal Road, 0.3 miles from Mathews Dr.  www.islandwinery.com    01/06

The Holiday Inn Express was purchased by Triton 321 and was renamed Beachwalk Hotel and Condominiums. 1/06

The Marriott Beach and Golf Resort was sold by Dunes Hotel Associates to Columbia Sussex Corp. The name will probably not change. 04/06

Casey's Sports Bar and Grill is under new ownership. 04/06

The Palmetto Hall Golf club has been sold by Greenwood Development to CNL Properties and will be operated by the Heritage Golf Group of San Diego, CA. The Heritage Golf Group owns Port Royal, Shipyard and Oyster Reef golf clubs. 04/06

The Sandbox, an interactive children's museum provides a discovery adventure for young children, with hands-on learning adventures. They can fly in an airplane simulator, climb a rock wall, or just play. 18A Pope Ave. behind the Methodist Church. 06/06

A new boat, the Captain Rudy Thomas, is providing transportation to Daufuskie Island from Broad Creek Marina. It is a large boat accommodating up to 149 passengers on two decks. Wed. and Fri. trips include dinner at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company restaurant. Their web site is here. It takes forever to download. 05/07

Palmetto Ferry Company has established an experimental ferry from Hilton Head to Bluffton and to Beaufort. Trying to get more information. 06/07

The Waterfun Park  has closed, to be replaced by condominiums. (08/07)

Cheryl Christine, a long time Island favorite entertainer has moved to CQ's, where she performs Sunday through Thursday from 6:30 to 10:30 PM. 09/07

The Ocean Course in Sea Pines has reopened after extensive reconstruction and is now named Heron Point. 09/07

Sea Pines is now charging $2.50 for admission to the lighthouse and for the privilege of buying something from the gift shop at the top. 10/07

The Coastal Discovery Museum has moved to Honey Horn Plantation. 12/07

The bike paths between Sea Pines Circle and the beach have been moved away from the street and now incorporate boardwalks across the lagoons. Bike paths like that are being built along Mathews Drive from Marshland Rd. to Hgwy 278.

The Cross Island Expressway toll will increase from $1.00 to $1.25 on March 31. 2008.

Real Estate News

MLS reports for the year 2005 for Hilton Head Island:

¹This statistic is deceptive because many listings renew after six months, therefore could be this many days plus six months.

Note these figures apply to homes sold through real estate agents, not those sold by developers of new housing, and do not include properties in Bluffton.

Total dollar volume of real estate sales was down 15.5%, which compares favorably to the 43% drop from 2005 to 2006. Prices are starting to erode, though not as sharply as in many parts of the country. The average sale price of homes was affected by the fact high end homes sold well.  Current inventory of homes for sale is 955  - unquestionable a buyers market. The big question is "is this the bottom?". Maybe, maybe not, but a tempting time to buy and a bad time to sell.

*Statistics courtesy of Felice LaMarca.

Also of Interest

Smoking Ban: the Town of Hilton Head island has passed an ordinance prohibiting smoking in public buildings effective May !, 2007.  Most of Beaufort County already has such a ban in place. Specifically, the law bans smoking in businesses but not homes, tobacco shops, hotels and motels and businesses with only one employee if they do not share space with other businesses.

Wingfest 2008. 

Judge's choice: 1. Wild Wing Café, 2. Smokehouse, 3. Notch-8 BBQ

People's choice: 1. Smokehouse, 2. Wild Wing Café, 3. L. Woods

2007 Hilton Head Kiwanis Club’s Rib
Burn Off Results

Judges Awards
Professionals
1st Place Ribs - Dosidoe's Western Grill (Bluffton)
2nd Place Ribs -

1st Place BBQ - The Smokehouse
2nd Place BBQ -

Amateurs
1st Place Ribs - Iron Pig
2nd Place Ribs -

1st Place BBQ - Hilton Head firefighters
2nd Place BBQ -

The Elgie Stover Award for Best Showmanship – Hog Wild

Popular Vote Awards

Professionals
1st Place Ribs - Y'all's BBQ
2nd Place Ribs -
3rd Place Ribs -

1st Place BBQ - Y'all's BBQ
2nd Place BBQ -
3rd Place BBQ -

Amateurs

1st Place Ribs -Iron Pig
2nd Place Ribs -
3rd Place Ribs -

1st Place BBQ - Iron Pig
2nd Place BBQ -
3rd Place BBQ -

Results of  the Chili Cookoff 2007 were:

The Island Packet recently took a poll of locals, who voted on their favorite businesses in various categories. Hilton head Monthly magazine did the same. Some excerpts from the  list of winners for 2007 :

Best:
Hamburger - Harold's Diner
Day Spa - Faces Day Spa & Boutique
Bakery - Signe's Bakery
Deli - Gruby's New York Deli tied with Fat Baby's Pizza & Subs
Ice Cream - Hilton Head Ice Cream
Wings - Wild Wings
Pizza - Giuseppi's (3rd consecutive year)
Fitness Center - Breakthrough Fitness Center
Barbecue - The Smokehouse
Ice Cream/ Yogurt - Hilton Head Ice Cream
Manicure/Pedicure - Faces Day Spa & Boutique
Wine Shop - Reilley's Wine & Spirits
Bar/Tavern - British Open Pub
Happy Hour - Aunt Chilada's
Local Musician(s) - Low Country Boil
Lunch/brunch restaurant - Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café

A report by a consulting firm studying growth in this area estimated Hilton Head Island population at 38,931 in January 2005.

At long last the liquor mini-bottle law has been rescinded. Bars may free pour or use the minis - their choice. The advantage to the public is drinks don't have to be so strong. Hopefully some bars will reduce the pour from 1.7 Oz. to something more reasonable and reduce prices accordingly (or am I being naive?).

Traffic Advisories

Rt, 278 in Bluffton has been widened to three lanes in each direction.

With Rt. 278 now completed to I 95 and with changes made to the Savannah airport access roads, the best route to/from the airport is using I 95.  Exit 8 is the appropriate I 95 exit for Hilton Head, despite misleading signs. The old route to the Savannah airport is no longer an option. It will now take you to downtown Savannah. The road (Rt. 46/170) that went straight at the Shell station is gone.

The main route between Hilton Head and Beaufort (and Charleston), Rt. 170, has been widened to four lanes and the bridges at Lemon Island have been replaced. This is now a much safer and faster way to get to Beaufort (and Charleston).

Construction is finished on Sea Pines Circle. The purpose of the construction was to add barriers so drivers cannot change lanes. In other words, if you enter from a right lane, you can no longer "cheat" and cross the former solid line to avoid exiting.  All right lanes must exit.   New Advisory:  Office Park Road has been realigned to come out at the New Orleans Rd. traffic light on Pope Avenue. Now you can easily avoid the backups at Sea Pines Circle. Click here for a map.

We try to keep this site current and reasonably detailed, but you can get complete updates as to road conditions from the South Carolina Department of Transportation here.
Also, you can actually see the traffic in the area on web cams set up by Beaufort county here. This may be especially helpful to visitors who bring their computer for help in planning to go to greater Bluffton to shop.

New Traffic Laws
South Carolina has passed a law allowing police to stop and ticket any driver with an unbelted occupant in a vehicle. It went into effect December 9, 2005. Also currently in effect is a law prohibiting tinted automobile windows blocking more than 27% of visible light. It doesn't matter if you're from out of state - our cops don't like to approach a vehicle in which they can't see the occupants.

 Updated 03/29/08