News Summary
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is a breakfast haven for residents and visitors alike, featuring a variety of charming eateries. From the famous Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe with its delicious shrimp hash and crab cake benedict to Gruby’s New York Deli offering authentic bagels, each spot presents mouth-watering morning meals. Notable mentions include Watusi Cafe’s elevated experience, Southern Coney’s creative pancakes, and Plantation Cafe’s diverse breakfast options. This guide explores the top breakfast venues on the island, showcasing their unique offerings that promise to satisfy any morning craving.
Hilton Head Island: A Guide to the Best Breakfast Spots
Breakfast is widely recognized as the most important meal of the day, and this sentiment is embraced by both residents and visitors on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The island is home to a variety of eateries specializing in mouth-watering morning meals, offering a blend of Southern charm and culinary creativity.
Popular Breakfast Venues
Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe
Located at Palmetto Bay Marina, the Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe has become a weekend hotspot. Guests can enjoy a Mimosa and Bloody Mary Bar while they wait for their table. The menu features local favorites such as shrimp hash and crab cake benedict, along with a daily changing quiche special. Recent orders include country fried steak smothered in sausage gravy paired with scrambled eggs, hot hash browns, and a buttery biscuit.
Gruby’s New York Deli
With over 38 years of service, Gruby’s New York Deli, found next to Fresh Market, stands out for its authentic bagels shipped directly from Just Bagels in the Bronx. In fact, more frozen bagels are sold for home baking than are served in the deli itself. The breakfast menu features classic options like omelets, pancakes, and a popular nova lox platter. Open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 11 AM, a frequent choice is the Number 1 breakfast, which includes two over-easy eggs, home fries, and an everything bagel with cream cheese for $7.99.
Watusi Cafe
Situated on Pope Avenue, Watusi Cafe provides an elevated breakfast experience with its extensive menu featuring egg benedicts, breakfast burritos, and Belgian waffles. Early risers can take advantage of a special menu available from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. Indoor and courtyard dining options are available, with a notable order being the smoked salmon benedict topped with cream cheese and capers.
Southern Coney
Known for its remarkable pancakes, Southern Coney is located on the south end of Hilton Head. The cafe offers creative pancake specials, such as s’more and chunky monkey pancakes, alongside a large selection of freshly made omelets. Health-conscious options like yogurt and granola are also available, making it a family-friendly spot, especially for bike riders near Coligny. A recommended order includes the kitchen sink served on a split biscuit with fried chicken, gravy, cheese, and a fried egg.
Plantation Cafe
With three locations across the island—including the south end, north end, and Bluffton—Plantation Cafe offers crispy hash browns with onions and cheese as a highlight. The breakfast menu includes omelets, skillet bowls, and waffles, with Sunday brunch featuring unique items. Gluten-free pancakes and kid-friendly designs are also on offer, and a recent order included hash browns with over-easy eggs and a gluten-free pancake topped with pecans.
Lowcountry Produce Market and Cafe
Set in the Shops of Sea Pines Center, the Lowcountry Produce Market and Cafe combines a gift shop, coffee counter, and cafe. Known for its delightful menu items like yeast donuts, crispy flounder with grits, and brioche French toast, a recent favorite was the avocado toast topped with an over-easy egg.
Nectar Farm Kitchen
The newly opened Nectar Farm Kitchen, located at 841 William Hilton Parkway, emphasizes farm-to-table dining with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant features a welcoming atmosphere with new outdoor patio seating and live music. Its updated breakfast menu includes several Southern-inspired dishes, and the dining area is pet-friendly.
Omelette Cafe
A new breakfast spot, the Omelette Cafe, is set to open in The Shoppes at Okatie Village, next to Parlor Doughnuts. This restaurant will offer a variety of craft omelets in addition to other breakfast items, including waffles, pancakes, and sandwiches, and marks the second location for the chain in Beaufort County, following its successful Bluffton site.
Additional Breakfast Options
In addition to these standout breakfast spots, Hilton Head Island is home to various seafood restaurants and eateries that are popular for lunch and dinner. Notable mentions include Hudson’s, River House at Montage Palmetto Bluff, and Lucky Rooster, each offering an array of delicious dining experiences.
As breakfast remains a cherished part of the day on Hilton Head Island, these diverse dining establishments provide a great start to any morning.
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Additional Resources
- Eat It and Like It: Six Solid Hilton Head Island Breakfasts
- Island Packet: Breakfast Spot in Hilton Head Island
- Eater: Best Restaurants in Hilton Head and Bluffton
- News Channel Nebraska: Nectar Farm Kitchen Opens on Hilton Head Island
- MSN Travel: Best Breakfast Spot in Hilton Head Island in 2025
