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Your guide to Beaufort, Hilton Head & Bluffton dog-friendly restaurants that make tails wag

Woof, woof, hooray! There’s plenty of dog-friendly restaurants in Hilton Head. This file photo was taken in New York.
Woof, woof, hooray! There’s plenty of dog-friendly restaurants in Hilton Head. This file photo was taken in New York. Matt Nelson via Unsplash

Gone are the days of sad puppy eyes watching you leave for dinner because dining out doesn’t have to mean leaving your four-legged companion home alone anymore.

Restaurants across the Lowcountry are embracing the trend of dog-friendly dining, offering pet-welcoming patios and even special canine-focused menus.

Whether you’re looking for a patio that allows dogs or a spot where your pooch can enjoy a gourmet meal, we’ve sniffed out the best dog-friendly dining spots for you and your furry friend to visit.

Hilton Head

Black Marlin Bayside Grill: 86 Helmsman Way

Located inside the Palmetto Bay Marina, Black Marlin provides stunning waterside views and coastal cuisine that you can enjoy with your pup.

Fishcamp on Broad Creek: 11 Simmons Road

Another great spot for waterside views and Lowcountry cuisine, Fishcamp has an outdoor area where you and your furry friend can sit back and relax.

Up the Creek Pub & Grill: 18 Simmons Road

A hidden gem for casual waterfront dining, Up the Creek is located by the Broad Creek Marina, making it a great spot for you and Fido to hang out and watch boats go by.

Old Oyster Factory: 101 Marshland Road

One thing you can’t get enough of in the Lowcountry is waterfront views, and Old Oyster Factory has a pavilion and outdoor seating where you and your pet can enjoy delicious seafood cuisine by Broad Creek.

The Crazy Crab on Jarvis Creek: 104 William Hilton Parkway

With a playground, aquarium, patio bar and outdoor seating by the water, The Crazy Crab at Jarvis Creek is a perfect place for your pup to sit back and relax with a great seafood-centered meal.

Jane’s Bistro: 28 Shelter Cove Lane, Suite 109

Perfect for Sunday brunch or a lunch date, Jane’s Bistro has an urban coastal feel and chicken salad dishes that will keep you coming back. With a covered outdoor patio, you and Fido can enjoy eating at Jane’s Bistro any day.

Nectar Farm & Kitchen: 841 William Hilton Parkway

Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at Nectar for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. With two locations in the Lowcountry, Nectar Farm & Kitchen is a perfect spot for you and your furry friend to enjoy some seasonal Southern cuisine.

Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks: 1 Hudson Road

Hudson’s offers a high dock-style patio where you and your dog can sip, eat and enjoy Hudson’s extensive seafood menu and views of the water.

Skull Creek Boathouse: 397 Squire Pope Road

Located right on the banks of Skull Creek, enjoy fresh fish dishes, sushi and more at The Boathouse. With waterfront views and an expansive patio, you and your pup will enjoy the Lowcountry views and food.

Skillets Cafe & Grill: 1 North Forest Drive

Known for its home-style, Lowcountry cooking, Skillets Café & Grill is a perfect family-friendly location where you and your dog can sit and relax at their outdoor patio dining space.

Captain Woody’s: 14 Executive Park Road

For seafood, sandwiches, burgers, pasta and more, visit Captain Woody’s with Fido in their outdoor seating area to enjoy great food and outdoor scenery.

The Sandbar Beach Eats: 101 Pope Avenue

Located inside Coligny Plaza, visit The Sandbar and indulge in a cocktail while your pup can tag along for a night out.

Reilley’s Grill & Bar: 7D Greenwood Drive

Another great spot for outdoor seating and Lowcountry cuisine is Reilley’s Grill & Bar, where you’ll find a great family-friendly atmosphere where your furry friend is welcome to join.

Main Street Island Pub: 1411 Main Street

Right inside Main Street Village, Main Street Island Pub has a variety of Lowcountry and American-style dishes for you to enjoy. An added plus, all-you-can-eat crablegs are available on weekdays from 4-8 p.m. You and your pup can enjoy all this and more on their outdoor patio.

Top Dawg Tavern: 13 Harbourside Lane, Building #2, Unit CD

Located in Shelter Cove Marina, Top Dawg Tavern is perfect for your dog, too. With burgers, salads and beer, Top Dawg Tavern is a great spot when you and your furry friend need some time together.

Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe: 86 Helmsman Way

If you like to venture with your pup in the morning, then Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe is the place for a pit stop. Nothing beats a morning coffee and brunch with your good boy on the patio.

Watusi Cafe: 71 Pope Avenue

Another great cafe spot is a Hilton Head favorite, Watusi. You and Fido can enjoy some yummy breakfast treats and coffee together on the patio.

Frosty Frog: 1 North Forest Beach Drive

Right inside Coligny Plaza, the Frosty Frog has perfect outdoor seating and some delicious drinks and food to take a break from the sun.

Bluffton

The Cottage: 38 Calhoun Street

Located right within Old Town Bluffton, this charming and quaint restaurant is a gem for dog lovers. With outdoor seating and the perfectly crafted Southern menu for breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunch, you and your doggie will enjoy your time here.

Okatie Ale House: 25 William Pope Drive

Okatie Ale House has dog-friendly outdoor seating, a delicious Southern-style menu and a great view of the pond where you and your pup can sit back and relax.

Corner Perk: 1297 May River Road

No matter if you’re just looking to grab a quick coffee or sit back with a good book, Corner Perk offers seating both inside and out for you and your pet to enjoy.

Nectar Farm and Kitchen: 207 Bluffton Road

This second location is tucked right within Old Town and also offers delicious farm-to-table cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. With great views of the Old Town, this is another perfect spot for you and your furry friend to enjoy some seasonal Southern cuisine.

Agave: 15 Captains Cove

If you’re on the hunt for a delicious margarita but don’t want to leave Fido at home, then Agave is the spot for you. Right within Old Town Bluffton, the outdoor seating area is perfect for your pup.

Beaufort

Panini’s on the Waterfront: 926 Bay Street

For a great Italian menu and waterfront views, Panini’s in Beaufort offers a great doggie oasis at the outdoor deck tables. An added plus: These tables overlook the water, so you can enjoy delicious pasta dishes with a view.

Hemingway’s Bistro: 920 Bay Street

Hemingway’s Bistro is arguably one of the best hidden gems of Beaufort. With a unique menu and variety of drink options, you and your pup can sit and enjoy a meal at one of their outdoor tables.

Luther’s Rare & Well Done: 910 Bay Street

Luther’s offers a great selection of wings, steaks and burgers that are sure to keep you full. You and Fido can enjoy a fun night together at one of their outdoor tables.

Bricks on Boundary: 1422 Boundary Street

This downtown bar and grill offers a fun and relaxing night out for you and your furry friend, where you can enjoy good food and drinks on the outdoor patio.

Plums: 904 Bay Street

Another local favorite, Plums, offers Southern cuisine with beautiful views of the water that you and your pup can enjoy in their outdoor seating space.

But that’s not all; some of these spots have menus for your dog, too. Here are a few spots where your pup can join in on mealtime:

Visit these dog-friendly restaurants with dog menus in Hilton Head and Bluffton.
Visit these dog-friendly restaurants with dog menus in Hilton Head and Bluffton. Jill Knight jhknight@newsobserver.com

Restaurants in Hilton Head with dog menus

The G-Free Spot: 1511 Main Street

A wonderful option for breakfast or lunch, your pup can enjoy a delicious pupachino (upon request).

Nectar Farm & Kitchen: 841 William Hilton Parkway

Offering a menu for your pup full of healthy vegetables, eggs and meats, you and your dog can enjoy a delicious meal together. Available at both locations.

Skull Creek Boathouse: 397 Squire Pope Road

Skull Creek is another spot offering delicious veggies and meats for your pup, helping to keep the begging puppy eyes at bay.

Skillets Cafe & Grill: 1 North Forest Drive

Skillets offers a dog menu with items including Bugsy’s Best Beef & Barley and Tailwagon Turkey, made with the finest “Human Grade” ingredients by Lucky Dog Cuisine to delight any doggie.

Watusi Cafe: 71 Pope Avenue

Order your pup something special from Watusi’s dog-friendly outside patio menu. Items include grain-free and vegetable dog meals with high-quality protein, chews and treats.

Frosty Frog: 1 North Forest Beach Drive

The Frosty Frog has three delightful protein-full options for your furry friend to enjoy. From chicken to a hot dog and even a burger, your pup can take a break from the sun with delicious treats, too.

Restaurants in Bluffton with dog menus

The Cottage: 38 Calhoun Street

Offering a full dog menu with chicken, eggs, apples and more, your pup can enjoy the tranquility of Old Town Bluffton with you.

Nectar Farm and Kitchen: 207 Bluffton Road

Offering a menu for your pup full of healthy vegetables, eggs and meats, you and your dog can enjoy a delicious meal together. Available at both locations.

Anna Claire Miller
The Island Packet
Anna Claire Miller is a former journalist for the Island Packet
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