Alfred’s Restaurant – Hilton Head Island, SC

Alfred’s specializes in German food with dishes like schnitzel and sauerbraten.
The restaurant is intimate with a small open kitchen in the ten-table dining room.
Friendly service, excellent food, and generous portions make this one of the best restaurants on Hilton Head Island.

German food might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Hilton Head, South Carolina, but when Alfred Kettering opened Alfred’s Restaurant in 2008, people took notice. When he decided to retire, there was a danger that his menu would be retired as well. Fortunately, Chef Heath Prosser took over combining his more than thirty years of experience with many of Alfred’s original recipes. The results speak for themselves.

Alfred’s is not a German restaurant, but rather a European restaurant that specializes in German cuisine. On a first visit, the German Mix Platter is a must try. It combines bratwurst, sauerbraten, wienerschnitzel, and sauerkraut. A large portion, for most people this is an entree to be shared.

Not always on the menu, but often a special is their famous Schwienhaxen. Like the mixed platter, it is a very large serving. Slow-braised pork shank, so succulent and tender, is topped with a cherry reduction and served alongside spaetzle and red cabbage.

For appetizers, there are German offerings like Potato Pancakes and Bratwurst, but also Escargot a la Bourguignonne, Scallops Florentine, and Seafood Mornay. Desserts come from The French Bakery with the exception of the house made apple strudel.

The service is excellent, friendly and welcoming. The dining room is charming with about ten tables and a small open kitchen. There are also several tables outside. Cocktails are traditional, but pours are as generous as food portions. The wine list features diverse wines from both new world and old, including German wine by the glass, and not just Riesling. Alfred’s remains one of the best restaurants on the island.

german mix platter
7.1.23 – highly recommended

scallops florentine – $18
6.28.24 – recommended

Schwienhaxen – $42
6.28.23 – highly recommended

wienerschnitzel – $34
6.28.24 – highly recommended

Our 2025 visit to Alfred’s coincided with one of their five summer pierogi parties. The ones we ordered were stuffed with slow braised beef and placed on top of two rich sauces. I also had the bratwurst and wienerschnitzel holstein. For dessert, the blueberry-lemon cheesecake was heavenly. I’ve tried several desserts at Alfred’s and this is the best by far. It’s made by Penn to Palmetto Pastries and I’d try anything they make!