Hudson’s Seafood – Hilton Head Island, SC

Hudson’s gets our vote for best restaurant on Hilton Head Island.
Although they have indoor seating, the real experience is sitting on the dock.
Order anything with shrimp, which are caught locally with their own boats.

Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks is the best restaurant on Hilton Head Island. It’s started as an oyster factory in 1912 and slowly grew into the beloved restaurant it is today. The current owners have operated Hudson’s since 1975. They continue to focus on fresh local seafood, and do it better than anyone around.

Although they didn’t sell any for the first forty-one years of business, the one thing that cannot be missed at Hudson’s is the local white shrimp. Added to the menu in 1953, they catch it with their own fleet of shrimp boats in the waters near their dock and serve it up in a variety of ways: shrimp tacos, stuffed shrimp, shrimp po’ boys, peel and eat, shrimp salad, shrimp burgers, and more.

Of course there is more than shrimp. Hudson’s is famous for their oysters, shucked on site and sometimes only out of the water for a few minutes before being brought to the table. They also have soft shell crab, crab cakes, and local fish. Their seven day slaw is a unique and outstanding side dish. Also great are the hush puppies and the low country red rice. Hudson’s has the best dessert on the island too. Their Brandy Bread Pudding with pecans is too much for one person to eat, but it’s so good that you won’t leave any behind.

There isn’t much better than sitting out on Hudson’s dock on a summer day enjoying freshly caught shrimp and a cold beverage. If you get lucky, you can spot dolphins playing just off the docks. And even if you aren’t there is plenty of action with boats moving up and down Skull Creek. Because of the food and the setting, Hudson’s is our favorite stop on HHI.

blackened shrimp tacos
6.28.22 – highly recommended

gumbo, grits, and eggs
6.30.23 – recommended

brandy bread pudding
6.30.23 – highly recommended

peel and eat shrimp – $18
6.29.24 – highly recommended

blackened shrimp po’ boy, 7-day slaw, red rice – $18
6.29.24 – highly recommended

Pictures from lunch at Hudson’s on June 28, 2025: We never miss the peel and eat shrimp. It is always amazing. I also had to try the crab claw special. And at the risk of repeating myself, the red rice can’t be missed. The cobbler, though not as the brandy bread pudding, was rich and delicious.