4. Restaurants

Salty Dog Cafe

224 S Sea Pines Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928
  • (843) 842-6331
  • Store is closed

Salty Dog Cafe Menu

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  • Donald M.

    Tough restaurant to review as we visited during peak season . I would call this a tourist stop that has a great location with " fair " food. We were treated very well by the reservation staff and our waiter was great . Food was just ok but we had a nice time . The good location , nice outside bar and menu to satisfy everyone . The not so good is the wait and fair food.

    (3)

  • Chase M.

    Great location on the water and a great atmosphere! We went to their annual crab boil while on vacation and had a great time. My only complaint is that I expected a little more from the crab boil. I've only ever been to crawfish boils, and those have a lot of seasoning, potatoes, vegetables, etc all in the boil. This one was just buckets of crabs. Maybe that's normal, but I wanted a little more flavor. Overall, if you're in Sea Pines, check out The Salty Dog Cafe!

    (4)

  • Kimberly G.

    One of the hippest bars I've ever had the chance to go to. Heard about this place for quite some time while living in SC. Good selection of drinks, and really enjoyed the live music, view and quick service! Prices were not too bad either (bottled beers $4-6, and mixed drinks $8). Try the strawberry daiquiri! I went to the T shirt store upstairs too, quaint little shop with adorable talking parrots, and nice selection of items. Slightly pricey store but good quality products.

    (4)

  • Robert L.

    I had the pulled pork sammich. It sucked. Dry over seasoned meat on an anemic stale pretzel bun. On a positive note the French fries and key lime were meh.... We had an appetizer of hush puppies and low country crab dip. The hush puppies were dense dry and not flavorful. The accompanying honey butter was wonderful. The crab dip was wonderful. All in all the main course was to be avoided!!

    (1)

  • Courtney M.

    Dear people looking to go to Salty Dog: There are good things and not good things about this place. Let's start with the good -- - Great location and atmosphere - Live Music - Plentiful seating on the patio - Dog friendly outside - Mosquito spray on each table (and you'll need it) - Good drink menu - SUPER family friendly, you can tell this place draws a regular crowd of locals/vacationing families And the not good -- - The food (yikes) - Slow service - Having to pay to get into the gated community where the Salty Dog is located It felt very much like something you "have to do" when you come to HHI, and I'm glad we ventured away from our resort to join in on the fun. I bet this place gets SLAMMED during the busy summer months. Plan accordingly... I hear the wait can get up to 2-3 hours, which makes sense because they only have 6-7 outdoor tables with dinner service and EVERYone wants to sit outside. I think a smart move would be to come here in the evening for drinks and to enjoy the live music. Don't worry about grabbing food here and you'll be in a better mindset. If you do want some food, I suggest easy stuff like peel and eat shrimp or maybe another appetizer. Full meals were not worth the price.

    (3)

  • Li S.

    I had high expectations for the Salty Dog Cafe- I had heard nothing but great things about this place, and being in Hilton Head, surely it must be good! Meh. The patio atmosphere is nice, but that doesn't make up for the sub-par food. The service was friendly, but terribly slow. The food was only slightly warm when it got to the table, as if it had been sitting out for just a tad too long. Yuck. Maybe this is one of those places that's better suited for some evening drinks rather than an actual meal? Who knows. This place seemed incredibly touristy, to the point of almost being tacky. If they spent half the amount of effort focused on putting out great food rather than pushing their brand and their t-shirts, this place could be awesome. Along with the food and drink menu, we were given a catalog of all their t-shirts and other branded junk they sell- that's a quick sure-fire way to cheapen your brand... and before we had even ordered anything too! I don't recommend coming here for the food. You can get a better tasting and better priced meal at a place like Subway or even McDonalds.

    (2)

  • Misty W.

    We ate at the outside grill. The mahi fish sandwich was great. My daughter loved the bbq sandwich. Good prices for HHI. There are plenty of tables outside and many evenings they have live entertainment. The area is kid friendly. You have several places to choose from and you can bring food to the table from these and enjoy. Drink side table service is offered, but again, it's family oriented.

    (4)

  • Staci J.

    We had a fantastic night here! Fun music m, great atmosphere, and good food. Plus, the staff went above and beyond. A member of our group dropped a gold bracelet and it fell through the slats of the deck! The staff and manager got a crow bar and literally took up a deck plank to get to the bracelet. We have been here before and we will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Mary Elizabeth C.

    Totally surprised by this Hilton Head institution. I thought the food would be tourist trap junk but it wasn't. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was spicy and delicious. The kids got chicken fingers and grilled cheese. Both gobbled them down. The breading on the chicken fingers was awesome. My husband had the catch of the day swordfish sandwich and he enjoyed it as well. My husband ordered two beers and I had a margarita which was pleasingly not skimpy on the alcohol! The waitress was extra nice and replaced my original after I got a little too animated reading the Salty Dog story. Overall, such a good experience!!

    (4)

  • Beverly W.

    We sit at the outdoor bar at least 4 times when we stay here. Service at the bar is awesome. Great service overtime, no matter who is working. Only thing is you see many people who mill around the bar by the popcorn machine and a Serbian worker (they have badges on that tells you where they are from) who doesn't do much, but goes back and forth. We see a Manager opening the next group of servers on the shift change who is making sure everyone knows what they are doing. Food is good, don't get the crab cake though, too much filler! Get the fresh fish specials. The drinks are all good, non alcoholic also.

    (5)

  • Ivan D.

    Omg I forgot what I had. I think it was Pasta with chicken, shrimp, sausage in andouille. After a few beers, my pallet was pleased. Good service, great view, family was pleased. 3.5 stars

    (3)

  • Jamie G.

    We biked to Sea Pines and stopped at the Salty Dog for lunch. We had about a 30 minute wait, but were seated after 15 minutes. The server Meghan was good, the wait for our food didn't take long. The adult fried shrimp was smaller than the kids fried shrimp, and cost $14 vs $7.50. If you can pass for twelve years old, order the kids shrimp meal. The chicken sandwich was mediocre, I could've made a better one. I didn't realize the sandwich didn't come with cheese when I ordered it, the kettle chips were tasty. The Salty Dog is an overpriced tourist trap, and their food is nothing special. However, it is a fun place to stop while in Hilton Head.

    (3)

  • Shannon W.

    Land lovers beware. I got the Islanders Chicken. I wasn't a fan. It needed seasoning and the veggies were cold. The a gratin potatoes were good, but the portion was tiny! I literally had 4 slices of potato. My companions got the special: Trigger fish and shrimp. They said it was ok, but they've had better. Not worth the hour long wait. The staff seemed rushed and chaotic, but I couldn't really understand why. The place wasn't that huge. I saw several good reviews of the hush puppies, so we ordered them. They are sweet, which I thought was really weird. Didn't like them. It was like eating a fried donut. I'm normally a huge lover of hush puppies, but I couldn't get into these. My advice. Skip the restaurant and just buy a T-shirt at the store.

    (2)

  • Amber C.

    I have frequented the Salty Dog every time I am in Hilton Head! Such a fun atmosphere & while it is of course touristy, the service & food is awesome. I had a chicken salad, which was delicious & massive!! The pimetto cheese dip is fantastic as well. We had a great waitress (Francine) & the manager checked on us & said "what can I bring you?" Very professional & friendly service! Thank you!! :)

    (5)

  • Jill V.

    Just average food but nice view...stick to the she crab soup. I would recommend just going for the drinks ;)

    (2)

  • Holly P.

    Years ago (like 10 years ago) my family and I crossed this place off the list. We have been coming to HHI for about 15 years for vacation, and tried this spot early on. This year we made it to the island, and unlike years before, we didn't pack a lunch. Our tradition had been to pack lunch for our trip down, make it to south beach (yes, there's a fee to get into Sea Pines, but this is also a natural reserve and a private community you are going into.) we get to south beach, and eat at the picnic tables. This year, lacking our lunches, we were starving and decided to give the salty dog another try. We were seated inside quickly, no wait. We arrived around 2:30. Outside looked busy, but I was too hot, and wanted inside seating. It took a little while for our waitress to get to us, but after she showed up, we ordered everything, drinks and meals. Food came out fast and was good! We were smart to order food "you can't mess up." I had their chicken finger basket, others got fish and chips and a hot dog basket. We were all very pleased, and we may be back! The Salty Dog is a family friendly establishment, lots of goodies to buy from their store, and the atmosphere is just what southern living is like.

    (3)

  • A A.

    I have no idea why this place is popular. Divey and unkempt facility heavily marketed towards hotel guests. Food quality and preparation is akin to a Red Lobster, but expect to pay about $30 per person (if you're only getting one item). Definitely not worth the drive to the bottom of the island, the wait (an hour or more), and the money. Tourist junk, and not worthy of the on-island reputation.

    (1)

  • Rania Y.

    The views and music here is probably why I would come back but food and service is mediocre at best. They said the hush puppies were the must have and people come here especially for them so we ordered them...I wouldn't come back! They are basically deep fried corn bread...yuk! We waited 45 minutes for our food and it wasn't worth it for sure. Maybe next time just drinks and entertainment.

    (3)

  • Anthony A.

    unprofessional bartenders, slow service, expensive prices.. brendan from kansas city was extremely rude and quite frankly a huge jerk.. will never take my family here again

    (1)

  • C Y.

    Wait was minimal, waited outside with a beer. Once inside got hush puppies and crab dip. Both very good. Hush puppies were sweet, different but very good. Crab dip was great. Dinner ordered Mai Mai topped with scallops. Cooked perfect. Tasted great. Server knew when to show up with water and remove plates. It's a tourist spot no doubt but it is worth another visit.

    (5)

  • Joshua H.

    Service was great. Food was good as well. We eat early because of the kids so no wait. Yes it is touristy but overall a good time.

    (4)

  • Nicole D.

    Nice outside atmosphere with live entertainment. I had the blackened magi special with fresh fruit. It was alright, a little dry, but the ceviche tacos with red rice was good!

    (4)

  • Kenneth A.

    We got here 5mins before they opem but they let us in anyway. Good service and the manager visited our tablr to make sure everything was fine. I loved their grouper sandwich. The view is great, and they have outside seating too. This is a must try restaurant here in this island.

    (5)

  • Wendy K.

    Summer. Relax. Ocean. Ah... Food was great as usual. My husband and I shared oysters, gumbo and low country boil. Delicious! Teenager had a yummy black bean burger she loved. Live music and he took requests via a live website. What a great time!

    (5)

  • Robin G.

    Touristy spot in Hilton Head but a fun spot to hit if you are in Hilton Head. Food is above average - not the best and a bit pricey but it's a fun family spot.

    (4)

  • Troy S.

    Atmosphere makes this place great. The food was adequately fine but it's the ambience that makes this the place to go.

    (3)

  • Michael C.

    Great food. We intentionally came during a non-peak Saturday time since we were here for two weeks. You really need to plan ahead and be prepared for waits if you came at most other times. They have a good process and move the food fast so you don't wait long once seated.

    (4)

  • Sarah W.

    The Salty Dog Cafe was located by the water. The wait outside was long so I decided to eat inside. However, if you have a chance to sit outside, do. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. We ordered a basket of hushpuppies. They were sweet and were complimented nicely with cinnamon butter. I had the fried shrimp basket. It was nothing special. I would recommend this place mostly for the atmosphere. It is on the more expensive side. If you like the t-shirts, the Salty Dog is your place to go.

    (3)

  • Kurt R.

    I'm not here because it's superior dining. Outside, on the deck, drinking and eating bar-ish food. Life is good if you are at The Salty Dog Cafe. End of review.

    (5)

  • Bill G.

    Good as always. Fish and chips better than Grouper Dog. Both good "beach food". Sat on deck with salt breeze in our hair still wet from bike ride from town out thru Sea Pines. Beer not bad either.

    (3)

  • Andrea S.

    We always enjoy visiting Salty Dog when we're visiting the island, mainly for the atmosphere, drinks and cute little shops on the property. Food is average, although I think they have some of the best shrimp salad around, and it's delicious on a pretzel roll. Gumbo is pretty good, & more of a stew than soup.

    (4)

  • Christine L.

    A touristy place, yes, but consistently good as well. The food is good, service is good, but don't expect anything out of this world. It's a great place for families....bring the kids! Good for families.

    (3)

  • Nikki R.

    Thought the food was great! It was fast, service was fine but it was hot out on that patio! It wouldn't hurt them to put those big fans out but that's really the only thing I have to say. Beautiful view of the harbor!

    (4)

  • Patty G.

    Okay place for lunch/dinner. Didn't think there was much to this spot. It's a typical tourist restaurant. Lots of outdoor seating and very casual-laid-back atmosphere. Very island-casual actually. It's great for families with kids as they can sit outside and the kids can get up and move around and have fun. We waited for a while to be seated inside but there are some picnic tables where you can wait outside and have a drink. I had the piña colada and it was very good. I also tried the hush puppies which were delicious. Then I ordered the cheesy shrimp on a roll and I did not like it. It tasted too shrimpy... So my loving husband ended up switching his sandwich with mine. I really liked what he ordered, the grouper roll. The fish was fried and delicious. I would recommend this roll over the others. My brother had the crab-cake sandwich and he loved it. As for the service, it was great. Our server was very good, friendly, and attentive.

    (3)

  • James F.

    Fun place and a must visit when coming to Hilton Head Island. Yes, there is a long wait but they have live music, drinks, and a number of shops you can spend your money at cause everyone needs a Saltydog Shirt! We have normally been pretty lucky and love the food but the special was a 2 star. I ordered the special, mahi mahi with shrimp, shrimp was delicious but the fish was overcooked!

    (3)

  • Leslie a.

    Waited 2 hrs but gumbo was yummy spicy salmon seasoned beautifully and burgers perfect good thing we were able to walk around and buy stuff while waiting.

    (4)

  • Shelly S.

    A must when visiting Hilton Head. Never had a bad meal here! Loved the shrimp po boy sandwich. Nice view of the water from the inside. We love getting drinks outside too. Great place for the family.

    (5)

  • Cameron D.

    Poor service and lousy food. Not what it once was. Pushing its "brand" more than serving good times or food. Very disappointing. Been here at least 10 times before (a few years ago) and so sorry we went.

    (2)

  • Allisyn O.

    The salty dog cafe was a great experience. We were sat right away with a great view. The pins colada was okay, but the reason I gave a five star was the food we got was so good!!!! We tried the hush puppies , which were amazing, and the calamari, which was the best! Go for the environment and because it's the salty dog!

    (5)

  • Anthony B.

    Too complicated with seating arrangement between 11 am - 4 pm. But servers were nice and tried to explain it. We eventually got it figured out and placed our drink and appie order.

    (2)

  • Adrienne G.

    I hate touristy places like this. The wait times are always too long (we were quoted 2.5 hrs), the crowds are annoying (because they are starving from waiting so long!) and there is more shopping square footage than dining square footage. I find it quite ridiculous. However, I thought the food and service made up for the obnoxiousness of everything outside. That's the only reason they get 3 stars. We ordered the crab cakes and the fish and chips which were both outstanding, the ribeye and a cheeseburger both of which were good but not anything special and the island bird w/shrimp which was pretty good. We all enjoyed our food and the hush puppies. Would I wait another 2 hours to eat there again? Probably not. But it was good enough that I would recommend it to other people.

    (3)

  • D V.

    Keep in mind you're definitely going for the venue, not the food. Bad service, missing items from order, cold food. Flip side... Upbeat vibe.

    (2)

  • Maddie K.

    The salty dog cafe was amazing! The best seafood in Hilton Head so far. The calamari is to die for and the hush puppies were so sweet and delicious! I'd go here again in a heart beat with all the different entrees and great helpful workers. Not to mention the salty dog factory shirt store only a few yards away. They have multiple unique shirts that is a must to get in Hilton Head!!

    (5)

  • Emily W.

    Atmosphere is fun but wait staff was not very friendly or accommodating. My sister and I both enjoyed the shrimp salad but my parents were left wanting more from the grouper dog sandwich. Salty dog is a classic but could stand for some updates and improvements. Ice cream shop was the best part of lunch!

    (2)

  • Patrick B.

    Service was great. Food was ok. Nice atmosphere with plentiful outdoor seating. Located right on a cove. There's a small outdoor shopping area in the same little area

    (3)

  • Mandi T.

    The hushpupies are great, but it is friend dough its hard to mess that up :). You go here for the location and the t-shirts not the food. You will wait. The staff is friendly and there is a fantastic atmosphere and often music. Get HHI ice cream afterwards!!!!!

    (3)

  • Kevin S.

    I try really hard not to give out 5-star reviews, so when I do give 5-stars then it stands out as someplace truly extraordinary. Salty Dog Cafe is pretty darn popular and touristy, which was initially a put-off to me, but I was pleasantly surprised. The service was prompt and friendly and on-the-ball. The food was fantastically delicious. I could eat their hush puppies all day every day. I had the shrimp and scallops with cheesy grits and they were excellent - much better than another touristy restaurant we ate at the night before in Harbortown. The kids loved it and begged to go back again the next night. We liked it so much, we decided to take a family bike ride out to The Salty Dog cafe the next night. It was really good stuff and I'm glad we went.

    (5)

  • Adam F.

    Took some family here from out of town. Heard nothing but good things...but..... ALL OF OUR FOOD WAS COLD! Ugh! Embarrassing! We got there 1.5 hours before they closed and got seated at 9:00. The waitress could not have been less interested in our table. It was very embarrassing. Really wished we had gone somewhere else. We were a very big inconvenience for them. This restaurant is served up to be successful. It takes a special group of folks to make tourist feel like ass on vacation. Absolutely horrendous.

    (1)

  • Alex W.

    Well after all the hype we finally got to the Salty Dog cafe. We were greeted with uninformed and confused staff who were better at talking to one another than at telling time. The atmosphere was very quaint and inviting so the idea was good. We got seated after a 45 minute wait in an area of many empty tables so the wait was pointless. The waiter was slow and ignored us most of the night. Someone else brought the slop they called food and we choked down as much as we could before we were ready to get our stomachs pumped. What an awful place and an awful staff. Total hype and no substance. Do not bother with this please

    (1)

  • Chelsey S.

    I ordered she crab soup and fish po boy.... Bit disappointed with the place because everything is salty- being true to its name. Drank three cups of water and still can not get rid of the saltiness off my tongue. Two stars cause the view is pretty.

    (2)

  • Leslie J.

    The place is cool for outside drinks and atmosphere but the food is completely awful. This restaurant needs to be schooled on seafood and now it should be prepared. Tourist be aware...

    (1)

  • Jillian A.

    We didn't have The Salty Dog Cafe on our vacation meal roster. However, we were in Sea Pines and starving. I wasn't crazy about the idea of eating there since there was so much... merchandising. Almost every thing you touched had their name on it. As a response, my expectations were high. Much like most of the seafood restaurants on the island, you can order your seafood fried, grilled, or blackened. I ordered shrimp and scallops combo fried. My husband ordered the fried scallops and blackened grouper combo. On the side our meals came with a side of veggies and potatoes au gratin. The shrimp was very tasty as suspected since it's fresh from the region, but the scallops? I'm not sure if it was the same. They were rubbery and didn't taste like I was hoping they would. Personally, I'm also not into the idea of anything with cheese on it coming in contact with seafood. These au gratin potatoes were very oily so whatever was scooped onto my plate also ran onto my fried food rendering it soggy. I do like how they give you pieces of salt water taffy with your bill. That did influence us to go to the gift shop and buy some. The whole compound is great and the view is really nice. In reality, I don't think I'll find myself at the Salty Dog Cafe for much else besides maybe a Bacon Bloody Mary that I enjoyed with my meal and maybe to give one of their sandwiches a shot for a happy hour on my next vacation.

    (3)

  • Brooke F.

    I'll admit...we went for the t-shirts. Our service was excellent and the waitress was very friendly. The she-crab soup was a first for me. I'd never had crab soup of any kind. It was excellent and worth the trip. My chicken salad was alright, but my sandwich was mostly onion and bread and a bit of chicken salad. The view looked great and my family was able to relax and enjoy our lunch.

    (3)

  • Pan F.

    Hushpuppies among the worst I've ever tasted -- hot and cooked perfectly, but very sweet and disgusting ... tasted like fried cake ... if you're expecting a traditional savory hushpuppy, this is certainly not it ... had no detectable flavor other than sugar and oil. Calamari had no flavor ... greasy and heavily breaded, but fresh salsa topping was excellent. Fish bites were okay. Sweetwater IPA draft beer was great, although was charged higher than the price listed on the menu. We got 2 drinks and 3 appetizers which came to a total of 50 bucks (with tip). Entrees are too expensive. Atmosphere/ambiance is okay (we went at night - is probably better during the day). We ate inside (the grill might serve better food). Except for the one glass of very good beer, for us it was a waste of money for lousy food. Might be considered a good place to sit for beers and drinks but if you're looking for good food it's a total fail.

    (2)

  • Arly J.

    We took a bike ride through Harbour town and they suggested we go to Salty Dogs on our ride. We got there in time for breakfast. The place was prepping for lunch but we were seated inside in a beautiful table overlooking the water and our breakfast was good. We had the Crab Benedict with home fries and bacon . The omelet with homefries and bacon was good as well. Bloody Mary was good. Excellent little stop.

    (4)

  • Big C.

    I really don't understand the negative reviews here. I'm just referring to the outside grill. No its not spectacular food, it's burgers, chicken, etc but really good steamed shrimp. You go for the view and experience. It's a family tradition and a must go in my opinion. There's nothing more relaxing than sitting back with a mixed drink watching the boats come in and watching your kids dance around to the great live music. Also you can grab some pizzas from Jakes on the patio if you want to keep the cost down. It actually is my favorite pizza on the island.

    (5)

  • Jacky W.

    With the long wait time and hype of this place, we were disappointed when we actually got our meals. We waited over an hour for a table. We got some beers outside at the bar, and that was the best part of our evening. The bartenders out there were great and we enjoyed the view as we drank! As for our meal, the dinner rolls were awful. They were hard, overcooked, and obviously poor quality. I ordered the black bean burger because there were limited options for me as a vegan. I'm not completely sure that the burger was vegan; it might have had egg or milk product in it, but there were minimal options for me. I was afraid of asking too many questions and ending up without anything I could order. The burger was fine but nothing special. It tasted like a black bean burger I could get from the frozen food section at a grocery store. And there was way to much bread. I asked the waiter a suggestion for a side because I was deciding between fries and vegetables. He said the fries were good. They weren't. The fries were bland and I only ate a few and left the rest on the plate. As for the rest of the party, the seafood pot pie was the best meal that anyone ordered. I'd recommend that if you eat seafood! The fried oysters were reportedly tough and inedible, calamari was so so, but shrimp and scallops were good (all fried). Go for the outdoor bar and souvenirs if that's your thing, but don't waste your time waiting for a meal that isn't anything special.

    (3)

  • Adam D.

    The food was excellent and the service was great. I ordered the "Jake's Traditional" Stromboli which took awhile to cook only because the first time they burnt it. They have free popcorn which is superb. There is a nice set of shops and a pretty dock. Overall it's a very pretty place with lots to choose from. I've never been in the indoor area though. Very nice.

    (5)

  • Isabella R.

    WORST EXPERIENCE EVER. It's not even worth one star. As a tourist to the Hilton head island we decided to check out the salty dog cafe. (As it was highly recommended.) We went to get some appetizers and drinks. We were sitting outside at the self help area of the cafe. Some people in my group went to place our order and had some very basic questions about the beers. The bartender was extremely rude and uneducated about the products and even laughed at one of the people I was with when he was asking questions. I asked for sweet tea and he went to get it and came back belly laughing saying "I lied Hahaha" and just walked away. Needless to say our group of 10 people left without buying anything. I would never recommend going there (as a tourist) extremely disrespectful and douchy.

    (1)

  • Ray D.

    1. Hostesses are the dumbest people in the world. They told us 20 min for a wait and it was an hour before we sat 2. Our server was horrible and always left right away after she took our order or dropped something off. 3. The expediters had no idea who order what and there everything at the she of the table. 4. I hate this place 5. Don't go

    (1)

  • Marco A.

    Awesome place to eat if your in hilton head area. Food was great and service is great.

    (5)

  • Rodney W.

    Not worth the wait -- average seafood, crowded and servers overwhelmed by sheer number of people in the restaurant. Second time at the restaurant, both times at the behest of family members, and each time pretty standard. For the hype it just doesnt' live up to it. Hush puppies were fine, my shrimp burger was flavorless and small. Companion's "shrimp toast" was bread, with shrimp and cheese. That's fine, but nothing that would not be available virtually anywhere else, without the wait. Also, became very ill after eating, and although it could have been at least one other restaurant and not definitely the Salty Dog, nothing about the overworked servers and lukewarm food inspire much confidence that it wasn't the SD. If they scaled down by about 1/3 and spent a bit more time focusing on quality of food rather than selling t-shirts, it would probably be a lovely place, but I won't be back and I advise most people to look elsewhere for a good meal.

    (1)

  • Dave B.

    I can't think of too many things more perfect than hangin at the Salty Dog while on vacation. Chillin on the docks, listening to live music, the sun is setting with a tasty margarita surrounded by good friends. The food is actually pretty good. I personally like the steamed u-peel shrimp, and the Catch of the Day sandwich. You must come here if you're on vacation in Hilton Head. Warning- long wait time for food table is possible (likely) so put your feet up, and enjoy the night before you get seated. Have fun!

    (5)

  • Catherine J.

    I'm in my 30's, but I remember in middle school (in Columbus, Ohio) it seemed like EVERYONE had a Salty Dog Cafe shirt. Finding ourselves nearby, my girlfriends and I decided we needed to make a pilgrimage to this late-90's source of the status-symbol shirt. The best part of the Salty Dog is the scenery. We had beers and fries outside in November... what's not to like about that? Even driving in (we had to buy a pass into the exclusive neighborhood) was as much of a treat as the scenery while we consumed our carbs. However, there were these little gnats (nosee'ums) all around and biting my friend, so that was a big minus. Minus more points for not having their ice cream area open -- I was dying for some soft serve. So, the beer and fries were fine of course -- average in every way, but satisfying nonetheless. Our server was cute. But the Salty Dog could stand to add more to the experience beyond the scenery that they obviously have nothing to do with. How about adding some local flare to the food? Make the patio a bit more comfy? Nothing to hate except the bugs, nothing to love except for the views.

    (2)

  • Amanda W.

    I really really wanted to like this place. I read a lot of good reviews and made a point to go here while I was on vacation last week in Hilton Head. My husband and I went for an early dinner, around 5pm. I really wanted to sit out side and listen to the acoustic guitar player who was performing, but they do not serve food out there from the kitchen. Only appetizers and drinks. My husband and I were seated in the dining room which was fairly empty at the time. By the time our food had arrived the room was almost full. Our waitress was attentive and polite. We shared an appetizer of their shrimp toast. This is nothing more than bread with cheese, two or three small pieces of shrimp, almost couldn't even taste the shrimp. It is more like cheese toast garnished with a hint of shrimp (picture added). I think I just picked the wrong dish for my entree. I read so many reviews on how good the Seafood Pot Pie was. I was hesitant because it boasts a $21.99 price tag, but I decided to just go for it. The description reads: Shrimp, Scallops, Fresh Fish and Vegetables smothered in our delicious cream sauce topped with a fluffy puff pastry crust and baked golden brown. You can have pie for dinner. First of all, it is not a true pot pie. It is the above contents - vegetables in the style of a canned veg-all, in a bowl with puff pastry laced on top. (Picture added) Let me preface this by saying I can not tolerate spicy food what so ever. I do not eat peppers, I do not EVER eat hot sauce, I hate it. Nothing in the description of this meal suggests any hint of heat what so ever. Unfortunately for me, it should. It was so spicy I could only eat about 3 or 4 bites of it. The chunks of seafood that I did get in there, mostly scallops and shrimp, were really good, but the heat so over powering. $21.99 and I was only able to eat 4 bites. My husband who LOVES spicy food said it was really good, but he had his own grilled chicken sandwich and shrimp Cesar salad to devour. I was sick all night from eating what I did, and I really felt like an idiot after spending $40 on crap at their T-Shirt store BEFORE we ate. That stupid dish ruined my entire night. I should have sent it back to the kitchen but I really hate doing that. If I don't like something I just make a point to never go back.

    (2)

  • George N.

    Food has gone way downhill. Really weak menu and food stunk. We all felt sick afterwards. Perhaps they are industrializing their food prep, worst meal on the island by far. Next time just t-shirts.

    (2)

  • Cheezwhiz R.

    It's the outside seating and the location with this restaurant. Very nice they have music also on some nights.

    (3)

  • Mike P.

    Went with a party of 20 adults and kids. Great music on the patio for us and the kids to listen to while waiting for our table. Excellent food at great value relative to other restaurants we had been at. Tony the waiter took great care of us. Overall great experience for the entire family...and oh yeah its by the water which is a nice experience and oddly uncommon in the area.

    (5)

  • Joe H.

    Excellent meal...will definitely plan to return to The Salty Dog Cafe. Our server, Glenn, was "spot on" and friendly. Loved the fresh seafood and great views of the water!

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    We have a property right across the street from the Salty Dog and I'll tell you one thing...you don't go to the Salty Dog for the food. It's all about being on the water, grabbing some ice cream, and getting a T-Shirt. At night they often have music and you can sit on the deck, it's a great vacation spot. Don't go here if you're looking for the best service and food on the island, but it's always a fun time for kids.

    (2)

  • Donald B.

    Can this place be any more of a tourist trap? Nothing but cheap gift shops and terrible food. Got a stomach ache halfway through eating the food, felt terrible the rest of the day.

    (1)

  • Patricia G.

    I went to Salty Dog because it was recommended by one of our family friends and really enjoyed it . One of my favorite things about this place was the location. The scenery on the docks was amazing. They offer inside and outdoor seating. With it being a Sunday it was quite busy and we waited about 30 min for whatever area was available first. While we waited for our table we visited their gift shop for some souvenirs. There is a great outdoor bar with a small tv so some folks could watch the football game. The staff was knowledgeable and very friendly. We tried a couple of appetizers: hush puppies, pimiento cheese dip and the rings of fire (fried calamari) all of which were very good. My favorite was the Pimiento cheese dip with the warm pita bread (loved it). Second was the hush puppies. I usually don't like them but these were great with the honey butter. Lastly I tried a cup of the she crab soup. It was a tad salty but delicious!! Great joint in Hilton Head, I'll definitely be going back.

    (4)

  • Jin G.

    This review is for the salty dog ice cream shop: Underwhelmed by the ice cream and displeased by their reaction to foreign visitors. Let me start with the ice cream. I got the salty dog swirl: peach and raspberry. I was very excited about the conversation. However, what I got was a slushy goo of vanilla ice cream with a hint of peach and a small chunk of light raspberry sherbet Why did I expect anything from this place?! Secondly, I'm always shocked at peoples attitude towards anyone with thick accents. the ice cream serving lady was very dismissive towards this sweet elderly couple's questions about the area and the history of salty dog. The bottom line: stay away! Don't getthe salty dog swirl.

    (2)

  • Lyena S.

    I really enjoyed our lunch here. Came with family, kids. This place is very kid friendly. Mascot comes out, waves at kids, poses for pictures. The menu is versatile. I had shrimp salad, which was very good. I also liked that the portions were not huge. Nice view. Large outside area. Friendly waiters, fast service. We had a very good time.

    (5)

  • Andrew W.

    If your going to grab lunch and shop a bit make sure you check in first and get on the list for a table. The food is great atmosphere is awesome and the staff is friendly and helpful in that great southern way!

    (5)

  • Travis H.

    LOVE their pimento cheese sandwich! Great place to go on a pretty day and sit on the patio! Our next visit to Hilton Head Island we will definitely go back!

    (5)

  • M. Y.

    I'm late in writing, but EVERY time I come to HHI, this is a must visit. It is kinda touristy, but the food makes up for it significatly. Could eat their hush puppies day in/day out. They melt in your mouth. Service is fantastic and food delish. Heading back to HH in a few weeks and this is on the itinerary as usual.

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    If you visit Hilton Head, you have to go to the Salty Dog. It's like Sloppy Joe's in Key West or Dan Tanna's in Hollywood. The views to the marina are fabulous and the staff are friendly, almost to the point of over-familiarity. If you don't mind that, the food is standard beach, fried seafood, with a few specials and meats thrown in for good measure. Can be outrageously busy in summer and you'll pay a $6 entry fee to get into the Sea Pines complex, where it's located, but that's okay, because there's lots to see by just roaming around the small plaza.

    (3)

  • Bill M.

    Great Service-one of the must places to go when we vacation on Hilton Head. Must order the Kahlua Kalada.

    (5)

  • Sheryl L.

    The location is nice - waterfront with a good bar atmosphere. It can get mobbed - we were there on a holiday weekend - so be prepared. I liked the bar area and the general vibe and people were very nice. We ate indoors (it was a little cool outside) and to be honest for the price point I wasn't impressed with the meal. The wait wasn't too long and the service was fine but it wasn't special. I had a bit of a disconnect because everyone has always raved about SDC but maybe it's more of an overall experience versus a food experience. I will say that the blackened chicken I ate was excellent but the salad, Pimento Cheese Appetizer and Fish Sandwich were average.

    (3)

  • Jamie B.

    Rude bartenders and hostess Felt very much like a theme park food court. That's fine for a family but not for couple's weekend.

    (1)

  • Kerry L.

    We were visiting Hilton Head for our first time and were recommended to come here by locals. It was very fresh and great seafood! Great service and we personally LOVED the pimento cheese appetizer, which we found was a state favorite cheese appetizer. It was amazing!!! The freshly fried pita bread really made the difference!! Come check it out of in the area! Great little shops right next door, on the water as well. Very beautiful!!

    (5)

  • Rick S.

    Over the top service. Great place to bring kids and let them roam around off the main roads. Slow traffic makes it very safe to just walk around after your meal. Walked to the beach and saw dolphins jumping everywhere we looked. Perfect end to the day.

    (5)

  • Lindsay S.

    A few things I need to explain that will help everyone understand my rating of 5 stars while there are lots of negative reviews to combat my positive one. Ok so first off we are a group of 15: 9 drinking age adults, one 19 year old and 5 kids 7 and under. Reason this place rocks for our particular clan: 1: there's a patio bar with hilarious and friendly bar tenders who serve awesome drinks are very knowledgable about the drinks and kept us imbibers entertained for our 60 minute wait... (We arrived at 5:15 on a Monday) 2: for the little ones and grandparents and under 21 year olds... There are about 500 things to do while you wait and the table buzzer thing works all across the Salty Dog Campus. Go browse the shops, walk out on the dock, get face painted, take pictures with Salty Dog, etc! 3: the food. I'm a huge seafood buff. The oysters were bomb.com as were the hush puppies. I got the shrimp and grits. Also found on the bomb.com web page... Burgers, chicken sandwiches and meatloaf type options are also available. Go. Family fun. Good food. Entertained kids. Great time. This place is perfect for our style of dinner on vacation. Just plan to be there early and wait. But it will be worth it and your kids will be exhausted. Win win.

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    Outstanding hush puppies, beer, margaritas, and atmosphere make this a destination for every trip we make to HHI. Gary the manager showed extra care by asking if we wanted to be seated away from the speaker, thereby messing up his seating plan for the sake of taking care of his customers. Service was great (Dominic), and food was good. I had boss hog (not fantastic BBQ, but pretzel bun was great), wife had crab cake which she liked. Food isn't the best you'll find but with the customer care and overall experience that we'll visit every trip to in HHI I gave 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Tisha V.

    We sat at Salty Dog's outdoor bar area tonight to have some drinks before heading home. Glenn waited on us, and he took a photo of himself when we asked him to take a picture of us. Because of this (and his great service), we will forever remember him. He was very attentive, friendly, and pretty darn engaging too. Although the drinks and live band are worth the trip, we'll be back to see Glenn.

    (4)

  • Jim W.

    Good food and good service. The hush puppies were excellent. Kind of like a Donut hole made out of corn bread and served with honey butter. The meals that we had were average. Nothing to write home about and nothing to complain about. I had a draft of Salty Dog Amber and it was ok, but I only had one. Kind of expensive.

    (3)

  • Brendon T.

    Come to the Salty Dog Cafe if you're looking for a great deck, live music, energetic, fake friendly place. The environment is great, and service is solid. If you're looking for a culinary treat, you'll be disappointed, but they do have a hot grill fired up crushing out your standard burgers and dogs. For a change of pace, give the shrimp po-boy a chance, it's a decent option, but by far and away the reason to come here is the history and atmosphere. Definitely recommended, a must see if you're new to the island.

    (3)

  • Lauren R.

    This is a Hilton Head institution, so I bring guests here sometimes. It's nice for kids and does have outdoor seating. The food is pretty good--but there are definitely better options on the island (you're paying for the name). The outdoor bar area is really nice--the next time I come, I may just have a beer. The views are okay, depending on where you're seated on their deck (it's giant) and how high tide is. I've always wondered how they market their shirts so well--you see them all over the Southeast and beyond. It's remarkable free advertising for them--not even free! It's advertising that they actually make a profit on! Kudos to them, for building such an empire in Sea Pines/on Hilton Head (they have several restaurants and several t-shirt shops).

    (3)

  • Ivy S.

    It was okay. Service from manager was great. Food was good, not spectacular but good. Portions were small. We ordered the shrimp dinner special for $19.99 and it came with about 7-8 pieces of shrimp, side of mixed veggies and fries. For $19.99, I would've thought that I would get a lot of shrimp. View was great.

    (3)

  • Liz P.

    Drove to Hilton Head from Savannah today and this place was recommended. View was FANTASTIC. Didn't know we had to pay $5 to get into the Sea Pines community where the restaurant is... Kind of lame considering that doesn't even get you beach privileges (beach is private). Food was decent, the hush puppies were outstanding though. I got the pulled pork sandwich with chips, fries were $1.50 extra. Cute little place and there's shops around the marina area too.

    (3)

  • Lisa M.

    Once was enough. Sorry but this is really nothing special. The food was mediocre and extremely overpriced. The service was so/so. I can say I went but there is nothing to write home about. Disappointed.

    (2)

  • Gary M.

    We always love eating at the Salty Dog, out on the deck on a warm sunny day. The help is friendly and fast (if you can get a table) and the food isn't fancy but is always tasty and hot. We go there a couple times every trip!!

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    Sit Boo Boo sit. Good dog. (Am I dating myself here?) The Salty Dog Cafe is okay. It is exactly what you would expect from a tourist type cafe. Average food in a good location. What makes this place worth coming to is the outdoor area. Not for the horrible guy singing and trying to entertain you but more for the ambience of the area. Beautiful docks and landscape. Note: Very limited menu if you are not a fish and seafood eater.

    (3)

  • Jennifer T.

    Don't waste your time! Food was mediocre. Bathrooms were small and dirty. Staff wasn't the most pleasant. I read other reviews people said hush puppies were good-- um they were bland and had no flavor. I wasted calories on them.. Even the salty dog drink was not too good. Stay away from this tourist trap. Stop in. Have a drink at the tiki bar in the middle listen to music and don't eat here.

    (1)

  • Will B.

    I think this place is a total tourist trap but I think I'm okay with that. The meals that we had were pretty good and they had an OK beer selection. I feel like the best part was the gift shop. I see Salt Dog stuff everywhere and everyone seems to know what it is. So of course you have to get a shirt and maybe some cups and so on and so forth. They have put their logo on just about everything. Like I said I think I'm okay with it that. If you are on vacation give it a go and try and find a night they have live entertainment.

    (4)

  • Jenny V.

    Ate here for lunch with da team, i split an order of fried shrimp and the crab cake sammich with a teammate. The crab cake was good, fo sho fresh crab, the shrimp was fresh, a little TOO shrimp-y but still good. The fries were delicious! I can't wait to come back here to try other foods and to get a shirt! make sure you go to the t shirt shop and say hi to the parrots!!

    (4)

  • James D.

    The place has a nice location and ambiance and a decent staff, but that's where the good comments come to an end. I came there for food and was completely disappointed. I got a fish dish, can't remember the unusual name (not the Mahi-mahi dish) and it was pretty much tasteless. It arrived with some supposedly au gratin potatoes that were really just cold, tasteless mashed potatoes. I noticed that these thoroughly uninteresting potatoes were offered with several other entrees, so it was surprising how bland they were. Serving them cold was unforgivable. The fish was woken up a bit by adding some lemon, which actually came with my water and wasn't even considered as a standard option with the entree. Who does that? The side of unadorned asparagus was under-cooked and only the tips were edible. I am a fan of good food and have high hopes for every place I go into and I hope the management reads this review and ups their game. The entree's and side dishes are well below par and the presentation was dull. The location was great and the staff attentive a pleasant. It was a shame to have all that destroyed by the food. As an aside: the drinks were weak, but that seems to be de rigueur for Hilton Head.

    (1)

  • Alan J.

    Great sea food restaurant for the whole family. There is nothing bad on the menu. Prices are reasonable and I always get good portions, in fact I never leave without being stuffed! The atmosphere is casual and often it's crowded during the summer season. Is it touristy? Well, yes in a good way. There are lots of people there because they love it. You may have to wait for a table, but it's worth it. Just plan that into your evening, have a few drinks at the outside pavilion and listen to the live music until you're called to your table.

    (4)

  • Jackie P.

    Not impressed. The menu said generous portion of fried shrimp. was not at all generous and the shrimp had a strange taste. sat inside and the air conditioner vent was dripping on me the whole time . wait staff plesent, location nice, shrimp not so good. my husband had fried fish and he enjoyed it but only 1 piece of fish.

    (2)

  • Todd R.

    I wish I would have just got the t shirt and left. Me and my wife got the chefs special, some sort of white fish( I can't remember the name of it), it was almond crusted, it came with some steamed veggies, and mashed potatoes. The fish tasted like something I had made before from the grocery store freezer section, the veggies had no seasoning and were only slightly more flavorful than the mashed potatoes which were tasteless. Two kids meals were 8 dollars a piece, plain cheeseburger and fries, apparently $8 per kid meal is the norm here in Hilton Head. I'm glad my kids didn't want all of there cheeseburgers, they were the best thing I ate there, right up there with a cold Hardee's burger. The service was pretty good though, I can't remember our waiters name, but he was a nice guy, a little hard to understand, English was a second language for him, but he was great. He took really good care of us, and was great with our kids, he said he would take my youngest son for a tip, lol. I hate that I can't remember his name, he's the only reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1. And for a meal of this caliber what would one expect to pay? $85 dollars, but because I refuse to stiff a waiter based on the quality of the food, I left a hundred on the table and left. Ps. My wife said she wished we would have went to Applebee's. LOL

    (2)

  • Keya B.

    Salty Dog oh how much I love thee. Let me count the ways!!! Chill atmosphere, good food at very reasonable prices. And OMG!!!!....the Drinks!!!!!!! I recommend the Salty Dog and the Hurricane. Great spot for a quiet afternoon after the beach. Family friendly. The entire Marina area is beautiful. I love this placem

    (5)

  • Matthew T.

    The soup had speckled oil in it, and I think I'm going to be sick from the seafood pasta. It was more expensive than other places of better quality. The only thing that is good about it was the veiw.

    (2)

  • N. T.

    If u like eating dinner at 3:00PM, this is the place for you. After that, expect to wait for 3 hours for any seating, no carry-out, and no accommodations. You're better off not going to South Beach after 3:00!

    (1)

  • Jeff L.

    One visit is enough for me and my family. Food is very underwhelming, especially for the cost. But hey, at least they had a nice convenient tide chart I used all week long. ;)

    (2)

  • J L.

    I expected a total tourist trap and greasy food, but was surprised. Food was great and wait staff on the ball. We sat indoors since traveling with 2 young kids but would love to go back and chill on the deck. The stores in there area are the usual tourist traps.

    (5)

  • Becky T.

    Stopped into The Salty Dog on South Beach with my family for lunch because my daughters were hungry after doing some window shopping. This day was a little chilly to eat outside (mid december), but it looked like they were doing full service outside, probably because it was not busy even at 12p. We sat at a table near the windows overlooking the harbor and watched the tide go way out. So the view was diverting. We ordered the hush puppies because we were very hungry. They were warm and sweet and good comfort food on a cool December day. It took quite a while for the food to come, shrimp salad wrap and she-crab soup, a burger, grilled chicken sandwich, and chicken finger basket. It was not worth the wait. All the food was blah. You definitely could find better elsewhere. The shrimp salad was watery and not well seasoned. The she crab soup was just ok. The burger was unimpressive to one of my daughters. The other simply ate the grilled chicken without the bun and said it was just a piece of grilled chicken. The chicken tenders were greasy and tough. My husband only ate a few bites. This is apparently the place to go in the summer to sit outside, drink beer, and soak in the atmosphere and The Salty Dog brand which is all over. I cannot imagine anyone goes for the food. I was impressed with the marketing they do with all the Salty Dog merchandise available. I certainly wouldn't do any advertising for them. A piggly wiggly shirt would be higher on the list for me...that is not saying much...I don't own one of those either. The bill for the 4 of us, for lunch, came to $60 (pre-tip)! OUCH! That made it even more disappointing! We will not go back again.

    (2)

  • Jeff Jfood S.

    Located at the southern tip of the island is a marina with shops and the Salty Dog Café. With tables bordering the marina, this is a great place to have a bite while relaxing. With a group of four we decided on a few appetizers to start and individual sandwiches. The first dish to arrive was the "Rings of Fire" which are crispy calamari tossed in our original calypso sauce and island spices. These blazing rings are cooled off with a little fresh pineapple salsa and served with ranch dressing. The spiciness was light, nothing too hot, and the calamari rings were OK, nothing special. The other appetizer was the "Pimento Cheese Dip" described as A Southern treat! Blended cheeses folded with chopped pimento and robust spices. Served with our homemade pita chips. The dip was basically chopped cheese with a little pimento blended into the cheese. I would pass on these and go with a different appetizer. For my real lunch I ordered the "Fish and Chips" that is Southern Style Fried Flounder, served traditionally with fries, malt vinegar, lemon wedge & a side of Captain John's tartar sauce. The fish was perfectly deep-fried, crispy on the exterior and succulent on the interior. The breading was a little salty and this is a good option for lunch. Overall, it was a pretty good lunch spot.

    (3)

  • Meg K.

    Stopped at outside bar for a drink Do yourself a favor and forget it! They don't put any booze in their drinks. If want the atmosphere just order a "virgin" drink and spare yourself the frustration! Only place in Hilton Head that is cheap on the pour!

    (1)

  • N C.

    I'm giving them 4 stars which is probably one more than they deserve. But I'm completely enamored with this place and the ambiance.. So there ya go. I had lunch here for the first time and found the staff to be.. Well not enough. Polite as you please, but they just did not have enough servers. Our server was very nice but absent. At some points during our lunch she seemed frantic because she had so many tables. We waited an extremely long time for a chicken Cesar salad, hush puppies and a chicken sandwich. We waited a VERY long time. Over 30 minutes. I think the only thing that made it bearable was the fact that we were seated outside on the pier and had such a lovely view on a beautiful day .. Oh and the music. There was a nice mix and my husband and I found ourselves singing a long to many of the songs. The food was good. Your typical cafe/pub type. Salad was yummy, hush puppies were good but sweet. They were comprised of a corn meal that was very sweet and served with honey butter. My hubby enjoyed the fries and chicken sandwich. All in all, you come here for the ambiance and because it is a local landmark. I enjoyed it and would return.

    (4)

  • Jim K.

    I'll keep this short and sweet. Seafood pot pie is fabulous - even this far off season. Plenty of scallops, shrimp and fresh fish of the season. Crust is in a lattice pattern and delicious. So big I couldn't finish it and I can eat! Try it, you will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    She crab soup is to die for! Crab cakes are omg so good. And you can do to go orders.

    (5)

  • L R.

    Cant really rate the food because we never got to order. Went to the outside bar and the bartender was so rude , laughed at the questions we asked about their own brand of beer. Obviously he doesn't know and isn't trained on their own brands. Our group of 10 left . We wont return .very disappointed! Thumbs down!

    (1)

  • Mary E.

    The Salty Dog is a lot of fun! The food is tasty and the service is good. Though the food and service are nice, the main selling points are the atmosphere and location! This is a great place for families.

    (3)

  • Keith C.

    The food is traditional fish shack fare but with a low country flare. Recommend the hush puppy's and shrimp toast. The gumbo was good and loaded with shrimp and sausage. It was not Nawlins style but very tasty. Love the atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Lance H.

    Great place if you are on vacation with your family. I am a local and this place was my visiting family's favorite spot. Lots going on each night during the season. The wait for a table inside can be long but you can order outside right away and grab a bench. The food is a notch above typical high-volume tourist fare. Think of it more as a great experience more than a great place to get food. The ice cream place in the same complex is actually very good.

    (3)

  • Candice C.

    Cute location, fast service. The fish and chips were mediocre. It had a cornmeal breading-I prefer beer batter. The crab cake sandwich was probably the best. Calamari appetizer was good-standard calamari. The hush puppies with the honey butter tasted like donut holes! An overall good experience but certainly not the BEST seafood I've ever had.

    (3)

  • Dora T.

    Just had lunch here. Out on the deck. Very hot. Had to wait a while for someone to come take our order.... And every time we had to ASK for more water. I had asked for a coconut freeze and she brought me something else. I asked her to bring me what i ordered. She did. But in the end both of the drinks were on the bill. Never will we return here... Food was just ok

    (1)

  • Ryan R.

    I've been hearing a lot about Salty Dog Cafe for years now. Living in a college town, I was hard pressed not to see at least 2 Salty Dog T-Shirts walking around the streets of Athens on any given night. So my wife and I finally visited the restaurant on our last trip to Hilton Head, and our experience was almost perfect. I say almost, and not because the staff could have done anything better. We were quoted a 45 minute wait for a table for 2. We were called in 10 minutes. The food was plentiful and delicious. It was rainy, but the view was still nice. Their seasonal brew (IPA) was delicious, and the prices were very fair. But the atmosphere is what brought the experience down a little for me. The only reason I wouldn't give the place a perfect 5, which perhaps is not entirely fair on my part, is because the place is just a little too family friendly. We were positioned between 3 tables with young, shrieking children, and that's just not good for any date night. And not babies either. Children old enough to know better. And it doesn't help that 2 of the 3 parents were doing nothing to quiet their little beasties either. Otherwise, Salty Dog is amazing. if you can stomach the potential noise of ill-behaved children, you'll have a great time.

    (4)

  • Janice F.

    Hate to see negative reviews so I'm adding one. Place gets busy but that's what happens at tourist areas. Food is good. Not glamorous but good. Drinks are excellent. Glad I'm not driving. Tip.... Come early if you don't want to wait. That's what it should say on the welcome sign to hilton head about every restaurant. Enjoy basket of fried goodness and the view.

    (5)

  • Matt D.

    Surprisingly good food. Seafood tastes/feels fresh, large portions. Well-worth the drive. Prices are consistent with typical vacation mark-up, but the quality and quantity justify the expense. Yes, it's 'touristy', but not cheezy. More of a local-townie atmosphere; live music and outdoor bar are a nice touch. Well-worth the trip. Will be back! Pro tip: order the grits instead of fries. If you're unfamiliar, it's like polenta, only creamier. Not too many restaurants get them right, but these guys do.

    (5)

  • Donald M.

    It was just ok not bad, not great.

    (3)

  • jim k.

    We went with our kids (ages 11, 9) because everyone said "you have to go at least once and try it". Fortunately we like to eat a bit late, so we arrived at 7:30, and were told an hour and a half wait. Fine. We had some delicious shrimp served dockside and drinks at the outside bar. 45 minutes later they buzzed us for our table. We didn't even have time to go shop around. I got the Castaway menu item of shrimp, scallops and flounder, all broiled. And I have to say it was one of the better seafood meals I've had in a long time. The cheesy potatoes on the side were glorious. My wife had the crab cake sandwich and it was nothing special though. We make the same thing at home with canned crab. Service was fine. We didn't get the t-shirt. But we did get the ice cream for the kids after and it was really good. Remember to bring the gps on your phone to find this place. It's way out there. And also the $5 needed to get on that part of the island.

    (4)

  • C C.

    I've been going to Hilton Head ever since I was a kid and have always enjoyed this spot. The shrimp toast is my absolute favorite - rich but delicious! For a tourist haven (i.e. I don't know who is left in the state of Ohio in the summer because all of their residents can be seen and heard here) the food is really great and even when it's packed, the food never takes too long to arrive. Great outdoor seating. One of my favorite spots in Hilton Head!

    (5)

  • Dustin S.

    Everything was solid. Food was very good. The atmosphere was great being right on the water. Service was good and friendly. Food came out pretty fast considering how busy it was.

    (4)

  • Bill P.

    We usually stop here once during Hilton Head vacations. We now only have a drink and an appetizer after being disappointed in past years with the food. The atmosphere is great. The outdoor seating area overlooks the "harbor." During the afternoons, there is activity with boats of tourists coming and going. In the evenings there is live entertainment; the same entertainer sings most evenings.

    (3)

  • Gina B.

    Gotta go!! Good stuff

    (5)

  • Libby V.

    Who let the dogs out? WHO, WHO, WHO?? I can honestly say I've never been served food in a dog bowl before! We scooted in just under happy hour cutoff, and special pricing. Woo hoo. It would be hard to screw up fresh shrimp in HHI, and you didn't. I'm ashamed to say I ate about a half pound all by myself. Actually, everyone liked their food...fried fish bites, hushpuppies, crab dip, shrimp, and I forget what else. Most was good...or maybe we were just hungry. Really. really hungry. No table service...we had to go to the bar and order. Rum Punch...OK. Nothing more, nothing less. Plus, you're a chain. But a good solid 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Bluedog T.

    As much as I wanted to enjoy the Salty Dog Cafe, I didn't. A couple of days before, we tried to get to the Salty Dog for lunch, but there was an over 2 hour wait to be seated. See our review of the Wreck of the Salty Dog for that day's feasting and drinking. So we went back ot the original Salty Dog for lunch. The Lunch menu was the same as the Wreck. We walked right in this time and were seated at a table inside facing the water. A very nice view. We ordered drinks including a mojito and the Maitai based on excellent MaiTais at the Wreck a couple of days before. Drinks were brought in smaller plastic "go cups" because, according to the waitress, we might have wanted to take our drinks with us when we left. Maybe we should have taken her advice. The mojito had not muddled mint, but what looked like a mint blob throughout the cocktail. The Maitai forgot the Myers rum float and was very watery, and the Bloody Mary had a cherry floating in it instead of the olives. The waitress seemed unconcerned but did take the maitai back of a splash of Myers, which really didn't solve the problem. The food was pedestrian at best, where just tow days before the food at the Wreck (same menu) was great. The manager came by to ask about the meal, but I believe this was just a formality as we explained the issues and merely got a thank you and he walked off. The online survey provided by the restaurant had a check box for "Did the manager visit your table" so I believe he was just going through the motions. We left the original Salty Dog disappointed and went over to the Wreck's outside bar where there was a better attitude and spent the next few hours enjoying their cocktails and hospitality. Take my advice, bypass the Salty Dog and go to the Wreck instead.

    (2)

  • Joshua O.

    Really neat location and views of the bay in sea pines. Mahi and crab cakes were great.

    (5)

  • Steve D.

    Never have so many come for so little. The parking is a nightmare, the waits for tables are brutal, the service is fair and the food is mediocre. There are plenty of places on Hilton Head with great views that don't play the same Jimmy Buffett songs over and over, and most restaurants on the island have better food. Get a shirt during non peak hours if you must, and then get the hell out of there.

    (2)

  • Kimberly G.

    Ok food. The ambiance of The Salty Dog is fun. I recommend this for a younger crowd. Great customer service, they even offered us to go cups! As a downside, they advertise they accept coupon vouchers, but as we discovered, they do not!

    (3)

  • Steven R.

    Great way to spend a Sunday. Cocktails and the apps are great as always. Go with the rings of fire they are wonderful.

    (4)

  • Jessie C.

    Didn't eat here... just had a few cocktails on a saturday night BUT did think about eating and decided against it b/c a $8 hot dog was a little over budget, or a $10 burger. Really? Come on, I know Hilton Head is for people who are a little more on the well-to-do side but a grilled hot dog for $8 is nutty. The drinks were good though! The atmosphere is fantastic, everyone is really having a good time.

    (4)

  • Kerri T.

    We love this place and return year after year. Honestly, the atmosphere is the draw but their burgers and fries, along with their shrimp salad sandwich are really good.

    (4)

  • D S.

    Stopped by for a snack & beverage. Really enjoyed the outside patio bar and live entertainment. Loved the outside grille, the shrimp smelled so good we just had to try it, wow what a difference from what we are used to in the north (frozen, lol) fresh, tender, seasoned perfectly. Our bartenders were attentive and friendly. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because we had to pay $6 to get in to the development, just one of my pet peeves. Casual, relaxed atmosphere, reasonably priced. It was a busy Friday night and it looked like most tables inside & out were filled, we lucked out with 2 seats at the bar. Enjoy !!

    (4)

  • Jamie L.

    Don't advertise your restaurant is dog friendly, when it is not! Went there specifically so my dog could come along and AFTER checking out the website that stated that they were dog friendly and listed on websites as a dog friendly restaurant, it was not! Given that it was outside, in Hilton Head, did not expect otherwise given so many places are dog friendly. Upon arrival when seeing the hostess, was notified that dogs are allowed in the marina but not where the food is served but was promptly told where dogs were allowed, then as walking to the one area identified by the manager, see multiple dogs by picnic tables as their owners were being served food and drink. I then proceeded back to the hostess station where they then notified me that they didn't mention that, in fact we could sit at picnic tables with dogs. So, we decided to sit there but was then told that we would not be served at the picnic tables, although I had just seen other customers bring served, with dogs at picnic tables. I was told I could order food and drink at the bar. Okay, then proceeded to order at bar and told had to wait for food, couldn't sit and check on it. Additionally, one bartender was good but the other was useless, couldn't pull it together a drink order. It was the middle of the afternoon, during low season and not busy. The only reason we stayed was it was not really close to other options but given the false advertising, poor service and average food would not recommend or return here.

    (1)

  • Jessica B.

    The atmosphere gets 5 stars. It was excellent and you definitely feel like you're on vacation while you're there. Plenty of tables and space. Fun drinks. My boyfriend and I both ordered po boys- he got shrimp and I got the fish. Not going to lie it was decent but wasnt my favorite. I liked the bread and coleslaw better than anything else. The fish seemed like flash frozen as opposed to fresh caught. It's a classic HHI spot so you have to go. Don't forget to stop in the gift shop after you eat.

    (3)

  • Megan F.

    After years of seeing t-shirts from the Salty Dog Cafe and the fact that my Macaroni Grill loving sister really wanted to here, I made the assumption this place was a touristy chain. A quick peruse through the menu and my initial perception seemed like it was confirmed: fried, fried and fried. Mediocre "team" service with the fake friendly southern thing going on and then a pretty dry and bland pulled pork sandwich going pretty much solidified this place as just another chain in my mind. But then...I checked their website and realized I misjudged. It's locally owned and started up in 1987 based on a tale of a maverick of a dog named Jake. Now, there's a Jake IV. I guess I never read the lines on the t-shirt properly: it does say Hilton Head Island, SC and I don't ever recall any of the various sky blue or pale magenta Salty Dog shirts saying anything different over the years. This place is local and unique to the area. I just wish ANYTHING else about it also shared that quality of being unique. It's ok for what it is and you can't go wrong with dining on the waterfront, I just don't understand why a restaurant with so much potential and such a large base of fans is just so blah.

    (3)

  • Jim J.

    [Visit of Saturday afternoon, Jan. 5, 2013] I was drawn to the Salty Dog by a picture of "Rings of Fire" - their spicy calamari appetizer - in one of the local taste magazines. They did not disappoint; squid rings tossed in a chili-spiked beer batter, fried, and topped with a fresh pineapple salsa. For the entree, we tried the Shrimp and Grits, which was more than enough for two people. A dozen large shrimp sauteed with diced tasso ham in gravy were served over a heaping bowl of firm yellow grits. I definitely got my fill of grits before leaving Hilton Head Island. The service that day was exceptional. We got VIP attention from the waitress and visits by each of the managers on duty. I was left with the impression that these were good operators, which seemed to explain why they have taken over the other concessions in the plaza. The only negative was that they probably need a portable heater or two to keep it warmer for us South Floridians who come to visit. I'm surprised to see this has a 3-star rating average. I wonder if many Yelpers understand the rating system. 3 out of 5 means mediocre. It's 60% - that's a D-, guys. Four stars is good and 5 means excellent. They get 5 stars from me in January, 2013 as they did go beyond my expectations in food, service, and value ($73 for 4 very stuffed people).

    (5)

  • Harish C.

    We walked into this place after our 2hr long kayaking. We were promptly seated and a waitress came over right away. We got our drinks out in few mins. We ordered a spicy calamari dish (forgot the name) and it was really good. I ordered fish and chips made with flounder. one shrimp po boy. Other order was Mahi Mahi special for that day. The food was fresh and delicious. The service is good as well. The prices for lunch was not that high for a nice outdoor seating. Our bill was $60 for 4 people with a soft drink, 2 beers. an appetizer and 4 entree. I will go back again in future.

    (4)

  • Pimp D.

    Good food and drinks in a pleasant atmosphere. Great cornbread Hush Puppies. Nothing amazing here, but you get solid beach grub.

    (3)

  • Jessica J.

    We ate at Salty Dog again last night. We were quickly seated upon arrival. Our waitress (I believe her name was Allana) got our drunk orders very quickly, and brought them back while we were deciding on what to order. My husband got the shrimp fest with fried shrimp and shrimp and grits. It also came with au gratin potatoes and steamed vegetables. My mom ordered the castaway with fried scallops and fries, and my dad ordered the castaway with scallops, oysters, and shrimp. I ordered the castaway with fried shrimp and broiled scallops. Mine and my dad's meals also came with au gratin potatoes and steamed veggies (carrots, squash, and zucchini). Salty Dog's fried food is delicious. The batter isn't too thick and has a good, fresh taste to it. The potatoes complement the rest of the food nicely, and the steamed vegetables are seasoned very well. My scallops were (and always have been) cooked perfectly, with light seasoning. They're tender and delicious. We always enjoy going to the Salty Dog because we know we can expect, and receive, wonderfully cooked seafood and great service every time.

    (4)

  • Jasmine A.

    I wasn't expecting much given the reviews....and I was right. It's mid-January right now and the island is pretty empty so we figured 4:00 on a Wednesday would be a perfect time to go. The service was great, which it should have been since we were like the only people there. My husband and I decided to make a meal out of appetizers to try a little of everything. They bring out a basket of rolls, nothing special. We ordered the hushpuppies. I felt they were a tad overdone and had a sweet crust on them. Not my favorite, but they were ok. Next we got a 1/2 pound of shrimp and 1/2 dozen oysters on the half shell. The shrimp were good and a nice size. The oysters not so much. They were from Apalachicola, Fl and tiny and WAY too salty. I was a little hesitant to order them since it's been a warm winter. Being a Floridian I thought I should order some as a sign of support. YUCK! I can't believe they were even serving them. Next up were the fish bites. The fish tasted fresh(er) and I would say it was a step or two above a supermarket frozen fish filet. It was good, but nothing too exciting. The last thing we ordered was shrimp toast. Basically it was cheese and shrimp on a hoagie roll. My husband loved it but I wasn't blown away. I think this place is great for a nice day to enjoy the view and eat some food to soak up the alcohol and nothing more. It is definitely a drinking place. I'm not sorry I went but if we come back to HHI we're going to skip it.

    (2)

  • K M.

    We returned to the Salty Dog again this year and were completely underwhelmed. We were disappointed since our first experience was great. The grilled shrimp had no flavor. Crab cakes were okay assuming you covered them in sauce. We've discovered much better local restaurants in HHI with better prices.

    (2)

  • Joe M.

    Sitting at the outside bar. Beautiful place. 15 minute wait for drinks and no American Light beer on tap (plenty like it). I am watching patrons walk away from the outside bar (where I am sitting), in anger because they cannot order a drink. Why so understaffed? People are waiting to HAND YOU THEIR MONEY!! Is there a hidden agenda? I do not understand! A DUI liability strategy perhaps? Help!!! I want a drink!

    (1)

  • Angie S.

    Food was ok, not worth the wait, which can be very long or the price of the food. Just like any other restaurant chain. The only plus was our waiter was wonderful and very attentive. Not impressed at all.

    (2)

  • Aaron H.

    If you are a tourist its 5 stars. If you are a tourist who likes good food it's 2 stars. Everything is okay, you can still have an okay time and meal but don't set your sights to high or you will disappointed. 5 star hush puppies though.

    (2)

  • Carrie W.

    Best Strawberry Daiquiris! Ever. They actually use fresh strawberries, none of that mix crap... so good. Period.

    (4)

  • Kevin D.

    When I told friends that I was going to Hilton Head Island with family for about five days - most everyone said that we had to eat at Salty Dogs. Honestly, I thought it was just a t-shirt and not a restaurant. We decided to go and my sister-in-law mentioned that we would have to pay $5 - There was a fee because it's located in the Sea Pines Community. The fee really didn't both me because it allows you to come back later, somewhat like an all-day pass. So by eating there for lunch we were able to come back and enjoy the community and shops. The restaurant had a huge outdoor sitting area with an outdoor bar. Plenty of seats and unlike other reviews, we had a five minute wait. The server was nice and explained the daily special and seemed to know the food as we asked about the different types of fish on the menu. I ended up getting the Mahi Mahi sandwich, which was the catch of the day. I was actually impressed that it was lightly battered and not completely battered - some placed have such a thick batter that you are unable to taste the fish. The kaiser roll added to the flavor rather than a hoagie roll. My wife ended up getting the fried flounder sandwich. Her fish sandwich was falling off the bun, it was pretty big but very thin. She mentioned it would have tasted better without the Swiss cheese - it was over powering on flavor. It wasn't anything specials as "best food ever," but it was good. It was a little pricey for the food...i'm sure it's that way because of the name of the place and the scenery. It's not a bad place if you want to check out a tourist restaurant and do some shopping later in the day. I don't think we would go back by ourselves...maybe with the entire family or with some friends.

    (3)

  • Greg G.

    One of my favorite sea good places on Hilton head but quite pricey. I suggest the crab cakes as a main course and perhaps some hush puppies as an appetizer. The only problems are the long wait and the high cost of the food. Otherwise this is a great place to eat. You could get dressed up for this restaurant but it really isn't required.

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    The food and ice cream are not spectacular, but the activity and atmosphere are priceless. Here's how to spend a perfect day on the island: Transport your bikes and park at Coligny Circle public parking (or rent bikes there). Bike on the beach to South Beach, it's about 4 miles. Enjoy a lunch outside at the Salty Dog Cafe. Our party of four enjoyed the fresh fish sandwiches (one grilled and one blackened), a crab cake sandwich, and fish and chips. Of these choices I'd recommend the fresh fish sandwich and pair it with a cold beer. After lunch, take a leisurely bike ride through Sea Pines. Follow the bike trail towards Baynard ruins. The ruins include the remains of a main house and slave quarters. The ruins are neat, but we really enjoyed the peaceful ride on the Sea Pines bike trails. This path took us by ponds where we saw alligators and wild birds. It also takes you by the 15th hole and 16th tee box of the Harbour Town golf course. Take the bike trail back to South Beach and enjoy an ice cream break. I enjoyed the kaluah chip, and my kids really liked cookie monster. The flavor of the week was Peach Pecan and it was also good. Ride back to Coligny Circle by beach or use the bike trails. If you are peddling against wind, you could use the bike trails instead of the beach.

    (4)

  • Bob M.

    Long wait, mediocre service. Decent, overpriced, tourist trap food. 10 small shrimp, handful of fries equals the $14 shrimp basket. Not bad experience, but the meal definitely wasn't worth the value of the time waited and dollars spent.

    (2)

  • Jim P.

    Very disappointed. Poor service, under staffed. Didn't even try any food because no one would wait on you. We tried to sit outside the bar area but no food was being served there. There was a 1 hour wait inside and the place was not crowded. Very strange place. The only good thing was the shirt store. Plenty of choices and a cool logo. This was our worst experience in Hilton Head dining. Left there and went to Flatbread Grill at the Coligny plaza. Outstanding!

    (1)

  • Judy A.

    I'm giving them 3 stars because I had to pay $5 to drive my car into the Sea Pines Plantation to get to the restaurant. Really? Also, they're pretty proud of their food because all of the entrees are at least $20. Albeight, I did enjoy my dinner. I ordered half a dozen oysters on the half shell-a perfect start. I ordered the low country boil and finished off the generous portion of crab, shrimp, andouille, potatoes, and corn. Service was pleasant and prompt.

    (3)

  • David B.

    Pretty standard fare but the staff was friendly and it's very kid friendly which is exactly what we were looking for. My wife enjoyed her black bean burger and I had a fish po boy which was good with their side sauce, lemon spritz and table hot sauce. It's certainly not bad by any means and just about everybody can find something safe on the menu to suit their taste buds. An obligatory stop on hilton head nonetheless.

    (3)

  • Jacob L.

    This is a great place for a casual sit down outside or inside lunch. Service was good, area was fun and good was good. I got the she crab soup which was excellent! I also got the catch of the day sandwich (swordfish) which was pretty good. A friend got the fried shrimp basket which was excellent as well. The seasonal IPA was good as well. Overall it was a good experience.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Service was great, lots of good mixed drink specials and great views and music playing over speakers at just right volume and tv's too. Good for families, singles and couples. Right there on the docks! Tried some of my sisters nachos and they were good. thumbs up!

    (4)

  • Allen T.

    This place is just a tourist trap. 3 Stars only for the food. The service was excellent. If you want a check in the box for a salty dog T-shirt I suppose it's worth it. The food needs some life.

    (3)

  • Jackie M.

    Great location, definitely a spot to visit, but not really for the food. Just ok, and marginally overpriced for what you get. Friendly, great service, and good for drinks outside.

    (3)

  • Megan S.

    You can't NOT go to the Salty Dog Cafe if you're in HHI. It's such a fun place and such a great atmosphere. Everyone, including the guests, are so happy!

    (5)

  • Clare B.

    Definitely a must if you in HH.But i do agree that it is a hard to rate restaurant. The food is fine, but it is a tourist trap. They have an awesome outdoor deck, which I am sure ads to the ambience of the place in warmer months. The food was nice, but nothing spectacular. I definitely recommend still going, though!

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    The wait is long but this is ok because the handheld buzzers work around the entire marina. Our party shopped for 45 minutes and then had a wonderful dinner. The shrimp toast is incredible and my broiled scallops and flounder were exactly what I had hoped. I'm from the eastern shore of Maryland so my seafood expectations are high and they were met. Our speciality cocktails were great and cheap, too! Salty Dog is a must for HHI.

    (4)

  • Robert P.

    Rip off over looking brackish marsh, 'nuff said. Run away! Run away!

    (1)

  • Park F.

    I wanted to hate this place. I normally wouldn't have gone because it's located in a touristy area and there was a long wait, but I was with a group that wanted to go. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of food. The main Salmon dish I had was awesome as were the Crab Cakes and salad. Beer was reasonably priced. Our waiter, Anatole, had a little too much energy for me initially, but he grew one me, provided good service and was entertaining. We sat near the window and during our wait and subsequent dinner, we were able to watch the dramatic change in tide. Good time.

    (4)

  • Elliott D.

    A warning before hand; to get to the Salty Dog you have to pay five bucks because it's in a resort area. Now that you are forewarned, on to the review. Yes the place is incredibly touristy, but so is the rest of Hilton Head Island. People go there for the beaches and golfing, not necessarily for some "authentic" experience. The Salty Dog is a Hilton Head icon and thus has almost certainly inflated their prices a little bit because of their reputation. Outside the cafe they have an outdoor bar with live music in the evenings. It's a good place to hang out, enjoy the evening, and listen to some decent music. At times it's popularity is a drawback because there is often a crowd. The food is good. When I was there most recently I had the crab cakes and she crab soup which were very generous in terms of the amount of food I received. The she crab soup was average but on the creamy side; there wasn't necessarily a lot of crab meat in it. The cakes were a good balance of crab meat and filler and were heavier on the crab side. I had trouble eating my meal and definitely walked away too full, which isn't necessarily a bad problem to have. It's an institution so give it a visit.

    (3)

  • Johnny A.

    You have to come into this place with the mindset it is going to be a tourist trap. 5/5 service. We arrived on a hot day, and the second we were seated on the patio, waters were brought immediately. We had 2 servers, both extremely attentive. 3/5 food. A okay. I had the burger, seasoned, but just alright. 5/5 atmosphere. Beachy and relaxed atmosphere that is great for people of all ages. The music is pretty loud though. I would recommend trying to snag a seat inside. 3/5 stars only because there was nothing too special about the food, and the music was also loud.

    (3)

  • Mariya M.

    The place is OK. Food is good, but nothing special. Service tends to be slow. Not so sure why this place is so popular. Their peel and eat shrimp is pretty good though.

    (3)

  • Marc A.

    Not terrible, not great. On the expensive side. They do have draft beer, but not many. I ordered a local draft, it was OK. I then inquired about the seasonal selection and was told it was a pale ale. This was different than the beer I had just had so I ordered it. I was given the exact same beer as before and told it was different. I realized that they must only have one local beer on tap but tell people they have different varieties. The manager probably figures no one will notice. I noticed. Food was acceptable not exceptional. Not a first choice destination. We arrived early so did not have to wait. If I had waited an hour for a table I would have been very unhappy.

    (2)

  • Dennis R.

    I've been three times...WHY do I keep going back??? This time, I just had a grilled fish sandwich. It took quite a long time to get our order, the waiter did come out and check on us about 4 times. The sandwich was o.k., it was served with cole slaw and hush puppies. This is the south, right?? I thought everyone who cooks down here can make a decent hush puppy?? These were like bad deep fried donuts without the icing. Meal was over priced (we ate at Lady and Sons for lunch and the price was the same but the food wasn't!!), service was mediocre and the food was just o.k.!! I hope to NOT be lured in by the t-shirt shop the next time we're in Hilton Head.

    (2)

  • Shelly A.

    After a decade of visiting Hilton Head Island and not eating here (not excited about adding a $5 gate fee to my dinner bill) we visited the restaurant with my sister. We had lunch on the deck. I had fried shrimp, my sister had steamed shrimp - both were excellent. Before leaving, the table next to ours was served a crab cake sandwich. WOW, it looked great... so after lunch we went down to the lighthouse to wander around and went back for dinner the same night! We split the crab cake dinner with an appetizer. It was amazing. They are MD style crab cakes (hard to find on the island as most serve SC style). Did I mention I lived in MD for more than 15 years and don't live that far away now? These crab cakes are likely the best crab cakes I have ever had. Yes, I will be back in August and every year from now on!

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    Came to the salty dog with a dog. But guess what you can't bring the dog???? Was told we could get take out and sit on benches. So came back next day to get take out but guess what??? Can't get take out if there if a wait. Can't comment on the food cause we were not able to eat here. Real pain. Will not try a third time.

    (1)

  • Lindsay P.

    Went for lunch while on vacation. The wait was an hour, but there was an open bar-top that we snatched up. We had to go to the bar to order food and drinks and the place was continually hopping. Had the blacked Wahoo sandwich special, which was tasty. Although it was crowded, the view of the marsh was pretty.

    (3)

  • Tony G.

    This place is an absolute joke - the front door staff was rude and incompetent - apparently they have never come across a party of 10 and could not comprehend pulling tables together - turned in the pager after waiting for 2 hours and 45 minutes and being told that we were at least another 45 minutes out - who cares what the food tastes like - this tourist trap left a bad taste in 10 mouths - our recommendation is to not go to the Salty Dog

    (1)

  • Dave W.

    Everyone said we had to try Salty Dog when we went to HHI, so we did. It was a beautiful day, so we had our lunch outside on their huge deck. The most memorable item on the menu was the she crab soup - it was outstanding. The rest of our meals were typical fried fish - my daughter had fish and chips, I had the grouper dog...not sure what the others had. Food and service were good - definitely worth the trip.

    (4)

  • S O.

    Very nice staff, fresh food needed some seasoning. Location is lovely when the tide is in, otherwise it has a very musky seaside smell.

    (3)

  • Kara B.

    We both really enjoyed our food. My husband got the fishermen pasta which seemed a little over priced but it was a huge portion. I had a grilled chicken sandwich on a pretzel roll and it was fantastic, large, and for only 10$. Neat atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Kimberly '.

    We met some friends that were also visiting the island here for lunch. We both had small children, and we were seated by the water. View was nice, but it was pretty hot and there was not much of a breeze. 3 of us ordered the crab cake sandwich based on the waiters recommendations. I was not that impressed, have had better, and my fellow diners agreed. Pretty pricey for what you get. I guess this place is popular, but I was not that impressed. May return for the view and a cocktail, but there is better food to be had elsewhere for sure.

    (2)

  • Samantha B.

    I went during the off season (January) for lunch and did not have to wait at all for a table. The waitress was quick and we did not have to wait long for our food. I had the blackened tuna melt which was a special which came with she crab soup. I didn't like the she crab soup but I have never had it before so it could just be my taste preferences. I really enjoyed the tuna melt! My husband got a po boy which he really liked, so all and all it was quick service, nice waitress and mostly delicious food. My only real complaint was that since it is at the sea pines you have to pay to enter that area if you aren't staying at a local hotel. We were staying at the Omni Resorts which is next to the Palmetto Dunes so we did not have to pay. I think the parking would cost $5 otherwise.

    (4)

  • Kate B.

    The food is fine, but the atmosphere is better. It's a cheesy tourist trap of a restaurant with subpar seafood. As a New England resident, I can get most of this food for cheaper & tastier back home! I ordered the cheesy shrimp sandwich, which was tasty but messy - nothing to write home about. Still, our service was great, & it was a nice place to hang out with the family while enjoying a little Hilton Head getaway. Go here to check it off your to-do list, then don't come back.

    (2)

  • Paul O.

    Didn't realize you had to pay 5 dollars to enter sea pines but it was worth it. Shrimp sandwich was very good with large shrimp. No wait and service was very helpful and attentive. The view overlooking the cove is very nice as well. Exactly what we were looking for. May not lend itself to nicer dinners and expensive meals, but a lighter lunch was great.

    (5)

  • Heather F.

    Great service, great food!! If I come back to Hilton Head again I will definitely come back here!!

    (4)

  • Jill F.

    Yes, the Salty Dog Cafe is a great place for tourists and locals to enjoy a good lunch a cold beer or a great margarita. I first went to Salty Dog in the 1980's. It was a great place to meet friends after a day at the beach! We'd grab a table, have a few drinks and head to someone's home for dinner. Best bet is their catch of the day sandwich and a cold beer. I agree with a few other writer's reviews about it being called The NO Salty Dog Cafe. NOT dog friendly. I was told by their management, there had been problems with dogs fighting and causing great disturbances. I've never seen that situation and I take my dog (18lbs.) to BIstro 17, Boathouse and a lot of other dog friendly places. Actually, I've seen kids and adults fighting, not dogs. Regardless, it's their place, their rules. Just make sure you don't take a long drive down to SB to find out your doggie isn't welcome to a place called The Salty Dog. Enjoy this charming area filled with touristy shops and restaurants which is right in the marina. You also get great, friendly bartenders!

    (3)

  • Meredith R.

    Stop here for lunch when we were on a bike ride. it was good for a quick bite

    (3)

  • David B.

    Ok. Food was acceptable. Seafood is not recommended. Try something else Atmosphere is wonderful at South Beach at Sea Pines. A magician, in the courtyard at Wreck of Salty Dog and the parrots in the T-shirt shop were cool. Right on the Harbour front. Did I mention the t-shirts. Food. What food? Go for the atmosphere. I added one star just for the atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Lucia G.

    My family ate here for the first time and the food was perfect for our taste buds! Hope to come here again :)

    (3)

  • Doug L.

    After going to Hilton head for 40+ years, and dining at the Salty Dog for over 20 years, I feel qualified to say this restaurant has gone into the tank. The wait is extremely long for poor quality seafood and poor service. The wait staff have little idea of what they're doing. And it seems that the cook staff really doesn't care. My family used to really enjoy going out to dine at the salty dog. Not anymore. This goes for all the restaurants in South Beach including Lands End and The Wreck of the Salty Dog. Come on guys, try little harder and get it together.

    (2)

  • Art C.

    A generous 3 stars. So many little improvements could help this establishment. Start with some outdoor oscillating fans. Minimal investment and a drastic improvement for your guests. Generic food offerings, but to be expected at a tourist location. Very spotty service. The one bright spot being Stone IPA on draft.

    (3)

  • Angela S.

    The salty dog definitely lived up to its expectations. First of all, it could not be located on a more beautiful section of the island. It's located on south beach in sea pines, and the drive in alone is a sight seeing adventure. There is outdoor and indoor seating. We sat indoors, however it may as well have been outdoors because there were huge plate glass windows next to us overlooking the water. We got seated immediately and our waitress was fantastic. She was very attentive and made great drink recommendations based on what I was looking for. They have a full bar, but also all kinds of frozen and specialty island drinks. It looked like they had a pretty good selection of draft beer as well. Being on an island and all, I ordered a Mai tai, which was made to perfection. We then ordered an appetizer of pimento dip. This is a southern thing that I had never really tried but I'm so glad I did. It came out almost immediately with a plate of warm, soft tortilla chips. It was so good I've already researched how to make it. For dinner I ordered a black bean burger and fries. The burger was very good and came with freshly made salsa on it, which was incredible. The best part about the salty dog, other than the great food, drinks, and love music, is after you're done eating you can go to the very reasonably priced souvenir shop. If you're in Hilton Head it would be a shame if you didn't make it down to the salty dog!

    (5)

  • David F.

    Absolutely worst service ever. Waited 20 minutes to give our drink orders and no one ever waited on us. It was slow around 4:30 PM. Several hostesses walked by and no one took our order. We left.

    (1)

  • Steve D.

    The atmosphere and location are great but the food and service left a bit to be desired. We ordered Hush Puppies as an appetizer and they were simply fried dough - nothing hush puppie like about them. To their credit they took these off the bill after we complained but the rest of the food was mediocre at best. Fish and chips were greasy and service was on the slow side. This is pretty obviously a tourist place but there is much better seafood on the island.

    (2)

  • Bayard C.

    The view is great, service was pretty good but the food was really not very good. My wife had a good shrimp salad everyone else ordered something fried. The grease must have been way too hot because it was ll very dark when it came to the table. It was nearly inedible, in face I wish I hadn't eaten it.

    (1)

  • Audrey W.

    The Salty Dog Cafe is Hilton Head's version of TGI Fridays. Featuring an extensive menu with something for everybody, and a wide range of beers, cocktails, and martinis. This is the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night in Hilton Head because of its hip atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Chris P.

    We had THE MOST OUTSTANDING service here last night! I know the food isn't exactly James Beard Award winning meal, but it was perfect for a night out with our 2yo! but our Salty Dog dinner experience was made very special by an excellent going above-and-beyond waitress and a very professional restaurant manager. We put our names in for a 30-40 min wait. We had some drinks at an umbrella table on the deck and we were called within 30 min! We were seated quickly and given crayons and a coloring book for the lil guy. Our waitress came rushing over saying "I hope you didn't wait long!" We'd only waited about a minute or so! She answered all of our questions and brought us drinks. My husband had his heart set on mahi mahi asked the waitress. Unfortunately it wasn't the fresh catch of the day that day;( He ordered a chicken sandwich and I the flounder & chips.... A minute or so later she came back to our table and said "well, we have mahi bites....we could serve you some of those in a sandwich...and the manager suggested they do a po' boy style mahi bite sandwich! They grilled up the mahi especially (normally the bites are fried) for him. We were so impressed. They were packed with an 1 1/2 hour wait at that point and they did NOT have to go out of their way! He loved his mahi sandwich and I loved my fish and chips. My son loved the fish as well! Our waitress was exceptional! Thank you for making our evening and for your kind words!!

    (4)

  • Jesse M.

    So this one is a bit tough to rate. I agree with the reviewers that this is good for what it is... a tourist trap. Sort of the buyer beware concept, so go in with the right expectations. I'd say if you are looking for a good place to grab a beer and some appetizers in a great location, then go to the deck (not inside). The night we dined, the inside sounded more like a school nursery. And I love the kiddies. We brought our three (4, 8, 10), and they commented on how loud the kids were in the place. Hmmm. I think the food is way overpriced, and the quality is just so-so. My wife's crab cake sandwich was the best order we had, as my Wahoo sandwich was way too dry (it was the daily catch). We stuck to sandwiches based on other suggestions, which still seems like the best idea. For good food, I think there are many better places in HH to visit. If it's a nice view for a drink before dinner, then you are good to go, but suggest hanging outside. You also get the bonus of enjoying the local entertainment to boot (guitar the night we visited).

    (2)

  • Jim A.

    Yes it's ok. Just ok

    (3)

  • lindsay w.

    The Salty Dog Cafe conjures up memories of visiting my grandparents on Hilton Head island every summer, and spending afternoons biking along the beautiful beaches. Once we get tired (and can't stand the humidity any longer), we always stop by the Salty Dog to get some drinks and appetizers. The atmosphere is really nice- you just hang out on a giant patio and relax. The food is nothing special or memorable (fries, burgers, sandwiches, etc.) but the setting definitely makes up for it!

    (5)

  • Tristan S.

    Good for what it is: a tourist trap with decent food in a great location. After all, how many restaurants pride themselves on selling their tee shirts in every Hanes Beefy Tee color and seem to consider food an afterthought? On a weekday in the late afternoon in late March, the place wasn't busy and we got a good table outside overlooking the bay. Service was prompt and polite, they had a decent selection of draft beer and mixed drinks, and my shrimp po' boy was hot and fresh. Hush puppies were just so-so: not very fresh tasting and lacking some flavor. After seeing Salty Dog shirts from the time I was in grade school, it was cool to actually visit the place, finally. If I'm in Hilton Head again, I'll definitely be back. It would be great if they had some more local flavor on the menu, especially in terms of seafood. A little more focus on food and less on marketing would be terrific. Maybe next time.

    (4)

  • Danielle J.

    We've had a house on hilton head since i was 2, so i've been to the salty dog about a billion times, but still go back almost every time i'm in town...i've only eaten here a couple times and the food wasnt especially remarkable, but you will see the salty dog shirts EVERYWHERE, and if you mail in photos of your dogs with their bandanas they add them to their wall collection in the store... only downfall is that they wont actually allow dogs to be on the deck! wtf is that? at the salty dog?! i dont think jake would approve.

    (3)

  • Patricia G.

    Food is ok. Not great, not bad, but ok. Generous portions. Overpriced, but that's to be expected from what is very clearly a tourist trap. It was our first visit to HHI, so we decided to go anyways. The service was just ok as well. Won't go back - there are places with much better food on the island that you don't have to pay admission to (it's in Sea Pines, which has a $5 entry fee). The wait was approximately an hour, but there were plenty of things to walk around and see in the meantime, including live children's entertainment. Been there, done that, and (literally) have the t-shirt.

    (2)

  • Andrea V.

    Good food, a little pricey. Yummy crab leg dinner with sides for 25$ but it's a pound of crab! Our waitress was cool, gave us the inside scoop on a few things :)

    (4)

  • Laurie P.

    Not worth the 5$ to get through the gate to even get to restaurant. We were seated outside near the bar/ grill. Waiter became borderline annoying trying to be a comedian and telling us his life story coming from another country. Didn't know when to step away. Bar/ grill began to clean as we were eating. The ammonia hit all 4 of us immediately and our dinner was ruined. Young waitress saw us and told workers to stop cleaning and she took us inside. By that time our appetite was killed. Our waiter never acknowledged that we moved. Manager never bothered to come to our table. Food was o.k. But not worth all of that!

    (2)

  • Mark S.

    Atmosphere and the friendly service is what you pay for here. The food is ok and the drinks are all measured so it's nothing special. Great spot to have a few drinks!

    (4)

  • Dack C.

    The Salty Dog is more of an intangible force than a restaurant. when you arrive at the marina, there'll be a bunch of outdoor seating where a laid back guy who I've seen a million times but can never remember the name of plays some crowd-pleasing acoustic renditions of classic rock standards. There's a bar, there's a grill, there's a pair of merchandise shops, there's a pizzeria, there's an ice cream shop, and there's a higher-tier seafood restaurant that has no qualms about you coming into the bar inside and ordering something like calamari or shrimp to take back to your table so you can listen to the music while dressed down. These all appear to be separate businesses, but they all contribute to the Salty Dog experience. It's a good place to go if you're with a group and need a place to eat or (hell, especially if) you want to tie one on. There is no Margaritaville. But if there was one, it'd be a hell of a lot like the Salty Dog. (Although I silently suspect the maestro is a tad tired of performing that one.)

    (4)

  • Jean D.

    way too slow..waited forty five min on food crummy service...way overpriced

    (1)

  • Michael C.

    This is a place you have to go to while at Hilton Head. It's your typical tourist spot that you swear you won't go to but you do and you like it. The price is right, it's very kid friendly and there are plenty of things to do while you wait for your table. There was a 30-40 minute wait which is pretty typical. It's the perfect place to go for lunch.

    (4)

  • Mike G.

    We ate at the restaurant and waited the hour plus to get in. Had no issue doing that because the outside area is nice and inviting. The food is below average and expensive in the restaurant. My son got the filet and it was bone dry and tasteless. Not what is expected for a 30 entree. I ordered the special and it tasted like it has been sitting under a heating lamp....My wife ordered fresh fish and it was a bit better. All in all...if you want overpriced very marginal quality food...eat at the restaurant...otherwise grab a seat outside, order a sandwich, enjoy the music on the patio and save yourself a boatload of money and get about the same quality food. We won't be back to the restaurant.

    (1)

  • Michael G.

    Nice atmosphere. Decent food, kind of pricey for what it is. I had the grouper dog and liked it.

    (3)

  • Beth B.

    My husband had the fresh catch sandwich which happened to be swordfish and it was great. My Mom had flounder sandwich and it was very tasty. Even my son's fish nuggets were good and don't miss out on the hushpuppies with the honey butter. We didn't have to wait long b/c we went pretty early. I know they say this is a tourist trap but we wanted to walk around the shops and just took a chance at the restaurant. It was pretty darn good and worth the trip to Sea Pines.

    (4)

  • Susan L.

    I've been coming to HHI since a wee age and I never understood how Salty Dog became such a staple. Sure I always came home with a t-shirt but unless you had visited HHI too, you could care less about who or what Salty Dog was. In the end, though, it's a restaurant so I will review its restaurant skills. It had been a while since my last visit so I can't recall past experiences but this most recent one was pretty enjoyable. We went for lunch so it wasn't crowded and no live music. Just us, the deck, and the harbor. I had the crab cake sandwich and gobbled it up! I'm not sure what was so tasty about it but I'm a fan. I also appreciated their variety of side dishes - fries, potato salad, coleslaw, applesauce, and maybe a couple others. I opted for applesauce. Nothing fancy but average. My dad ordered a grilled tilapia sandwich. He got an enormous fillet o' fish! And he said it was fresh. Well done! My mom had a chicken caesar salad with hush puppies. The hush puppies were pretty bad - too sweet and not fresh, more like stale donut holes. Give its tourist trap nature, I've had a lot worse. This is worth a stop.

    (4)

  • Giggli T.

    You go to this place to say you've been there -- and while the food isn't great, it isn't bad either.

    (3)

  • sara c.

    Get a t-shirt, skip the lunch.

    (2)

  • Keith M.

    Great atmosphere, a bit crowded so we had to wait but this place was hopping. Lots of options, great seafood and the drinks were done right. Kids had a blast sitting out on the patio having a nice late dinner watching the sun go down. Will visit again.

    (4)

  • Scott C.

    Good food and fun atmosphere. I had the pulled pork taco with cole slaw on top and it was great. I can tell they sea salt their fries and that really livens them up.

    (4)

  • Anne B.

    Yes, you have to pay admission fee to enter the Sea Pines, BUT YOU CAN GET THE $5 BACK IF YOU SPEND $100 at 1 place. There is a coupon in the back of the guidebook you get when you enter the south end of the island. Of course, the Salty Dog Cafe is touristy, but it als has really good seafood with EXCEPTIONAL service. When we called ahead, they said that usually after 5p the wait is 45 minutes or more, at 6ish we were seated in like 20 minutes. Our food was brought out in a timely manner, the only thing wrong was a substitution that my dad made. The server who brought out our dinner (was different from our waiter) prompty returned with the correct item. In my experiences elsewhere, if someone different brings out your food, you're on your own. The servers and managers were always pleasant, and you could tell everyone was genuinely focused on teamwork to produce a great dining experience. It was well staffed to accommodate a fairly busy Tuesday night crowd, despite the rain. The hushpuppies are exceptional, expecially with the delicious honey butter.

    (4)

  • Vik D.

    Loved the food, view, and service.

    (5)

  • Justin S.

    The Salty Dog is just a good, fun place to enjoy a great view and sit outside. The food is pretty average but that doesn't mean its bad, just not life changing. In the summer we've seen the wait get pretty long but if you come in the off season you will probably be able to get a good table, maybe even outside on the dock. If you live in the SE, then no doubt you've seen the t-shirts before. Well keep in mind that it is a tourist destination and thats about what to expect. We like it enough to go every time we come and I'll be picking up yet another t-shirt for my kid sister this year. I say go and enjoy!

    (3)

  • Steve P.

    One of those "must do" kinds of restaurants. We didn't give them much of a workout at lunch. I had a pork sandwich and potato salad. My wife had a shrimp salad (on greens) that she quite enjoyed. The setting beside the harbor was extremely pleasant (we ate indoors by the window in cool a/c, and just relaxed. The food is good and the service is attentive. We arrived pretty early (11:50) for lunch and it hadn't gotten busy until we left an hour later. So the servers weren't stressed (yet). Definitely worth a visit. And we would go back if it didn't involve a $5 entry fee to Sea Pines just to get fed, and permitted to do some shopping. That's just ridiculous...

    (4)

  • Gary P.

    We had the lobster and shrimp rolls the were amazing the kids said the fries could have used more salt but they were just having fun. Great service and fun atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Jake M.

    Pretty good place for lunch. Nice views and outside area with a good atmosphere. The food is pretty good and fresh, especially the catch of the day or the fried fish sandwitches. The place can get a bit loud especially with the large groups of tourists and their loud and whining kids. Prices are ok but a bit high for what you are getting. Service is good friendly and knowledgeable.

    (3)

  • Adam M.

    3 Star Tourist trap that is a must on Hilton Head Island. Food is reasonable and has actually improved with the new management. Drinks are also average. I feel like you would be cheating yourself if you went to HHI and did not stop by. It's nothing special, but something that you should do.

    (3)

  • Reid H.

    Great outdoor dining, fresh fish sandwiches, and a good draft beer selection. Attentive service. The best informal dining on the island and a perfect spot to spend a relaxing afternoon.

    (5)

  • Whitney B.

    Just go. Get a T-shirt. Live music is really nice from 8-10 every night. The wait was long, but we had no where to be... Crab Legs were cheap and delicious.

    (4)

  • Carol P.

    Pleasantly surprised, figured tourist trap, first time to HH and first night on Island, very good dinner. Fried Flounder, hush puppies,and wonderful yeast rolls. Server was very sweet, the place was packed and she still kept us happy with water and more rolls.

    (4)

  • MARTINA S.

    It should be called the Salty No Dog Cafe. This dog themed restaurant with a huge patio doesn't allow dogs. Lame.

    (2)

  • Zeudi V.

    This place is definitely geared towards tourists. Beautiful view, friendly staff and honestly I was expecting a bit more in regards to food. The place was a bit loud but overall it was an ok experience.

    (2)

  • Joann A.

    Nice atmosphere, great service, enjoyed the food. She crab soup was very good! Everyone (4 picky teenage girls) enjoyed the food. Price was ok, but figure on doubling it (at least) with a trip to the t-shirt shop!

    (4)

  • Leigh L.

    Go for the T-shirt... Go for the rustic tuoristy ambience. Don't go for the overpriced mediocre food. The Wreck of the Salty Dog did look like a nice place to sit outside eat a burger drink beer and listen to music however it was raining when we were there. Also be prepared to pay 5 bucks to drive into the community where it is located.

    (2)

  • Erick C.

    This place is silly!

    (5)

  • Miranda J.

    I've been coming to Hilton Head pretty consistently for the past 25 years, and somehow this was the first time I've tried the Salty Dog. It was ok. I had a couple frozen drinks, 1/4lb shrimp boat and the she crab soup. The frozen drinks were fine, but I couldn't taste (or feel) any alcohol in them whatsoever. The shrimp boat was ok, but it said they were supposed to be "covered in secret spices" and I did not see or taste much at all. The she crab soup tasted canned and cheap. My husband had the cheesy shrimp sandwich and really liked it. I still like this place though, and am willing to try it again. Mediocre food is worth it for a really nice view outside on a pretty day.

    (3)

  • Kouichi K.

    I've seen the Salty Dog t-shirts elsewhere and didn't know what it was until I came to Hilton Head. My roommates and I went for lunch after visiting the lighthouse at Harbor Town. We waited 45 minutes for a table. While we were waiting, we had drinks at the bar outside. After our pager went off, we were seated promptly to our table. The restaurant is casual just like most of the restaurants in Hilton Head. I wanted fried shrimp and luckily they had it on the menu. It was quite a bit of fried shrimp. Not only did it come with fries, but huh puppies, and cole slaw as well. The fried shrimp was good, but not extraordinary. But for $9.95, I was quite content. And no...I didn't buy a t-shirt. I did see a guy at Yankee Stadium wearing one. They do a great job selling those t-shirts.

    (3)

  • Annette A.

    I used to love coming here as a kid! Every once in awhile Jake is around, and the owners let you play with him. They also had parrots and the random cat or two, my brother and I could have spent hours with those parrots. We'd always have lunch out on the patio, yes it's busy and touristy, but I love sitting out on a deck with some good food looking out at the water. It was just so pleasant! This place is a definitely a must-see, if only for the t-shirts if even, on a trip to HHI!

    (4)

  • Anna P.

    You come here to check it off your list of things to do while vacationing in Hilton Head. Buy a tshirt, eat a mediocre fish sandwich, and tell your friends you did it.

    (3)

  • Erin M.

    My aunt has a timeshare in HHI and so I've been to the Salty Dog a handful of times. Actually, just about to come head on over to HHI. Once place we are NOT going to is the Salty Dog cafe. Why? Because you have to be in the mood for the Salty Dog. It's crowded, loud, and pricey. The service is typically pretty good and it's a nice place but man do I walk out of there with a headache. So, if you're on vacation and don't have a care in the world - or a time constraint - yea, hit up the Salty Dog just to say you went. But if you don't like crowded restaurants where it may take a lil bit to get your food (that is really only subpar) - skip it. There are plenty of good places to go.

    (2)

  • Julie W.

    Our family has heard so much about this place that we just had to check it out while we were there. Although we were told it would be a 30-45 minute wait, we only waited for 20 minutes. The staff is uber friendly and was super helpful in providing recommendations. The fish is very fresh and absolutely amazing. The location is great with wonderful views. THanks for a memorable lunch experience with our family on vacation.

    (5)

  • Benjamin B.

    Salty Dog was great and lived up to my expectations. I haven't gotten the ubiquitous t-shirt yet, but I will. Here are some thoughts: - We went at 9:30 on a Tuesday, so we were seated right away. However, it was still jumping inside and out. The kitchen starts to close at 10 on a Tuesday. - The she crab bisque was awesome. - My wife and I shared the captain's platter for two, and it was a TON of food. We should have just gotten it for one. However, they were very accommodating when we said we didn't want oysters, so they heavied up on the other stuff (fried shrimp and fried grouper). So good.

    (4)

  • Juliana L.

    Fish on the fresh fish sandwich was good, but overall my meal was just ok. Staff was overwhelmed and the place was pretty empty. I won't go bad and should have skipped it in the first place.

    (2)

  • Jim C.

    Don't let them talk you into the other properties, go for the original. It was a good meal, the fried fish is great, burgers good, fun times. Yes it's a trap but if you didn't know that you must be living on another planet

    (3)

  • Todd P.

    Honestly, I don't know what the hype is about. After paying $5 to get into the development and finding parking, the wait was ridiculous so we just opted to eat at the bar. The food was okay, but overpriced for what we got and I think the no-frills Sea Shack was better. It's definitely a tourist trap and while the pizza and ice cream bars around the corner are pretty good, they're definitely not worth paying to get into if you have to.

    (2)

  • Adria W.

    We come to Hilton Head several times a year and each visit mandates a stop at the Salty Dog Cafe. Today we went and sat outside to enjoy a beautiful day. I had the chicken salad which was quite tasty and my husband had a burger which he likewise enjoyed. It is not a complicated menu but it is well executed. If nothing else, go for a drink here and sit outside on a lovely day. The Hurricane was delicious.

    (4)

  • Jonathan P.

    The Salty Dog, I can't count the number of times I've seen the Shirts and wondered "Where is the Salty Dog?", "What is the Salty Dog?". Now I know, its a restaurant in Hilton Head, that specializes in Shirts and paraphernalia, and also serves seafood. (I'm wearing my Salty Dog Long-Sleeve -T as I type). I give their clothing line props for originality and style...perfect attire for lazy days, yard work, and just hanging out...and the shirts look better the more you wear them. But the food...eh... to be fair I did not eat there, I got my dinner to go, but still. The shrimp were squishy and mealy, the mussels were dry and the crab legs were just OK. The only part of the meal I really enjoyed were the hush puppies, soft and moist with a buttery texture, add a little honey butter and you're in the money. But all in all I expected it to be better. The salty Dog was not terrible, just not great. Cool shirts though.

    (2)

  • Remy M.

    As far as "touristy" things to do on HHI, this would be high on the list. Folks seem to love this place. I would definitely recommend it for lunch--the food is good, and the restaurant overlooks the water. Not my favorite place in the world--and if I'm in Sea Pines for lunch, I'd be more partial to Giuseppi's--but definitely worth checking out...especially if it's your first time to HHI. One more thing--it can get quite busy for lunch during the summer. Be prepared to wait a little...fortunately you can explore the marina in the meantime!

    (4)

  • Christopher W.

    Lunch was good and my frozen drink was refreshing after an hour of jet skiing. Service was very good as well. Too bad there wasn't more seafood on the menu though. The view overlooking the cove was nice. I've seen people back home wearing their shirts and I picked one up myself. I'd definitely go back again.

    (4)

  • Kandi B.

    We were a little underwhelmed with the Salty Dog experience. I know it's a tradition, and people come from all over, but it just wasn't all that memorable for us. If you order food from the outside "cantina" - you get your choice of straight-from-Costco fair, like cheap cheeseburgers, hotdogs, and chicken sandwiches. The boiled shrimp was pretty good, but that's all you get: boiled shrimp. The staff must have been on break, because we had to serve ourselves for our drinks (and food). The music guy was late, so we sat around and looked at all the boats in the harbor. I think you need to come with your own party. Also, if you're not staying in the Sea Pines resort, be prepared to pay for a $5 "day pass" before you can drive to the restaurant (or any of the other dining/shopping places inside).

    (3)

  • Walter F.

    At low tide there is a strong sulphur odor outside. Food is average at best.

    (2)

  • Lynn A.

    Despite reviews on the contrary, I found Salty Dog to be everything you'd want in a restaurant. Our food was great and the service was excellent. It was surely pricey, but the serving sizes were massive. Other than our waitress, both a manager and the chef approached our table throughout dinner to ask if everything was okay. Overall, we were very pleased with our experience.

    (5)

  • Janet R.

    While enjoying a quick weekend to Hilton Head Island... We decided to ride bikes 5 miles to the 'famous' Salty Dog for lunch. It is charming touristy group of shops right on the end go the island on the water. Although it was busy, we were seated within the promised 20 mins. Since a storm was brewing we placed our meal order with our drink order to our friendly waitress. That's where it fell apart...our ticket was lost...30+ minutes and this set the tone. Although the server was very apologetic and the manager came over & gave us our appetizer for free, it left a bit of bad taste in our mouth. Oh...the food? Actually was great and fresh! Special of the day fish tacos with breaded bites of grouper and remoulade sauce with lettuce & tomato. Side was a scoop of just so-so rice. My companions split a basket of chicken tenders & fries which were average. The hush puppies were hot, deep fried slightly sweet morsels that came with yummy honey butter. Too bad we ran out of time to eat with the storm fast approaching. I'd come back again tho and give it another try...maybe with some margaritas so the wait won't feel as long!

    (3)

  • Jennifer V.

    My husband & I went here for lunch today. The fish of the day was swordfish, so we both got the blackened swordfish sandwich, it was delicious! Then we went to the t-shirt shop to get our dog a bandana.

    (4)

  • Randy A.

    there was a rude...plus size...blonde bartender who was so rude that my daughter and I didn't even place an order

    (1)

  • Kevin K.

    Good destination, okay food.

    (3)

  • Hudson Valley C.

    No good. While the Salty Dog Cafe gets a couple of stars because of it's location, tourist- appeal, and scenery, it certainly does not gain any extra credit for food. This place often has long lines because of its location in the South Beach tourist trap in Hilton Head. This restaurant has outdoor and indoor seating, and is right along the waters edge. Because of its appeal, parking in this area is extremely difficult- nevermind the hundreds of bicycles, strollers, and slow walkers that are ever-present in the road ways and parking lots. My family vacations in Hilton Head every summer and decided to give the Salty Dog Cafe another try (we had tried it once years ago and didn't care for it). This time we went, not much had changed. Our server was pretty good, present and attentive. The food was very overpriced and virtually tasteless- I guess what you expect from most tourist traps, right? The problem is that there is tons of great food nearby...so don't come here. I ordered a cheese burger- it had obviously been frozen, then overcooked, and by the time it reached my table it tasted more like sawdust on a stale bun. My family ordered many other dishes of the menu with similar results. Overall, this place is not a great place to eat. The Pirate place further down in South Beach is a little better than this, and if you leave SB you can find several great tasting restaurants further down the road.

    (2)

  • Gordon W.

    We had just arrived at our condo on South Beach for a long anniversary weekend and chose the Salty Dog for dinner since it was next door at the marina. Although we weren't that excited about going here the food was amazing. My wife had a grilled fish sandwich with was delicious and had a unique barbecue taste from their own mix of spices. I had the seafood pasta which had an incredible amount of seafood in it, including lobster. I could only eat about a third of it and we had it for lunch the next day, a much more generous portion than what I received at C.Q's in Harbourtown the following evening.

    (5)

  • melissa m.

    Unfortunately there seemed to always be a wait for this place and the menu is similar to the salty dog wreck which is about 500 feet away. We put our name on the list to sit outside which had a shorter wait time and still waited for over at least 30 minutes. I will admit that the chicken sandwich/hoagie was incredible! Huge and inexpensive! The frozen drinks were also very tasty!

    (3)

  • Ana K.

    The food is absolutely mediocre and completely overpriced! The staff is unfriendly and the service is all-right at best. If you have the opportunity; go else where. Otherwise just be mentally prepared for average food that is way over priced. Do not recommend.

    (1)

  • Kevin D.

    When I told friends that I was going to Hilton Head Island with family for about five days - most everyone said that we had to eat at Salty Dogs. Honestly, I thought it was just a t-shirt and not a restaurant. We decided to go and my sister-in-law mentioned that we would have to pay $5 - There was a fee because it's located in the Sea Pines Community. The fee really didn't both me because it allows you to come back later, somewhat like an all-day pass. So by eating there for lunch we were able to come back and enjoy the community and shops. The restaurant had a huge outdoor sitting area with an outdoor bar. Plenty of seats and unlike other reviews, we had a five minute wait. The server was nice and explained the daily special and seemed to know the food as we asked about the different types of fish on the menu. I ended up getting the Mahi Mahi sandwich, which was the catch of the day. I was actually impressed that it was lightly battered and not completely battered - some placed have such a thick batter that you are unable to taste the fish. The kaiser roll added to the flavor rather than a hoagie roll. My wife ended up getting the fried flounder sandwich. Her fish sandwich was falling off the bun, it was pretty big but very thin. She mentioned it would have tasted better without the Swiss cheese - it was over powering on flavor. It wasn't anything specials as "best food ever," but it was good. It was a little pricey for the food...i'm sure it's that way because of the name of the place and the scenery. It's not a bad place if you want to check out a tourist restaurant and do some shopping later in the day. I don't think we would go back by ourselves...maybe with the entire family or with some friends.

    (3)

  • Greg G.

    One of my favorite sea good places on Hilton head but quite pricey. I suggest the crab cakes as a main course and perhaps some hush puppies as an appetizer. The only problems are the long wait and the high cost of the food. Otherwise this is a great place to eat. You could get dressed up for this restaurant but it really isn't required.

    (4)

  • Jim J.

    [Visit of Saturday afternoon, Jan. 5, 2013] I was drawn to the Salty Dog by a picture of "Rings of Fire" - their spicy calamari appetizer - in one of the local taste magazines. They did not disappoint; squid rings tossed in a chili-spiked beer batter, fried, and topped with a fresh pineapple salsa. For the entree, we tried the Shrimp and Grits, which was more than enough for two people. A dozen large shrimp sauteed with diced tasso ham in gravy were served over a heaping bowl of firm yellow grits. I definitely got my fill of grits before leaving Hilton Head Island. The service that day was exceptional. We got VIP attention from the waitress and visits by each of the managers on duty. I was left with the impression that these were good operators, which seemed to explain why they have taken over the other concessions in the plaza. The only negative was that they probably need a portable heater or two to keep it warmer for us South Floridians who come to visit. I'm surprised to see this has a 3-star rating average. I wonder if many Yelpers understand the rating system. 3 out of 5 means mediocre. It's 60% - that's a D-, guys. Four stars is good and 5 means excellent. They get 5 stars from me in January, 2013 as they did go beyond my expectations in food, service, and value ($73 for 4 very stuffed people).

    (5)

  • Jessica J.

    We ate at Salty Dog again last night. We were quickly seated upon arrival. Our waitress (I believe her name was Allana) got our drunk orders very quickly, and brought them back while we were deciding on what to order. My husband got the shrimp fest with fried shrimp and shrimp and grits. It also came with au gratin potatoes and steamed vegetables. My mom ordered the castaway with fried scallops and fries, and my dad ordered the castaway with scallops, oysters, and shrimp. I ordered the castaway with fried shrimp and broiled scallops. Mine and my dad's meals also came with au gratin potatoes and steamed veggies (carrots, squash, and zucchini). Salty Dog's fried food is delicious. The batter isn't too thick and has a good, fresh taste to it. The potatoes complement the rest of the food nicely, and the steamed vegetables are seasoned very well. My scallops were (and always have been) cooked perfectly, with light seasoning. They're tender and delicious. We always enjoy going to the Salty Dog because we know we can expect, and receive, wonderfully cooked seafood and great service every time.

    (4)

  • Kerri T.

    We love this place and return year after year. Honestly, the atmosphere is the draw but their burgers and fries, along with their shrimp salad sandwich are really good.

    (4)

  • Kevin K.

    Good destination, okay food.

    (3)

  • Erick C.

    This place is silly!

    (5)

  • Jasmine A.

    I wasn't expecting much given the reviews....and I was right. It's mid-January right now and the island is pretty empty so we figured 4:00 on a Wednesday would be a perfect time to go. The service was great, which it should have been since we were like the only people there. My husband and I decided to make a meal out of appetizers to try a little of everything. They bring out a basket of rolls, nothing special. We ordered the hushpuppies. I felt they were a tad overdone and had a sweet crust on them. Not my favorite, but they were ok. Next we got a 1/2 pound of shrimp and 1/2 dozen oysters on the half shell. The shrimp were good and a nice size. The oysters not so much. They were from Apalachicola, Fl and tiny and WAY too salty. I was a little hesitant to order them since it's been a warm winter. Being a Floridian I thought I should order some as a sign of support. YUCK! I can't believe they were even serving them. Next up were the fish bites. The fish tasted fresh(er) and I would say it was a step or two above a supermarket frozen fish filet. It was good, but nothing too exciting. The last thing we ordered was shrimp toast. Basically it was cheese and shrimp on a hoagie roll. My husband loved it but I wasn't blown away. I think this place is great for a nice day to enjoy the view and eat some food to soak up the alcohol and nothing more. It is definitely a drinking place. I'm not sorry I went but if we come back to HHI we're going to skip it.

    (2)

  • K M.

    We returned to the Salty Dog again this year and were completely underwhelmed. We were disappointed since our first experience was great. The grilled shrimp had no flavor. Crab cakes were okay assuming you covered them in sauce. We've discovered much better local restaurants in HHI with better prices.

    (2)

  • Joe M.

    Sitting at the outside bar. Beautiful place. 15 minute wait for drinks and no American Light beer on tap (plenty like it). I am watching patrons walk away from the outside bar (where I am sitting), in anger because they cannot order a drink. Why so understaffed? People are waiting to HAND YOU THEIR MONEY!! Is there a hidden agenda? I do not understand! A DUI liability strategy perhaps? Help!!! I want a drink!

    (1)

  • Harish C.

    We walked into this place after our 2hr long kayaking. We were promptly seated and a waitress came over right away. We got our drinks out in few mins. We ordered a spicy calamari dish (forgot the name) and it was really good. I ordered fish and chips made with flounder. one shrimp po boy. Other order was Mahi Mahi special for that day. The food was fresh and delicious. The service is good as well. The prices for lunch was not that high for a nice outdoor seating. Our bill was $60 for 4 people with a soft drink, 2 beers. an appetizer and 4 entree. I will go back again in future.

    (4)

  • Jessie C.

    Didn't eat here... just had a few cocktails on a saturday night BUT did think about eating and decided against it b/c a $8 hot dog was a little over budget, or a $10 burger. Really? Come on, I know Hilton Head is for people who are a little more on the well-to-do side but a grilled hot dog for $8 is nutty. The drinks were good though! The atmosphere is fantastic, everyone is really having a good time.

    (4)

  • D S.

    Stopped by for a snack & beverage. Really enjoyed the outside patio bar and live entertainment. Loved the outside grille, the shrimp smelled so good we just had to try it, wow what a difference from what we are used to in the north (frozen, lol) fresh, tender, seasoned perfectly. Our bartenders were attentive and friendly. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because we had to pay $6 to get in to the development, just one of my pet peeves. Casual, relaxed atmosphere, reasonably priced. It was a busy Friday night and it looked like most tables inside & out were filled, we lucked out with 2 seats at the bar. Enjoy !!

    (4)

  • Jamie L.

    Don't advertise your restaurant is dog friendly, when it is not! Went there specifically so my dog could come along and AFTER checking out the website that stated that they were dog friendly and listed on websites as a dog friendly restaurant, it was not! Given that it was outside, in Hilton Head, did not expect otherwise given so many places are dog friendly. Upon arrival when seeing the hostess, was notified that dogs are allowed in the marina but not where the food is served but was promptly told where dogs were allowed, then as walking to the one area identified by the manager, see multiple dogs by picnic tables as their owners were being served food and drink. I then proceeded back to the hostess station where they then notified me that they didn't mention that, in fact we could sit at picnic tables with dogs. So, we decided to sit there but was then told that we would not be served at the picnic tables, although I had just seen other customers bring served, with dogs at picnic tables. I was told I could order food and drink at the bar. Okay, then proceeded to order at bar and told had to wait for food, couldn't sit and check on it. Additionally, one bartender was good but the other was useless, couldn't pull it together a drink order. It was the middle of the afternoon, during low season and not busy. The only reason we stayed was it was not really close to other options but given the false advertising, poor service and average food would not recommend or return here.

    (1)

  • Jessica B.

    The atmosphere gets 5 stars. It was excellent and you definitely feel like you're on vacation while you're there. Plenty of tables and space. Fun drinks. My boyfriend and I both ordered po boys- he got shrimp and I got the fish. Not going to lie it was decent but wasnt my favorite. I liked the bread and coleslaw better than anything else. The fish seemed like flash frozen as opposed to fresh caught. It's a classic HHI spot so you have to go. Don't forget to stop in the gift shop after you eat.

    (3)

  • Joshua O.

    Really neat location and views of the bay in sea pines. Mahi and crab cakes were great.

    (5)

  • Steve D.

    Never have so many come for so little. The parking is a nightmare, the waits for tables are brutal, the service is fair and the food is mediocre. There are plenty of places on Hilton Head with great views that don't play the same Jimmy Buffett songs over and over, and most restaurants on the island have better food. Get a shirt during non peak hours if you must, and then get the hell out of there.

    (2)

  • Megan F.

    After years of seeing t-shirts from the Salty Dog Cafe and the fact that my Macaroni Grill loving sister really wanted to here, I made the assumption this place was a touristy chain. A quick peruse through the menu and my initial perception seemed like it was confirmed: fried, fried and fried. Mediocre "team" service with the fake friendly southern thing going on and then a pretty dry and bland pulled pork sandwich going pretty much solidified this place as just another chain in my mind. But then...I checked their website and realized I misjudged. It's locally owned and started up in 1987 based on a tale of a maverick of a dog named Jake. Now, there's a Jake IV. I guess I never read the lines on the t-shirt properly: it does say Hilton Head Island, SC and I don't ever recall any of the various sky blue or pale magenta Salty Dog shirts saying anything different over the years. This place is local and unique to the area. I just wish ANYTHING else about it also shared that quality of being unique. It's ok for what it is and you can't go wrong with dining on the waterfront, I just don't understand why a restaurant with so much potential and such a large base of fans is just so blah.

    (3)

  • Libby V.

    Who let the dogs out? WHO, WHO, WHO?? I can honestly say I've never been served food in a dog bowl before! We scooted in just under happy hour cutoff, and special pricing. Woo hoo. It would be hard to screw up fresh shrimp in HHI, and you didn't. I'm ashamed to say I ate about a half pound all by myself. Actually, everyone liked their food...fried fish bites, hushpuppies, crab dip, shrimp, and I forget what else. Most was good...or maybe we were just hungry. Really. really hungry. No table service...we had to go to the bar and order. Rum Punch...OK. Nothing more, nothing less. Plus, you're a chain. But a good solid 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Bluedog T.

    As much as I wanted to enjoy the Salty Dog Cafe, I didn't. A couple of days before, we tried to get to the Salty Dog for lunch, but there was an over 2 hour wait to be seated. See our review of the Wreck of the Salty Dog for that day's feasting and drinking. So we went back ot the original Salty Dog for lunch. The Lunch menu was the same as the Wreck. We walked right in this time and were seated at a table inside facing the water. A very nice view. We ordered drinks including a mojito and the Maitai based on excellent MaiTais at the Wreck a couple of days before. Drinks were brought in smaller plastic "go cups" because, according to the waitress, we might have wanted to take our drinks with us when we left. Maybe we should have taken her advice. The mojito had not muddled mint, but what looked like a mint blob throughout the cocktail. The Maitai forgot the Myers rum float and was very watery, and the Bloody Mary had a cherry floating in it instead of the olives. The waitress seemed unconcerned but did take the maitai back of a splash of Myers, which really didn't solve the problem. The food was pedestrian at best, where just tow days before the food at the Wreck (same menu) was great. The manager came by to ask about the meal, but I believe this was just a formality as we explained the issues and merely got a thank you and he walked off. The online survey provided by the restaurant had a check box for "Did the manager visit your table" so I believe he was just going through the motions. We left the original Salty Dog disappointed and went over to the Wreck's outside bar where there was a better attitude and spent the next few hours enjoying their cocktails and hospitality. Take my advice, bypass the Salty Dog and go to the Wreck instead.

    (2)

  • Kimberly G.

    Ok food. The ambiance of The Salty Dog is fun. I recommend this for a younger crowd. Great customer service, they even offered us to go cups! As a downside, they advertise they accept coupon vouchers, but as we discovered, they do not!

    (3)

  • Steven R.

    Great way to spend a Sunday. Cocktails and the apps are great as always. Go with the rings of fire they are wonderful.

    (4)

  • Dack C.

    The Salty Dog is more of an intangible force than a restaurant. when you arrive at the marina, there'll be a bunch of outdoor seating where a laid back guy who I've seen a million times but can never remember the name of plays some crowd-pleasing acoustic renditions of classic rock standards. There's a bar, there's a grill, there's a pair of merchandise shops, there's a pizzeria, there's an ice cream shop, and there's a higher-tier seafood restaurant that has no qualms about you coming into the bar inside and ordering something like calamari or shrimp to take back to your table so you can listen to the music while dressed down. These all appear to be separate businesses, but they all contribute to the Salty Dog experience. It's a good place to go if you're with a group and need a place to eat or (hell, especially if) you want to tie one on. There is no Margaritaville. But if there was one, it'd be a hell of a lot like the Salty Dog. (Although I silently suspect the maestro is a tad tired of performing that one.)

    (4)

  • Jean D.

    way too slow..waited forty five min on food crummy service...way overpriced

    (1)

  • Michael C.

    This is a place you have to go to while at Hilton Head. It's your typical tourist spot that you swear you won't go to but you do and you like it. The price is right, it's very kid friendly and there are plenty of things to do while you wait for your table. There was a 30-40 minute wait which is pretty typical. It's the perfect place to go for lunch.

    (4)

  • Mike G.

    We ate at the restaurant and waited the hour plus to get in. Had no issue doing that because the outside area is nice and inviting. The food is below average and expensive in the restaurant. My son got the filet and it was bone dry and tasteless. Not what is expected for a 30 entree. I ordered the special and it tasted like it has been sitting under a heating lamp....My wife ordered fresh fish and it was a bit better. All in all...if you want overpriced very marginal quality food...eat at the restaurant...otherwise grab a seat outside, order a sandwich, enjoy the music on the patio and save yourself a boatload of money and get about the same quality food. We won't be back to the restaurant.

    (1)

  • Michael G.

    Nice atmosphere. Decent food, kind of pricey for what it is. I had the grouper dog and liked it.

    (3)

  • Beth B.

    My husband had the fresh catch sandwich which happened to be swordfish and it was great. My Mom had flounder sandwich and it was very tasty. Even my son's fish nuggets were good and don't miss out on the hushpuppies with the honey butter. We didn't have to wait long b/c we went pretty early. I know they say this is a tourist trap but we wanted to walk around the shops and just took a chance at the restaurant. It was pretty darn good and worth the trip to Sea Pines.

    (4)

  • Hudson Valley C.

    No good. While the Salty Dog Cafe gets a couple of stars because of it's location, tourist- appeal, and scenery, it certainly does not gain any extra credit for food. This place often has long lines because of its location in the South Beach tourist trap in Hilton Head. This restaurant has outdoor and indoor seating, and is right along the waters edge. Because of its appeal, parking in this area is extremely difficult- nevermind the hundreds of bicycles, strollers, and slow walkers that are ever-present in the road ways and parking lots. My family vacations in Hilton Head every summer and decided to give the Salty Dog Cafe another try (we had tried it once years ago and didn't care for it). This time we went, not much had changed. Our server was pretty good, present and attentive. The food was very overpriced and virtually tasteless- I guess what you expect from most tourist traps, right? The problem is that there is tons of great food nearby...so don't come here. I ordered a cheese burger- it had obviously been frozen, then overcooked, and by the time it reached my table it tasted more like sawdust on a stale bun. My family ordered many other dishes of the menu with similar results. Overall, this place is not a great place to eat. The Pirate place further down in South Beach is a little better than this, and if you leave SB you can find several great tasting restaurants further down the road.

    (2)

  • Gordon W.

    We had just arrived at our condo on South Beach for a long anniversary weekend and chose the Salty Dog for dinner since it was next door at the marina. Although we weren't that excited about going here the food was amazing. My wife had a grilled fish sandwich with was delicious and had a unique barbecue taste from their own mix of spices. I had the seafood pasta which had an incredible amount of seafood in it, including lobster. I could only eat about a third of it and we had it for lunch the next day, a much more generous portion than what I received at C.Q's in Harbourtown the following evening.

    (5)

  • melissa m.

    Unfortunately there seemed to always be a wait for this place and the menu is similar to the salty dog wreck which is about 500 feet away. We put our name on the list to sit outside which had a shorter wait time and still waited for over at least 30 minutes. I will admit that the chicken sandwich/hoagie was incredible! Huge and inexpensive! The frozen drinks were also very tasty!

    (3)

  • Ana K.

    The food is absolutely mediocre and completely overpriced! The staff is unfriendly and the service is all-right at best. If you have the opportunity; go else where. Otherwise just be mentally prepared for average food that is way over priced. Do not recommend.

    (1)

  • Kandi B.

    We were a little underwhelmed with the Salty Dog experience. I know it's a tradition, and people come from all over, but it just wasn't all that memorable for us. If you order food from the outside "cantina" - you get your choice of straight-from-Costco fair, like cheap cheeseburgers, hotdogs, and chicken sandwiches. The boiled shrimp was pretty good, but that's all you get: boiled shrimp. The staff must have been on break, because we had to serve ourselves for our drinks (and food). The music guy was late, so we sat around and looked at all the boats in the harbor. I think you need to come with your own party. Also, if you're not staying in the Sea Pines resort, be prepared to pay for a $5 "day pass" before you can drive to the restaurant (or any of the other dining/shopping places inside).

    (3)

  • Walter F.

    At low tide there is a strong sulphur odor outside. Food is average at best.

    (2)

  • Lynn A.

    Despite reviews on the contrary, I found Salty Dog to be everything you'd want in a restaurant. Our food was great and the service was excellent. It was surely pricey, but the serving sizes were massive. Other than our waitress, both a manager and the chef approached our table throughout dinner to ask if everything was okay. Overall, we were very pleased with our experience.

    (5)

  • Janet R.

    While enjoying a quick weekend to Hilton Head Island... We decided to ride bikes 5 miles to the 'famous' Salty Dog for lunch. It is charming touristy group of shops right on the end go the island on the water. Although it was busy, we were seated within the promised 20 mins. Since a storm was brewing we placed our meal order with our drink order to our friendly waitress. That's where it fell apart...our ticket was lost...30+ minutes and this set the tone. Although the server was very apologetic and the manager came over & gave us our appetizer for free, it left a bit of bad taste in our mouth. Oh...the food? Actually was great and fresh! Special of the day fish tacos with breaded bites of grouper and remoulade sauce with lettuce & tomato. Side was a scoop of just so-so rice. My companions split a basket of chicken tenders & fries which were average. The hush puppies were hot, deep fried slightly sweet morsels that came with yummy honey butter. Too bad we ran out of time to eat with the storm fast approaching. I'd come back again tho and give it another try...maybe with some margaritas so the wait won't feel as long!

    (3)

  • Jennifer V.

    My husband & I went here for lunch today. The fish of the day was swordfish, so we both got the blackened swordfish sandwich, it was delicious! Then we went to the t-shirt shop to get our dog a bandana.

    (4)

  • Randy A.

    there was a rude...plus size...blonde bartender who was so rude that my daughter and I didn't even place an order

    (1)

  • Jim C.

    Don't let them talk you into the other properties, go for the original. It was a good meal, the fried fish is great, burgers good, fun times. Yes it's a trap but if you didn't know that you must be living on another planet

    (3)

  • Todd P.

    Honestly, I don't know what the hype is about. After paying $5 to get into the development and finding parking, the wait was ridiculous so we just opted to eat at the bar. The food was okay, but overpriced for what we got and I think the no-frills Sea Shack was better. It's definitely a tourist trap and while the pizza and ice cream bars around the corner are pretty good, they're definitely not worth paying to get into if you have to.

    (2)

  • Adria W.

    We come to Hilton Head several times a year and each visit mandates a stop at the Salty Dog Cafe. Today we went and sat outside to enjoy a beautiful day. I had the chicken salad which was quite tasty and my husband had a burger which he likewise enjoyed. It is not a complicated menu but it is well executed. If nothing else, go for a drink here and sit outside on a lovely day. The Hurricane was delicious.

    (4)

  • Jonathan P.

    The Salty Dog, I can't count the number of times I've seen the Shirts and wondered "Where is the Salty Dog?", "What is the Salty Dog?". Now I know, its a restaurant in Hilton Head, that specializes in Shirts and paraphernalia, and also serves seafood. (I'm wearing my Salty Dog Long-Sleeve -T as I type). I give their clothing line props for originality and style...perfect attire for lazy days, yard work, and just hanging out...and the shirts look better the more you wear them. But the food...eh... to be fair I did not eat there, I got my dinner to go, but still. The shrimp were squishy and mealy, the mussels were dry and the crab legs were just OK. The only part of the meal I really enjoyed were the hush puppies, soft and moist with a buttery texture, add a little honey butter and you're in the money. But all in all I expected it to be better. The salty Dog was not terrible, just not great. Cool shirts though.

    (2)

  • Remy M.

    As far as "touristy" things to do on HHI, this would be high on the list. Folks seem to love this place. I would definitely recommend it for lunch--the food is good, and the restaurant overlooks the water. Not my favorite place in the world--and if I'm in Sea Pines for lunch, I'd be more partial to Giuseppi's--but definitely worth checking out...especially if it's your first time to HHI. One more thing--it can get quite busy for lunch during the summer. Be prepared to wait a little...fortunately you can explore the marina in the meantime!

    (4)

  • Christopher W.

    Lunch was good and my frozen drink was refreshing after an hour of jet skiing. Service was very good as well. Too bad there wasn't more seafood on the menu though. The view overlooking the cove was nice. I've seen people back home wearing their shirts and I picked one up myself. I'd definitely go back again.

    (4)

  • Annette A.

    I used to love coming here as a kid! Every once in awhile Jake is around, and the owners let you play with him. They also had parrots and the random cat or two, my brother and I could have spent hours with those parrots. We'd always have lunch out on the patio, yes it's busy and touristy, but I love sitting out on a deck with some good food looking out at the water. It was just so pleasant! This place is a definitely a must-see, if only for the t-shirts if even, on a trip to HHI!

    (4)

  • Anna P.

    You come here to check it off your list of things to do while vacationing in Hilton Head. Buy a tshirt, eat a mediocre fish sandwich, and tell your friends you did it.

    (3)

  • Erin M.

    My aunt has a timeshare in HHI and so I've been to the Salty Dog a handful of times. Actually, just about to come head on over to HHI. Once place we are NOT going to is the Salty Dog cafe. Why? Because you have to be in the mood for the Salty Dog. It's crowded, loud, and pricey. The service is typically pretty good and it's a nice place but man do I walk out of there with a headache. So, if you're on vacation and don't have a care in the world - or a time constraint - yea, hit up the Salty Dog just to say you went. But if you don't like crowded restaurants where it may take a lil bit to get your food (that is really only subpar) - skip it. There are plenty of good places to go.

    (2)

  • Julie W.

    Our family has heard so much about this place that we just had to check it out while we were there. Although we were told it would be a 30-45 minute wait, we only waited for 20 minutes. The staff is uber friendly and was super helpful in providing recommendations. The fish is very fresh and absolutely amazing. The location is great with wonderful views. THanks for a memorable lunch experience with our family on vacation.

    (5)

  • Benjamin B.

    Salty Dog was great and lived up to my expectations. I haven't gotten the ubiquitous t-shirt yet, but I will. Here are some thoughts: - We went at 9:30 on a Tuesday, so we were seated right away. However, it was still jumping inside and out. The kitchen starts to close at 10 on a Tuesday. - The she crab bisque was awesome. - My wife and I shared the captain's platter for two, and it was a TON of food. We should have just gotten it for one. However, they were very accommodating when we said we didn't want oysters, so they heavied up on the other stuff (fried shrimp and fried grouper). So good.

    (4)

  • Juliana L.

    Fish on the fresh fish sandwich was good, but overall my meal was just ok. Staff was overwhelmed and the place was pretty empty. I won't go bad and should have skipped it in the first place.

    (2)

  • Zeudi V.

    This place is definitely geared towards tourists. Beautiful view, friendly staff and honestly I was expecting a bit more in regards to food. The place was a bit loud but overall it was an ok experience.

    (2)

  • Joann A.

    Nice atmosphere, great service, enjoyed the food. She crab soup was very good! Everyone (4 picky teenage girls) enjoyed the food. Price was ok, but figure on doubling it (at least) with a trip to the t-shirt shop!

    (4)

  • Leigh L.

    Go for the T-shirt... Go for the rustic tuoristy ambience. Don't go for the overpriced mediocre food. The Wreck of the Salty Dog did look like a nice place to sit outside eat a burger drink beer and listen to music however it was raining when we were there. Also be prepared to pay 5 bucks to drive into the community where it is located.

    (2)

  • Miranda J.

    I've been coming to Hilton Head pretty consistently for the past 25 years, and somehow this was the first time I've tried the Salty Dog. It was ok. I had a couple frozen drinks, 1/4lb shrimp boat and the she crab soup. The frozen drinks were fine, but I couldn't taste (or feel) any alcohol in them whatsoever. The shrimp boat was ok, but it said they were supposed to be "covered in secret spices" and I did not see or taste much at all. The she crab soup tasted canned and cheap. My husband had the cheesy shrimp sandwich and really liked it. I still like this place though, and am willing to try it again. Mediocre food is worth it for a really nice view outside on a pretty day.

    (3)

  • Kouichi K.

    I've seen the Salty Dog t-shirts elsewhere and didn't know what it was until I came to Hilton Head. My roommates and I went for lunch after visiting the lighthouse at Harbor Town. We waited 45 minutes for a table. While we were waiting, we had drinks at the bar outside. After our pager went off, we were seated promptly to our table. The restaurant is casual just like most of the restaurants in Hilton Head. I wanted fried shrimp and luckily they had it on the menu. It was quite a bit of fried shrimp. Not only did it come with fries, but huh puppies, and cole slaw as well. The fried shrimp was good, but not extraordinary. But for $9.95, I was quite content. And no...I didn't buy a t-shirt. I did see a guy at Yankee Stadium wearing one. They do a great job selling those t-shirts.

    (3)

  • Jake M.

    Pretty good place for lunch. Nice views and outside area with a good atmosphere. The food is pretty good and fresh, especially the catch of the day or the fried fish sandwitches. The place can get a bit loud especially with the large groups of tourists and their loud and whining kids. Prices are ok but a bit high for what you are getting. Service is good friendly and knowledgeable.

    (3)

  • Adam M.

    3 Star Tourist trap that is a must on Hilton Head Island. Food is reasonable and has actually improved with the new management. Drinks are also average. I feel like you would be cheating yourself if you went to HHI and did not stop by. It's nothing special, but something that you should do.

    (3)

  • Reid H.

    Great outdoor dining, fresh fish sandwiches, and a good draft beer selection. Attentive service. The best informal dining on the island and a perfect spot to spend a relaxing afternoon.

    (5)

  • Whitney B.

    Just go. Get a T-shirt. Live music is really nice from 8-10 every night. The wait was long, but we had no where to be... Crab Legs were cheap and delicious.

    (4)

  • Carol P.

    Pleasantly surprised, figured tourist trap, first time to HH and first night on Island, very good dinner. Fried Flounder, hush puppies,and wonderful yeast rolls. Server was very sweet, the place was packed and she still kept us happy with water and more rolls.

    (4)

  • MARTINA S.

    It should be called the Salty No Dog Cafe. This dog themed restaurant with a huge patio doesn't allow dogs. Lame.

    (2)

  • lindsay w.

    The Salty Dog Cafe conjures up memories of visiting my grandparents on Hilton Head island every summer, and spending afternoons biking along the beautiful beaches. Once we get tired (and can't stand the humidity any longer), we always stop by the Salty Dog to get some drinks and appetizers. The atmosphere is really nice- you just hang out on a giant patio and relax. The food is nothing special or memorable (fries, burgers, sandwiches, etc.) but the setting definitely makes up for it!

    (5)

  • Bayard C.

    The view is great, service was pretty good but the food was really not very good. My wife had a good shrimp salad everyone else ordered something fried. The grease must have been way too hot because it was ll very dark when it came to the table. It was nearly inedible, in face I wish I hadn't eaten it.

    (1)

  • Audrey W.

    The Salty Dog Cafe is Hilton Head's version of TGI Fridays. Featuring an extensive menu with something for everybody, and a wide range of beers, cocktails, and martinis. This is the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night in Hilton Head because of its hip atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Susan L.

    I've been coming to HHI since a wee age and I never understood how Salty Dog became such a staple. Sure I always came home with a t-shirt but unless you had visited HHI too, you could care less about who or what Salty Dog was. In the end, though, it's a restaurant so I will review its restaurant skills. It had been a while since my last visit so I can't recall past experiences but this most recent one was pretty enjoyable. We went for lunch so it wasn't crowded and no live music. Just us, the deck, and the harbor. I had the crab cake sandwich and gobbled it up! I'm not sure what was so tasty about it but I'm a fan. I also appreciated their variety of side dishes - fries, potato salad, coleslaw, applesauce, and maybe a couple others. I opted for applesauce. Nothing fancy but average. My dad ordered a grilled tilapia sandwich. He got an enormous fillet o' fish! And he said it was fresh. Well done! My mom had a chicken caesar salad with hush puppies. The hush puppies were pretty bad - too sweet and not fresh, more like stale donut holes. Give its tourist trap nature, I've had a lot worse. This is worth a stop.

    (4)

  • Giggli T.

    You go to this place to say you've been there -- and while the food isn't great, it isn't bad either.

    (3)

  • sara c.

    Get a t-shirt, skip the lunch.

    (2)

  • Christopher M.

    Outstanding hush puppies, beer, margaritas, and atmosphere make this a destination for every trip we make to HHI. Gary the manager showed extra care by asking if we wanted to be seated away from the speaker, thereby messing up his seating plan for the sake of taking care of his customers. Service was great (Dominic), and food was good. I had boss hog (not fantastic BBQ, but pretzel bun was great), wife had crab cake which she liked. Food isn't the best you'll find but with the customer care and overall experience that we'll visit every trip to in HHI I gave 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Tisha V.

    We sat at Salty Dog's outdoor bar area tonight to have some drinks before heading home. Glenn waited on us, and he took a photo of himself when we asked him to take a picture of us. Because of this (and his great service), we will forever remember him. He was very attentive, friendly, and pretty darn engaging too. Although the drinks and live band are worth the trip, we'll be back to see Glenn.

    (4)

  • Jim W.

    Good food and good service. The hush puppies were excellent. Kind of like a Donut hole made out of corn bread and served with honey butter. The meals that we had were average. Nothing to write home about and nothing to complain about. I had a draft of Salty Dog Amber and it was ok, but I only had one. Kind of expensive.

    (3)

  • Brendon T.

    Come to the Salty Dog Cafe if you're looking for a great deck, live music, energetic, fake friendly place. The environment is great, and service is solid. If you're looking for a culinary treat, you'll be disappointed, but they do have a hot grill fired up crushing out your standard burgers and dogs. For a change of pace, give the shrimp po-boy a chance, it's a decent option, but by far and away the reason to come here is the history and atmosphere. Definitely recommended, a must see if you're new to the island.

    (3)

  • M. Y.

    I'm late in writing, but EVERY time I come to HHI, this is a must visit. It is kinda touristy, but the food makes up for it significatly. Could eat their hush puppies day in/day out. They melt in your mouth. Service is fantastic and food delish. Heading back to HH in a few weeks and this is on the itinerary as usual.

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    If you visit Hilton Head, you have to go to the Salty Dog. It's like Sloppy Joe's in Key West or Dan Tanna's in Hollywood. The views to the marina are fabulous and the staff are friendly, almost to the point of over-familiarity. If you don't mind that, the food is standard beach, fried seafood, with a few specials and meats thrown in for good measure. Can be outrageously busy in summer and you'll pay a $6 entry fee to get into the Sea Pines complex, where it's located, but that's okay, because there's lots to see by just roaming around the small plaza.

    (3)

  • Bill M.

    Great Service-one of the must places to go when we vacation on Hilton Head. Must order the Kahlua Kalada.

    (5)

  • Sheryl L.

    The location is nice - waterfront with a good bar atmosphere. It can get mobbed - we were there on a holiday weekend - so be prepared. I liked the bar area and the general vibe and people were very nice. We ate indoors (it was a little cool outside) and to be honest for the price point I wasn't impressed with the meal. The wait wasn't too long and the service was fine but it wasn't special. I had a bit of a disconnect because everyone has always raved about SDC but maybe it's more of an overall experience versus a food experience. I will say that the blackened chicken I ate was excellent but the salad, Pimento Cheese Appetizer and Fish Sandwich were average.

    (3)

  • Jamie B.

    Rude bartenders and hostess Felt very much like a theme park food court. That's fine for a family but not for couple's weekend.

    (1)

  • Kerry L.

    We were visiting Hilton Head for our first time and were recommended to come here by locals. It was very fresh and great seafood! Great service and we personally LOVED the pimento cheese appetizer, which we found was a state favorite cheese appetizer. It was amazing!!! The freshly fried pita bread really made the difference!! Come check it out of in the area! Great little shops right next door, on the water as well. Very beautiful!!

    (5)

  • Donald B.

    Can this place be any more of a tourist trap? Nothing but cheap gift shops and terrible food. Got a stomach ache halfway through eating the food, felt terrible the rest of the day.

    (1)

  • Patricia G.

    I went to Salty Dog because it was recommended by one of our family friends and really enjoyed it . One of my favorite things about this place was the location. The scenery on the docks was amazing. They offer inside and outdoor seating. With it being a Sunday it was quite busy and we waited about 30 min for whatever area was available first. While we waited for our table we visited their gift shop for some souvenirs. There is a great outdoor bar with a small tv so some folks could watch the football game. The staff was knowledgeable and very friendly. We tried a couple of appetizers: hush puppies, pimiento cheese dip and the rings of fire (fried calamari) all of which were very good. My favorite was the Pimiento cheese dip with the warm pita bread (loved it). Second was the hush puppies. I usually don't like them but these were great with the honey butter. Lastly I tried a cup of the she crab soup. It was a tad salty but delicious!! Great joint in Hilton Head, I'll definitely be going back.

    (4)

  • Jin G.

    This review is for the salty dog ice cream shop: Underwhelmed by the ice cream and displeased by their reaction to foreign visitors. Let me start with the ice cream. I got the salty dog swirl: peach and raspberry. I was very excited about the conversation. However, what I got was a slushy goo of vanilla ice cream with a hint of peach and a small chunk of light raspberry sherbet Why did I expect anything from this place?! Secondly, I'm always shocked at peoples attitude towards anyone with thick accents. the ice cream serving lady was very dismissive towards this sweet elderly couple's questions about the area and the history of salty dog. The bottom line: stay away! Don't getthe salty dog swirl.

    (2)

  • Lyena S.

    I really enjoyed our lunch here. Came with family, kids. This place is very kid friendly. Mascot comes out, waves at kids, poses for pictures. The menu is versatile. I had shrimp salad, which was very good. I also liked that the portions were not huge. Nice view. Large outside area. Friendly waiters, fast service. We had a very good time.

    (5)

  • Andrew W.

    If your going to grab lunch and shop a bit make sure you check in first and get on the list for a table. The food is great atmosphere is awesome and the staff is friendly and helpful in that great southern way!

    (5)

  • Travis H.

    LOVE their pimento cheese sandwich! Great place to go on a pretty day and sit on the patio! Our next visit to Hilton Head Island we will definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Cheezwhiz R.

    It's the outside seating and the location with this restaurant. Very nice they have music also on some nights.

    (3)

  • Mike P.

    Went with a party of 20 adults and kids. Great music on the patio for us and the kids to listen to while waiting for our table. Excellent food at great value relative to other restaurants we had been at. Tony the waiter took great care of us. Overall great experience for the entire family...and oh yeah its by the water which is a nice experience and oddly uncommon in the area.

    (5)

  • Dave B.

    I can't think of too many things more perfect than hangin at the Salty Dog while on vacation. Chillin on the docks, listening to live music, the sun is setting with a tasty margarita surrounded by good friends. The food is actually pretty good. I personally like the steamed u-peel shrimp, and the Catch of the Day sandwich. You must come here if you're on vacation in Hilton Head. Warning- long wait time for food table is possible (likely) so put your feet up, and enjoy the night before you get seated. Have fun!

    (5)

  • Catherine J.

    I'm in my 30's, but I remember in middle school (in Columbus, Ohio) it seemed like EVERYONE had a Salty Dog Cafe shirt. Finding ourselves nearby, my girlfriends and I decided we needed to make a pilgrimage to this late-90's source of the status-symbol shirt. The best part of the Salty Dog is the scenery. We had beers and fries outside in November... what's not to like about that? Even driving in (we had to buy a pass into the exclusive neighborhood) was as much of a treat as the scenery while we consumed our carbs. However, there were these little gnats (nosee'ums) all around and biting my friend, so that was a big minus. Minus more points for not having their ice cream area open -- I was dying for some soft serve. So, the beer and fries were fine of course -- average in every way, but satisfying nonetheless. Our server was cute. But the Salty Dog could stand to add more to the experience beyond the scenery that they obviously have nothing to do with. How about adding some local flare to the food? Make the patio a bit more comfy? Nothing to hate except the bugs, nothing to love except for the views.

    (2)

  • Joe H.

    Excellent meal...will definitely plan to return to The Salty Dog Cafe. Our server, Glenn, was "spot on" and friendly. Loved the fresh seafood and great views of the water!

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    We have a property right across the street from the Salty Dog and I'll tell you one thing...you don't go to the Salty Dog for the food. It's all about being on the water, grabbing some ice cream, and getting a T-Shirt. At night they often have music and you can sit on the deck, it's a great vacation spot. Don't go here if you're looking for the best service and food on the island, but it's always a fun time for kids.

    (2)

  • Isabella R.

    WORST EXPERIENCE EVER. It's not even worth one star. As a tourist to the Hilton head island we decided to check out the salty dog cafe. (As it was highly recommended.) We went to get some appetizers and drinks. We were sitting outside at the self help area of the cafe. Some people in my group went to place our order and had some very basic questions about the beers. The bartender was extremely rude and uneducated about the products and even laughed at one of the people I was with when he was asking questions. I asked for sweet tea and he went to get it and came back belly laughing saying "I lied Hahaha" and just walked away. Needless to say our group of 10 people left without buying anything. I would never recommend going there (as a tourist) extremely disrespectful and douchy.

    (1)

  • Ray D.

    1. Hostesses are the dumbest people in the world. They told us 20 min for a wait and it was an hour before we sat 2. Our server was horrible and always left right away after she took our order or dropped something off. 3. The expediters had no idea who order what and there everything at the she of the table. 4. I hate this place 5. Don't go

    (1)

  • Marco A.

    Awesome place to eat if your in hilton head area. Food was great and service is great.

    (5)

  • Rodney W.

    Not worth the wait -- average seafood, crowded and servers overwhelmed by sheer number of people in the restaurant. Second time at the restaurant, both times at the behest of family members, and each time pretty standard. For the hype it just doesnt' live up to it. Hush puppies were fine, my shrimp burger was flavorless and small. Companion's "shrimp toast" was bread, with shrimp and cheese. That's fine, but nothing that would not be available virtually anywhere else, without the wait. Also, became very ill after eating, and although it could have been at least one other restaurant and not definitely the Salty Dog, nothing about the overworked servers and lukewarm food inspire much confidence that it wasn't the SD. If they scaled down by about 1/3 and spent a bit more time focusing on quality of food rather than selling t-shirts, it would probably be a lovely place, but I won't be back and I advise most people to look elsewhere for a good meal.

    (1)

  • Amanda W.

    I really really wanted to like this place. I read a lot of good reviews and made a point to go here while I was on vacation last week in Hilton Head. My husband and I went for an early dinner, around 5pm. I really wanted to sit out side and listen to the acoustic guitar player who was performing, but they do not serve food out there from the kitchen. Only appetizers and drinks. My husband and I were seated in the dining room which was fairly empty at the time. By the time our food had arrived the room was almost full. Our waitress was attentive and polite. We shared an appetizer of their shrimp toast. This is nothing more than bread with cheese, two or three small pieces of shrimp, almost couldn't even taste the shrimp. It is more like cheese toast garnished with a hint of shrimp (picture added). I think I just picked the wrong dish for my entree. I read so many reviews on how good the Seafood Pot Pie was. I was hesitant because it boasts a $21.99 price tag, but I decided to just go for it. The description reads: Shrimp, Scallops, Fresh Fish and Vegetables smothered in our delicious cream sauce topped with a fluffy puff pastry crust and baked golden brown. You can have pie for dinner. First of all, it is not a true pot pie. It is the above contents - vegetables in the style of a canned veg-all, in a bowl with puff pastry laced on top. (Picture added) Let me preface this by saying I can not tolerate spicy food what so ever. I do not eat peppers, I do not EVER eat hot sauce, I hate it. Nothing in the description of this meal suggests any hint of heat what so ever. Unfortunately for me, it should. It was so spicy I could only eat about 3 or 4 bites of it. The chunks of seafood that I did get in there, mostly scallops and shrimp, were really good, but the heat so over powering. $21.99 and I was only able to eat 4 bites. My husband who LOVES spicy food said it was really good, but he had his own grilled chicken sandwich and shrimp Cesar salad to devour. I was sick all night from eating what I did, and I really felt like an idiot after spending $40 on crap at their T-Shirt store BEFORE we ate. That stupid dish ruined my entire night. I should have sent it back to the kitchen but I really hate doing that. If I don't like something I just make a point to never go back.

    (2)

  • George N.

    Food has gone way downhill. Really weak menu and food stunk. We all felt sick afterwards. Perhaps they are industrializing their food prep, worst meal on the island by far. Next time just t-shirts.

    (2)

  • Pan F.

    Hushpuppies among the worst I've ever tasted -- hot and cooked perfectly, but very sweet and disgusting ... tasted like fried cake ... if you're expecting a traditional savory hushpuppy, this is certainly not it ... had no detectable flavor other than sugar and oil. Calamari had no flavor ... greasy and heavily breaded, but fresh salsa topping was excellent. Fish bites were okay. Sweetwater IPA draft beer was great, although was charged higher than the price listed on the menu. We got 2 drinks and 3 appetizers which came to a total of 50 bucks (with tip). Entrees are too expensive. Atmosphere/ambiance is okay (we went at night - is probably better during the day). We ate inside (the grill might serve better food). Except for the one glass of very good beer, for us it was a waste of money for lousy food. Might be considered a good place to sit for beers and drinks but if you're looking for good food it's a total fail.

    (2)

  • Arly J.

    We took a bike ride through Harbour town and they suggested we go to Salty Dogs on our ride. We got there in time for breakfast. The place was prepping for lunch but we were seated inside in a beautiful table overlooking the water and our breakfast was good. We had the Crab Benedict with home fries and bacon . The omelet with homefries and bacon was good as well. Bloody Mary was good. Excellent little stop.

    (4)

  • Leslie J.

    The place is cool for outside drinks and atmosphere but the food is completely awful. This restaurant needs to be schooled on seafood and now it should be prepared. Tourist be aware...

    (1)

  • Big C.

    I really don't understand the negative reviews here. I'm just referring to the outside grill. No its not spectacular food, it's burgers, chicken, etc but really good steamed shrimp. You go for the view and experience. It's a family tradition and a must go in my opinion. There's nothing more relaxing than sitting back with a mixed drink watching the boats come in and watching your kids dance around to the great live music. Also you can grab some pizzas from Jakes on the patio if you want to keep the cost down. It actually is my favorite pizza on the island.

    (5)

  • Jacky W.

    With the long wait time and hype of this place, we were disappointed when we actually got our meals. We waited over an hour for a table. We got some beers outside at the bar, and that was the best part of our evening. The bartenders out there were great and we enjoyed the view as we drank! As for our meal, the dinner rolls were awful. They were hard, overcooked, and obviously poor quality. I ordered the black bean burger because there were limited options for me as a vegan. I'm not completely sure that the burger was vegan; it might have had egg or milk product in it, but there were minimal options for me. I was afraid of asking too many questions and ending up without anything I could order. The burger was fine but nothing special. It tasted like a black bean burger I could get from the frozen food section at a grocery store. And there was way to much bread. I asked the waiter a suggestion for a side because I was deciding between fries and vegetables. He said the fries were good. They weren't. The fries were bland and I only ate a few and left the rest on the plate. As for the rest of the party, the seafood pot pie was the best meal that anyone ordered. I'd recommend that if you eat seafood! The fried oysters were reportedly tough and inedible, calamari was so so, but shrimp and scallops were good (all fried). Go for the outdoor bar and souvenirs if that's your thing, but don't waste your time waiting for a meal that isn't anything special.

    (3)

  • Adam D.

    The food was excellent and the service was great. I ordered the "Jake's Traditional" Stromboli which took awhile to cook only because the first time they burnt it. They have free popcorn which is superb. There is a nice set of shops and a pretty dock. Overall it's a very pretty place with lots to choose from. I've never been in the indoor area though. Very nice.

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    I try really hard not to give out 5-star reviews, so when I do give 5-stars then it stands out as someplace truly extraordinary. Salty Dog Cafe is pretty darn popular and touristy, which was initially a put-off to me, but I was pleasantly surprised. The service was prompt and friendly and on-the-ball. The food was fantastically delicious. I could eat their hush puppies all day every day. I had the shrimp and scallops with cheesy grits and they were excellent - much better than another touristy restaurant we ate at the night before in Harbortown. The kids loved it and begged to go back again the next night. We liked it so much, we decided to take a family bike ride out to The Salty Dog cafe the next night. It was really good stuff and I'm glad we went.

    (5)

  • Adam F.

    Took some family here from out of town. Heard nothing but good things...but..... ALL OF OUR FOOD WAS COLD! Ugh! Embarrassing! We got there 1.5 hours before they closed and got seated at 9:00. The waitress could not have been less interested in our table. It was very embarrassing. Really wished we had gone somewhere else. We were a very big inconvenience for them. This restaurant is served up to be successful. It takes a special group of folks to make tourist feel like ass on vacation. Absolutely horrendous.

    (1)

  • Alex W.

    Well after all the hype we finally got to the Salty Dog cafe. We were greeted with uninformed and confused staff who were better at talking to one another than at telling time. The atmosphere was very quaint and inviting so the idea was good. We got seated after a 45 minute wait in an area of many empty tables so the wait was pointless. The waiter was slow and ignored us most of the night. Someone else brought the slop they called food and we choked down as much as we could before we were ready to get our stomachs pumped. What an awful place and an awful staff. Total hype and no substance. Do not bother with this please

    (1)

  • Chelsey S.

    I ordered she crab soup and fish po boy.... Bit disappointed with the place because everything is salty- being true to its name. Drank three cups of water and still can not get rid of the saltiness off my tongue. Two stars cause the view is pretty.

    (2)

  • Jillian A.

    We didn't have The Salty Dog Cafe on our vacation meal roster. However, we were in Sea Pines and starving. I wasn't crazy about the idea of eating there since there was so much... merchandising. Almost every thing you touched had their name on it. As a response, my expectations were high. Much like most of the seafood restaurants on the island, you can order your seafood fried, grilled, or blackened. I ordered shrimp and scallops combo fried. My husband ordered the fried scallops and blackened grouper combo. On the side our meals came with a side of veggies and potatoes au gratin. The shrimp was very tasty as suspected since it's fresh from the region, but the scallops? I'm not sure if it was the same. They were rubbery and didn't taste like I was hoping they would. Personally, I'm also not into the idea of anything with cheese on it coming in contact with seafood. These au gratin potatoes were very oily so whatever was scooped onto my plate also ran onto my fried food rendering it soggy. I do like how they give you pieces of salt water taffy with your bill. That did influence us to go to the gift shop and buy some. The whole compound is great and the view is really nice. In reality, I don't think I'll find myself at the Salty Dog Cafe for much else besides maybe a Bacon Bloody Mary that I enjoyed with my meal and maybe to give one of their sandwiches a shot for a happy hour on my next vacation.

    (3)

  • Brooke F.

    I'll admit...we went for the t-shirts. Our service was excellent and the waitress was very friendly. The she-crab soup was a first for me. I'd never had crab soup of any kind. It was excellent and worth the trip. My chicken salad was alright, but my sandwich was mostly onion and bread and a bit of chicken salad. The view looked great and my family was able to relax and enjoy our lunch.

    (3)

  • Adrienne G.

    I hate touristy places like this. The wait times are always too long (we were quoted 2.5 hrs), the crowds are annoying (because they are starving from waiting so long!) and there is more shopping square footage than dining square footage. I find it quite ridiculous. However, I thought the food and service made up for the obnoxiousness of everything outside. That's the only reason they get 3 stars. We ordered the crab cakes and the fish and chips which were both outstanding, the ribeye and a cheeseburger both of which were good but not anything special and the island bird w/shrimp which was pretty good. We all enjoyed our food and the hush puppies. Would I wait another 2 hours to eat there again? Probably not. But it was good enough that I would recommend it to other people.

    (3)

  • D V.

    Keep in mind you're definitely going for the venue, not the food. Bad service, missing items from order, cold food. Flip side... Upbeat vibe.

    (2)

  • Maddie K.

    The salty dog cafe was amazing! The best seafood in Hilton Head so far. The calamari is to die for and the hush puppies were so sweet and delicious! I'd go here again in a heart beat with all the different entrees and great helpful workers. Not to mention the salty dog factory shirt store only a few yards away. They have multiple unique shirts that is a must to get in Hilton Head!!

    (5)

  • Emily W.

    Atmosphere is fun but wait staff was not very friendly or accommodating. My sister and I both enjoyed the shrimp salad but my parents were left wanting more from the grouper dog sandwich. Salty dog is a classic but could stand for some updates and improvements. Ice cream shop was the best part of lunch!

    (2)

  • Patrick B.

    Service was great. Food was ok. Nice atmosphere with plentiful outdoor seating. Located right on a cove. There's a small outdoor shopping area in the same little area

    (3)

  • Mandi T.

    The hushpupies are great, but it is friend dough its hard to mess that up :). You go here for the location and the t-shirts not the food. You will wait. The staff is friendly and there is a fantastic atmosphere and often music. Get HHI ice cream afterwards!!!!!

    (3)

  • Candice C.

    Cute location, fast service. The fish and chips were mediocre. It had a cornmeal breading-I prefer beer batter. The crab cake sandwich was probably the best. Calamari appetizer was good-standard calamari. The hush puppies with the honey butter tasted like donut holes! An overall good experience but certainly not the BEST seafood I've ever had.

    (3)

  • Dora T.

    Just had lunch here. Out on the deck. Very hot. Had to wait a while for someone to come take our order.... And every time we had to ASK for more water. I had asked for a coconut freeze and she brought me something else. I asked her to bring me what i ordered. She did. But in the end both of the drinks were on the bill. Never will we return here... Food was just ok

    (1)

  • Ryan R.

    I've been hearing a lot about Salty Dog Cafe for years now. Living in a college town, I was hard pressed not to see at least 2 Salty Dog T-Shirts walking around the streets of Athens on any given night. So my wife and I finally visited the restaurant on our last trip to Hilton Head, and our experience was almost perfect. I say almost, and not because the staff could have done anything better. We were quoted a 45 minute wait for a table for 2. We were called in 10 minutes. The food was plentiful and delicious. It was rainy, but the view was still nice. Their seasonal brew (IPA) was delicious, and the prices were very fair. But the atmosphere is what brought the experience down a little for me. The only reason I wouldn't give the place a perfect 5, which perhaps is not entirely fair on my part, is because the place is just a little too family friendly. We were positioned between 3 tables with young, shrieking children, and that's just not good for any date night. And not babies either. Children old enough to know better. And it doesn't help that 2 of the 3 parents were doing nothing to quiet their little beasties either. Otherwise, Salty Dog is amazing. if you can stomach the potential noise of ill-behaved children, you'll have a great time.

    (4)

  • Janice F.

    Hate to see negative reviews so I'm adding one. Place gets busy but that's what happens at tourist areas. Food is good. Not glamorous but good. Drinks are excellent. Glad I'm not driving. Tip.... Come early if you don't want to wait. That's what it should say on the welcome sign to hilton head about every restaurant. Enjoy basket of fried goodness and the view.

    (5)

  • Lance H.

    Great place if you are on vacation with your family. I am a local and this place was my visiting family's favorite spot. Lots going on each night during the season. The wait for a table inside can be long but you can order outside right away and grab a bench. The food is a notch above typical high-volume tourist fare. Think of it more as a great experience more than a great place to get food. The ice cream place in the same complex is actually very good.

    (3)

  • N. T.

    If u like eating dinner at 3:00PM, this is the place for you. After that, expect to wait for 3 hours for any seating, no carry-out, and no accommodations. You're better off not going to South Beach after 3:00!

    (1)

  • Jeff L.

    One visit is enough for me and my family. Food is very underwhelming, especially for the cost. But hey, at least they had a nice convenient tide chart I used all week long. ;)

    (2)

  • J L.

    I expected a total tourist trap and greasy food, but was surprised. Food was great and wait staff on the ball. We sat indoors since traveling with 2 young kids but would love to go back and chill on the deck. The stores in there area are the usual tourist traps.

    (5)

  • N C.

    I'm giving them 4 stars which is probably one more than they deserve. But I'm completely enamored with this place and the ambiance.. So there ya go. I had lunch here for the first time and found the staff to be.. Well not enough. Polite as you please, but they just did not have enough servers. Our server was very nice but absent. At some points during our lunch she seemed frantic because she had so many tables. We waited an extremely long time for a chicken Cesar salad, hush puppies and a chicken sandwich. We waited a VERY long time. Over 30 minutes. I think the only thing that made it bearable was the fact that we were seated outside on the pier and had such a lovely view on a beautiful day .. Oh and the music. There was a nice mix and my husband and I found ourselves singing a long to many of the songs. The food was good. Your typical cafe/pub type. Salad was yummy, hush puppies were good but sweet. They were comprised of a corn meal that was very sweet and served with honey butter. My hubby enjoyed the fries and chicken sandwich. All in all, you come here for the ambiance and because it is a local landmark. I enjoyed it and would return.

    (4)

  • Jim K.

    I'll keep this short and sweet. Seafood pot pie is fabulous - even this far off season. Plenty of scallops, shrimp and fresh fish of the season. Crust is in a lattice pattern and delicious. So big I couldn't finish it and I can eat! Try it, you will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    She crab soup is to die for! Crab cakes are omg so good. And you can do to go orders.

    (5)

  • L R.

    Cant really rate the food because we never got to order. Went to the outside bar and the bartender was so rude , laughed at the questions we asked about their own brand of beer. Obviously he doesn't know and isn't trained on their own brands. Our group of 10 left . We wont return .very disappointed! Thumbs down!

    (1)

  • Mary E.

    The Salty Dog is a lot of fun! The food is tasty and the service is good. Though the food and service are nice, the main selling points are the atmosphere and location! This is a great place for families.

    (3)

  • Keith C.

    The food is traditional fish shack fare but with a low country flare. Recommend the hush puppy's and shrimp toast. The gumbo was good and loaded with shrimp and sausage. It was not Nawlins style but very tasty. Love the atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Jenny V.

    Ate here for lunch with da team, i split an order of fried shrimp and the crab cake sammich with a teammate. The crab cake was good, fo sho fresh crab, the shrimp was fresh, a little TOO shrimp-y but still good. The fries were delicious! I can't wait to come back here to try other foods and to get a shirt! make sure you go to the t shirt shop and say hi to the parrots!!

    (4)

  • Todd R.

    I wish I would have just got the t shirt and left. Me and my wife got the chefs special, some sort of white fish( I can't remember the name of it), it was almond crusted, it came with some steamed veggies, and mashed potatoes. The fish tasted like something I had made before from the grocery store freezer section, the veggies had no seasoning and were only slightly more flavorful than the mashed potatoes which were tasteless. Two kids meals were 8 dollars a piece, plain cheeseburger and fries, apparently $8 per kid meal is the norm here in Hilton Head. I'm glad my kids didn't want all of there cheeseburgers, they were the best thing I ate there, right up there with a cold Hardee's burger. The service was pretty good though, I can't remember our waiters name, but he was a nice guy, a little hard to understand, English was a second language for him, but he was great. He took really good care of us, and was great with our kids, he said he would take my youngest son for a tip, lol. I hate that I can't remember his name, he's the only reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1. And for a meal of this caliber what would one expect to pay? $85 dollars, but because I refuse to stiff a waiter based on the quality of the food, I left a hundred on the table and left. Ps. My wife said she wished we would have went to Applebee's. LOL

    (2)

  • Keya B.

    Salty Dog oh how much I love thee. Let me count the ways!!! Chill atmosphere, good food at very reasonable prices. And OMG!!!!....the Drinks!!!!!!! I recommend the Salty Dog and the Hurricane. Great spot for a quiet afternoon after the beach. Family friendly. The entire Marina area is beautiful. I love this placem

    (5)

  • Matthew T.

    The soup had speckled oil in it, and I think I'm going to be sick from the seafood pasta. It was more expensive than other places of better quality. The only thing that is good about it was the veiw.

    (2)

  • Jennifer T.

    Don't waste your time! Food was mediocre. Bathrooms were small and dirty. Staff wasn't the most pleasant. I read other reviews people said hush puppies were good-- um they were bland and had no flavor. I wasted calories on them.. Even the salty dog drink was not too good. Stay away from this tourist trap. Stop in. Have a drink at the tiki bar in the middle listen to music and don't eat here.

    (1)

  • Will B.

    I think this place is a total tourist trap but I think I'm okay with that. The meals that we had were pretty good and they had an OK beer selection. I feel like the best part was the gift shop. I see Salt Dog stuff everywhere and everyone seems to know what it is. So of course you have to get a shirt and maybe some cups and so on and so forth. They have put their logo on just about everything. Like I said I think I'm okay with it that. If you are on vacation give it a go and try and find a night they have live entertainment.

    (4)

  • Becky T.

    Stopped into The Salty Dog on South Beach with my family for lunch because my daughters were hungry after doing some window shopping. This day was a little chilly to eat outside (mid december), but it looked like they were doing full service outside, probably because it was not busy even at 12p. We sat at a table near the windows overlooking the harbor and watched the tide go way out. So the view was diverting. We ordered the hush puppies because we were very hungry. They were warm and sweet and good comfort food on a cool December day. It took quite a while for the food to come, shrimp salad wrap and she-crab soup, a burger, grilled chicken sandwich, and chicken finger basket. It was not worth the wait. All the food was blah. You definitely could find better elsewhere. The shrimp salad was watery and not well seasoned. The she crab soup was just ok. The burger was unimpressive to one of my daughters. The other simply ate the grilled chicken without the bun and said it was just a piece of grilled chicken. The chicken tenders were greasy and tough. My husband only ate a few bites. This is apparently the place to go in the summer to sit outside, drink beer, and soak in the atmosphere and The Salty Dog brand which is all over. I cannot imagine anyone goes for the food. I was impressed with the marketing they do with all the Salty Dog merchandise available. I certainly wouldn't do any advertising for them. A piggly wiggly shirt would be higher on the list for me...that is not saying much...I don't own one of those either. The bill for the 4 of us, for lunch, came to $60 (pre-tip)! OUCH! That made it even more disappointing! We will not go back again.

    (2)

  • Jeff Jfood S.

    Located at the southern tip of the island is a marina with shops and the Salty Dog Café. With tables bordering the marina, this is a great place to have a bite while relaxing. With a group of four we decided on a few appetizers to start and individual sandwiches. The first dish to arrive was the "Rings of Fire" which are crispy calamari tossed in our original calypso sauce and island spices. These blazing rings are cooled off with a little fresh pineapple salsa and served with ranch dressing. The spiciness was light, nothing too hot, and the calamari rings were OK, nothing special. The other appetizer was the "Pimento Cheese Dip" described as A Southern treat! Blended cheeses folded with chopped pimento and robust spices. Served with our homemade pita chips. The dip was basically chopped cheese with a little pimento blended into the cheese. I would pass on these and go with a different appetizer. For my real lunch I ordered the "Fish and Chips" that is Southern Style Fried Flounder, served traditionally with fries, malt vinegar, lemon wedge & a side of Captain John's tartar sauce. The fish was perfectly deep-fried, crispy on the exterior and succulent on the interior. The breading was a little salty and this is a good option for lunch. Overall, it was a pretty good lunch spot.

    (3)

  • Meg K.

    Stopped at outside bar for a drink Do yourself a favor and forget it! They don't put any booze in their drinks. If want the atmosphere just order a "virgin" drink and spare yourself the frustration! Only place in Hilton Head that is cheap on the pour!

    (1)

  • James D.

    The place has a nice location and ambiance and a decent staff, but that's where the good comments come to an end. I came there for food and was completely disappointed. I got a fish dish, can't remember the unusual name (not the Mahi-mahi dish) and it was pretty much tasteless. It arrived with some supposedly au gratin potatoes that were really just cold, tasteless mashed potatoes. I noticed that these thoroughly uninteresting potatoes were offered with several other entrees, so it was surprising how bland they were. Serving them cold was unforgivable. The fish was woken up a bit by adding some lemon, which actually came with my water and wasn't even considered as a standard option with the entree. Who does that? The side of unadorned asparagus was under-cooked and only the tips were edible. I am a fan of good food and have high hopes for every place I go into and I hope the management reads this review and ups their game. The entree's and side dishes are well below par and the presentation was dull. The location was great and the staff attentive a pleasant. It was a shame to have all that destroyed by the food. As an aside: the drinks were weak, but that seems to be de rigueur for Hilton Head.

    (1)

  • Alan J.

    Great sea food restaurant for the whole family. There is nothing bad on the menu. Prices are reasonable and I always get good portions, in fact I never leave without being stuffed! The atmosphere is casual and often it's crowded during the summer season. Is it touristy? Well, yes in a good way. There are lots of people there because they love it. You may have to wait for a table, but it's worth it. Just plan that into your evening, have a few drinks at the outside pavilion and listen to the live music until you're called to your table.

    (4)

  • Jackie P.

    Not impressed. The menu said generous portion of fried shrimp. was not at all generous and the shrimp had a strange taste. sat inside and the air conditioner vent was dripping on me the whole time . wait staff plesent, location nice, shrimp not so good. my husband had fried fish and he enjoyed it but only 1 piece of fish.

    (2)

  • Lauren R.

    This is a Hilton Head institution, so I bring guests here sometimes. It's nice for kids and does have outdoor seating. The food is pretty good--but there are definitely better options on the island (you're paying for the name). The outdoor bar area is really nice--the next time I come, I may just have a beer. The views are okay, depending on where you're seated on their deck (it's giant) and how high tide is. I've always wondered how they market their shirts so well--you see them all over the Southeast and beyond. It's remarkable free advertising for them--not even free! It's advertising that they actually make a profit on! Kudos to them, for building such an empire in Sea Pines/on Hilton Head (they have several restaurants and several t-shirt shops).

    (3)

  • Ivy S.

    It was okay. Service from manager was great. Food was good, not spectacular but good. Portions were small. We ordered the shrimp dinner special for $19.99 and it came with about 7-8 pieces of shrimp, side of mixed veggies and fries. For $19.99, I would've thought that I would get a lot of shrimp. View was great.

    (3)

  • Liz P.

    Drove to Hilton Head from Savannah today and this place was recommended. View was FANTASTIC. Didn't know we had to pay $5 to get into the Sea Pines community where the restaurant is... Kind of lame considering that doesn't even get you beach privileges (beach is private). Food was decent, the hush puppies were outstanding though. I got the pulled pork sandwich with chips, fries were $1.50 extra. Cute little place and there's shops around the marina area too.

    (3)

  • Lisa M.

    Once was enough. Sorry but this is really nothing special. The food was mediocre and extremely overpriced. The service was so/so. I can say I went but there is nothing to write home about. Disappointed.

    (2)

  • Gary M.

    We always love eating at the Salty Dog, out on the deck on a warm sunny day. The help is friendly and fast (if you can get a table) and the food isn't fancy but is always tasty and hot. We go there a couple times every trip!!

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    Sit Boo Boo sit. Good dog. (Am I dating myself here?) The Salty Dog Cafe is okay. It is exactly what you would expect from a tourist type cafe. Average food in a good location. What makes this place worth coming to is the outdoor area. Not for the horrible guy singing and trying to entertain you but more for the ambience of the area. Beautiful docks and landscape. Note: Very limited menu if you are not a fish and seafood eater.

    (3)

  • Rick S.

    Over the top service. Great place to bring kids and let them roam around off the main roads. Slow traffic makes it very safe to just walk around after your meal. Walked to the beach and saw dolphins jumping everywhere we looked. Perfect end to the day.

    (5)

  • Lindsay S.

    A few things I need to explain that will help everyone understand my rating of 5 stars while there are lots of negative reviews to combat my positive one. Ok so first off we are a group of 15: 9 drinking age adults, one 19 year old and 5 kids 7 and under. Reason this place rocks for our particular clan: 1: there's a patio bar with hilarious and friendly bar tenders who serve awesome drinks are very knowledgable about the drinks and kept us imbibers entertained for our 60 minute wait... (We arrived at 5:15 on a Monday) 2: for the little ones and grandparents and under 21 year olds... There are about 500 things to do while you wait and the table buzzer thing works all across the Salty Dog Campus. Go browse the shops, walk out on the dock, get face painted, take pictures with Salty Dog, etc! 3: the food. I'm a huge seafood buff. The oysters were bomb.com as were the hush puppies. I got the shrimp and grits. Also found on the bomb.com web page... Burgers, chicken sandwiches and meatloaf type options are also available. Go. Family fun. Good food. Entertained kids. Great time. This place is perfect for our style of dinner on vacation. Just plan to be there early and wait. But it will be worth it and your kids will be exhausted. Win win.

    (5)

  • Jill F.

    Yes, the Salty Dog Cafe is a great place for tourists and locals to enjoy a good lunch a cold beer or a great margarita. I first went to Salty Dog in the 1980's. It was a great place to meet friends after a day at the beach! We'd grab a table, have a few drinks and head to someone's home for dinner. Best bet is their catch of the day sandwich and a cold beer. I agree with a few other writer's reviews about it being called The NO Salty Dog Cafe. NOT dog friendly. I was told by their management, there had been problems with dogs fighting and causing great disturbances. I've never seen that situation and I take my dog (18lbs.) to BIstro 17, Boathouse and a lot of other dog friendly places. Actually, I've seen kids and adults fighting, not dogs. Regardless, it's their place, their rules. Just make sure you don't take a long drive down to SB to find out your doggie isn't welcome to a place called The Salty Dog. Enjoy this charming area filled with touristy shops and restaurants which is right in the marina. You also get great, friendly bartenders!

    (3)

  • Meredith R.

    Stop here for lunch when we were on a bike ride. it was good for a quick bite

    (3)

  • Tony G.

    This place is an absolute joke - the front door staff was rude and incompetent - apparently they have never come across a party of 10 and could not comprehend pulling tables together - turned in the pager after waiting for 2 hours and 45 minutes and being told that we were at least another 45 minutes out - who cares what the food tastes like - this tourist trap left a bad taste in 10 mouths - our recommendation is to not go to the Salty Dog

    (1)

  • Dave W.

    Everyone said we had to try Salty Dog when we went to HHI, so we did. It was a beautiful day, so we had our lunch outside on their huge deck. The most memorable item on the menu was the she crab soup - it was outstanding. The rest of our meals were typical fried fish - my daughter had fish and chips, I had the grouper dog...not sure what the others had. Food and service were good - definitely worth the trip.

    (4)

  • S O.

    Very nice staff, fresh food needed some seasoning. Location is lovely when the tide is in, otherwise it has a very musky seaside smell.

    (3)

  • Dennis R.

    I've been three times...WHY do I keep going back??? This time, I just had a grilled fish sandwich. It took quite a long time to get our order, the waiter did come out and check on us about 4 times. The sandwich was o.k., it was served with cole slaw and hush puppies. This is the south, right?? I thought everyone who cooks down here can make a decent hush puppy?? These were like bad deep fried donuts without the icing. Meal was over priced (we ate at Lady and Sons for lunch and the price was the same but the food wasn't!!), service was mediocre and the food was just o.k.!! I hope to NOT be lured in by the t-shirt shop the next time we're in Hilton Head.

    (2)

  • Kara B.

    We both really enjoyed our food. My husband got the fishermen pasta which seemed a little over priced but it was a huge portion. I had a grilled chicken sandwich on a pretzel roll and it was fantastic, large, and for only 10$. Neat atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Kimberly '.

    We met some friends that were also visiting the island here for lunch. We both had small children, and we were seated by the water. View was nice, but it was pretty hot and there was not much of a breeze. 3 of us ordered the crab cake sandwich based on the waiters recommendations. I was not that impressed, have had better, and my fellow diners agreed. Pretty pricey for what you get. I guess this place is popular, but I was not that impressed. May return for the view and a cocktail, but there is better food to be had elsewhere for sure.

    (2)

  • Johnny A.

    You have to come into this place with the mindset it is going to be a tourist trap. 5/5 service. We arrived on a hot day, and the second we were seated on the patio, waters were brought immediately. We had 2 servers, both extremely attentive. 3/5 food. A okay. I had the burger, seasoned, but just alright. 5/5 atmosphere. Beachy and relaxed atmosphere that is great for people of all ages. The music is pretty loud though. I would recommend trying to snag a seat inside. 3/5 stars only because there was nothing too special about the food, and the music was also loud.

    (3)

  • Mariya M.

    The place is OK. Food is good, but nothing special. Service tends to be slow. Not so sure why this place is so popular. Their peel and eat shrimp is pretty good though.

    (3)

  • Marc A.

    Not terrible, not great. On the expensive side. They do have draft beer, but not many. I ordered a local draft, it was OK. I then inquired about the seasonal selection and was told it was a pale ale. This was different than the beer I had just had so I ordered it. I was given the exact same beer as before and told it was different. I realized that they must only have one local beer on tap but tell people they have different varieties. The manager probably figures no one will notice. I noticed. Food was acceptable not exceptional. Not a first choice destination. We arrived early so did not have to wait. If I had waited an hour for a table I would have been very unhappy.

    (2)

  • Shelly A.

    After a decade of visiting Hilton Head Island and not eating here (not excited about adding a $5 gate fee to my dinner bill) we visited the restaurant with my sister. We had lunch on the deck. I had fried shrimp, my sister had steamed shrimp - both were excellent. Before leaving, the table next to ours was served a crab cake sandwich. WOW, it looked great... so after lunch we went down to the lighthouse to wander around and went back for dinner the same night! We split the crab cake dinner with an appetizer. It was amazing. They are MD style crab cakes (hard to find on the island as most serve SC style). Did I mention I lived in MD for more than 15 years and don't live that far away now? These crab cakes are likely the best crab cakes I have ever had. Yes, I will be back in August and every year from now on!

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    Came to the salty dog with a dog. But guess what you can't bring the dog???? Was told we could get take out and sit on benches. So came back next day to get take out but guess what??? Can't get take out if there if a wait. Can't comment on the food cause we were not able to eat here. Real pain. Will not try a third time.

    (1)

  • Lindsay P.

    Went for lunch while on vacation. The wait was an hour, but there was an open bar-top that we snatched up. We had to go to the bar to order food and drinks and the place was continually hopping. Had the blacked Wahoo sandwich special, which was tasty. Although it was crowded, the view of the marsh was pretty.

    (3)

  • Clare B.

    Definitely a must if you in HH.But i do agree that it is a hard to rate restaurant. The food is fine, but it is a tourist trap. They have an awesome outdoor deck, which I am sure ads to the ambience of the place in warmer months. The food was nice, but nothing spectacular. I definitely recommend still going, though!

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    The wait is long but this is ok because the handheld buzzers work around the entire marina. Our party shopped for 45 minutes and then had a wonderful dinner. The shrimp toast is incredible and my broiled scallops and flounder were exactly what I had hoped. I'm from the eastern shore of Maryland so my seafood expectations are high and they were met. Our speciality cocktails were great and cheap, too! Salty Dog is a must for HHI.

    (4)

  • Robert P.

    Rip off over looking brackish marsh, 'nuff said. Run away! Run away!

    (1)

  • Park F.

    I wanted to hate this place. I normally wouldn't have gone because it's located in a touristy area and there was a long wait, but I was with a group that wanted to go. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of food. The main Salmon dish I had was awesome as were the Crab Cakes and salad. Beer was reasonably priced. Our waiter, Anatole, had a little too much energy for me initially, but he grew one me, provided good service and was entertaining. We sat near the window and during our wait and subsequent dinner, we were able to watch the dramatic change in tide. Good time.

    (4)

  • Donald M.

    It was just ok not bad, not great.

    (3)

  • Elliott D.

    A warning before hand; to get to the Salty Dog you have to pay five bucks because it's in a resort area. Now that you are forewarned, on to the review. Yes the place is incredibly touristy, but so is the rest of Hilton Head Island. People go there for the beaches and golfing, not necessarily for some "authentic" experience. The Salty Dog is a Hilton Head icon and thus has almost certainly inflated their prices a little bit because of their reputation. Outside the cafe they have an outdoor bar with live music in the evenings. It's a good place to hang out, enjoy the evening, and listen to some decent music. At times it's popularity is a drawback because there is often a crowd. The food is good. When I was there most recently I had the crab cakes and she crab soup which were very generous in terms of the amount of food I received. The she crab soup was average but on the creamy side; there wasn't necessarily a lot of crab meat in it. The cakes were a good balance of crab meat and filler and were heavier on the crab side. I had trouble eating my meal and definitely walked away too full, which isn't necessarily a bad problem to have. It's an institution so give it a visit.

    (3)

  • Anne B.

    Yes, you have to pay admission fee to enter the Sea Pines, BUT YOU CAN GET THE $5 BACK IF YOU SPEND $100 at 1 place. There is a coupon in the back of the guidebook you get when you enter the south end of the island. Of course, the Salty Dog Cafe is touristy, but it als has really good seafood with EXCEPTIONAL service. When we called ahead, they said that usually after 5p the wait is 45 minutes or more, at 6ish we were seated in like 20 minutes. Our food was brought out in a timely manner, the only thing wrong was a substitution that my dad made. The server who brought out our dinner (was different from our waiter) prompty returned with the correct item. In my experiences elsewhere, if someone different brings out your food, you're on your own. The servers and managers were always pleasant, and you could tell everyone was genuinely focused on teamwork to produce a great dining experience. It was well staffed to accommodate a fairly busy Tuesday night crowd, despite the rain. The hushpuppies are exceptional, expecially with the delicious honey butter.

    (4)

  • Vik D.

    Loved the food, view, and service.

    (5)

  • Justin S.

    The Salty Dog is just a good, fun place to enjoy a great view and sit outside. The food is pretty average but that doesn't mean its bad, just not life changing. In the summer we've seen the wait get pretty long but if you come in the off season you will probably be able to get a good table, maybe even outside on the dock. If you live in the SE, then no doubt you've seen the t-shirts before. Well keep in mind that it is a tourist destination and thats about what to expect. We like it enough to go every time we come and I'll be picking up yet another t-shirt for my kid sister this year. I say go and enjoy!

    (3)

  • Steve P.

    One of those "must do" kinds of restaurants. We didn't give them much of a workout at lunch. I had a pork sandwich and potato salad. My wife had a shrimp salad (on greens) that she quite enjoyed. The setting beside the harbor was extremely pleasant (we ate indoors by the window in cool a/c, and just relaxed. The food is good and the service is attentive. We arrived pretty early (11:50) for lunch and it hadn't gotten busy until we left an hour later. So the servers weren't stressed (yet). Definitely worth a visit. And we would go back if it didn't involve a $5 entry fee to Sea Pines just to get fed, and permitted to do some shopping. That's just ridiculous...

    (4)

  • Gary P.

    We had the lobster and shrimp rolls the were amazing the kids said the fries could have used more salt but they were just having fun. Great service and fun atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Andrea V.

    Good food, a little pricey. Yummy crab leg dinner with sides for 25$ but it's a pound of crab! Our waitress was cool, gave us the inside scoop on a few things :)

    (4)

  • Laurie P.

    Not worth the 5$ to get through the gate to even get to restaurant. We were seated outside near the bar/ grill. Waiter became borderline annoying trying to be a comedian and telling us his life story coming from another country. Didn't know when to step away. Bar/ grill began to clean as we were eating. The ammonia hit all 4 of us immediately and our dinner was ruined. Young waitress saw us and told workers to stop cleaning and she took us inside. By that time our appetite was killed. Our waiter never acknowledged that we moved. Manager never bothered to come to our table. Food was o.k. But not worth all of that!

    (2)

  • Mark S.

    Atmosphere and the friendly service is what you pay for here. The food is ok and the drinks are all measured so it's nothing special. Great spot to have a few drinks!

    (4)

  • Andrea S.

    We always enjoy visiting Salty Dog when we're visiting the island, mainly for the atmosphere, drinks and cute little shops on the property. Food is average, although I think they have some of the best shrimp salad around, and it's delicious on a pretzel roll. Gumbo is pretty good, & more of a stew than soup.

    (4)

  • Art C.

    A generous 3 stars. So many little improvements could help this establishment. Start with some outdoor oscillating fans. Minimal investment and a drastic improvement for your guests. Generic food offerings, but to be expected at a tourist location. Very spotty service. The one bright spot being Stone IPA on draft.

    (3)

  • Christine L.

    A touristy place, yes, but consistently good as well. The food is good, service is good, but don't expect anything out of this world. It's a great place for families....bring the kids! Good for families.

    (3)

  • Keith M.

    Great atmosphere, a bit crowded so we had to wait but this place was hopping. Lots of options, great seafood and the drinks were done right. Kids had a blast sitting out on the patio having a nice late dinner watching the sun go down. Will visit again.

    (4)

  • Nikki R.

    Thought the food was great! It was fast, service was fine but it was hot out on that patio! It wouldn't hurt them to put those big fans out but that's really the only thing I have to say. Beautiful view of the harbor!

    (4)

  • Scott C.

    Good food and fun atmosphere. I had the pulled pork taco with cole slaw on top and it was great. I can tell they sea salt their fries and that really livens them up.

    (4)

  • Chris P.

    We had THE MOST OUTSTANDING service here last night! I know the food isn't exactly James Beard Award winning meal, but it was perfect for a night out with our 2yo! but our Salty Dog dinner experience was made very special by an excellent going above-and-beyond waitress and a very professional restaurant manager. We put our names in for a 30-40 min wait. We had some drinks at an umbrella table on the deck and we were called within 30 min! We were seated quickly and given crayons and a coloring book for the lil guy. Our waitress came rushing over saying "I hope you didn't wait long!" We'd only waited about a minute or so! She answered all of our questions and brought us drinks. My husband had his heart set on mahi mahi asked the waitress. Unfortunately it wasn't the fresh catch of the day that day;( He ordered a chicken sandwich and I the flounder & chips.... A minute or so later she came back to our table and said "well, we have mahi bites....we could serve you some of those in a sandwich...and the manager suggested they do a po' boy style mahi bite sandwich! They grilled up the mahi especially (normally the bites are fried) for him. We were so impressed. They were packed with an 1 1/2 hour wait at that point and they did NOT have to go out of their way! He loved his mahi sandwich and I loved my fish and chips. My son loved the fish as well! Our waitress was exceptional! Thank you for making our evening and for your kind words!!

    (4)

  • Jesse M.

    So this one is a bit tough to rate. I agree with the reviewers that this is good for what it is... a tourist trap. Sort of the buyer beware concept, so go in with the right expectations. I'd say if you are looking for a good place to grab a beer and some appetizers in a great location, then go to the deck (not inside). The night we dined, the inside sounded more like a school nursery. And I love the kiddies. We brought our three (4, 8, 10), and they commented on how loud the kids were in the place. Hmmm. I think the food is way overpriced, and the quality is just so-so. My wife's crab cake sandwich was the best order we had, as my Wahoo sandwich was way too dry (it was the daily catch). We stuck to sandwiches based on other suggestions, which still seems like the best idea. For good food, I think there are many better places in HH to visit. If it's a nice view for a drink before dinner, then you are good to go, but suggest hanging outside. You also get the bonus of enjoying the local entertainment to boot (guitar the night we visited).

    (2)

  • Jim A.

    Yes it's ok. Just ok

    (3)

  • Tristan S.

    Good for what it is: a tourist trap with decent food in a great location. After all, how many restaurants pride themselves on selling their tee shirts in every Hanes Beefy Tee color and seem to consider food an afterthought? On a weekday in the late afternoon in late March, the place wasn't busy and we got a good table outside overlooking the bay. Service was prompt and polite, they had a decent selection of draft beer and mixed drinks, and my shrimp po' boy was hot and fresh. Hush puppies were just so-so: not very fresh tasting and lacking some flavor. After seeing Salty Dog shirts from the time I was in grade school, it was cool to actually visit the place, finally. If I'm in Hilton Head again, I'll definitely be back. It would be great if they had some more local flavor on the menu, especially in terms of seafood. A little more focus on food and less on marketing would be terrific. Maybe next time.

    (4)

  • Danielle J.

    We've had a house on hilton head since i was 2, so i've been to the salty dog about a billion times, but still go back almost every time i'm in town...i've only eaten here a couple times and the food wasnt especially remarkable, but you will see the salty dog shirts EVERYWHERE, and if you mail in photos of your dogs with their bandanas they add them to their wall collection in the store... only downfall is that they wont actually allow dogs to be on the deck! wtf is that? at the salty dog?! i dont think jake would approve.

    (3)

  • Chase M.

    Great location on the water and a great atmosphere! We went to their annual crab boil while on vacation and had a great time. My only complaint is that I expected a little more from the crab boil. I've only ever been to crawfish boils, and those have a lot of seasoning, potatoes, vegetables, etc all in the boil. This one was just buckets of crabs. Maybe that's normal, but I wanted a little more flavor. Overall, if you're in Sea Pines, check out The Salty Dog Cafe!

    (4)

  • Patricia G.

    Food is ok. Not great, not bad, but ok. Generous portions. Overpriced, but that's to be expected from what is very clearly a tourist trap. It was our first visit to HHI, so we decided to go anyways. The service was just ok as well. Won't go back - there are places with much better food on the island that you don't have to pay admission to (it's in Sea Pines, which has a $5 entry fee). The wait was approximately an hour, but there were plenty of things to walk around and see in the meantime, including live children's entertainment. Been there, done that, and (literally) have the t-shirt.

    (2)

  • Kimberly G.

    One of the hippest bars I've ever had the chance to go to. Heard about this place for quite some time while living in SC. Good selection of drinks, and really enjoyed the live music, view and quick service! Prices were not too bad either (bottled beers $4-6, and mixed drinks $8). Try the strawberry daiquiri! I went to the T shirt store upstairs too, quaint little shop with adorable talking parrots, and nice selection of items. Slightly pricey store but good quality products.

    (4)

  • David B.

    Ok. Food was acceptable. Seafood is not recommended. Try something else Atmosphere is wonderful at South Beach at Sea Pines. A magician, in the courtyard at Wreck of Salty Dog and the parrots in the T-shirt shop were cool. Right on the Harbour front. Did I mention the t-shirts. Food. What food? Go for the atmosphere. I added one star just for the atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Robert L.

    I had the pulled pork sammich. It sucked. Dry over seasoned meat on an anemic stale pretzel bun. On a positive note the French fries and key lime were meh.... We had an appetizer of hush puppies and low country crab dip. The hush puppies were dense dry and not flavorful. The accompanying honey butter was wonderful. The crab dip was wonderful. All in all the main course was to be avoided!!

    (1)

  • Lucia G.

    My family ate here for the first time and the food was perfect for our taste buds! Hope to come here again :)

    (3)

  • Allisyn O.

    The salty dog cafe was a great experience. We were sat right away with a great view. The pins colada was okay, but the reason I gave a five star was the food we got was so good!!!! We tried the hush puppies , which were amazing, and the calamari, which was the best! Go for the environment and because it's the salty dog!

    (5)

  • Doug L.

    After going to Hilton head for 40+ years, and dining at the Salty Dog for over 20 years, I feel qualified to say this restaurant has gone into the tank. The wait is extremely long for poor quality seafood and poor service. The wait staff have little idea of what they're doing. And it seems that the cook staff really doesn't care. My family used to really enjoy going out to dine at the salty dog. Not anymore. This goes for all the restaurants in South Beach including Lands End and The Wreck of the Salty Dog. Come on guys, try little harder and get it together.

    (2)

  • Anthony B.

    Too complicated with seating arrangement between 11 am - 4 pm. But servers were nice and tried to explain it. We eventually got it figured out and placed our drink and appie order.

    (2)

  • Angela S.

    The salty dog definitely lived up to its expectations. First of all, it could not be located on a more beautiful section of the island. It's located on south beach in sea pines, and the drive in alone is a sight seeing adventure. There is outdoor and indoor seating. We sat indoors, however it may as well have been outdoors because there were huge plate glass windows next to us overlooking the water. We got seated immediately and our waitress was fantastic. She was very attentive and made great drink recommendations based on what I was looking for. They have a full bar, but also all kinds of frozen and specialty island drinks. It looked like they had a pretty good selection of draft beer as well. Being on an island and all, I ordered a Mai tai, which was made to perfection. We then ordered an appetizer of pimento dip. This is a southern thing that I had never really tried but I'm so glad I did. It came out almost immediately with a plate of warm, soft tortilla chips. It was so good I've already researched how to make it. For dinner I ordered a black bean burger and fries. The burger was very good and came with freshly made salsa on it, which was incredible. The best part about the salty dog, other than the great food, drinks, and love music, is after you're done eating you can go to the very reasonably priced souvenir shop. If you're in Hilton Head it would be a shame if you didn't make it down to the salty dog!

    (5)

  • Courtney M.

    Dear people looking to go to Salty Dog: There are good things and not good things about this place. Let's start with the good -- - Great location and atmosphere - Live Music - Plentiful seating on the patio - Dog friendly outside - Mosquito spray on each table (and you'll need it) - Good drink menu - SUPER family friendly, you can tell this place draws a regular crowd of locals/vacationing families And the not good -- - The food (yikes) - Slow service - Having to pay to get into the gated community where the Salty Dog is located It felt very much like something you "have to do" when you come to HHI, and I'm glad we ventured away from our resort to join in on the fun. I bet this place gets SLAMMED during the busy summer months. Plan accordingly... I hear the wait can get up to 2-3 hours, which makes sense because they only have 6-7 outdoor tables with dinner service and EVERYone wants to sit outside. I think a smart move would be to come here in the evening for drinks and to enjoy the live music. Don't worry about grabbing food here and you'll be in a better mindset. If you do want some food, I suggest easy stuff like peel and eat shrimp or maybe another appetizer. Full meals were not worth the price.

    (3)

  • Li S.

    I had high expectations for the Salty Dog Cafe- I had heard nothing but great things about this place, and being in Hilton Head, surely it must be good! Meh. The patio atmosphere is nice, but that doesn't make up for the sub-par food. The service was friendly, but terribly slow. The food was only slightly warm when it got to the table, as if it had been sitting out for just a tad too long. Yuck. Maybe this is one of those places that's better suited for some evening drinks rather than an actual meal? Who knows. This place seemed incredibly touristy, to the point of almost being tacky. If they spent half the amount of effort focused on putting out great food rather than pushing their brand and their t-shirts, this place could be awesome. Along with the food and drink menu, we were given a catalog of all their t-shirts and other branded junk they sell- that's a quick sure-fire way to cheapen your brand... and before we had even ordered anything too! I don't recommend coming here for the food. You can get a better tasting and better priced meal at a place like Subway or even McDonalds.

    (2)

  • David F.

    Absolutely worst service ever. Waited 20 minutes to give our drink orders and no one ever waited on us. It was slow around 4:30 PM. Several hostesses walked by and no one took our order. We left.

    (1)

  • Steve D.

    The atmosphere and location are great but the food and service left a bit to be desired. We ordered Hush Puppies as an appetizer and they were simply fried dough - nothing hush puppie like about them. To their credit they took these off the bill after we complained but the rest of the food was mediocre at best. Fish and chips were greasy and service was on the slow side. This is pretty obviously a tourist place but there is much better seafood on the island.

    (2)

  • Misty W.

    We ate at the outside grill. The mahi fish sandwich was great. My daughter loved the bbq sandwich. Good prices for HHI. There are plenty of tables outside and many evenings they have live entertainment. The area is kid friendly. You have several places to choose from and you can bring food to the table from these and enjoy. Drink side table service is offered, but again, it's family oriented.

    (4)

  • Shelly S.

    A must when visiting Hilton Head. Never had a bad meal here! Loved the shrimp po boy sandwich. Nice view of the water from the inside. We love getting drinks outside too. Great place for the family.

    (5)

  • Samantha B.

    I went during the off season (January) for lunch and did not have to wait at all for a table. The waitress was quick and we did not have to wait long for our food. I had the blackened tuna melt which was a special which came with she crab soup. I didn't like the she crab soup but I have never had it before so it could just be my taste preferences. I really enjoyed the tuna melt! My husband got a po boy which he really liked, so all and all it was quick service, nice waitress and mostly delicious food. My only real complaint was that since it is at the sea pines you have to pay to enter that area if you aren't staying at a local hotel. We were staying at the Omni Resorts which is next to the Palmetto Dunes so we did not have to pay. I think the parking would cost $5 otherwise.

    (4)

  • Cameron D.

    Poor service and lousy food. Not what it once was. Pushing its "brand" more than serving good times or food. Very disappointing. Been here at least 10 times before (a few years ago) and so sorry we went.

    (2)

  • Kate B.

    The food is fine, but the atmosphere is better. It's a cheesy tourist trap of a restaurant with subpar seafood. As a New England resident, I can get most of this food for cheaper & tastier back home! I ordered the cheesy shrimp sandwich, which was tasty but messy - nothing to write home about. Still, our service was great, & it was a nice place to hang out with the family while enjoying a little Hilton Head getaway. Go here to check it off your to-do list, then don't come back.

    (2)

  • Patty G.

    Okay place for lunch/dinner. Didn't think there was much to this spot. It's a typical tourist restaurant. Lots of outdoor seating and very casual-laid-back atmosphere. Very island-casual actually. It's great for families with kids as they can sit outside and the kids can get up and move around and have fun. We waited for a while to be seated inside but there are some picnic tables where you can wait outside and have a drink. I had the piña colada and it was very good. I also tried the hush puppies which were delicious. Then I ordered the cheesy shrimp on a roll and I did not like it. It tasted too shrimpy... So my loving husband ended up switching his sandwich with mine. I really liked what he ordered, the grouper roll. The fish was fried and delicious. I would recommend this roll over the others. My brother had the crab-cake sandwich and he loved it. As for the service, it was great. Our server was very good, friendly, and attentive.

    (3)

  • Paul O.

    Didn't realize you had to pay 5 dollars to enter sea pines but it was worth it. Shrimp sandwich was very good with large shrimp. No wait and service was very helpful and attentive. The view overlooking the cove is very nice as well. Exactly what we were looking for. May not lend itself to nicer dinners and expensive meals, but a lighter lunch was great.

    (5)

  • James F.

    Fun place and a must visit when coming to Hilton Head Island. Yes, there is a long wait but they have live music, drinks, and a number of shops you can spend your money at cause everyone needs a Saltydog Shirt! We have normally been pretty lucky and love the food but the special was a 2 star. I ordered the special, mahi mahi with shrimp, shrimp was delicious but the fish was overcooked!

    (3)

  • Heather F.

    Great service, great food!! If I come back to Hilton Head again I will definitely come back here!!

    (4)

  • Leslie a.

    Waited 2 hrs but gumbo was yummy spicy salmon seasoned beautifully and burgers perfect good thing we were able to walk around and buy stuff while waiting.

    (4)

  • Robin G.

    Touristy spot in Hilton Head but a fun spot to hit if you are in Hilton Head. Food is above average - not the best and a bit pricey but it's a fun family spot.

    (4)

  • Troy S.

    Atmosphere makes this place great. The food was adequately fine but it's the ambience that makes this the place to go.

    (3)

  • Michael C.

    Great food. We intentionally came during a non-peak Saturday time since we were here for two weeks. You really need to plan ahead and be prepared for waits if you came at most other times. They have a good process and move the food fast so you don't wait long once seated.

    (4)

  • Sarah W.

    The Salty Dog Cafe was located by the water. The wait outside was long so I decided to eat inside. However, if you have a chance to sit outside, do. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. We ordered a basket of hushpuppies. They were sweet and were complimented nicely with cinnamon butter. I had the fried shrimp basket. It was nothing special. I would recommend this place mostly for the atmosphere. It is on the more expensive side. If you like the t-shirts, the Salty Dog is your place to go.

    (3)

  • Kurt R.

    I'm not here because it's superior dining. Outside, on the deck, drinking and eating bar-ish food. Life is good if you are at The Salty Dog Cafe. End of review.

    (5)

  • Bill G.

    Good as always. Fish and chips better than Grouper Dog. Both good "beach food". Sat on deck with salt breeze in our hair still wet from bike ride from town out thru Sea Pines. Beer not bad either.

    (3)

  • Anthony A.

    unprofessional bartenders, slow service, expensive prices.. brendan from kansas city was extremely rude and quite frankly a huge jerk.. will never take my family here again

    (1)

  • C Y.

    Wait was minimal, waited outside with a beer. Once inside got hush puppies and crab dip. Both very good. Hush puppies were sweet, different but very good. Crab dip was great. Dinner ordered Mai Mai topped with scallops. Cooked perfect. Tasted great. Server knew when to show up with water and remove plates. It's a tourist spot no doubt but it is worth another visit.

    (5)

  • Joshua H.

    Service was great. Food was good as well. We eat early because of the kids so no wait. Yes it is touristy but overall a good time.

    (4)

  • Nicole D.

    Nice outside atmosphere with live entertainment. I had the blackened magi special with fresh fruit. It was alright, a little dry, but the ceviche tacos with red rice was good!

    (4)

  • Kenneth A.

    We got here 5mins before they opem but they let us in anyway. Good service and the manager visited our tablr to make sure everything was fine. I loved their grouper sandwich. The view is great, and they have outside seating too. This is a must try restaurant here in this island.

    (5)

  • Wendy K.

    Summer. Relax. Ocean. Ah... Food was great as usual. My husband and I shared oysters, gumbo and low country boil. Delicious! Teenager had a yummy black bean burger she loved. Live music and he took requests via a live website. What a great time!

    (5)

  • Shannon W.

    Land lovers beware. I got the Islanders Chicken. I wasn't a fan. It needed seasoning and the veggies were cold. The a gratin potatoes were good, but the portion was tiny! I literally had 4 slices of potato. My companions got the special: Trigger fish and shrimp. They said it was ok, but they've had better. Not worth the hour long wait. The staff seemed rushed and chaotic, but I couldn't really understand why. The place wasn't that huge. I saw several good reviews of the hush puppies, so we ordered them. They are sweet, which I thought was really weird. Didn't like them. It was like eating a fried donut. I'm normally a huge lover of hush puppies, but I couldn't get into these. My advice. Skip the restaurant and just buy a T-shirt at the store.

    (2)

  • Amber C.

    I have frequented the Salty Dog every time I am in Hilton Head! Such a fun atmosphere & while it is of course touristy, the service & food is awesome. I had a chicken salad, which was delicious & massive!! The pimetto cheese dip is fantastic as well. We had a great waitress (Francine) & the manager checked on us & said "what can I bring you?" Very professional & friendly service! Thank you!! :)

    (5)

  • Jill V.

    Just average food but nice view...stick to the she crab soup. I would recommend just going for the drinks ;)

    (2)

  • Holly P.

    Years ago (like 10 years ago) my family and I crossed this place off the list. We have been coming to HHI for about 15 years for vacation, and tried this spot early on. This year we made it to the island, and unlike years before, we didn't pack a lunch. Our tradition had been to pack lunch for our trip down, make it to south beach (yes, there's a fee to get into Sea Pines, but this is also a natural reserve and a private community you are going into.) we get to south beach, and eat at the picnic tables. This year, lacking our lunches, we were starving and decided to give the salty dog another try. We were seated inside quickly, no wait. We arrived around 2:30. Outside looked busy, but I was too hot, and wanted inside seating. It took a little while for our waitress to get to us, but after she showed up, we ordered everything, drinks and meals. Food came out fast and was good! We were smart to order food "you can't mess up." I had their chicken finger basket, others got fish and chips and a hot dog basket. We were all very pleased, and we may be back! The Salty Dog is a family friendly establishment, lots of goodies to buy from their store, and the atmosphere is just what southern living is like.

    (3)

  • A A.

    I have no idea why this place is popular. Divey and unkempt facility heavily marketed towards hotel guests. Food quality and preparation is akin to a Red Lobster, but expect to pay about $30 per person (if you're only getting one item). Definitely not worth the drive to the bottom of the island, the wait (an hour or more), and the money. Tourist junk, and not worthy of the on-island reputation.

    (1)

  • Rania Y.

    The views and music here is probably why I would come back but food and service is mediocre at best. They said the hush puppies were the must have and people come here especially for them so we ordered them...I wouldn't come back! They are basically deep fried corn bread...yuk! We waited 45 minutes for our food and it wasn't worth it for sure. Maybe next time just drinks and entertainment.

    (3)

  • Staci J.

    We had a fantastic night here! Fun music m, great atmosphere, and good food. Plus, the staff went above and beyond. A member of our group dropped a gold bracelet and it fell through the slats of the deck! The staff and manager got a crow bar and literally took up a deck plank to get to the bracelet. We have been here before and we will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Donald M.

    Tough restaurant to review as we visited during peak season . I would call this a tourist stop that has a great location with " fair " food. We were treated very well by the reservation staff and our waiter was great . Food was just ok but we had a nice time . The good location , nice outside bar and menu to satisfy everyone . The not so good is the wait and fair food.

    (3)

  • Mary Elizabeth C.

    Totally surprised by this Hilton Head institution. I thought the food would be tourist trap junk but it wasn't. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was spicy and delicious. The kids got chicken fingers and grilled cheese. Both gobbled them down. The breading on the chicken fingers was awesome. My husband had the catch of the day swordfish sandwich and he enjoyed it as well. My husband ordered two beers and I had a margarita which was pleasingly not skimpy on the alcohol! The waitress was extra nice and replaced my original after I got a little too animated reading the Salty Dog story. Overall, such a good experience!!

    (4)

  • Beverly W.

    We sit at the outdoor bar at least 4 times when we stay here. Service at the bar is awesome. Great service overtime, no matter who is working. Only thing is you see many people who mill around the bar by the popcorn machine and a Serbian worker (they have badges on that tells you where they are from) who doesn't do much, but goes back and forth. We see a Manager opening the next group of servers on the shift change who is making sure everyone knows what they are doing. Food is good, don't get the crab cake though, too much filler! Get the fresh fish specials. The drinks are all good, non alcoholic also.

    (5)

  • Ivan D.

    Omg I forgot what I had. I think it was Pasta with chicken, shrimp, sausage in andouille. After a few beers, my pallet was pleased. Good service, great view, family was pleased. 3.5 stars

    (3)

  • Jamie G.

    We biked to Sea Pines and stopped at the Salty Dog for lunch. We had about a 30 minute wait, but were seated after 15 minutes. The server Meghan was good, the wait for our food didn't take long. The adult fried shrimp was smaller than the kids fried shrimp, and cost $14 vs $7.50. If you can pass for twelve years old, order the kids shrimp meal. The chicken sandwich was mediocre, I could've made a better one. I didn't realize the sandwich didn't come with cheese when I ordered it, the kettle chips were tasty. The Salty Dog is an overpriced tourist trap, and their food is nothing special. However, it is a fun place to stop while in Hilton Head.

    (3)

  • Matt D.

    Surprisingly good food. Seafood tastes/feels fresh, large portions. Well-worth the drive. Prices are consistent with typical vacation mark-up, but the quality and quantity justify the expense. Yes, it's 'touristy', but not cheezy. More of a local-townie atmosphere; live music and outdoor bar are a nice touch. Well-worth the trip. Will be back! Pro tip: order the grits instead of fries. If you're unfamiliar, it's like polenta, only creamier. Not too many restaurants get them right, but these guys do.

    (5)

  • jim k.

    We went with our kids (ages 11, 9) because everyone said "you have to go at least once and try it". Fortunately we like to eat a bit late, so we arrived at 7:30, and were told an hour and a half wait. Fine. We had some delicious shrimp served dockside and drinks at the outside bar. 45 minutes later they buzzed us for our table. We didn't even have time to go shop around. I got the Castaway menu item of shrimp, scallops and flounder, all broiled. And I have to say it was one of the better seafood meals I've had in a long time. The cheesy potatoes on the side were glorious. My wife had the crab cake sandwich and it was nothing special though. We make the same thing at home with canned crab. Service was fine. We didn't get the t-shirt. But we did get the ice cream for the kids after and it was really good. Remember to bring the gps on your phone to find this place. It's way out there. And also the $5 needed to get on that part of the island.

    (4)

  • C C.

    I've been going to Hilton Head ever since I was a kid and have always enjoyed this spot. The shrimp toast is my absolute favorite - rich but delicious! For a tourist haven (i.e. I don't know who is left in the state of Ohio in the summer because all of their residents can be seen and heard here) the food is really great and even when it's packed, the food never takes too long to arrive. Great outdoor seating. One of my favorite spots in Hilton Head!

    (5)

  • Dustin S.

    Everything was solid. Food was very good. The atmosphere was great being right on the water. Service was good and friendly. Food came out pretty fast considering how busy it was.

    (4)

  • Bill P.

    We usually stop here once during Hilton Head vacations. We now only have a drink and an appetizer after being disappointed in past years with the food. The atmosphere is great. The outdoor seating area overlooks the "harbor." During the afternoons, there is activity with boats of tourists coming and going. In the evenings there is live entertainment; the same entertainer sings most evenings.

    (3)

  • Gina B.

    Gotta go!! Good stuff

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Service was great, lots of good mixed drink specials and great views and music playing over speakers at just right volume and tv's too. Good for families, singles and couples. Right there on the docks! Tried some of my sisters nachos and they were good. thumbs up!

    (4)

  • Allen T.

    This place is just a tourist trap. 3 Stars only for the food. The service was excellent. If you want a check in the box for a salty dog T-shirt I suppose it's worth it. The food needs some life.

    (3)

  • Jackie M.

    Great location, definitely a spot to visit, but not really for the food. Just ok, and marginally overpriced for what you get. Friendly, great service, and good for drinks outside.

    (3)

  • Megan S.

    You can't NOT go to the Salty Dog Cafe if you're in HHI. It's such a fun place and such a great atmosphere. Everyone, including the guests, are so happy!

    (5)

  • Paul C.

    The food and ice cream are not spectacular, but the activity and atmosphere are priceless. Here's how to spend a perfect day on the island: Transport your bikes and park at Coligny Circle public parking (or rent bikes there). Bike on the beach to South Beach, it's about 4 miles. Enjoy a lunch outside at the Salty Dog Cafe. Our party of four enjoyed the fresh fish sandwiches (one grilled and one blackened), a crab cake sandwich, and fish and chips. Of these choices I'd recommend the fresh fish sandwich and pair it with a cold beer. After lunch, take a leisurely bike ride through Sea Pines. Follow the bike trail towards Baynard ruins. The ruins include the remains of a main house and slave quarters. The ruins are neat, but we really enjoyed the peaceful ride on the Sea Pines bike trails. This path took us by ponds where we saw alligators and wild birds. It also takes you by the 15th hole and 16th tee box of the Harbour Town golf course. Take the bike trail back to South Beach and enjoy an ice cream break. I enjoyed the kaluah chip, and my kids really liked cookie monster. The flavor of the week was Peach Pecan and it was also good. Ride back to Coligny Circle by beach or use the bike trails. If you are peddling against wind, you could use the bike trails instead of the beach.

    (4)

  • Bob M.

    Long wait, mediocre service. Decent, overpriced, tourist trap food. 10 small shrimp, handful of fries equals the $14 shrimp basket. Not bad experience, but the meal definitely wasn't worth the value of the time waited and dollars spent.

    (2)

  • Jim P.

    Very disappointed. Poor service, under staffed. Didn't even try any food because no one would wait on you. We tried to sit outside the bar area but no food was being served there. There was a 1 hour wait inside and the place was not crowded. Very strange place. The only good thing was the shirt store. Plenty of choices and a cool logo. This was our worst experience in Hilton Head dining. Left there and went to Flatbread Grill at the Coligny plaza. Outstanding!

    (1)

  • Judy A.

    I'm giving them 3 stars because I had to pay $5 to drive my car into the Sea Pines Plantation to get to the restaurant. Really? Also, they're pretty proud of their food because all of the entrees are at least $20. Albeight, I did enjoy my dinner. I ordered half a dozen oysters on the half shell-a perfect start. I ordered the low country boil and finished off the generous portion of crab, shrimp, andouille, potatoes, and corn. Service was pleasant and prompt.

    (3)

  • David B.

    Pretty standard fare but the staff was friendly and it's very kid friendly which is exactly what we were looking for. My wife enjoyed her black bean burger and I had a fish po boy which was good with their side sauce, lemon spritz and table hot sauce. It's certainly not bad by any means and just about everybody can find something safe on the menu to suit their taste buds. An obligatory stop on hilton head nonetheless.

    (3)

  • Jacob L.

    This is a great place for a casual sit down outside or inside lunch. Service was good, area was fun and good was good. I got the she crab soup which was excellent! I also got the catch of the day sandwich (swordfish) which was pretty good. A friend got the fried shrimp basket which was excellent as well. The seasonal IPA was good as well. Overall it was a good experience.

    (4)

  • Pimp D.

    Good food and drinks in a pleasant atmosphere. Great cornbread Hush Puppies. Nothing amazing here, but you get solid beach grub.

    (3)

  • Angie S.

    Food was ok, not worth the wait, which can be very long or the price of the food. Just like any other restaurant chain. The only plus was our waiter was wonderful and very attentive. Not impressed at all.

    (2)

  • Aaron H.

    If you are a tourist its 5 stars. If you are a tourist who likes good food it's 2 stars. Everything is okay, you can still have an okay time and meal but don't set your sights to high or you will disappointed. 5 star hush puppies though.

    (2)

  • Carrie W.

    Best Strawberry Daiquiris! Ever. They actually use fresh strawberries, none of that mix crap... so good. Period.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Touristy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Salty Dog Cafe

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