Do you like to eat good food? At Beachside Getaway, we sure do. The Hilton Head and Bluffton food scene continues to grow, establishing the area as a food destination. Here are some of our favorite places, including restaurants, cafes, bars and specialty shops locals and visitors alike crave and rave about.

Budget-friendly meal

Being frugal doesn’t mean you have to give up being a foodie. Java Burrito is not only a great place to wine and dine on a dime, it also provides health conscious, organic, environmentally friendly and locally sourced menu options. Also, at Java, you can chose your own food adventure and build your own burrito, bowl or salad with a variety or protein, vegetable and sauce options.

Also, say “hola” to Amigos Cafe, which is known for its margaritas and freshly made salsas. Served in a crisp tortilla bowl, the BBQ chicken salad with chopped tomato, lettuce, black beans, corn, cheese and cilantro and tossed in a ranch dressing is “delicioso” and their Lowcountry oyster burrito is an Amigos original.

Date-night meal

Date night is all about the ambience and Pomodori and FARM are all about creating the mood. Pomodori is owned by local celebrity chef Amanda Cifaldi. Cifaldi says she wants to provide Hilton Head with a “cozy, hip and as happy as an Italian baby” place and she does just that with an intimate setting and menu options like mussels con salsiccia (PEI mussels, white wine, garlic, gigantic beans and house made sausage) and pappardelle con capesante e vodka (house made vodka sauce, handcut pasta, pancetta, sea scallops and fresh basil).

FARM’s commitment to the local community begins with sourcing from small local farmers and fisherman, as well as artisan producers. With its culinary expertise and well-crafted plating, FARM makes farm-to-table dining sexy. Some menu must-haves include the roasted Lady’s Island oysters with horseradish soufflé, chives and saltines and the grilled snapper with spring onion soubise, butterbeans, broccoli, spring peas, sofrito and vadouvan butter.

Fun for the whole family meal

Waterfront and kid-friendly  has something on the menu for everybody. For starters, a local favorite is the bacon hushpuppies with maple butter and if you you need a quick first course fix order the shrimp nachos with both cheddar cheese and red Chile sauces. For the wow factor, you could also go with the chilled seafood tower with oysters, shrimp, snow crab legs, lobster salad and tuna sashimi. Dockside also has artisan pizzas, salads and BBQ options.

Captain Woodys has been offering great food and good times to its patrons for 38 years. Owners Shannon and Russell Anderson love watching local families and familiar faces come in. For an appetizer, you cannot go wrong with the crab cake with lemon aioli. As for sandwiches, both the shrimp or oyster po-boy come on perfectly baked bread with just the right touch of tangy tartar sauce. If you are not a seafood lover try the Kentucky Beer Cheese burger with sautéed onions and jalapeños.

Sunday brunch

Hudson’s is a Hilton Head staple and has been in the restaurant business for generations. Situated on the water, you can dine inside or outside and still get a beautiful view for a perfect Sunday Funday brunch. Andrew Carmines, the owner of Husdon’s, is very involved in supporting local shrimpers and fishermen and has even cultivated his own local oyster. The fried oyster Benedict with fire-roasted poblano peppers, Cajun hollandaise and South Carolina stone-ground grits showcases Lowcountry cuisine, much like the Ms. Bessie’s seafood gumbo.

Splurge meal

You have to splurge once in awhile. Charlie’s L'Etoile Verte features French and seafood cuisine. What makes this restaurant a splurge is not necessarily the pricing, but rather it just feels special to go to Charlie’s. Even non-pâté eaters need to try the pâté  masion and non-escargot peeps you will become believers with the escargot a la bourguignonne. You cannot go wrong with any of the entries and the pâvé au chocolat for dessert is divine.

The River House is a splurge for so many reasons. It is on the expensive side but you get what you pay for with superior ingredients and flavor profiles. Plus, make a day out of it and pamper yourself with all that Palmetto Bluff has to offer. FYI: A big standout here is Alec’s mac and cheese with truffle oil and lobster.