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Kiawah Island Restaurants & Dining

Where to Eat

Our Kiawah Island restaurants and dining recommendations promise a great experience, whether you prefer fresh seafood, BBQ, Italian or a quick bite with the family. Indulge in a relaxing meal that will leave a lasting impression and make your stay on Kiawah Island even more memorable. 

This page is updated regularly. If you notice any errors, please let us know.

Locations Overview

The elegant facade of The Sanctuary Resort at Kiawah Island, showcasing luxury accommodation amidst lush landscapes.

Kiawah Island

  • $$$

High-end dining experiences right on the island.

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Freshfields Market at Kiawah Island, a popular attraction for shopping and dining under a clear blue sky.

Freshfields Shopping Center

  • $$
  • 5 min from Kiawah
  • 15 min from Kiawah

More casual dining options and some great places to bike for lunch.

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Patrons enjoying a lively dining atmosphere at a restaurant on Johns Island near Kiawah, reflecting the island's vibrant restaurant scene.

Johns Island

  • $ - $$
  • 15 min from Kiawah

Authentic Lowcountry dishes. Eat like the locals.

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Kiawah Island Restaurants & Dining

Kiawah Island offers mostly fine dining and a few casual dining options in a convenient location for all Kiawah Island guests.

Fine Dining

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Casual Dining

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Ice Cream & Night Life

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Kiawah Island Fine Dining Restaurants

The Atlantic Room on Kiawah Island, a recommended dining spot with a luxurious atmosphere and stunning ocean views.

The Atlantic Room (Recommended!)

Gourmet Seafood Restaurant

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Pete Dye’s windswept masterpiece as you indulge in a seaside or cocktails at sunset, the perfect setting for a truly memorable dining experience.

Reservations Required

The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary, a recommended upscale steakhouse on Kiawah Island, offering a luxurious dining experience.

The Ocean Room (Recommended!)

Steakhouse

Savor masterful dishes made from locally sourced beef, poultry, and produce in a seasonally changing menu. all complemented by oversized leather chairs in a stately bar area and a decadent dining room with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean for unparalleled dining experience.

Attire: Gentlemen and boys over 8 must wear a collared shirt, slacks or neat denim, and closed-toe shoes. Ladies and girls over 8 should wear cocktail attire such as dresses, skirts, blouses, or neat denim.

A hearty plate of barbecue from Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House on Kiawah Island, showcasing the best of local dining.

Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House

Steakhouse

Featuring succulent meats smoked daily in-house over local hardwoods, signature sauces and sides, and over 60 local & imported beers.

Reservations Recommended

Jasmine Porch restaurant offers an inviting Lowcountry fine dining experience on Kiawah Island, with a cozy, elegant interior.

Jasmine Porch

Lowcountry Fine Dining

Extensive lunch and dinner menus composed of traditional Lowcountry and regional favorites, plus a grand buffet breakfast with made-to-order omelet station, hot breakfast specialties, fresh pastries, fruits, cereals, and more.

Reservations Required for Dinner Service

Tomasso at Turtle Point Clubhouse, an Italian fine dining venue on Kiawah Island with a stylish and inviting ambiance.

Tomasso at Turtle Point Clubhouse

Italian Fine Dining

Authentic Italian cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere that embodies family-style hospitality. Homemade pastas, sauces, pizzas, and breads feature fresh and simple ingredients, expertly prepared for your enjoyment.

Reservations Required for Dinner

Kiawah Island Casual Dining Restaurants

Relax at Loggerhead Grill on Kiawah Island, a recommended poolside bar and grill perfect for casual dining.

Loggerhead Grill (Recommended!)

Poolside Bar and Grill, Casual Dining

Overlooks the Sanctuary’s pools and the Atlantic Ocean, and serves a wide variety of sandwiches, grilled burgers, salads, and wraps. Great for lunch. During the summer they offer a buffet on certain nights. Pool not available to our guests.

Open Seasonally, Weather Permitting

The Nest Market | Café at Kiawah Island Resort, a charming casual eatery set against a stunning sunset.

The Nest Market | Café

Casual Eatery

Daily specials, sandwiches, salads, pizza, plus grocery items, beer and wine, cigars, newspapers, movie rentals, Kiawah logo apparel, and gifts.

Kiawah Island Ice Cream and Nightlife

Guests enjoying the sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere of the recommended Lobby Bar, a cocktail bar at Kiawah Island.

Lobby Bar (Recommended!)

Cocktail Bar

Signature cocktails, light snacks, and a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. The stone fireplace creates a warm and inviting haven during the winter. Featuring live music every Friday and Saturday evening from 7:00pm – 10:00pm.

A delightful frozen treat from Beaches & Cream at The Sanctuary, Kiawah Island, topped with colorful sprinkles and macarons.

Beaches & Cream

Ice Cream Parlour

Treat your taste buds to a delightful assortment of gourmet treats guaranteed to satisfy every sweet tooth, no matter your age. Choose from their scrumptious collection of creamy ice cream, frozen yogurt, irresistible candies, decadent pralines, and other mouth-watering sweets.

Freshfields Restaurants & Dining

Freshfields Shopping Center and Bohicket Marina are located just a 5 to 10 minute drive or a 15 to 25 minute bicycle journey from Kiawah Island. They offer more casual options and at a slightly lower price point than Kiawah Island.

Casual Dining

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Fine Dining

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Ice Cream, Coffee, Wine

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Freshfields Casual Dining Restaurants

A classic bacon cheeseburger and waffle fries served at King Street Grille, a recommended casual sports bar on Kiawah Island.

King Street Grille (Recommended!)

Casual Sports Bar

Sports bar offering delicious appetizers, salads, burgers, wings, and your favorite beverages. Dine while watching sports on large screen TVs. The perfect spot for a casual family lunch or dinner with fantastic service. Off-season specials include half-price burgers every Wednesday and half-price salads every Tuesday.

Reservations Not Available

Freshly prepared deli sandwich from a Harris Teeter Deli, a popular dining option on Kiawah Island, served on a black plate.

Harris Teeter Deli

Deli

Whether you’re looking for a quick meal or a leisurely lunch, the store’s deli and hot bar have a wide variety of options from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily to satisfy your hunger and cravings. Inside and outdoor seating available.

A gourmet pizza topped with arugula and shaved cheese from La Tela Pizzeria on Kiawah Island, highlighting the island's Italian cuisine offerings.

La Tela Pizzeria

Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine

Serving Neapolitan style pizza and traditional Italian cuisine since 2009. Their dishes feature eggs from pasture-raised chickens in South Carolina, shrimp from South Carolina waters, and wine from a family-run vineyard in Piedmont, Italy.

A gourmet deli sandwich with fresh sprouts, paired with a refreshing frose from The Co-Op on Kiawah Island, embodying the casual yet refined dining experience.

The Co-Op Frosé & Eatery

Gourmet Deli

Experience the ultimate gourmet deli dining at Co Op Frosé & Eatery! Enjoy world-famous FROSÉ, stellar sandwiches, salads, breakfast, and $1 coffee. Don’t miss out on the delicious breakfast and luchh menu including the finest coffee beans. Savor the best in gourmet deli dining!

The serene outdoor dining area of Salty Dog Cafe at Kiawah Island, featuring ample seating under beige umbrellas with a picturesque marshland backdrop.

Salty Dog Cafe

Waterfront Cafe

Salty Dog boasts a terrific view of Bohicket Creek. There’s a cozy bar inside, but most of the action takes place on the multi-level decks. Open for lunch and dinner, it’s a popular, high-energy hangout for tan, fun-loving locals and tourists of all ages. Accessible by boat. Seafood platters, burgers, and sides — plus a great view with outdoor seating.

Reservations Not Available

Freshfields Fine Dining Restaurants

Elegant shrimp avocado tower served with crisp tortilla chips at Hege's Restaurant, Kiawah Island's destination for exquisite French cuisine.

Hege's Restaurant (Recommended!)

French Cuisine

At Hege’s French Bistro, classic French and international cuisine meets coastal hospitality. Focused on fresh, seasonal ingredients and culinary expertise, the restaurant offers a casual and inviting atmosphere. Indulge in dishes prepared with classical sauces for a delightful dining experience.

Inside Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill on Kiawah Island with its warm ambiance and inviting red chairs at the sushi bar.

Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill

Sushi Bar & Grill

Authentic Japanese cuisine, signature sushi rolls, traditional hibachi entrees and creative Asian fusion dishes in a laid back atmosphere with indoor and patio seating. The full bar offers an extensive selection of wine, beer, sake and house made cocktails.

Freshfields Ice Cream, Coffee & Wine

Vincent's Drug Store & Soda Fountain on Kiawah Island, featuring a classic diner-style counter with blue and white checkered flooring.

Vincent's Drug Store & Soda Fountain

Old Fashioned Soda Fountain

An old-fashioned drug store complete with a charming soda fountain and a focus on delightful ice cream and malt creations. Experience the essence of a bygone era, where the sweet simplicity of ice cream takes center stage.

Bustling morning scene inside Java Java Coffee House on Kiawah Island, with patrons enjoying freshly brewed coffee and pastries.

Java Java Coffee House

Coffee Shop

Get wired with Italian-style espresso, gourmet chocolate, breakfast pastries and sandwiches, paninis, chicken salad, and wireless internet access. Featuring both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the Village Green.

Contemporary FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen on Kiawah Island with an extensive selection of wines displayed in a sleek, modern setting.

FortyEight - Wine Bar & Kitchen

Wine Bar

Kiawah’s signature wine bar. 48 different wines and 48 craft beers offered everyday. They also offer light fare: cheese, charcuterie, bruschetta, flatbreads, paninis, salads and a few desserts. The wines are dispensed using Wine Stations. All of their wines are available to purchase by the bottle to take home.

Reservations Recommended

Johns Island Restaurants & Dining

About 15 minutes away from Kiawah Island, Johns Island offers incredible lowcountry and local cuisine. Eat like a local!

Casual Dining

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Fine Dining

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Johns Island Casual Dining Restaurants

Patrons enjoying a lively dining atmosphere at a restaurant on Johns Island near Kiawah, reflecting the island's vibrant restaurant scene.

The Tomato Shed (Recommended!)

Casual Lowcountry Cuisine

Located about 15 miles from Kiawah, it offers very local cuisine – great for lunch. Meals are served on paper plates and include free tea refills. The food is excellent and reminiscent of Paula Deen’s cooking style. Everything is absolutely delicious, although it can be a little on the greasy side. You’ll find everything from collard greens and squash casserole to hamburgers and tomato pie on the menu. Their BBQ is fabulous.

A plate of tantalizing enchiladas topped with melted cheese and sour cream at El Mercadito on Kiawah Island.

El Mercadito

Mexican Cuisine

Serves authentic Mexican specialties including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, salads and flautas. Daily specials and large mugs of beer and margaritas finish out the selections. Very clean, very filling, very gratifying!

KISS Café's inviting exterior with blue umbrellas on Kiawah Island, where simple breakfasts turn into memorable mornings.

KISS Cafe

Cafe

Discover KISS Cafe, where delightful breakfast, lunch, and brunch options await. Each dish is crafted to order in an open kitchen, infusing creativity into every bite. Embrace a community-focused approach with locally-sourced ingredients.

Hearty seafood dish from Gilligan's, a family-styled seafood restaurant on Kiawah Island.

Gilligan's

Family Styled Seafood

Top-notch family restaurant committed to serving the freshest ingredients. The menu is diverse, featuring local seafood, domestic wild-caught shrimp, chicken, steak, pasta, and hush puppies. The restaurant strives to make dining out an enjoyable experience for the whole family by offering special children’s meals and having a warm, welcoming staff.

Johns Island Fine Dining Restaurants

Interior of Wild Olive Restaurant on Kiawah Island with its vibrant decor, capturing the essence of Italian dining.

Wild Olive Restaurant (Recommended!)

Italian Cuisine

The newest restaurant venture of celebrated chef Fred Neuville, Wld Olive combines traditional Italian design paired with unique one of a kind elements creating a cozy yet sleek 135-seat dining room and bar.

Maximum party size allowed is 6 people.

Spacious and stylish dining hall of The Royal Tern on Kiawah Island, a serene setting for a refined meal.

The Royal Tern

Seafood and Steak Family Eatery

Nestled in the heart of Johns Island, The Royal Tern invites you to a friendly dining experience. Indulge in Chef Kyle Kryske’s fresh seafood and mouthwatering steaks, paired with a thoughtful selection of wines.

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