BEST Breakfast in Hilton Head: 20 Amazing Spots

Wondering where to get breakfast in Hilton Head? We have you covered!

Hilton Head is an idyllic island off the South Carolina coast known for its wild natural wonders. It’s a popular getaway pick for its paradisical surroundings of pristine sandy shores. As a hip and happening hotspot of the Palmetto State, it also happens to be a prime locale for experiencing authentic low-country culture.

The foodie scene here is full of fantastic fares, with over 300 eateries on the island alone. Many make for delightful ways to start the day with mouthwatering morning meals at any time and there are some awesome breakfast in Hilton Head spots to enjoy. You’ll find an array of adorable cafes for indulging in that daily dose of caffeine here as well.

With no shortage of sweet and savory treats to try, we’ve helped narrow down all the ideal ways to enjoy breakfast in Hilton Head.

The Best Breakfast in Hilton Head

Hilton Head Social Bakery

Price: $$
Cuisine: French baked goods, breads & sweets, coffee
Address: Harbourside Ln Building 1, Hilton Head (GPS)
Website: Link

After you roll out of bed at your cozy Hilton Head VRBO head to this breakfast institution. Hilton Head Social Bakery is a hidden gem for java on the island set in Shelter Cove Marina. Along with classic coffee drinks they feature display cases full of traditional European-style baked goods, from fresh croissants to custom cakes.

Each is made from scratch every day, for a quick bite to pair with a handcrafted beverage, ranging from simple to elaborate. Fairtrade organic roasts are used to make specialty drinks, like Caramel Macchiato. The ambiance is warm and rustic in a modern way using reclaimed wood from a 19th-century barn.

The picturesque patio is on the waterfront looking out over the harbor. They’re pet friendly so feel free to bring a furry friend along for a little pick-me-up.

C’est Bon

Cuisine: Gourmet coffee, gelato, beverages, pastries
Address: 71 Lighthouse Rd APT 318, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

Set in the Shops at Sea Pine Center, C’est Bon is an adorable and unique cafe that serves up some of the best breakfast in Hilton Head. The ambiance is homey and cozy with a Parisian flair and a relaxed patio for outdoor seating.

The menu offers beautifully brewed coffees, locally baked pastries, and even creamy gelato. It’s been family owned and operated for four generations.

They offer small batch specialty sodas as well, in case you don’t need an extra jolt. The Nitro Brew is one of the best cold coffee drinks in town and the Dark Chocolate Mocha is a sweet, caffeinated dream. They also have some fun syrup flavors to customize cool creative lattes like Lavender, Blackberry, and Almond Joy.

The Purple Cow

Price: $$
Cuisine: Donuts, mini cheesecakes
Address: 1034 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island, (GPS)
Website: Link

The Purple Cow is just as quirky as the name implies. Coffees and confections are the focus here, and they’ve been making the island sweeter since 2015. We love the range of dairy free milks available, from soy to oat to coconut.

Even any of the sodas can be made into delicious floats. Homemade baked donuts are made to order, and these heavenly creations are well worth any wait.

There are gluten free and vegan options, and it’s so fun to design your own delicious delight! You choose the donut, then the glaze, then the topping.

My go-to is a Chai Latte and a cinnamon sugar donut glazed with peanut butter and topped with crumbled bacon on the side. The little free library is a lovely touch as well.

The Coffee Shop Near Me

Price: $
Cuisine: Coffeeshop and bakery
Address: 1 N Forest Beach Dr Unit 1A, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

Formerly the French Kiss Bakery, the Coffee Shop Near Me is a cute spot to stop for a well-crafted cup of joe and is a fantastic Hilton Head coffee shop. It’s located inside of the Cologne Plaza right by the beach so it’s a very convenient cafe.

The espresso here is considered some of the best around, so we like to go and grab Americanos or Cortados.

The selection is generally simple, offering all the classic coffee drinks and standard pastries, like muffins, scones, and buns. Everything is high quality and super craveable. The giant Connect Four is a fun surprise to find outside as well. There’s a lovely little patio and the interior is charmingly rustic and intimate.

Java Burrito

Price: $
Cuisine: Mexican, coffee and cocktails
Address: 1000 William Hilton Pkwy Suite J6, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

Java Burrito is a counter service cafe that serves up a surprisingly delicious combo, coffee, and farm-to-table Mexican fare, making it one of the coolest spots in Hilton Head. They source the freshest local seasonal ingredients available to create seriously crave-able cuisine.

The breakfast menu, served daily until 11 AM, offers a few more traditional options, alongside the namesake nosh, like sandwiches. You can even build your own morning meal by choosing from burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or nachos, then picking your protein, and then your toppings.

It’s such a fun and unexpected way to start the day in Hilton Head. The coffee bar uses locally roasted organic beans, local milk, and organic cane sugar syrups to create cold brews, espresso drinks, and some amazing fancier concoctions like the Tumeric, Beetroot, or Blue Majik Lattes, which are as pretty as they are delicious. For something a bit stronger you can even opt for a margarita.

Lowcountry Produce Market and Cafe

Price: $$
Cuisine: American
Address: 71 Lighthouse Rd APT 510, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

Part of the Shops at Sea Pine Center, Lowcountry Produce Market and Cafe is such a quaint place for an all-around beautiful breakfast experience. It’s a gourmet grocer and delightful deli all in one. The inside is spacious and airy with a relaxing and refreshing charm to it.

They offer an array of small batch artisan accouterments such as pantry items, a cannery section, sundries, home goods, and more! They serve brunch all day long, so we always stop here when in Hilton Head, whether it’s for a bite, a coffee, or for some local goodies to take home.

The Breakfast Bowl with cheesy grits, Brioche French Toast, and Biscuits and Gravy are a few of the fan favorites here. To drink there are fresh juices, smoothies, and espresso-based beverages.

Watusi Cafe

Price: $$
Cuisine: American
Address: 71 Pope Ave Suite E, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

Watusi Cafe is a homey and casual cafe setting and a staple of the breakfast scene in Hilton Head. A neighborhood fixture, they focus on gourmet coffee that’s both certified organic and fair trade as well as a diverse menu full of healthy morning eats served all day long.

Everything is all natural and sourced fresh from South Carolina farmers. It’s easy to see their commitment to sustainability through small but significant additions like biodegradable plant-based cups and lids.

Soak up some low-country sunshine on the patio or enjoy the creature comforts inside made to feel just like home. There are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options here, and there’s even a whole dog-friendly menu. The Blackened Shrimp Hash and the Ocean Club tend to get top billing.

Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe

Price: $$
Cuisine: American
Address: 86 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe serves breakfast all day, so it’s easy to cure those early morning cravings at any time. It’s easily one of the best restaurants in Hilton Head and has been a foodie fixture of the island for almost 20 years, offering classic American comfort foods in a cute and casual atmosphere. The Stuffed French Toast and Crab Cake Eggs Benedict have gotten rave reviews here.

The specials menu is always changing so there’s regularly something new and exciting to try. There’s a full bar, herbal teas, and hot coffee to accompany your enticing eats.

There are indoor and outdoor seating options, a dog friendly patio, and delicious gluten free and vegan dishes to pick from. The menu is fairly extensive, so everyone is guaranteed to find something they enjoy here.

Delisheeyo

Price: $
Cuisine: Organic, vegan and vegetarian restaurant
Address: 32 Palmetto Bay Rd APT A1, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

This is one of the only spots in the area that serves exclusively vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Meat free eaters will rejoice at the selection of healthy fresh fares to chow down on here. It’s a small and secret spot a bit off the beaten path, like a little mini oasis.

However, what it lacks in size it makes up for with plenty of personality. It’s a charming little cottage surrounded by verdant gardens growing the very produce used to make your breakfast! The service is fast, and the food is phenomenal.

They offer salads, bowls, wraps as well as juices, smoothies, and yogurts. I love to start my day with an Acai Bowl from Delisheeyo, which has mixed fruit, acai, chia, avocado, coconut, pumpkin seed, berries, local honey, bee pollen, goji berry, and oat granola.

Palmetto Dunes General Store

Cuisine: grocery, general store
Address: 1 Trent Jones Ln, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

Set inside the Palmetto Dunes Ocean Resort, this adorable general store has been a Hilton Head institution since 1979.

Freshly brewed coffee and tea is always on deck here, and breakfast is served on weekdays starting as early as 6 AM. True to the name, they also have a variety of goodies including groceries, craft beer, wine, souvenirs, candy, beach toys, and basic necessities. There are lovely benches out front to enjoy the idyllic panoramas of the water.

The vintage truck outside makes for a nice photo op as well. They’re famous for their cinnamon rolls, and we also love the biscuit sandwich.

Carolina Coffee and Crumbs

Price: $$
Cuisine: Coffee shop, pastries and breakfast
Address: 101 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island (GPS)

Carolina Coffee and Crumbs offers a bit of everything and is right across from the breathtaking Coligny Beach. The blend of the day, the matcha, and the nitro coffee will all have you savoring every sip.

There are also specialty lattes that everyone loves, like the Berry Crumble and the Aloha. If you need something a little stronger try the Cucumber Bloody Mary, a glass of wine, or one of their famous coffee cocktails.

Inside it’s bright and airy and the patio is a vision of bright colored flowers and blue umbrellas for a relaxing respite. For food they offer freshly baked pastries, bagels, omelets, sandwiches, and more.

Hilton Head Diner

Price: $
Cuisine: Bakery
Address: 6 Marina Side Dr, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

Hilton Head Diner is a mainstay of the culinary scene in Hilton Head and is conveniently open 24/7, for breakfast literally any time. The ambiance encourages welcoming and homey comfort, with bright colors, padded booths, and fancy light fixtures. It’s the kind of place loved ones gather regularly and take their time enjoying a meal together in Hilton Head.

The menu is extensive with something for everyone, including omelets, pancakes, waffles, benedicts, eggs, and more. Hearty portions of home-cooked comfort fares with a heaping side of hospitality is the main focus here, and we can’t get enough. It’s a super kid friendly place as well.

The G-Free Spot

Cuisine: Gluten free restaurant
Address: 1511 Main St Suite 1511, Hilton Head Island (GPS)
Website: Link

The G-Free Spot is an entirely gluten-free eatery! They offer gourmet goodies galore in the form of display cases filled to the brim with fresh baked treats, like brownies, cookies, cupcakes, scones, all without any pesky gluten.

Anyone with allergies will be in heaven and anyone without won’t even be able to tell the difference. Always ask what the daily specials are as they’re often delicious and creative concoctions.

For something more savory, try the breakfast bagels or sandwiches. The decor is simple and laidback and there are a few tables out front for al fresco dining.

Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters

Cuisine: Organic coffee roasters
Website: Link

One of my absolute favorite coffee shops in Hilton Head! Step out of your Hilton Head VRBO to grab coffee at this lovely establishment. This tiny specialty shop roasts small batches of thoughtfully sourced beans on-site.

They’re roasted outside over an open flame, which gives them their own distinctive flavor. The profiles are considered adventurous, playful, and rugged.

They use a variety of organic coffees, coffees from women-owned farms, and unique micro-lots. Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters is women owned and family operated, and everything used is ethically sourced and sustainably grown. They also use all kinds of cool brewing methods to make for a superb cup of coffee that feels so carefully created.

They can be found all around town at Root and Bloom Market and the Hilton Head Farmers Market, and you can make an advance order to pick up as well.