Hudson's Seafood House On The Docks

My first visit to Hudson’s Seafood in Hilton Head was truly unforgettable. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed by a hostess whose warm smile and gracious Southern hospitality instantly made me feel at home. I ordered the risotto with the catch of the day and every bite was delicious comforting, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The atmosphere was just as wonderful: inviting, relaxed, and filled with friendly, courteous people who made the space feel alive with genuine kindness. What made the experience especially meaningful was our Bartender . She was incredibly pleasant, offered thoughtful recommendations, and took the time to share a genuine conversation with us. It didn’t feel like dining out it felt like sitting around the table at home with family. Hudson’s Seafood isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a place where you feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. Without a doubt, it earns five shining stars from me.

Amazing atmosphere, Great drinks and even better food. We sat on the dock near the bar and had the best experience. The staff was on the ball, we didn't wait for anything. We also had 2 children and they were well entertained. Price was very reasonable for quality of food and service. We will come back everytime we're in the area.

5 stars all the way! We were in town & picked a random restaurant on the water. From the moment we sat at the bar, Alex took care of us. His recommendations were excellent & the seafood was fresh & delicious! Highly recommend getting some of the fresh local shrimp, chargrilled oysters, & blackened grouper. A perfect meal. The guy shucking the oysters was also great! His laugh would make anyone happy! Dinner here was the best part of the trip.

#1 seafood in Hilton Head, Hudson’s is famous here like Joe’s is in Miami. The huge difference here is that you can order an amazing dinner for two with drinks here for the same price as one order of jumbo stone crab. Expect a 45 minute wait in the dining room and over an hour at the outdoor deck. But hey, enjoy a cocktail first, wait goes by quickly. Food is served hot and quick once you order. Huge menu with virtually every seafood item except clam strips. The seafood platter is exceptional as the steamed clams. Even the steamed broccoli was served hot and can’t beat the $3 price. Yes the peanut butter pie is their special dessert, but tough to make room after enjoying all the seafood. Overall, great food, great value and great experience.

I had an amazing experience at Hudson’s! The Neptunes Seafood Platter was enough for my sister and I to split and not even finish. They were busy, but we still got seated fast and the food came out wildly fast. The food itself was delicious, the deviled crab being the best item on the plate! Our waiter was the best waiter I’ve ever had. I believe his name was Ben. He was friendly, attentive, and clearly cared about our experience and the food. He had lots of insight to provide on any questions we had. I definetly recommend this place!

Fantastic restaurant and bar on a dock with the most amazing fresh fish and seafood catch of the day. Andrew the owner is so kind and friendly, serving and going table to table asking how everyone is doing and asking how the food is. So genuine! This last mom and pop restaurant is right on the water with boats leaving and arriving all day long. Our waiter Greg was wonderful and personable. The food was great! We both had grouper for lunch, one blackened and sauteed. But first we had the best she crab soup and even better were the stone crabs with a tasty mustard sauce! Can't recommend this place enough! Get there early and expect to wait. The sunsets are absolutely incredible!

Great time here! Neil and Josh took care of me at the bar. They were two very passionate people about the food and the community that they serve. I learned a lot about the local seafood scene and how the restaurant farms the food. A restaurant seeped in history and a gathering place for locals. The food came quick. Fresh and delicious. Soup, Wedge salad, blackened grouper and the hush puppies! All great.

So my wife and I was visiting Hilton head South Carolina when we decided to google the number 1 Seafood Pl. in Hilton head and you will never guess what popped up Hudson’s and anyone who knows me knows that I am a very honest Google reviewer and I always tell the truth so I will begin with this. Our server was amazing. We started out with oysters. I forgot to take a picture of the oysters cause I was so hungry but when I tell you, their oysters were super super amazing I would definitely go back for the oysters only so the reason they got a three was not because the oysters were a five it was because I ordered a sirloin steak don’t ask me why I ordered it medium when it came to my table the first time it was rare I had to Waiter take it back when they brought it back. It was still medium rare, but before discovering that it was still medium rare I cut a piece of it, and when I put it in my mouth, I almost spat it out. It was like eating a piece of meat that was thrown on a grill that had zero flavor or zero seasoning applied to it that is not the way to cook a steak. I do understand the restaurant business coming from a family with one of America’s top Che’s my sister name is Tiffany Dairy a very well-known chef throughout the United States and throughout the world. I was very disappointed in Hudson’s, but I must say that their manager stepped up He came over to the table and acknowledge the fact that the stake was not cooked correctly and I stated well I am in a seafood restaurant. He stated although you’re in a seafood restaurant, you should still be able to enjoy a great steak my sentiments, exactly. So just being a fair critic based off of what I ordered, I would give their seafood a five because along with the oysters, my wife ordered a shrimp salad sandwich that she said was absolutely amazing so to our Waiter into the manager of Hudsons, I would like to say thank you for accepting responsibility for the food that was not prepared properly. That’s the only reason they got a three for me Service was amazing atmosphere was amazing but if I’m just keeping it real, I was really disappointed in the Steak.

The food was great as well as the atmosphere! We dined at the bar and the bartenders were awesome! Will definitely eat here the next time in Hilton Head.

The atmosphere was great sitting outside enjoying the view. No complaints on the service which was awesome the waiter took great care of us I don't know if he owns the restaurant or is just great employee but the service was phenomena. Food was great for my wife and I would definitely recommen.

It was great! Borg was the BEST server and made our experience all the better!! Food was delicious as always and we all enjoyed our evening. Borg went above and beyond!

Hudson's Seafood House On The Docks in Hilton Head Island is a must-visit for seafood lovers. The restaurant's prime location right on the docks offers stunning water views that complement the delicious food. I enjoyed a delightful dinner at Hudson's with a group of coworkers. The seafood was incredibly fresh and cooked to perfection. I had the shrimp pasta with a side of hush puppies, and it was absolutely delicious. The hush puppies were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the shrimp was perfectly seasoned. The service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a casual night out, Hudson's Seafood House On The Docks is a great choice.

2nd time visiting while in town. Staff is very friendly and cared for all of our needs. Wait can be long during peak hours so plan accordingly. Fried shrimp dinner - shrimp was lightly fried and very good. Fries were dry and hard like they had been sitting under the heat lamp for a while. Rice was dry and lacked flavor. Coconut shrimp - very good. Filet - very good, cooked perfectly with nice flavor. Oysters - very good. Better than what we had at Crazy Crab.

Perfect day for lunch at Hudson's Seafood. We come for the crab cakes, but the slaw, potato salad, French fries and hush puppies are all great. Service is always very good. Owner is often helping out to be sure all customers are happy. The marsh and creek views from the dock are beautiful. My wife and I vote Hudson's as best crab cakes on HHI. FYI - I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay so I know good crab cakes.

Tried a lot of food here, my favorite was the crab cake and coconut shrimp. The service was interesting, we sat in the bar so idk if that had something to do with it. We got the snapper special and it was ok dry, maybe a bit overcooked. The appys were good though and the local oysters were bussin. My recommendation is sit outside or inside but not the bar, order more apps less entrees. Don't leave without eating a crab cake or two.

Great spot for drinks or dinner with your fam. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. There's a huge patio and seating area out on the water for beautiful views of the sunset. Get there early for a good table. If there's a wait you can sit in their Adirondack chairs and sip on some water while you wait. Love that their water cups are all recyclable! Cute cups for the kids too. Their menu is huge and has something for everyone. Spinach salad was delicious we really enjoyed the dressing. The crab cakes were my favorite all crab and no filler. Hush puppies were some of our favorites on the island. Most important skip all of the desserts and be sure or order the mud pie. You will not be disappointed. I'm giving them an extra star purely because our waitress not only had wet wipes for our hands, but a shout wipe for my husband's shirt!

I came here highly recommended by a friend, and it was amazing!! It was so packed that I was fortunate since I was by myself, and I got the last bar seat. Because I checked in with Yelp, I could use their coupon to get a draft beer! I also ordered a Bloody Mary, which was very watered down, so I didn't finish it, but the beer was good! I got the scallops, rice, and coleslaw. The scallops were delicious, but I didn't finish everything else since I was downing the hushpuppies with every meal. I would 100% come back for a drink and the views!

What a great place. Seeing the shrimp and fishing boats coming in. Doesn't get any fresher. Outside seating is beautiful. Very casual but expertly prepared dishes. Our server was great and recommended a few item which were a hit with us. Well done Hudson's staff!

I just this place Been there 6 times now over the last 5 years AMAZING THIS PLACE NEVER DISAPPOINTS!!!! Highly recommend everything Sit inside if you need AC OR outside for stellar views! Try their specials or go with your regular It's ALL good

Do not skip Hudson's during your HHI visit! This is hands down the best seafood spot on the island. They always have delicious catch of the day options--we got the swordfish and seafood pasta daily specials. Both were fabulous--flavorful but the fresh fish really shines through. The hush puppies are also to die for! Great cocktails as well. You really can't go wrong no matter what you have here. Service is excellent and food comes out fast and hot! The restaurant itself is super cute and overlooks the water, and there's plenty of outdoor seating. Really great spot to just grab drinks too! I'd plan to wait around 30 minutes to an hour at least for a table. But it's well worth the wait!

Came here at around 7 and was given an estimated wait time of an hour and 45 minutes. Me and the group of 7 I was with were pretty set on trying this place so we opened a tab at the bar and went by the water to take a few pics. I got the painkiller which was really good, as well as a margarita. When we were finally seated, we ordered the mussels and hush puppies to start. Both really good. Probably the best part of the meal. For my entree, I got the seafood pasta which was on the menu of daily specials. I confused this with the local seafood pasta which is also on the regular menu. The difference between the two didn't really make sense to me. Both seemed like the same thing, except the regular menu one came with Cole slaw, and a side. The "special" came with just the pasta itself and I ended up getting the rice a la cart. When the pasta came, it was underwhelming. A bit dry, only four pieces of mussels and a handful of shrimp. Overall, I'd come back for pre dinner drinks, and maybe some appetizers.

Hudson's is a go to if you're visiting Hilton head, have been coming here since I was a kid, and my dad was a kid. Fresh sea food, great view. Definitely should add some live music. Local IPA was good, calamari was nice, got a side of the bling bling sauce for it. Mom got the beet salad (the Star Wars lookin one) Sister got the Caesar, and dad got the gumbo with shrimp. All tasted good! Service was nice aswell, our guy knew the menu and everything about the fresh catches today, wanted to get to know us, props to him.

The wait for a table at Hudson's was made tolerable by the band, which played music from every decade. When the lead singer is a lady who can play a wicked harmonica, you know they are good. Our seating was on the dock next to Hudson's Shrimp boats. It was THE place to get a picture of yourself at sunset. So we were bumped a bit while people jostled for a space to take a picture. I ate their crab cakes, and there was more crab than cake. For a starter, I had oysters on the half-shell. They were blue point oysters but somewhat small in size. Mrs. K. had shrimp caught on the boat tied to the deck next to us. The captain needs to watch for slightly larger shrimp--The smallest shrimp I have seen in a long time. One thing I saw repeatedly was that when you were finished with a plate of food, they dumped what was on the plate into the water. How odd it is to be among today's ultra-environmental warriors. First, my oyster shells went into the water. Later, my french fries went into the water.

Came here on the 4th of July for lunch, since the place doesn't take reservations and it's always packed for dinner. It's not a fancy place, but there are great views and food is great! Still a lot of people at the restaurant for lunch but there is a lot of seating. It was nice to see the fishing boat parked almost adjacent to the restaurant, that the food is fresh and to know that if you go out fishing, the restaurant will cook it for you too! We split the she crab soup, it was tiny but delicious and just enough to taste it, which is just what we wanted. My daughter and I had the mahi tacos, which were great! I liked both the chipotle and salsa verde sauces. My husband had the blackened shrimp and he said it was delicious. Service was very good! I asked our waitress for a couple of extra lemons for when the food came out. We got an entire plate of lemons. Not the end of the world, just thought it was funny! We would come back if we're in Hilton Head again!

Good dockside seafood and great history to the restaurant. This has been a Hilton Head staple for many years. We went about midday (4pm) which is smart to beat the crowd. Although the facility is quite large and you can eat inside or out, they get very busy. Fresh seafood and fish straight from the source. Our server was super sweet, helpful, and made great recommendations. We were celebrating a birthday- you gotta get the chocolate cappuccino ice cream cake!

Good place. Beautiful area. The seating area is by a boat dock and has a relaxing coastal feel. The place is popular with locals. They do not take reservations and the wait was about 30 minutes for a 6 person table for dinner. They have a Yelp special - complimentary draft beer with check-in. I did that and got a cider which was a nice add to the evening. Food was pretty good. The fish is locally caught and preparation is simple. I had mine with potatoes and some vegetables. It was simple and good. Healthy, even. It's not Michelin star restaurant type cooking but what I tried was pretty basic and good. Service was great. Our waitress was very patient with us deciding what we want and all our dietary restrictions. She came by frequently to check on us as well. Very pleasant experience overall and I can understand why the place is so popular. I gave it a 4 and not 5 because I think they could do better making the actual dishes more original, but was happy with the visit regardless.

We were visiting my friends who live in SC and were looking for a spot with the right vibes, on the water with good drinks and Hudson's fit the bill! We ordered a few things to share: Oysters Rockefeller, coconut shrimp and fried calamari. Everything was so good! I also loved that they gave us hush puppies as a complimentary starter. For my entree I ordered the stuffed shrimp. To be honest it was smaller than I expected. I just thought stuff shrimp would be like a jumbo shrimp and they were very small. At least we had a lot of appetizers so I was fine. We also had the Skinny Margaritas which were good. We also decided to get them spicy with muddled jalapeños. Service was great and the views were perfect. You can definitely expect a wait even during the week, but it wasn't crazy. Maybe an hour. We just hung out by the bar in the mean time.

This place is amazing! Friendly service, incredible ambiance on the docks or inside, and great food! This is a must stop when you visit HHI! The stories that you read on the menu, that looks published like a paper, awesome touch!

This was far and away our best dining experience during our long weekend on Hilton Head Island both in terms of food and service. It's no wonder this place is an iconic mainstay of the area despite its "no frills" appearance. We were traveling with a large party of 11, and at many restaurants this seemed to (understandably) frazzle the staff. Our server at Hudson's, however, appeared completely unfazed and handled all of our needs with ease. When she delivered the (free!!!) hush puppies to our table, she asked if anyone had a shellfish allergy and I raised my hand. She said they were cooked in the same oil as shellfish, but generously offered to have a special batch made for me. Not wanting to be a bother, I declined, but she told me to let her know if I changed my mind. At the insistence of some other people at the table, I took her up on the offer. Usually restaurants won't even do that for paid items, so I was impressed that this was offered, and the hush puppies came out fresh and delicious. The vegetarian ravioli, which apparently changes regularly (the day's offering is shown on the specials menu), included mushrooms and a balsamic glaze on top. It was the best thing I've eaten on HHI and the portion size was generous. Though this was the only vegetarian entree offered, it is a seafood restaurant and it is a spectacular and well-crafted option, so I have no complaints. The side of garlic bread is a great compliment to the raviolis. This was a highlight of our trip and I can't wait to return next time I visit Hilton Head Island!

Great place for outdoor water front dining such as refreshing atmosphere. Servers were very attentive and energetic. The food was fresh and delicious such a welcome change of pace.

It's a little hard to find in that you have to drive through another restaurants parking lot to get to it. Keep looking, with it! Came for a shrimp po'boy. You can tell they are proud of their fish, the breading was so light you could see the shrimp through it . Their pride is not misplaced. Delicious. All the sandwiches come with hush puppies and 7 day slaw. Don't sleep on those hush puppies! Sale was unique and in a good way.

Authentic location. Exterior seating is over the water with fishing and other ships docked alongside it. Hudson's has first dibs on shrimp caught in the channel next door. Try it blackened; it's the best. Service was good. They offered four types of oysters, but our uneducated palettes could hardly tell the difference between them.

A beautiful setting on a very hot muggy day but subpar food. The waiter forgot our hush puppies and brought it after dinner. We sat outside and sometimes the umbrellas don't provide enough shade so we kept adjusting our chairs. Food portion size was huge but the baked roasted oysters were a big letdown. The crabs were already de shelled and had a good kick to it, scallops were nice and juicy.The seafood platter was probably better with different things to choose from. We ordered clams too at the end, as we were a bit hungry. Overall ok , a must go for the location and view but nothing stood out, a bit choppy service on busy days.

The food was not amazing. Of course seafood but it was mediocre. This restaurant is a gem mainly for its views and location near the water.

Used to be really good 5 yrs ago . Now its so busy that its just all tourists . The atmosphere outside has great setting but food is very bad .

The food was good ! The scenery was awesome . We went to the outside bar and ate ! So beautiful

My friends and I went down to Hilton Head because a few of them were running the half marathon. We went to Hudson's for dinner and it was exactly what we needed. We started out with peel and eat shrimp and calamari as there were too many good options to decide between for appetizers. After that I got the shrimp and grits that was topped with a gooooddd bbq sauce. Every bite was worth it, I'll tell you that. And the grits was so creamy! Another plus to our visit was taking a walk down the dock at the back of the restaurant! Highly recommend visiting :)

My husband and I were looking for some fresh caught fish and we found it here. We shared a special of swordfish with rice with black bean, corn salsa, and a most delicious sauce as well as an almond crusted catch of day which was Tile fish. Both fish were excellent. The hush puppies and 7 day slaw was also good. Pricey, but we expected that from fresh fish. Best meal on the island. Our service was prompt. Our wait was less than 15 minutes but we got there around 5pm on a Monday. There was a lot of people waiting when we left but there was plenty of tables and benches as well as entertainment. Options to eat inside or out. We chose inside as the sky looked iffy but would choose outside next time as it can get noisy inside.

A super busy restaurant right on the water- this came highly recommended and we were eager to try it. The wait: unless you come at like 4:30-5pm to eat dinner, there will likely be a wait. It's spring break so we expected it to be busy, but we showed up at 5:40 and already it was a 1 hour wait for 3 people. They do have a texting system / line tracker so you can see how much further you have to go. Of note, the outside seating is a separate wait from the inside seating so you have to decide up front where you want to sit. There is a bar that we were able to snag some seats at and eat an appetizer since our hangry toddler was not going to make it to our seating. Their local shrimps are so tasty! We tried their soft shell crab since it was in season - it is very filling/rich and in hindsight we each could've eaten one instead of ordering ourselves 2. Our kiddo loved their shrimp meal and kudos to the staff for prioritizing the kids meal to come out ASAP. The she crab soup is amazing and rich full of crab. This was probably my favorite of the entire meal. Hush puppies were complimentary. The coleslaw does have mustard in it so if you're not a fan, this may not be the coleslaw for you. Austin was a great server quick and attentive. There are many families eating here and they have plenty of high chairs. The ladies room has a large counter that you could change a diaper on if you had to. Overall it was great, just wish the wait wasn't so long!

The view is absolutely beautiful. The food was amazing hands down the crab cakes were full of crab so delicious. The service was amazing he was funny and was honest with his recommendations. I will definitely be back here.

Very welcoming staff. Our waiter Greg was fabulous. He knew everything about the different kinds of fish. He was quick with a beer and very friendly. The crab cake was amazing. It was so amazing we ate it before I thought to take a pic. Great dockside atmosphere and amazing food.

Cool spot on the water. The folks who sat us gave us a table right next to the docks where fishing charters come in from a day of fishing. Our server Geoffrey was friendly & helpful with our selections as well as some recommendations, I.e in lieu of cod for the fish 'n chips he recommended the fresh flounder). It was excellent! The shrimp cocktail as an appetizer was cold and cooked perfectly. The setting definitely sells the mood and is well worth driving to experience.

The best meal I've ever had in Hilton Head. I ordered the Blackened Grouper and it was phenomenal. When we got to the restaurant, the wait was ~45 minutes. We went to the bar on the dock and were able to order some hush puppies - they are small and addicting. We only had to wait 30 minutes for our table and were sat where we could see sunset! Great views but do recommend bringing bug spray as you are by the water. The service was great and the food was even better. Highly recommend this restaurant but know the parking isn't the best. If you drive down and there is not a spot, it is difficult to then turn around.

Our favorite seafood from the weekend! Love the vibes and the food. Service was great both times! Prices are very reasonable. Love that they catch their own food. Fried shrimp! Blackened grouper! Crab cake sandwich! I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you order.

Really fantastic experience. Service and atmosphere were great. The crab cake sandwich is unbelievable, I would recommend to anyone.

One of our favorite restaurants in HHI. The coconut shrimp was awesome. The fresh flounder and crab cake is always good. Nice place for kids who enjoyed grilled cheese and chicken tenders with fries. FYI, No reservations taken.

Absolutely fantastic all around! Beautiful views, friendly service and amazing food, all in one! Our party of 6 was seated outdoors after ~45 min wait and enjoyed a nice view of Skull Creek. Our server was excellent, ensuring that we were welcomed, had a good idea of what she enjoyed on the menu, were aware of the specials, and always had plenty to drink. The meals were top notch and among the best we've enjoyed on HHI. One had a shrimp and crab cake combo, another a blackened grouper atop creamy grits with wilted spinach and a lovely sauce, another the risotto with corn cream topped with blackened grouper - excellent!, another enjoyed the shrimp and grits, and the final two raved about fried flounder. The night we joined, they had a film crew taking footage for the New York Times. Such a perfect evening with a delicious food! We look forward to the next visit!

Seafood doesn't get any fresher and for a little on the water local seafood joint their preparation is very chef inspired and always interesting. It's a very busy place and they take no reservations so be prepared for a wait. It's always quicker during peak season to get a table indoors but the view seated on the dock adds a lot to the experience. They start you off with hush puppies, which will not disappoint. There's always fresh catch options to ponder and I find their pricing to be quite fair on the day's selections. I recently had fresh caught blackened red snapper that came with mango salsa served over rice and beans on a bed of spinach with local stewed tomatoes on the side. The photo attached is that dish. Amazing is the best word to describe this and I'd get that again in a heartbeat. We had quite a wait for a table while dining with some friends recently and all got margaritas at the bar while we waited. I recommend those, too.

Hudson's gets a lot of publicity. We really liked it but liked Crazy Crabs in Harbourtown and Fishcamp at Broadcreek better. This is a must if you are in Hilton Head for a week. We went on Wednesday night at 5:00 and walked straight in. Usually 1.5-2 hour wait.

We had a great experience, food, drinks, service. And then the bill came. $44 for two crab cakes? They were good and meaty, but..... The Coco Lemonade was the best! And those hush puppies!! Yum.

Service was great but unfortunately the food standards are subpar. The hush puppies seem massed produced, the shrimp cocktail was warm and the cocktail sauce was room temperature in a squeeze bottle at the table, along with the tartar sauce - imagine warm tartar sauce...

Great location on the dock. Food was excellent. Got of couple signature drink and they were okay. A little watered down. Natalie was a wonderful help going thru the menu and making a choice.

Food, service, and ambiance! Triple check all the boxes!! There's a reason they have been here forever!

This place was great. The wait was quite long but I was prepared for that and I knew that going in. There was Music playing and it was not an issue passing time until our table was ready. Every dish we had was delicious this place was on their A game last night! Highly recommend this place it's worth the wait.

When you live "in the middle" you want to take advantage of when you're at the sea! Fresh seafood is awesome and there's none better in the Carolinas than Hudson's. Fresh and hot - comes right off the boats at the dock - best of the best and then prepared for us freshly. The folks are friendly - time after time. The place is clean as a whistle and comfortable for any occasion.

Great Food - weather and service was awesome. Always a long wait but it's worth it. Must go place when in HHI...

Hudsons never disappoints!! Atmosphere was great, had the Clam Chowder, Shrimo and grits, She Crab soup, and the Special pasta dish, all were very good. Only complaint was the steamed oysters were very small.