Looking for the best kid-friendly restaurants in Bluffton SC? We’ve picked up a few of our favorites based on the type of food you’re wanting and menu prices. While there are many other “fine dining” options in the area that are family friendly, these restaurants are both kid and budget friendly.
Best Local Cuisine and Seafood Restaurants for Families in Bluffton
The Salty Dog Cafe
If you’re looking for one of the most well-known restaurants in the area, head to The Salty Dog Cafe. The Salty Dog is an iconic Hilton Head Island restaurant which branched out to include a Bluffton location. This restaurant is super kid friendly; the kids’ menu even includes a daily appetizer special and an entree “special of the day,” plus seafood options, burgers, grilled cheese, hot dogs, chicken fingers and pasta.
For the adults, there’s a little bit of everything: You can try local favorites like shrimp & grits or She Crab Soup, get a crab cake sandwich or seafood platter, or get a salad, burger, sandwich, tacos, or flatbread.
The Salty Dog also has pizza, if the family wants to go that route.
Captain Woody’s
Another local favorite, Captain Woody’s offers seafood and burgers in the middle of Old Town Bluffton. This restaurant is great in the summer when the rooftop deck is open, and there’s live music some nights as well. They also have an affordable kids menu with basics like cheeseburgers and grilled cheese, plus fried shrimp and fish strips.
Bluffton Family Seafood House (Toomer’s Bluffton Seafood House)
If you want fresh, locally-caught seafood head to Toomer’s Bluffton Seafood House On Dr. Melichamp Drive near Downtown Deli and Mi Tierra in Old Town Bluffton. The Toomer family has been providing fresh seafood to the community since 1913 — and operates the last remaining hand-shucked oyster operation in South Carolina at the Old Oyster Factory on the May River.
Their restaurant is both family run and super family-friendly. Because it’s fresh seafood — and depends on what’s in season, demand, etc. — menu items and prices vary. It’s not the cheapest restaurant in town, but you’re guaranteed to get fresh, delicious seafood. If your little one isn’t a seafood fan, they offer kids meals of grilled cheese, chicken nuggets or mac ‘n cheese served with goldfish and applesauce for only $5.
Best Pizza Restaurants for Kids and Families in Bluffton
Mellow Mushroom
This popular chain restaurant is a great place to take the family for pizza. Not only is the pizza (and various appetizers) delicious, but the restaurant has a really cool vibe. The Bluffton location is decorated like a “river house” with really fun decor, and it has dog-friendly outdoor patio seating.
If anyone in the family has a Gluten intolerance or allergy, Mellow Mushroom is also really great at accommodating. They have an entire Gluten-free pizza menu — and they pride themselves on taking extra care to prevent cross-contamination.
Giuseppi’s Pizza & Pasta House
Giuseppi’s is a local Italian restaurant found on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton that’s been around for over 30 years. The restaurant has delicious pizza — with dough made fresh daily — and a ton of different pasta options, too. The kids’ menu is also a decent size and affordable.
The restaurant is known for being super family-friendly and accommodating to larger groups.
Best Family Restaurants for Southern/Home Cooking in Bluffton
Cracker Barrel
If you’re looking for Southern/Homestyle Cooking that’s super affordable, Cracker Barrel is great. Yes, it’s a chain restaurant, but if you’re visiting from a northern state it’s still a restaurant you won’t find back home. And for the locals, it’s still a great place for comfort food on a budget. Cracker Barrel sells breakfast all day, or you can opt for their lunch or supper options. They serve classics like homestyle fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken ‘n dumplings, country fried steak … plus basics like hamburgers and chicken tenders.
Cracker Barrel does have a kids menu, but they also offer family-style meals for about $40. Beyond their delicious food, the kids will love their kid-sized rocking chairs on the porch, their “country store,” and their giant checker boards and peg games at the table.
Nectar Farm Kitchen
Nectar Farm Kitchen uses only locally-grown ingredients in a “farmhouse atmosphere.” Located in Old Town Bluffton, the restaurant also has a gorgeous patio for outdoor seating and offers live music on the weekends.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and supper. Kids will love the sweet treats offered in their breakfast menu (like donuts and a big sticky bun), and there’s also a kids breakfast menu. For lunch and dinner, the kids menu includes sandwiches, shrimp and catfish, burgers, mac ‘n cheese and chicken fingers. The main menu offers Southern-style sandwiches and entrees like shrimp ‘n grits.
Best BBQ Family Restaurant in Bluffton
One Hot Mama’s
This family-friendly BBQ restaurant is another that’s found only on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton. The Executive Chef of the two restaurants is Chef Orchid Paulmeier — or Mama Orchid — who’s a Food Network star known for her Southern-style BBQ. The restaurant is known for their ribs and wings, but all of their food is delicious. The “cool kids menu” is also reasonably priced, and includes kid-sized portions of their infamous ribs, boneless chicken wings, sliders, mac ‘n cheese, and hot dogs.
Jim ‘N Nicks
Jim ‘N Nicks is a Southern BBQ chain restaurant found all over the South — but their individual restaurants are known for being super involved in the community. Their food is delicious and affordable, and definitely family-friendly. They also offer drive thru and to go orders if you’re looking for good food to eat at home or take back to your vacation rental.
Their kids’ meals are only $5-$6, including a kid-sized drink. Kids can choose from a BBQ pork, chicken, turkey or beef sandwich; grilled cheese, or chicken tenders, plus one side. Or they can opt for just mac & cheese. Family-style meals are also available.
Best Breakfast Restaurants for Families in Bluffton
Bacon Diner
Looking for a good breakfast spot? Check out this fun, 1950s-style diner in Bluffton! They serve all of the breakfast classics at a reasonable price, plus have really fun decor.
Corner Perk
Corner Perk is definitely a local favorite! Not only is their coffee delicious, but their food is, too! And for a coffee shop/cafe, they’re surprisingly very kid friendly! They do have a kids’ menu, or your kiddo can order a breakfast biscuit or choose a sweet treat from the bakery case. They even offer a few kids’ drinks, so your little one can feel like they’re getting a coffee, too. It’s also located in the middle of Old Town Bluffton, so it’s a great, walkable location.
