Situated between Savannah, Georgia and Hilton Head, South Carolina is a unique town called Bluffton in the state of South Carolina. The area is notable for the Old Town Bluffton section in the city, and it lies on the May River. Bluffton is an excellent dining destination that offers up fresh seafood from the surrounding waters, such as oysters, fish, shrimp, and crab. 

While Bluffton does not offer waterfront dining, the river can be accessed from public areas in the Bluffton old town restaurants section. Another great stop along the banks of the May River is Palmetto Bluff. Palmetto Bluff is just eleven miles outside of the town’s center and does have dining options within the gate if you’re not up to driving to downtown Bluffton SC restaurants. Here are our favorite spots for Bluffton South Carolina restaurants with seafood.

Best Bluffton South Carolina Seafood

May River Grill

May River Grill is one of 3 restaurants not to miss in Bluffton SC. Don’t let the restaurant’s size fool you; it serves up large portions of some of the freshest seafood around. 

In addition to seafood, they offer german favorites and delicious steak cuts for the meat lover. 

Dine at the chef’s counter and watch your meal be prepared right in front of you. This is a unique dining experience where you will be offered top notch service.

For the northerner in town, don’t miss a back home favorite; Lake Erie Perch and Walleye are a staple on the menu. We can attest to the walleye as we have enjoyed it many times. However, plenty of local options are also available including shrimp, crab, and freshly sourced fish.

Chef Charlie is an award-winning chef who is notable in the community. Be sure to make a reservation, May River Grill fills up fast as it offers limited seating.

The Pearl Kitchen & Bar

One of the more upscale seafood restaurants in Bluffton SC they are located smack dab in the middle of Old Town. 

Slightly larger than May River Grill, The Pearl offers both indoor and outdoor dining. 

Owned by a restaurateur family, the sister restaurant Ela’s On The Water is located a short drive away on Hilton Head Island. 

The interior is very modern but yet has a historic feel. Order up some local favorites such as the Redfish and get a taste of the local waters.

Reserve a table ahead of time; this of the Bluffton SC restaurants is popular among both locals and tourists. 

Captain Woody’s

If you’re looking for good seafood and even better entrainment, Captain Woody’s is one of the more casual restaurants Bluffton SC.

This bar and restaurant have excellent specials for both happy hour and game days. If you’re worried about upscale dining, bring the entire family to Captain Woody’s. Here they offer a wide variety of menu options in addition to a children’s menu. 

The schedule of events can easily be found on the website. Check out the nightly entertainment for something that piques your interest. 

No need to make a reservation here; walk right in and hang by the bar until a table becomes available. A second location is on Hilton Head Island if part of your vacation includes a stop there. 

Bluffton To Savannah, GA

You will be sure to enjoy any of these three seafood restaurants in Bluffton. If you’re staying in the Bluffton area and you brought your boat along with you, hop on board; Bluffton to Savannah, Georgia, is a short journey by water. Savannah is also notorious for excellent seafood dining and many of which are waterfront with boat dockage available. Keep an eye out for large ships transiting the Savannah River as it is a congested port. Pass well clear of the ships as they take up a significant amount of space and throw a large wake.

What Is There To Do In Bluffton? 

After visiting Restaurants Old Town Bluffton, take a walk through the shops, historic area, and down to the public boat dock. From the dock, you will have excellent views of May River. On your journey, you will stroll past historic homes, cottages, and The Church of the Cross constructed in 1857. The new construction on the opposite side of May River Road is more of a plaza of sorts but does not lack in exciting stops. Quaint coffee shops and boutique stores all can found here. Wandering the area is an excellent way to burn off calories from the fantastic seafood dinner you indulged in. Enjoy your visit to Bluffton, South Carolina.