Coast — Restaurant in Hilton Head Island

Though we have been to HHI several times/summers this was our first time at Coast. Great experience, overall. I submitted a reservation request and then left a voicemail and didn’t hear back from either…they are busy and usually booked so just try to get to the front desk either by phone or stop by- it’s worth it. The website was not very clear to me so here is the deal: they have outdoor seating on the terrace between the back of the restaurant and the beach with umbrella tables and some tables under the building overhang (they might be the best), they have an inside/indoor seating area with AC that looks out at the outdoor seating (not really the beach but it’s close), they have a lounge on the second floor that 21 and over only, and they have a Beach bar to the side of the main building that is like a grill- super casual for folks on the beach and all. The main restaurants are also casual but no bathing suits allowed. Most had golf shirts and khaki shorts and sundresses (business beach casual). We sat inside and we’re glad we did (even though half of the party wanted to sit outside in the breeze) as an unpredicted rain storm blew in while we we were enjoying our main course…it happens. Something to consider. Anyway, our server was excellent and explained the menu and made some good/thoughtful recommendations…always appreciated. We got the guacamole (had some hots in the guacamole which some liked and some didn’t) the tuna poke wanton, Brussel sprouts, and a dozen mixed oysters….all were excellent. Two got the signature cast iron plancha dinner with a variety of sides (I liked the concept- very versatile and unique) - one with Corvina and one with halibut (both from the awesome fish-of-the-day list) and both were honestly fantastic. One got the seared tuna, one got the plentiful snow crabs, and I got the soffrita - all were very different and all quite delicious. Nothing to take home….all devoured. My son-of-the-sea got the ‘small’ seafood tower for his entree….definitely a head-turner! He ate everything but a pile of empty chitinous shells and loved it. Not a lot of spices on any of it (we use a lot of Old Bay on everything in MD) but everything was very fresh and didn’t need much spice/seasoning but something to ask for, as needed. The desserts were good as well. Overall- we truly had an excellent meal in a great setting…one of the best meals we have had on HHI from start to finish. Get a reservation early...

This is not normal for me for those who've read my other reviews know. But I feel it needs to be heard. We arrived to our resort in Hilton Head, SC on July 3rd and of course didn't have plans made for dinner yet. We decided to go to the Coast restaurant and was seated right away. However, we felt, since we didn't have a reservation, like we were put in a corner away from everyone and everything, albeit outdoors. When my husband asked if we could possibly sit at another table, for there were several empty ones, we were just told no those are for people who had reservations. Which we get- yet there was attitude with it. It was getting dark and all table, but ours that we can see, had a light on their table to help see the menu in the dark. Oh well! The food and wine were good though and our server was pretty good. The next day we decided to have lunch there before heading to the beach. We again were seated right away and brought water right away. Perfect! When we were handed our menus we saw it was the same as the night before so my husband asked if there was a lunch menu- the server said what? This is the menu- well okay- but attitude showed instantly with just a simple question. We then ordered 2 frozen drinks- mine was a frozen margherita and Nick ordered the frozen lemonade. Mine had absolutely no flavor- just tasted like crushed ice with a hint of a lime wedge- and Nick was brought the wrong drink at first. I asked instead for a glass of wine and the server was pretty good about that. Unfortunately, when my husband's new drink came out - he said the same thing that his had no flavor and also asked if he could substitute it for a glass of wine. We were both like we hate to ask you this btw....Before she took it back, attitude again from the server, she asked if I wanted to taste my wine to be sure it tasted okay so she didn't have to go back again. It's wine! Okay it could have corked, but why the attitude. Nick and I are super easy and always polite to all staff in restaurants, we have two children in that industry and being nice just comes natural to me! So, after eating a delicious burger- it took a little bit for me to let the attitude go - so it put me in a little funk- bc we are on vacation- right!!?!!. Thankfully, the sand, sun, and the beach helped my funk go away within the next hour. Yay! We are here until Sunday (7/10) and won't be going back, ...

To start off with, it's a little annoying having to pay $9 cash just to be able to get to Coast but it is what it is.

We had a reservation and they got us in right on time. The service was good and the staff were friendly.

The food is where Coast started to loose stars for me. I want to put it out there that the food isn't bad, just not worthy of the price.

We got calamari for our appetizer and this was definitely the star of the night. It was perfectly fried and seasoned, would have just liked more than the little drizzle of aoli but overall it was great.

I got the Pan Roasted Diver Scallops, at first it looked great till I saw I had just paid about $30 for 3 small scallops on a large pile of farro. The course texture and bland flavor of the farro totally overwhelmed the dish. The scallops themselves tasted ok but nothing spectacular.

My wife got the lobster roll, the lobster was good but had the tiniest little bit of the basil aoli on it and could hardly taste it. The fries it came with were standard frozen fries not well seasoned.

Our oldest kid got the crab cake appetizer for his meal and he loved it. My wife tried it and loved it also.

One of our other kids got the kids salmon meal. He loves salmon but stopped eating after two bites. My wife tried it and it was lacking seasoning and very dry. Didn't even come with lemon to squeeze on it.

The views are great and was an overall good experience, just was expecting more...