Top Dawg Tavern & Pizzeria - Hilton Head — Restaurant in Hilton Head Island

05/24/2025 - UPDATE - The rating above is for the Tavern only. If I rated the Pizzeria only, FOOD - ** SERVICE - * ATMOSPHERE - * The Pizzeria could be a good outdoor addition but has a possibility of ultimately failing if no one takes the time to work with and properly train the staff. If the effort to train is NOT provided, the customers that have a bad experience will have an indirect negative view of the Tavern as well causing a steady decline in the ratings. Please take advantage of a good opportunity and ensure the staff is properly trained.

This update is related to the pizzeria. First, the pizzeria should have separate reviews and not be combined with the Tavern. The pizzeria will only decrease the overall total ratings and at first glance appear that the Tavern is on the decline for service. The star rating above is for the Tavern only. I decided to order from the pizzeria, so SammyDog and I walked from home to place and order and hang out. I could not determine if the outside bar was open or not. I did see one staff member slouched over at the bar, so I thought maybe they are just opening up. I sat down at the bar, the staff member looked at me but did not say a word. A few seconds later a young gentlemen came to help. He truly wanted to help when I asked about a gluten free pizza but had not been properly trained to provide an answer. This young man appeared that he wanted to do a good job but had not been provided with the tools for him or the pizzeria to succeed. He said that he would find someone that could answer my questions. Another gentlemen strolled out. Seemed like a nice enough guy but not a personality built for this line of work. He was a little unsteady as to what he knew regarding a gluten free pizza. I finally placed my order for a gluten free pizza and SammyDog and I returned home. I was surprised at how good the pizza tasted. I think I got lucky that night and did not become ill. Based on the interactions that I had with staff, I had started to walk away without placing an order. I have celiac and must be very careful. I do not enjoy four hours of projectile vomiting based on an incorrect answer. The pizzeria can be a nice outdoor area but will ultimately fail if the Top Dawg Tavern Management does not take the time to train and work with the staff. The Dr. told me to work some other things into my 5+ miles walking with SammyDog each day. I decided what the heck and worked Top Dawg Tavern into our walk. Stopped in a few times for a couple of drinks mid afternoon while walking SammyDog. I did not order food even though I rated four stars. The reason is not to decrease the overall rating. Bartenders are friendly and easy to interact with. The red wine is a challenge to drink, or maybe I have become a little spoiled, so I stick with Tito's and Angry Orchard, both gluten-free. SammyDog is provided with water and a shot of whipped cream. I am sure that I will return a few times this week, the...

Here's my latest review on this place.

Went last night after traveling from Atlanta. Will be here two weeks. Didn't want to drive out to RBar because we'd spent the day in the car. So tried Top Dawg again. Thank God they hired Christine. Only reason we stayed. She's the outside bartender on the pizza bar size. We originally went to the bar near the harbor and there were four other patrons trying to get drinks at the bar as well as ourselves. The guy finally called to his wife seated with her friend at the harborside ledge) and said "let's GO!". Bartender was over in the corner slopping down food and talking to other people and never even looked at our side of the bar.

We got up and went inside, no bartender there so then we decided to give the pizza side a shot. Christine is great! She was clearly doing everything herself while whoever was "working" with her was out doing nothing. She ran food orders for her tables, got drinks for everyone, even managed to get someone to change the TV to the NBA playoffs for us.

The first guy she asked to do it -- James -- couldn't find it; said I tried 300 channels; we don't get ABC. So she pursued it, asked her boss to come help and he found it within about 30 seconds for us. I guarantee you no one else in that place would have helped us find the game. I can't say enough good things about Christine! She had a smile on her face the entire time.

The rest of those people are absolutely useless. Not surprised this place was not only not crowded but not even close to busy on a Saturday night. They will always survive because of their location but basically if you don't mind the aggravation, it is nice to be on the water. That's about the best I can say about it.

(This was my review a year ago) Bartender was drunker than the patrons he was serving. It appeared that he was giving away the alcohol to the group at the bar in favor of getting a bigger tip. We sat down at the bar, he walked over after about 5 minutes, said sorry; thanks for your patience and then when another "more important" patron signaled for a drink that just walked up to the bar, he dumped us as quick as you could snap your fingers. Came back again and said thanks for your patience. Fortunately he couldn't hear me say what I said. We used to love going here but it's changed and not for the better. And I agree about the dogs. Servers and bartenders walk around the bar, pet and kiss the dogs and then go back to work without washing their hands. Someone should report them to the proper authorities. It's...

Don’t go here if you want to be treated fairly.

My friends and I (7 in total) went to this restaurant to celebrate a birthday and expected good service however received the opposite. Our server, Elley, brought drinks to our table and asked about appetizers. Half of the group ordered appetizers. Elley went to put the appetizers in and returned 6 minutes later to take the orders. One person ordered mozzarella sticks with their order to come out with the main entrees. After about 15 minutes two appetizers came out, the buffalo chicken dip was cold and had to be returned to the kitchen. It was brought back out and still no other food was. We saw Elley walk back and forth multiple times, eating herself but never returning to our table to communicate and when we were finally able to ask her after 30-45 minutes and she said everything was still cooking. By that point we asked to speak with a manager. Seth, the manager, came over and we attempted to ask him about our appetizers and were cut off by him. Seth stated with an attitude that he was told all the food needed to come out at once. We attempted to explain again and he cut us off once more stating we could just go somewhere else if we did not like it there and suggested San Miguel’s, which was closed. Seth then stated all the food would be coming out. After another 15-20 minutes the food finally arrived and they were still missing several dishes and asking us what those were which we did not understand after they communicated that everything was coming. One of our friends did not receive anything that she ordered. Another gentleman came over with Elley to attempt to help and we began to ask her what was communicated to kitchen staff and the manager and while we were explaining our frustration she laughed in our faces. At that point, we could not take it and asked for tickets. They still made us pay for everything without offering anything for our poor service. They even attempted to make us pay for the food that was never received. Moral of the story, I would NOT recommend.

I spoke with the general manager, John, and he informed me that we should have received a discount or never paid for anything at all. Also, I was informed to dispute the charge in an attempt to...