Delicious dining and iconic views, what’s not to love? When traveling to Kiawah Island, we know that it’s hard to pick and choose where you’ll want to be dining each day of your trip. Our local foodies guide to South Carolina’s Kiawah Island highlights the best places to grab a bite to eat for every occasion – a quick break from the beach, poolside snacks, fun family feasts, alfresco romance, and special occasions that call for classic Lowcountry luxury. Read on to learn about these 14 local establishments not to miss while vacationing on Kiawah Island.
Restaurants in Night Heron Park
Night Heron Park in East Beach Village is Kiawah Island’s hub of local activity and a haven for families with kids looking to fill their vacation itinerary! The 21-acre nature park features fishing ponds, bike trails, sports facilities, playgrounds, a pool complex, a nature center with eco-tours and activities, an art studio, and casual eateries to take a break and refuel.
1. The Nest Market
Night Heron Park, Kiawah Island Parkway
Phone: (843) 768-2775
Open Daily | 7 AM to 9 PM
Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Reservations not required
Café Dining Menu
Situated in the heart of Night Heron Park, the Nest Market and Café is a grocery store and favorite gathering space for locals and visitors alike. The café offers a selection of sweet and savory baked goods, artisanal coffees, smoothies, made-to-order gourmet sandwiches, and a wide variety of menu items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Perfect to pick up and go for a beach day or for a lazy lunch on the Lowcountry porch shaded by towering ancient oaks.
2. Night Heron Poolside Grill & Bar
Night Heron Park, Kiawah Island Parkway
Phone: (843) 768-2775
Open Daily | 11 AM to 6 PM
Outdoor Seating – Weather Permitting
Reservations not required
Grill Menu | Children | Beverage
Open only in high season, the Poolside Grill & Bar at Night Heron Park is another top choice for families to enjoy a casual lunch or dinner. Relax around the pool and enjoy everything from specialty wraps, sandwiches, salads, and snack baskets to local seafood fresh from the Lowcountry waterways. And, it’s always happy hour at the beverage bar!
3. Mingo Point Oyster Roast & BBQ
The Mingo Point Oyster Roast & BBQ is not only Kiawah Island’s top foodie experience, it’s the island’s longest-standing tradition and a Lowcountry lifestyle experience that’ll leave lasting memories for the whole family! Situated on the banks of the Kiawah River (another insta-worthy sunset spot!), this local event will satisfy every southern craving from classic BBQ and roasted oysters to live music and dancing under the stars. The Mingo Point experience takes place every Monday evening all through summer and over most major holidays like Easter, Memorial Weekend, and Labor Day Weekend.
LOCATION:
Mingo Point, 876 Kiawah Island Parkway
DATE:
Monday – Memorial Day to Labor Day
TWO SEATINGS:
5 PM to 7 PM and 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
ADMISSION:
Adults – $59.99 / person
Age 4-12 – $29.99 / person
Age 3 & Under – FREE
2024 MINGO POINT DATES:
May 25th
June 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 31st
Reserve your Mingo Point tickets HERE!
NEW for 2024:
Each Mingo Point date includes two seatings for guests to choose from when purchasing tickets: 5:00pm – 7:00pm and 7:30pm – 9:30pm.
- No walk up ticket purchases will be allowed or honored
- Limited capacity is available for each seating – once a seating is sold out, that date or time will no longer be available to book online.
- Tickets must be purchased by 9am the day of the event
- All attendees must have a ticket regardless of age
- There are no physical tickets, you will be emailed a receipt as your confirmation
- All purchases are final – no refunds will be issued in the event of inclement weather.
Local Restaurants in Freshfields Village
Freshfields Village is a charming open-air village situated only a short drive or bike ride from Kiawah Island. Here you’ll find a wide selection of local services along with home-grown shops, spas, coffee shops, cafés, and restaurants for every food lover. Order to go for a picnic and live music on the Village Green, attend a wine tasting or culinary event, or shop for local produce at the weekly farmers market for a Lowcountry-style family feast at home.
4. Café Eugenia
209 Farm Lake View, Kiawah Island, SC
Phone: (843) 974-3869
Tuesday – Sunday | 8 AM to 6 PM
Gluten-Free Options
Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Reservations not required
Breakfast, Lunch & Charcuterie Boards
Café Eugenia is a charming Mediterranean style eatery with an enticing selection of all day breakfasts, lunch sandwiches and wraps, seasonal charcuterie boards in three sizes, delicious dessert boards, and wines by the glass or bottle to pair. Contact them for catering or take home meals for your stay on Kiawah Island.
5. Cantina 76
219 Farm Lake View, Kiawah Island, SC
Phone: (843) 737-4607
Sunday, Monday, Thursday | 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Friday & Saturday | 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Happy Hour | Sep 3 – Mar 31 | Monday – Friday 4 PM to 7 PM
Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Reservations not required
Cantina 76 is an award-winning taqueria and bar renowned for its relaxed and lively atmosphere, imaginative Mexican-inspired cuisine, and the best handcrafted margaritas and mimosas in town – by the glass or pitcher! Over 21s can find a spot at the bar for happy hour and the football game, the indoor dining area is perfect for families, or find a table on the pet-friendly patio overlooking Andell Lake.
6. The Co-Op Frosé & Eatery
109 Gardners Circle, Johns Island, SC
Phone: (843) 718-2403
Open Daily | 8 AM to 6 PM
Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Reservations not required
Co-Op Frose Menu
For a casual breakfast, gourmet lunch sandwich, quick PB&J for the kids, or famous Charleston frosé, head to The Co-Op Frosé & Eatery. The Co Op is more than an eatery, its a Lowcountry brand and lifestyle with locations on Sullivan’s Island, the Isle of Palms, and now in Freshfields Village! This vibey island eatery has indoor seating and a pet-friendly patio for your pup.
7. Hege’s Restaurant
275 Gardners Circle, Johns Island, SC
Phone: (843) 768-0035
Tuesday – Saturday | 5 PM to 8:30 PM – Friday 9 PM
Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Reservations essential
Dinner Menu | Wine List | Catering Menu
Hege’s Restaurant is an inviting chef-owned French Bistro that’s always a favorite for casual fine dining in Freshfields Village. Savor classic French cuisine with fresh farm to table Lowcountry fusions and a wide selection of top shelf spirits, handcrafted cocktails, and wines and beers from around the globe. Dine indoors or in the cozy outdoor courtyard – well behaved pets welcome.
8. FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen
547 Freshfields Dr, Kiawah Island, SC
Phone: (843) 768-2245
Open Daily | 11 AM to 9:30 PM – Opens 12 PM on Sunday
Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Reservations recommended
Food & Drink Menu
At Freshfields Village, FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen is a stand out for its exceptional selection of wines, along with 48 varieties of craft beers and an impressive range of cocktails. A unique Wine Station Smart Card system allows guests to effortlessly indulge in tastings of 48 rotating wines with small plates and charcuterie platters that perfectly complement the wine tasting experience. FortyEight Wine Bar offers wine tasting and dining packages and hosts fabulous wine events throughout the year.
9. Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill
205 Farm Lake View, Kiawah Island, SC
Phone: (843) 996-4898
Open Daily | 11 AM to 10 PM
Daily Happy Hour | 4 PM to 7 PM
Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Reservations recommended
Fuji Freshfields Menu
Whether you’re in the mood for something familiar or want to try something new, Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill has something for everyone. Choose from traditional sushi rolls, hibachi entrees, and sake, or sample creative Asian fusion dishes paired with an ice cold beer or chardonnay. Fuji Freshfields has a full-service bar area, indoor seating, and a pet-friendly patio for outdoor dining.
10. Java Java
375 Gardners Circle, Johns Island, SC
Phone: (843) 243-0222
Open Daily | 7 AM to 3 PM
Reservations not required
Coffee, Smoothies, Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Java Java is your local Kiawah Island coffee shop with award winning King Bean coffees, seasonal fruit smoothies, delicious sweet and savory breakfasts, and light lunches made to order. Grab a morning coffee to sip on Freshfields grass patio furniture or browse the cool cars at the monthly Cars & Coffee, or start you day with breakfast and people watching on the patio.
11. Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House
1 Sanctuary Beach Dr
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: (843) 266-4636
Offering Dine-In and To-Go Service for Lunch & Dinner
Sun-Mon | Closed
Tues-Sat | 11:30am-9pm
Reservations Recommended
Food Menu | Dinner Menu
Proud to be a stop on the South Carolina BBQ Trail in the state that invented the slow-and-low cooking method, Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House serves up top-quality meats smoked over local hardwoods, rubbed with signature seasonings and dripping with tangy, house-made sauces. The restaurant’s selection of more than 60 local, imported, draft and craft beers are the perfect complement to the authentic BBQ dishes. Rounding out the menu are hearty appetizers, soups, salads and desserts.
12. La Tela Pizzeria
133 Village Green Lane, Kiawah Island, SC
Phone: (843) 768-1951
Tuesday – Thursday | 5 PM to 10 PM
Friday & Saturday | 11 AM to 3 PM
Reservations not required
Pizzeria Menu
For an all Italian affair, La Tela Pizzeria is unbeatable! This traditional family-run Italian eatery serves Neopolitan style wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, delicious Italian ice creams and desserts, espresso, and fantastic local and Italian vinos. La Tela is great for a lazy lunch after shopping, a relaxed family dinner, or a romantic date night on the cozy outdoor patio.
13. The Porch Bar
300 Farm Lake View Rd, Kiawah Island
Phone: (843) 793-6050
Open Daily | 4 PM to Close
Live Jazz | Thursday 6 PM to 8 PM
Reservations not required
Seasonal Porch Bar Menu
Every Thursday evening you’ll find a bevy of locals and tourists listening to the soothing sounds of jazz at the Porch Bar overlooking the lake in Freshfields Village. Sip on a Kiawah Sparkler or Seabrook Manhattan while snacking on light fare like cheeses, sliders, and fresh gourmet flatbreads while enjoying tranquil Lowcountry views and live music.
14. Vincent’s Drug Store & Soda Fountain
110 Planted Row Lane, Johns Island, SC
Phone: (843) 243-0007
Monday – Friday | 9 AM to 6:30 PM
Saturday | 9 AM to 2 PM
Vincent’s Soda Fountain Menu
Take a trip down memory lane with PB&Js, burgers, chili dogs, banana splits, soda floats, and vacation sundaes on swivel stools or tucked in an old fashioned booth at Vincent’s Soda Fountain. Whether you’re shopping the village or farmers market, attending a local event, or making a pit stop on a bike ride from Kiawah Island, a stop by Vincent’s Soda Fountain is a slice of nostalgia you don’t want to miss.
STAY with Kiawah Exclusives
Put your personal spin on Lowcountry cooking from the comfort of a Kiawah Exclusives vacation home. Whether you’re dreaming of dining with golf course views or surrounded by the sights and sounds of the ocean, you’ll find the gourmet chef’s kitchen of your dreams with indoor and outdoor entertainment areas for Lowcountry boils, backyard BBQs, and classic South Carolina cuisine from the comfort of home!
