18 Best Italian Restaurants in Hilton Head Island

“An Unforgettable Anniversary at Michael Anthony's A True Food Lover’s Paradise For our wedding anniversary, we wanted something special, and Michael Anthony’s delivered on EVERY level. As Hilton Head’s premier Italian fine dining destination, they excel not only in impeccable service and warm hospitality but also in creating a culinary experience that any true Epicure would appreciate. From the moment we sat down, our server, Eleanor, made the evening even more remarkable. Her knowledge of each dish was extraordinary, and her attentiveness to every detail ensured that we were taken care of without ever feeling rushed. It’s rare to encounter such dedication to making sure every aspect of the meal is perfect, and Eleanor truly enhanced our experience. The evening began with a bottle of 2021 Tenuta Di Arceno Chianti Classico—a stunning wine with aromas of cherries, and strawberries. Its elegant balance made it the perfect companion to the meal, enhancing each bite without overshadowing the vibrant flavors on our plates. My A5 Wagyu ribeye was simply divine, cooked to perfection with a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that only Wagyu can deliver. It was a symphony of rich flavors, each bite more indulgent than the last. My wife’s Ravioli di Vitello al Tartufo Nero was outstanding. A harmonious blend of House made veal ravioli topped & black truffle sauce. Both dishes epitomized the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. One of the true standouts of the night was the Raviolo al’Uovo con confit d’Anatra. This dish was a revelation! An unexpected, yet beautifully balanced combination of flavors that demonstrated both creativity and precision. The delicate pasta, rich duck confit, and perfectly runny egg yolk created a dish that was not only visually stunning but an absolute pleasure to eat. Another unexpected delight was the Insalata d’Anatra con Albicocca e Burrata. A light and refreshing salad featuring succulent duck, sweet apricots, and creamy burrata. It was the perfect prelude to the main courses, showcasing a masterful understanding of balance and texture. Venturing into new territory, I tried the Polpo alla Griglia, my first experience with octopus. Grilled to perfection, the octopus had a surprisingly tender, almost steak-like quality that was enhanced by a smoky char. It was a revelation for me both unfamiliar and yet incredibly satisfying. For starters, we couldn’t resist the Peach and Plum Salad with Scallops. The sweet, ripe fruit paired beautifully with the perfectly seared scallops, highlighting the restaurant's commitment to sourcing only the finest seasonal ingredients. Every bite was vibrant, fresh, and utterly delicious. As if that weren’t enough, the desert menu demanded our attention. The Tiramisu was nothing short of perfection!espresso and rum-soaked ladyfingers layered with a light mascarpone mousse and topped with a dusting of cocoa and caramel drizzle. Hands down, the best Tiramisu I’ve ever tasted. The Sformata di Cioccolata con Gelato Vanilla Rich, molten-centered chocolate cake served with creamy vanilla gelato was a chocolate lover’s dream. The baked peach stuffed with oats and pine nuts was another winner. It was refreshing, light, and oh so exciting to my tongue. It had a similar presentation to a small coffee cake, but packed a flavorful punch of peach cobbler. Finally, the Affogato, a dessert that was new to me but instantly became a favorite. Vanilla gelato drenched in rich espresso, chocolate sauce, Kahlua, and whipped cream. It was an indulgent, yet perfectly balanced way to finish the evening. Michael Anthony’s isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. From the perfectly executed dishes to Eleanor’s exceptional service, every detail is designed to make you feel pampered. For anyone who appreciates authentic Italian cuisine with a creative twist, Michael Anthony’s is simply a must. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience, Michael Anthony’s will not disappoint! We are planning our next trip already“

“Horrible manager on 10/13/2022! He ruined my daughter's 5 year anniversary dinner. They were in from out of state to attend a golf tournament and celebrate their anniversary. When it came time for payment the manager came over and told them they don't accept Discover and was really rude and belittled them for not having any other type of payment with them. There are no signs posted that they don't take Discover. The manager said what do you want us to do, sit everyone down beforehand and tell them we don't take Discover. A sign should have been posted. Every other establishment they visited in Hilton Head took Discover. The manager could have been nice about it while they secured another form of payment instead of belittling them in front of everyone. Their waiter was amazing though. Seems they need to promote the waiter as the new manager.“

“Excellent! Very quaint and delicious 😋“

“Outstanding! We stopped today for lunch while shopping and were greeted by a lovely lady at the front station. We were immediately seated and served the best meal that we have had since arriving on the island. I ordered the meatball appetizer and lunch portion of rigatoni with vodka sauce and the hubs ordered the calamari appetizer and ravioli with bolognese sauce. The portions were huge, the ingredients were fresh, and everything was absolutely delicious! Prices are reasonable, atmosphere was very pleasant...will absolutely return each time we visit HHI.“

“Years ago my husband and I chanced upon Trattoria Divina and had a fantastic dinner there. We returned every year in vacation and were disappointed when it closed after Covid. Imagine how excited we were when we heard of a new place - Piatti - in the same location. And we find out later that it was the same kitchen and service as Divina. Our meal on Monday was fantastic. Veal and pastas. We talked to the staff and told them our only disappointment was that meal we had many years ago was no longer on the menu. Lobster Pot Pie. Brian said if we wanted the Lobster, he would arrange it. So we returned on Wednesday, and there it was, Lobster Pot Pie for 2. And it was as scrumptious as I remembered it. Thank you to everyone at Piatti who gave us a memorable evening.“

“My wife and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary. The steak and pasta dinners were awesome! The staff is very friendly! We’ll be back for sure!“

“Food was excellent. salad with pears,gorgonzola, walnuts lemon dressing,fried or sauteed calamari,pasta carbonara. Must try. Waiter was Antonio and made a birthday dinner 5 star.“

“A wonderful dining experience, from the initial greeting until walking out after dinner. Marlene was excellent. From giving us the specials to offering dessert, she was top notch. Very comfortable with her. She was friendly and engaging. Everyone in our party chose something different for their main meal and everyone enjoyed their dish. There is plenty to eat, so you won't go away hungry. The complimentary red pepper dipping sauce with the bread is superb. There wasn't one thing to complain about. Great job by the entire staff.“

“We had the opportunity to dine as dozens of restaurants on Hilton Head, and in our opinion, Stellini's was the best. The food is made fresh and was delicious and the portions were very generous at a reasonable price. The atmosphere was very inviting and the service was excellent. Our waiter Tony was very attentive and answered all of our questions. Great variety of food and the garlic bread was fantastic. The wildlife show was a nice added benefit. We highly recommend this great Italian restaurant.“

“The best of the best for Pizza ,Italian food & bottle & great draft beers !!!“

“An Unforgettable Anniversary at Michael Anthony's A True Food Lover’s Paradise For our wedding anniversary, we wanted something special, and Michael Anthony’s delivered on EVERY level. As Hilton Head’s premier Italian fine dining destination, they excel not only in impeccable service and warm hospitality but also in creating a culinary experience that any true Epicure would appreciate. From the moment we sat down, our server, Eleanor, made the evening even more remarkable. Her knowledge of each dish was extraordinary, and her attentiveness to every detail ensured that we were taken care of without ever feeling rushed. It’s rare to encounter such dedication to making sure every aspect of the meal is perfect, and Eleanor truly enhanced our experience. The evening began with a bottle of 2021 Tenuta Di Arceno Chianti Classico—a stunning wine with aromas of cherries, and strawberries. Its elegant balance made it the perfect companion to the meal, enhancing each bite without overshadowing the vibrant flavors on our plates. My A5 Wagyu ribeye was simply divine, cooked to perfection with a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that only Wagyu can deliver. It was a symphony of rich flavors, each bite more indulgent than the last. My wife’s Ravioli di Vitello al Tartufo Nero was outstanding. A harmonious blend of House made veal ravioli topped & black truffle sauce. Both dishes epitomized the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. One of the true standouts of the night was the Raviolo al’Uovo con confit d’Anatra. This dish was a revelation! An unexpected, yet beautifully balanced combination of flavors that demonstrated both creativity and precision. The delicate pasta, rich duck confit, and perfectly runny egg yolk created a dish that was not only visually stunning but an absolute pleasure to eat. Another unexpected delight was the Insalata d’Anatra con Albicocca e Burrata. A light and refreshing salad featuring succulent duck, sweet apricots, and creamy burrata. It was the perfect prelude to the main courses, showcasing a masterful understanding of balance and texture. Venturing into new territory, I tried the Polpo alla Griglia, my first experience with octopus. Grilled to perfection, the octopus had a surprisingly tender, almost steak-like quality that was enhanced by a smoky char. It was a revelation for me both unfamiliar and yet incredibly satisfying. For starters, we couldn’t resist the Peach and Plum Salad with Scallops. The sweet, ripe fruit paired beautifully with the perfectly seared scallops, highlighting the restaurant's commitment to sourcing only the finest seasonal ingredients. Every bite was vibrant, fresh, and utterly delicious. As if that weren’t enough, the desert menu demanded our attention. The Tiramisu was nothing short of perfection!espresso and rum-soaked ladyfingers layered with a light mascarpone mousse and topped with a dusting of cocoa and caramel drizzle. Hands down, the best Tiramisu I’ve ever tasted. The Sformata di Cioccolata con Gelato Vanilla Rich, molten-centered chocolate cake served with creamy vanilla gelato was a chocolate lover’s dream. The baked peach stuffed with oats and pine nuts was another winner. It was refreshing, light, and oh so exciting to my tongue. It had a similar presentation to a small coffee cake, but packed a flavorful punch of peach cobbler. Finally, the Affogato, a dessert that was new to me but instantly became a favorite. Vanilla gelato drenched in rich espresso, chocolate sauce, Kahlua, and whipped cream. It was an indulgent, yet perfectly balanced way to finish the evening. Michael Anthony’s isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. From the perfectly executed dishes to Eleanor’s exceptional service, every detail is designed to make you feel pampered. For anyone who appreciates authentic Italian cuisine with a creative twist, Michael Anthony’s is simply a must. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience, Michael Anthony’s will not disappoint! We are planning our next trip already“

“We celebrated a birthday with a large group, and everyone loved their meal. There were many options on the menu - something to please everyone. The service was very good, especially for a large group. They were very accommodating of us. Il Carpaccio is a gem!“

“The food was once again excellent. Service was very good! Love the Dean Martin Rat Pack area in the back. They sat us at the same table as last year. So many good food choices!“

“Food is FABULOUS !!! And the staff is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!“

“My family has eaten here for years during our many visits to HHI. Always delicious.“

“We were in town for a week and on our last night ordered a pizza to our hotel. Wow! I wish we would have known about it before we had to leave. Whoever makes the crust, keep it up! Amazing pie and fast delivery. We had it for breakfast too! Thanks!“

“The best of the best for Pizza ,Italian food & bottle & great draft beers !!!“

“We only went for a drink and had to sit at outside bar. In Hilton Head smoking is allowed at outside bars so we didn’t stay there to eat so I know nothing about the food. But my gin and tonic was very good“