Hilton Head Social Bakery

Artisanal French bakery with two locations in Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Social Bakery is a French-inspired bakery and pastry shop based in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Its offering combines classic American baking with a French-style approach, with daily scratch-made production and natural ingredients. The company operates two establishments: the original at Shelter Cove Marina and the newer one at South Island, on the island's main route.

The bakery presents itself as a local destination voted the best bakery in the area, with a selection of savory and sweet pastries including brioche, freshly baked croissants, cookies, cakes, and breads. The Shelter Cove Marina location has harbor views and outdoor bistro tables, while the South Island location maintains the same ambiance of reclaimed wood, modern ironwork, and natural light, with indoor and outdoor seating. Both locations are pet friendly and offer biscuits, water, and outdoor leash hooks.

Breakfast pastries and tarts

The breakfast lineup ranges from classic croissants and chocolate variants to kouign-amann, fresh daily muffins, and a variety of French-inspired items such as the mango peach turnover and scones. The tart selection includes fresh fruit tarts and the Chocolate Lovers Tart, made with French chocolate ganache.

Lunches, desserts, and specialty cakes

Lunch items are available all day, to enjoy in the outdoor seating area or to go. The dessert menu includes chocolate mousse, classic New York cheesecake, coffee tiramisu, apple pie, and blueberry cobbler. The specialty cake selection offers flavors such as chocolate pistachio, chocolate citron, wild berry, hazelnut, salted caramel, and strawberries & cream. For gluten-sensitive guests, options such as raspberry and chocolate macarons and the Chocolate Bluff are offered, with a choice of different toppings.

Coffee, teas, and beverages

The bakery serves organic fair-trade coffee, espresso lattes, and a selection of teas. It also has cold brew, iced coffee, and other cold drinks, including Pepsi fountain products, available at any time of day.

Custom orders and in-store experience

Custom cakes with the chef's signature decor are available by request for special events, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or other celebrations. The company describes its two locations as warm-ambiance spaces with reclaimed wood, modern ironwork, and natural light. The Shelter Cove Marina location offers relaxing harbor views with boats and marina life, and is next to a promenade with shops and seasonal entertainment.

Chef's background and origins of the project

Chef Philippe Feret, owner and award-winning chef, began as an apprentice in his father's bakery in Paris at the age of five. He was a pastry chef at the renowned French restaurant Taillevent in Paris and later moved to New York, where he took part in the reopening of Windows on the World in 1996. He subsequently served as executive chef at Tavern on the Green, The Regency Hotel, and Cafe Centro, among others, and went on to own his own restaurant, Basserie Julien, and Allure Catering for fifteen years. In 2016, he settled with his wife Marissa in Hilton Head Island. Marissa is co-owner and complements the chef's creativity. Together they run the bakery with the stated goal of making it a gathering place for friends, families, and visitors to the island.

Locations

Shelter Cove Marina location: Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, 17 Harborside Ln (building 1), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

South Island location: 1018 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head SC 29928