Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks

Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks, a maritime tradition on Hilton Head Island

Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks is a seafood restaurant located at the edge of Port Royal Sound on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It occupies a former fish processing building converted in 1967 and presents itself as the oldest seafood restaurant on the island. Every table in the restaurant and its outdoor bar offers water views.

The restaurant sources from one of the two local fishing fleets still operating on Hilton Head Island, so the product arrives directly at its docks. Guests can watch the daily catch of oysters, shrimp, and soft shell crabs being unloaded.

Fresh fish and seasonal catches

Hudson's works with fishermen on Hilton Head Island and in Charleston, Georgia, and northern Florida to secure seasonal catches. Among the species it handles are swordfish, mahi-mahi, grouper, tilefish, triggerfish, vermilion snapper, and black sea bass. The fish arrives whole and is filleted in-house before being added to the daily lunch and dinner specials.

The menu is organized into brunch, lunch, dinner, kids, and drinks menus, with sections dedicated to soft shell crab, crab, shrimp, oysters, and fish.

Soft shell crab shedding

Each spring, the restaurant runs its own soft shell crab shedding operation. The shedding boxes are built in the packinghouse with a water circulating system that facilitates and manages the process. When the crabs back out of their shells, they are immediately removed and served. According to the establishment's own figures, more than 2,300 soft shell crabs were processed and served last year.

Volume of product served

The company states that more than 90% of its seafood comes from local boats fishing nearby waters. Each year, according to its figures, guests consume 3,000 gallons of cooked oysters, 70,000 pounds of shrimp, and more than 350,000 raw oysters served on the half shell.

Service and operations

The restaurant seats on a first come, first served basis, with no reservations or call aheads accepted. There may be a wait during peak times; meanwhile, guests can grab a drink at the bar and enjoy the views of Port Royal Sound. The staff includes hosts, servers, chefs, and managers.

The restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Super Bowl Sunday.

Additional offerings

Alongside its restaurant operations, the site includes an online shop and a private dining section. The company is also affiliated with Shell Ring Oyster Company.

Location and contact

1 Hudson Road, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926 · Phone: (843)-681-2772