Located just 25 miles southwest of Charleston, Kiawah Island has been consistently ranked among the top ten beaches in the country by “Dr. Beach,” Professor Stephen Leatherman, who has been known as Dr. Beach since 1989. Students taking his popular course on waves and beaches at the University of Maryland gave him the nickname and word spread about his beach knowledge and expertise. He was contacted by a magazine for his opinion about the best beaches, and a published article followed. As they say, the rest is history. Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of the best resorts in South Carolina on the island, a multiple award-winning prestigious destination offering world-class accommodations, amenities, and recreational facilities, including 15 incredible restaurants.

The Sanctuary

Like none other, The Sanctuary is the resort’s five-star oceanfront hotel offering 255 luxurious guestrooms and suites, as well as six dining options.

1. The Ocean Room
Best Resorts in South Carolina
The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary/Facebook
The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary/Facebook
For a formal dinner experience in the most elegant of settings, The Ocean Room serves masterful dishes crafted from locally sourced beef, poultry and produce. The menu choices vary seasonally, and you will enjoy an extensive wine list showcasing more than 1,000 superior selections to perfectly complement your meal. Reservations are required as well as a collared shirt and tailored pants or well-kept denim for gentlemen and boys over eight with cocktail attire recommended for ladies.
2. Jasmine Porch
Jasmine Porch at The Sanctuary/Facebook
Jasmine Porch at The Sanctuary/Facebook
For breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner, Jasmine Porch offers authentic Lowcountry cuisine inspired by fresh, local seafood and certified organic produce from around the region. It has been named "Best Downhome Cookery" by the prestigious Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report. Walk-up seating is available for breakfast and lunch, but reservations are required for dinner. There is both indoor and limited patio seating available.
3. Signature Gourmet Coffee Shop
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Here you will find gourmet coffee, fresh pastries from a nationally recognized Executive Pastry Chef, hot and cold breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and an assortment of grab-and-go breakfast options. You can dine in at one of the counter seats equipped with outlets to charge laptops and hand-held devices or place your order for carry-out.
4. Beaches and Cream
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
To satisfy your sweet tooth, all-natural ice cream treats and coffee drinks are available at Beaches and Cream.
5. Loggerhead Grill
Hayley Singleton/Google Reviews
Relax and dine by the pool with ocean views and menu choices including gourmet sandwiches, grilled burgers, fresh salads and light wraps, frozen drinks, and specialty cocktails. The Loggerhead Grill is open daily, weather permitting.
6. The Lobby Bar
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
And finally, the Lobby Bar at The Sanctuary offers an intimate setting with a selection of specialty cocktails, wines, beer, and spirits. Live entertainment is also featured every Friday and Saturday evening.
The Ocean Course

Boasting 18 seaside holes, the most on any course in the Northern Hemisphere, The Ocean Course is a demanding challenge for golfers with unpredictable ocean breezes to contend with. It’s ranked the #4 Public Golf Course in the U.S. and 25th among the 100 Greatest U.S. Golf Courses by Golf Digest. Two of the resort’s restaurants are located at its clubhouse.

7. The Atlantic Room
The Atlantic Room/Facebook
The Atlantic Room/Facebook
As the resort’s signature seafood restaurant, here you will feast on dishes featuring fresh regional catches from partnerships with local fishermen and wine selections including classic favorites and exciting new varieties.
8. The Ryder Cup Bar
Michael H/Google Reviews

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Popular for its salt-air breezes and spectacular views of the course and beach beyond, this eatery is the perfect gathering place serving modern pub fare, whether following a round of golf or enjoying a simple, relaxed meal or some drinks with family and friends.
Night Heron Park

With 21 acres of greenspace, this park offers tons of recreational opportunities and two places to eat.

9. Night Heron Grill & Bar
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
This grill and bar is also open seasonally and serves quick snacks, tasty lunches, light dinners, fresh smoothies, and adult beverages by the Olympic-sized swimming pool.
10. The Nest Market Cafe
Kiawah Island Golf Resort/Facebook
Patrick/TripAdvisor
Featuring fresh-baked goods prepared on-site, specialty coffees, and gourmet made-to-order sandwiches, this cafe also offers a selection of groceries, including beer and wine, and a wide range of retail items. You can dine on-site indoors or on the sprawling, oak-shaded porch.
The remaining restaurants are found in different locations around the resort.

11. The Players’ Pub at Cougar Point Clubhouse
The Players’ Pub/Google Reviews
The Players’ Pub/Google Reviews
Located at the clubhouse for the Cougar Point course, characterized by its dramatic marsh vistas, this eatery offers comfort food, kid-friendly options, and delicious classic American fare. Enjoy your team’s big game on one of multiple flat-screen televisions as well.
12. West Beach Cantina
Kiawah Island Golf Resort/Facebook
Open seasonally from mid-May to mid-August, West Beach Cantina serves Mexican dishes and specialty margaritas, weather permitting. Some of the options include the loaded nachos pictured here or its signature dish, fish tacos made with fresh-caught fish and shredded lettuce, topped with salsa and queso fresco, wrapped in a hard shell tortilla and served with house-made chips and pico de gallo.
13. Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House
Cherrywood BBQ and Ale House/Facebook
Cherrywood BBQ and Ale House/Facebook
Reputed for its elegance, the Osprey Point Clubhouse is the place to find award-winning BBQ and mac ‘n cheese at Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House, which is also one of the stops on the South Carolina BBQ Trail that invented the slow-and-low cooking method. You’ll also find more than 60 local, imported, draft, and craft beers to sample here along with your tasty BBQ.
14. Tomasso at Turtle Point
Tomasso/Facebook
Tomasso/Facebook
For delicious Italian cuisine, visit this restaurant at the Turtle Point Course clubhouse. Your options here include hand-made pasta, sauces, and bread all prepared daily, along with an inspired wine list featuring everything from crisp Pinot Grigios to full-bodied Barolos. You’ll want to save room for a decadent dessert and a glass of house-made Limoncello.
15. Mingo Point Oyster Roast and BBQ
Kiawah Island Golf Resort/Facebook
While this dining experience is not a restaurant, it’s worthy of mention as the resort’s longest-running event, a treasured family favorite and a genuine Lowcountry tradition offered over most major holidays and every Monday evening all summer long. Your entire family will enjoy feasting on fresh oysters roasted over an open fire, along with other BBQ specialties such as ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, Lowcountry Boil, and more. There’s also live music and fun activities.

As you can see, this resort offers so much more than golf, as the name may suggest, certainly just as much a foodie haven with dining options for any type of craving you may have during your stay. You don’t have to be a guest at the resort to explore these restaurants, though! Guests of Kiawah Island Golf Resort enjoy preferred pricing when charging dine-in meals to the amenity card received at registration, but if not staying there just be sure to make a reservation at the restaurant and have the information provided at the island entrance gate. Visit the Kiawah Island Golf Resort website for additional information on each of the resort dining opportunities.

Have you ever eaten at any of these fabulous restaurants? Please share your experience with us in the comments below!

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Featured Addresses
Kiawah Island Golf Resort, 1 Sanctuary Beach Dr, Kiawah Island, SC 29455, USA