Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
ELA'S On the Water, Hilton Head Island, SC
ELA'S On the Water, Hilton Head Island, SC
ELA'S On the Water, Hilton Head Island, SC
ELA'S On the Water, Hilton Head Island, SC
ELA'S On the Water, Hilton Head Island, SC

ELA'S On the Water

4.6
4.6
7020 Reviews
$30 and under
Seafood
One Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 73 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for outdoor dining
Featured in Bon Appetit and the winner of numerous Open Table awards, ELA'S On the Water is a shining star on the Hilton Head scene. Fresh catch seafood and prime cut steaks of the highest quality, artfully prepared by our culinary team of experts, compliment the extensive boutique wine selection. Located at Shelter Cove Harbour overlooking the marina and Broad Creek, ELA'S is known for the best water views on the island. A casual intimate interior, wrap around dining patio exterior, and nightly entertainment provided by local recording artists sets the perfect dining experience or location to host special events, private parties, or rehearsal dinners.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak, Wine Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    Second Level private dining for Wedding & Private events for up to 80pp<br />Penthouse VIP Dining Room available for parties up to 20pp
  • Private party facilities
    Best Water View Dining on Hilton HeadSecond Level private dining for Wedding & Private events for up to 80ppPenthouse VIP Dining Room available for parties up to 20pp
  • Neighborhood
    Hilton Head Island
  • Parking details
    Enter Shelter Cove Harbour and follow Shelter Cove Lane to the private parking for guests.<br /><br />OMNI RESORT / MARRIOTT RESORT / WESTIN RESORT offer free shuttles to ELA'S <br /><br />For directions call our concierge at 843-785-3030
  • Public transit
    OMNI RESORT / MARRIOTT RESORT / WESTIN RESORT offer free shuttles to ELA'S Palmetto Dunes - DunesBuggy - free shuttle to ELA's
  • Entertainment
    Original Artist Productions, Classic Rock, Island Music John Wasem every Thursday & Friday from 7 - 11pmReid Richmond every Saturday from 7 - 11pmBill Peterson every Sunday 11 - 2pmDean St. Hillaire every Sunday 7 - 10pm
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 7,020 people are saying

ELA'S On the Water reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • South Carolina

    Great for scenic views

  • South Carolina

    Most Booked

  • Hilton Head

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Hilton Head

    Romantic

  • Hilton Head

    Great for scenic views

  • Hilton Head

    Seafood

  • Hilton Head

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
ELA'S On the Water offers a "beautiful setting" with "stunning waterfront views" and "delicious food." Guests rave about the "excellent service" and "fantastic" menu, highlighting seafood dishes like "seafood pasta" and "salmon Rockefeller." The atmosphere is "elegant yet relaxed," making it a "must-visit" for both romantic dinners and special occasions.
7,020 Reviews
  1. Audrey VIP

    Hawaii3 reviews

    1.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was very slow, to the point we had to get our waitress on multiple occasions, felt as if we were forgotten about. Waited over 25 minutes for our check. Bread and salad was good- other than that Food was confusing. Husband ordered tile fish special. Flavors were all over the place- nothing tasted good together. Asparagus was barely cooked. W Over all, very disappointing.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Steve

    Nashville6 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    We had high expectations for our anniversary dinner but came away disappointed. The food was fair-not great, except for the gumbo and pear and arugula salad which were excellent. The tile fish special was tough and tasted like it had been re-heated in the microwave. The crab cakes entree was just the ok. Service was cordial and relatively attentive but there was a very long wait between salads and main course. Seems as though our waiter had too many tables to handle.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Maxine

    New York City10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great- the service, food and ambiance. The fish special, lobster, steak, shrimp and grits, crab cakes and scallops were the dishes that our party had and everything was delicious and well presented. The desserts were excellent too! I gave the value just 3 stars because I felt that the prices were a bit too high, perhaps by 10%. Overall though, I highly recommend trying Ela’s!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Keith

    Charleston1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Greeters and servers were welcoming, enthusiastic, in the reservation I noted it was my wife’s birthday, each person wished her Happy Birthday. Emilio was wonder as our server. My wife had the Salmon Rockefeller, I had the strip steak, both meals were excellent. Nice view of the water and marina. Very enjoyable evening, look forward to our next visit.

    Is this helpful?

  5. LeeAnn VIP

    New Jersey9 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Reservation 6:30 did not get food until 8:05. Server was very nice but the service was sub par. Not attentive seemed inexperienced. Do Not sit upstairs

    Is this helpful?

  6. Stephanie VIP

    Fort Lauderdale4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Service was good, food was mediocre at best. Appears to be just another tourist trap; overpriced subpar product/experience.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Joan

    Charleston75 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely, enjoyed every minute of it. One of my favorite restaurnts to go to. They have great service with nice atmospher and excellent food and drinks!

    Is this helpful?

  8. karen

    Greater Boston24 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent location, very good food, wonderful staff. Very comfortable and enjoyable Everything was delicious

    Is this helpful?

  9. Michele

    Cancun3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful bar and friendly staff! Even with limited menu options, options were incredible and delicious. Thank you for a wonderful Easter!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Herbert VIP

    Charleston47 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This place rarely disappoints. We sat outside with a lovely view of Broad Creek and Shelter Cove Marina. Our server, Kilroy, was excellent—attentive and pleasant. We enjoyed a cocktail and a calamari appetizer. Both were delicious. We followed that with two exceptional seafood entrees and a lovely bottle of white wine. Our Easter brunch could not have been better!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

ELA'S On the Water offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (843) 785-3030.

ELA'S On the Water is rated 4.6 stars by 7020 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. South Carolina
  4. Hilton Head
  5. Hilton Head Island

Make a reservation


Booked 73 times today
Google Map for ELA'S On the Water

One Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Hilton Head Island
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak, Wine Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Enter Shelter Cove Harbour and follow Shelter Cove Lane to the private parking for guests.<br /><br />OMNI RESORT / MARRIOTT RESORT / WESTIN RESORT offer free shuttles to ELA'S <br /><br />For directions call our concierge at 843-785-3030
  • Public transit
    OMNI RESORT / MARRIOTT RESORT / WESTIN RESORT offer free shuttles to ELA'S Palmetto Dunes - DunesBuggy - free shuttle to ELA's
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Original Artist Productions, Classic Rock, Island Music John Wasem every Thursday & Friday from 7 - 11pmReid Richmond every Saturday from 7 - 11pmBill Peterson every Sunday 11 - 2pmDean St. Hillaire every Sunday 7 - 10pm
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Second Level private dining for Wedding & Private events for up to 80pp<br />Penthouse VIP Dining Room available for parties up to 20pp
  • Private party facilities
    Best Water View Dining on Hilton HeadSecond Level private dining for Wedding & Private events for up to 80ppPenthouse VIP Dining Room available for parties up to 20pp
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo