Eat Local

FRESH

from BLUFFTON

Some of the finest fruits, vegetables, and seafood come from local fields and waterways.

Stock up on local produce and enjoy prepared foods and entertainment at the Farmers Market of Bluffton (every Thursday 12 – 5 p.m.).

By Linda Lanier

Farm to table — or often in the Lowcountry, boat to table — is not a new concept in Bluffton. For generations, local farms and roadside vegetable stands have sold tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, beans, strawberries, melons, and a myriad of greens that end up on Lowcountry tables, both in personal dining rooms and restaurants.

This tradition continues today at the open-air Farmers Market of Bluffton held Thursdays year-round, noon-5 p.m., at Martin Family Park in Old Town. Local growers not only sell fresh fruit and vegetables, but also prepared foods, plants, seafood, cut flowers, eggs, and honey. Live music complements the vibrant scene.

For something sweet, try luscious cheesecakes, delicious peach cobbler, or lavender-honey ice cream from Buss’ Creamery, which uses local cream, milk, and eggs for its products. Hank’s Lowcountry She Crab Soup, creamy and delicate, sells out every Thursday. Just-picked vegetables and herbs from Tuten Farms, and fresh poultry and eggs from Fili-West Farms are a home cook’s delight.

Offerings change with the seasons, from sunflowers and heirloom tomatoes in the summer to root vegetables and leafy greens in colder months. Many Bluffton regulars start their planning at the Thursday market and then build their meals around what’s fresh.

FARMERS MARKET OF BLUFFTON

The place to be on Thursday afternoons? The vibrant Farmers Market of Bluffton, at Martin Family Park in Old Town Bluffton. Stroll the tents and tables and pick out locally grown vegetables and fruit in season, flowers, plants and herbs, and artisan foods, while meeting local farmers and businesses. Bring your appetite for Southern-style barbeque with all the fixin’s, delicious pastries, and other fare, and check out chef demos. It’s also the perfect place to pick up fresh seafood for your own Lowcountry feast. Live music and activities for kids add to the festive atmosphere. The Farmers Market of Bluffton takes place every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. farmersmarketbluffton.org

e farmersmarketbluffton

SUPPER

with a STORY

Bluffton’s strong sense of place and culture flavor the food on your plate.

By Linda Lanier

Over the past four decades, the Bluffton food scene has grown into a vibrant part of life in Old Town and beyond. Chefs and cooks, whether homegrown or transplanted, have a reputation for mastering Lowcountry cuisine. They draw on historic techniques and ingredients to keep traditional dishes true to form, while also introducing fine-dining concepts and unexpected international fare.

Bluffton chefs and cooks have access to fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farms. They source seafood from surrounding waters, including the Atlantic Ocean, May River, and the many marshes, inlets, and streams in between. Locally raised pork, poultry, and beef show up on a variety of Bluffton menus, from barbecue restaurants to fine-dining establishments.

Brandon Carter, co-chef and co-owner of FARM — a restaurant overlooking May River Road in Old Town Bluffton — is a shining example of the new breed of Southern chefs. Schooled in classical techniques at the Culinary Institute of America,

FARM Amberjack Crudo

Blue Crab Rice

Chef Carter built an impressive resume as chef de cuisine at several notable restaurants. He further honed his skills in regional cooking as executive chef at the renowned Montage Palmetto Bluff, just a few miles down May River Road from where he cooks today.

Chef Carter and his team carry on the traditions of generations of cooks, chefs, farmers, and fishermen and women who have made Lowcountry food one of the quintessential American cuisines. Committed to cooking with locally sourced ingredients and traditional recipes with a modern touch, Carter is a leader in the area’s local food movement, and FARM is a must-visit restaurant for those who enjoy exceptional food and service.

Chef Carter’s mission at FARM is to strengthen the community through food.

“For us, it’s mostly about building relationships,” he says. “Relationships among our team, who work so hard to guarantee a first-rate experience; among our suppliers, who provide us with the best; and among our customers, who continue to walk through the door.”

FARM serves dinner and Sunday brunch, and menus change with the seasons. Some standouts include roasted local oysters, shrimp and grits, buttermilk fried chicken, and whole flounder.

FARM diners enjoy knowing that their peppers, lettuces, and okra came from GrowFood Carolina, a local food hub that supports small farmers, and that their white shrimp was caught that morning in Port Royal Sound. And Chef Carter enjoys letting them know. Learning the story of where your food came from makes it taste even sweeter.

YOUR ITINERARY for BLUFFTON EATS

Spend the day delighting in local flavors that suit your palate.

Get the dish on great local eateries VisitBluffton.org/ food-drink

The Cottage Chow Daddy’s

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS FOODIE

Breakfast

Eclectic and charming, The Cottage feels like you woke up to breakfast at your fun aunt’s house. The mimosas are sweet and simple, Champagne paired with orange or cranberry, while the bloody marys are wild and fun, made with dill pickle or ghost pepper vodka. You can’t go wrong with the decadently rich artichoke, crab, and brie omelet.

Lunch

Snag a seat outside at Chow Daddy’s and peruse the menu centered on fresh, organic ingredients. Order street corn to start. Then choose from a lineup of bowls, served hot or cold, and topped with your choice of pulled chicken, spicy shrimp, or fish. Pro tip: Go with the poke bowl, where wild, raw tuna mingles with avocado and sesameginger dressing.

Happy Hour

Elevate your martini game at Burnt Church Distillery. Pick the namesake vodka or Devil’s Elbow Gin. Pair it with an appetizer or pizza from Pizza Co., adjacent to the taproom.

Dinner

Make reservations at The Bluffton Room. This classic American restaurant is truly a dining experience with tableside preparations. Don’t miss the grilled octopus starter. And follow it with Dover sole meuniere for two. Save room for bananas foster — both for the dish and the show.

PICKS FOR A ROMANTIC DATE DAY

Breakfast

Head to Corner Perk Brunch Café where everyone is treated like a regular. Housemade syrups flavor lattes, such as honey lavender or salted caramel. Build your own avocado toast or order the brioche French toast to share.

Lunch

Fresh and fun is the motto at Captain Woody’s. Try more as a couple by ordering sandwiches and trading halves. The oyster po’boy with tartar sauce is a favorite. Add extra flavor to the mahi-mahi by getting it blackened.

Dinner

On Calhoun Street, The Pearl Kitchen & Bar serves the finest fried green tomatoes and savory bouillabaisse brimming with local shrimp, mussels, and clams.

Captain Woody’s

THE HEART POLISHED OF BLUFFTONPALATE

The Heyward House, built in 1841, is located in the heart of Bluffton’s Historic District and serves as the official welcome center for the town. The house museum offers guided tours of the five-room Carolina farmhouse, which is filled with interesting artifacts and furnishings from the 1850s to the 1920s. Walking tours of the Historic District are available; call for reservations. Savor a new approach to dining in Old Town Bluffton. The Pearl Kitchen & Bar is making a name for itself with their fresh take on coastal cuisine. Think quality ingredients, masterful preparation, and harmonious flavors. Dishes like delicate pan-seared scallops and wasabi-crusted big eye tuna are pretty on the plate, delightful on the palate. Pick a glass or bottle from the wine list, or sip a cocktail from the boutique bar. The outdoor front heywardhouse.org patio is great for watching the Calhoun 843.757.6293 Street scene. Serving dinner daily at 5 pm. G e heywardhouse Reservations are recommended. 843.757.5511 • thepearlbluffton.com G e thepearlbluffton

HAND-SHUCKED HERITAGE

Bringing the best of the May River to your table

The block building at the end of Wharf Street is a Bluffton landmark. Home to Bluffton Oyster Company, which has been in business since 1899, the building sits on piles of oyster shells, representing a seafood industry that goes back more than a century. Larry Toomer, along with his wife, Tina, is the third generation to run the family business, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Bluffton Oyster Company is the last hand-shucking oyster house in South Carolina.

The Toomers pride themselves on oysters, shrimp, clams, crabs, mussels, and fish pulled from local waters. They sell the fresh-caught seafood at their market, where customers purchase provisions for oyster roasts and Lowcountry boils.

Just up the street, Bluffton Family Seafood House, the restaurant extension of the business, serves seafood dishes in a warm, friendly space, including on the new patio. Order a draft beer or glass of wine to pair with bowls of she crab soup and platters of steamed oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and blackened fish. Linger for live music and a slice of Key lime pie.

To hear what the Toomers love most about life in Bluffton, check out the “Exploring Bluffton” video series at VisitBluffton.org

FARM BLUFFTON

Locally focused, inspired by the seasons. FARM Bluffton is an ingredient-driven neighborhood restaurant with a strong emphasis on seasonality, guest experience, and influences from world cuisines and techniques. The restaurant’s commitment to the community begins with how they source their food. From small local farmers and fishermen to artisan producers, FARM Bluffton fosters close, personal relationships that support their Lowcountry neighbors. The result? A curated dining experience that reflects true hospitality and service to the community. 843.707.2041 farmbluffton.com G e farmbluffton

SIGNATURE SIPS Experience the Lowcountry’s liquid pleasures.

Sip and Selfie Snap a picture and tag us on Instagram @ExploreBlufftonSC.

By Leah Hughes

Like all things in the South, the beer in your pint glass or whiskey in your high ball comes with a story. Pull up a chair and immerse yourself in the spirit of Bluffton.

River Dog Brewing Co.

591 Browns Cove Road North, Ridgeland Led by female head brewer Amelia Keefe, this veteran Lowcountry brewery celebrates a decade of delicious drafts. This past fall, the Cirque Du Solera wood-aged sour brought home a silver medal from the Great American Beer Festival. For a true taste of community, order a Perkolatte stout brewed with coffee from Corner Perk in downtown Bluffton.

Burnt Church Distillery

120 Bluffton Road What’s better than small-batch locally crafted spirits? Those that tell a story and give back to the community in which they’re created. Burnt Church Distillery draws on local folklore to influence the taste of its spirits and in turn weave in Lowcountry lore with each bottle. Visit The Sanctuary tasting room to sample bourbon, gin, whiskey, and moonshine made into tantalizing cocktails. Pair the libations with a charcuterie board or brick-oven pizza from Pizza Co. next door.

Southern Barrel Brewing Co.

375 Buckwalter Place Boulevard With a taproom, tavern, and beer garden, there’s always something happening at Southern Barrel Brewing. Whether you’re simply stopping by for an afternoon pint, digging into a burger or tacos for dinner, or relaxing in the beer garden with your four-legged friend (who has their own puppy menu), Southern Barrel serves suds to suit.

Lot 9 Brewing Co.

258 Red Cedar Street, Suite 14 Lot 9 is a nano-brewery. Its size allows the brewery to constantly try new things. From hoppy IPAs to malty German lagers, smooth stouts, and mouth-puckering sours, Lot 9 prides itself on quality and variety.

Craft Kitchen

7 Johnston Way As pleasing to the eye as the palate, this neighborhood gastropub in Old Town Bluffton encourages patrons to gather around craft beverages and scratch-made food. The rotating list of ales, lagers, ciders, and wines includes local selections from across town.

COZY CUISINE

Savor scrumptious food with old-world Southern charm while dining outdoors on the porch or inside this cozy, restored 1890 cottage. Featuring sophisticated cuisine with a Lowcountry flair, The Cottage offers breakfast, lunch, Sunday brunch and tea, and serves up a variety of coastal favorites. The Cottage serves its own blends of May River Coffee Roasters along with delicious award-winning desserts. Catering is available. 843.757.0508 thecottagebluffton.com G thecottagebluffton e thecottageinbluffton

BLUFFTON GOODNESS

A unique healthy eatery in the heart of Bluffton Village, the Juice Hive features delicious cold-pressed juices and smoothies, as well as all-natural soups, salads, wraps, breakfast sandwiches, noodles/zoodles, bowls, and meatless burgers. Honored with numerous national Good Food Awards from 2018-2022, the Juice Hive also offers a retail portion providing healthy foods, snacks and specialty items, as well as freshly roasted small batch artisan coffee from sister company May River Coffee Roasters. Experience their awardwinning menu while enjoying local artwork or relax in their small outdoor seating area. Thanks to Juice Hive’s commitment to serving the freshest foods and beverages, you’ll “bee” both healthy and happy. 843.757.2899 • thejuicehivebluffton.com G e thejuicehive

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Serving up coastal hospitality since 1984, SERG offers quality cuisine and exceptional service at these award-winning restaurants.

Frankie Bones Restaurant and Lounge

Enjoy amazing pastas, mouth-watering steaks, and classic libations in style. A favorite for all ages, the fabulous Frankie Bones offers a one-of-a-kind American-Italian dining experience in a swanky joint that takes you back to the time of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Online ordering and catering options are available. Serving lunch and dinner daily and brunch on Sunday. frankiebones.com • 843.757.3423 (Bluffton) 843.682.4455 (Hilton Head Island)

One Hot Mama’s American Grill

Consistently ranked the best BBQ, wings and ribs on local travel review sites, One Hot Mama’s is a Lowcountry staple when it comes to barbeque. Dine on delicious barbecue and wings from Food Network star and SERG chef Orchid Paulmeier or kick back at the fully stocked bar for a game. One thing is for sure, Mama Orchid won’t let you go home hungry. Online ordering and catering options are available. Serving lunch and dinner daily and brunch on Sunday. onehotmamas.com • 843.815.6262 (Bluffton) 843.682.6262 (Hilton Head Island)

Giuseppi’s Pizza & Pasta House

At Giuseppi’s, it’s all about the food. For more than 20 years, they’ve been living out their passion by serving up the freshest pizza, pasta, and hoagies in a neighborhood atmosphere like the one they knew back in Pittsburgh. From their Original Weggie and gluten-free cauliflower crust pizzas to their perfect original cheese or pepperoni pizza and amazing chicken wings, Giuseppi’s truly has something for the entire family. A fully stocked bar, online ordering, delivery, and catering options are available. Serving lunch and dinner daily. giuseppispizza.com • 843.815.9200 (Bluffton) 843.785.4144 (Hilton Head Island)

Nectar Farm Kitchen

Newly opened in the heart of Old Town, Nectar Farm Kitchen is Bluffton’s newest all-day dining experience. The distinguished chefs at Nectar Farm Kitchen work with farmers who are as passionate about food as they are, and thoughtfully prepare every dish using ingredients made and grown throughout the Lowcountry and the South. From traditional Southern breakfasts to a local seafood supper, Nectar Farm Kitchen is the place to experience the freshest tastes for any meal of the day. The farmhouse atmosphere and local charm make Nectar Farm Kitchen a pleasure one can only experience in this small corner of South Carolina. Serving breakfast, lunch, and supper daily. nectarfarmkitchen.com • 843.706.2337 (Bluffton) 843.682.2337 (Hilton Head Island)

CULINARY TOUR

Food trucks bring international influences and creative presentations to the Bluffton dining scene.

There are not many restaurants where you can order a Mexican street taco, woodsmoked Southern barbecue, Buffalo wings or a juicy Bratwurst with all the fixings — and all of it come out true to form and incredibly delicious. But food trucks fill a niche for well-prepared food, made with fresh ingredients, and served in an unconventional setting.

Chef B’s Eatz dishes up authentic Gullah and Lowcountry cuisine. Chef Bridgette Frazier learned signature Gullah traditions from her grandmother, including her red rice and gumbo, and her father taught her all about barbecue. Frazier showcases Bluffton’s bounty of fresh seafood with platters piled high with fish, shrimp, hushpuppies, and french fries. Learn more at lowcountryeatz.com or follow along on Facebook @chefeatzB.