Tapas Restaurant

We've lived on the Island for 20 years and Tapa's is a regular stop for us. The food is prepared by hand to order by the chef and owner. While everything on the extensive menu is delicious, be sure to try the Scallops and Shrimp Ardis, the Porcini Ravioli (even my husband likes that and he doesn't care for mushrooms) or really anything that says it's prepared with a sauce. Pros: huge selection, made fresh, small and cozy Cons: small and cozy - Make a reservation! more

Loved the unique sauces. The wild porcini mushroom ravioli was just delicious. The shrimp parthenon in lobster bisque sauce was just amazing and the creme brulee was the best I've ever eaten. We loved the fried green tomatoes and the potstickers in ginger garlic sauce was like nothing I've ever had before. We will definately go back and try more things from the huge menu. Pros: reasonably priced Cons: we ate too much more

Although some reviewers compliment the sauces, they must be very unsophisticated diners indeed. The restaurant's stated premise--""it's all about the sauces""--is apparently just an excuse to conceal tiny, low quality ingredients (meat or vegetables) in a soup-bowl of sauce that is neither sophisticated nor subtle. Although they call themselves ""tapas,"" the waitress asked us to order everything at once. That alone flies in the face of the tapas concept. Among the items we had: the chicken looked like it had been cut off a leg-bone of fried chicken; the she-crab soup was a big disappointment; the scallops had been cut into small pieces and arranged to look like much more. The only passable item was the spring rolls--but then any decent Asian restaurant could have done the same. Look elsewhere for dinner on Hilton Head Island. Pros: Large selection Cons: Poor quality ingredients; over-priced more

Accidentally found this gem last year and went twice in 3 days. This year took party of 8 back twice and all were as pleased as I was. Great food, great service and wonderful atmosphere. I will spread the word. Glad to read that it has been around a long time. more

This was the best food we had on the island. Chef /owner was featured in Bon Appetit magazine and she's created incredible sauces. Everything is fresh and a huge menu with lots of seafood, beef and unusual things like alligator. Really eclectic cuisine and a good kids menu too. Prices were reasonable for food, wine and cocktails. Desserts were unbelievable. She-Crab soup was full of crab and so delicious. We asked to see the chef and she was so gracious. We ate there twice after a few ""tourist traps"" Pros: unique cuisine, good prices, huge menu Cons: hard to find, not open for lunch, dimly lit more

Tapas is a little known treasure on Hilton Head Island. I've been going there for over 15 years and its one of the best restaurants I've found. The menu is large, and the portions small giving you an opportunity to try a varied and large amount of food. Get a reservation and be prepared to sit for at least two hours just enjoying the food and relaxing. It's best to order a little at a time and give yourself room between plates to digest. more