3 Days of Gullah Culture

We can thank Gullah cuisine for many of the Southern dishes that we have come to know and love in the Lowcountry. There is no shortage of delicious food on Hilton Head Island, so be sure to plan accordingly when visiting these authentic Gullah restaurants and food festivals.
If you’re on Hilton Head Island the third weekend in October, mark your calendar for the 9th Annual Gullah Food Festival on October 18, 2025. It’s a feast of heritage and flavor, with dishes like Lowcountry shrimp and grits, conch stew, and more. This annual festival is put on by The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, which features around 500 artifacts, educational programs, workshops, and more. If you’re here outside of the festival weekend, you can still taste Gullah traditions at these local restaurants and easily make a day (or two, or three) of your cultural foodie adventure.

For brunch or lunch, you should try The Sandbar Beach Eats near Coligny Beach Park. We recommend opting for a classic Lowcountry pulled pork sandwich or the Witch Doctor, a handheld featuring blackened shrimp, green peppers, onions, and smoked sausage on a toasted hoagie roll. The Sandbar is also open for dinner service, serving classic shrimp and oysters, as well as specialty beach plates such as their Jamaican jerk pasta and grouper with fried plantains and homemade mango salsa.

For dinner, you have plenty of mouthwatering options. Head to renowned restaurant Ruby Lee’s and try their cornbread, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, wings, and delicious ox tail stew. And don’t forget the seafood! At Ruby Lee’s, you can order anything from fried catfish, shrimp and grits, fried oysters, stuffed blackened salmon, or a whole seafood platter to try one of everything. For side dishes, you can’t go wrong with candied yams, collard greens, red rice, or corn on the cob. Finish off the night with live entertainment Monday through Sunday: a twist on the old “Juke Joints” of eras past.

For an authentic Lowcountry boil (a hearty, flavorful, one-pot feast of shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn), head to A Lowcountry Backyard. They highlight Gullah culture and cooking throughout their entire menu, served in a space that radiates Southern charm. As a bonus, their shrimp and grits are award-winning, voted #1 in South Carolina and #3 in the world.

Another fun Gullah-influenced menu featuring authentic island cuisine and high-end entertainment is Kind of Blue, perfect for music and food enthusiasts alike. Their team of music and culinary experts brings the finest dining experience together with the power of great music and lasting memories. If you’re looking for a fun, lively night out with delicious Gullah-inspired food, Kind of Blue is the place for you.

You’ll likely need to do a bit of walking after your day full of Gullah cuisine, so we suggest finishing off your third day of Gullah culture at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. The park is open daily from 6:00 am – 9:00 pm and features tours, events, and space to have a quiet picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful views. So, pack a lunch and slow down at Mitchelville while taking in its powerful history.

Explore the park at your own pace, reading the signs and placards to guide your journey, or reserve a private guided tour ahead of time for 10 or more people. If you’re exploring on your own, make sure you take your time visiting significant sites, and take in the cultural impact of the Gullah Geechee people who called Mitchelville home during its founding.

Important landmarks for your self-guided tour include the Ghosted Structures, recalling the homes once built by formerly enslaved people seeking freedom; Toni Morrison’s Bench by the Road, which speaks to the lack of memorials for those who endured slavery; and the Journey to Freedom sculpture, a tribute to Harriet Tubman. You’ll find QR codes located throughout the park, leading to additional information and interactive content that bring the history of Mitchelville to life. The self-guided tour takes about one to two hours, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to wander the grounds and reflect at each point of interest.

Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park also hosts events throughout the year, such as their annual film series from October 22–23, 2025, and their Holiday Nights and Lights event from December 6–8, 2025. From Mitchelville to the Coastal Discovery Museum, history tours, and Gullah cuisine, there’s so much rich culture and history to explore and reflect upon during your visit to Hilton Head Island.

There is so much more to dig into with Gullah culture, history, and food, so if all of this exploration has piqued your curiosity, there are so many ways to continue learning. Visit Hilton Head Island’s Gullah website, and browse our events page periodically for events throughout the year, like the Juneteenth celebrations at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park and the Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration in February.