My husband and I loved finding this spot in Hilton Head! There was live R&B music and friendly staff. We both had corn bread, fried chicken, yams, collards and sweet iced tea. It was all delicious--the corn bread was some of the best we have ever tasted. Our chicken was fried to order--hot, tasty and large portions. Nothing was from a can--it was all beautifully seasoned, prepared and served. Don't miss out--spend a lively, fun evening at Ruby Lee's! read more

We pulled up to complete darkness around a curve to a hole in the wall in the middle of nowhere. We could hear the live band before we got out of the car. They sounded great. The dance floor was full and people were actually up and engaging. A Band named 'Chemistry'.. really good. There is a $12 entertainment fee.. at least tonight it was well worth it.. Our waitress, didn't get her name, sat us after we stood at the door for what felt like forever.. lol probably bc it felt like everybody was looking at us waiting bc BAM you right in the door, front and center! Anywho, we were seated, offered water and our drink order was taken. We got a signature cocktail, 'The Ruby'.. it was on point! Yes it was. It looked like a busy night, so Grace was given. Our order was taken, 1. Chicken and Waffles and 2. Pork chops with Collards and Mac n Chz.. the band has stopped playing so the over head music is playing.. which is still good music. So we wait... Lord have mercy! The wait was well worth it! When I saw we left Nothing. But. Crumbs. Everything was Chefs Kiss! From the entertainment, customer service, food, and ambience, I wish I could give a 10! I wanna thank my friend who visited last week for putting us on.. it was a highlight of our trip. Would definitely return. & will tell anyone who is in the area to definitely give it a try! Please come with Patience and an Open Mind, especially on a busy night. It was well worth the wait. read more

If I could give it 10 stars I would and just to think I wasn't going to visit this place today. I had other reservations but something just told me check it out. I was in town for my birthday and wanted to do something different and this totally hit the spot Tim. The owner is very cool and collective but eventually opens out . Oh my God I'm so happy I did the food, the vibe the music the environment was oh so amazing. It's a very intimate spot, but you will fill at home and you won't wanna leave. I had these the oxtails which were so good cooked two perfection. I mean suck off the bone type good with rice and collard greens. Also, good the bake oysters were just amazing. The drinks were very much so on point if you want to you could get a Uber too and fro but it's all good. The owner is top-notch the next time I am in the area. I will definitely stop by you have a lot of locals you can tell and they just are welcoming and invite you in and make you feel part of the family, music was so awesome. read more

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I visited Ruby Lee's on a random getaway to Hilton Head and as usual it does not disappoint. The place is very small, but with ample parking in a small tucked away plaza. They offer live music every day of the week, in which they charge a fee for each restaurant goer. The drinks are always good, as the bar is considerably stocked with alot of goodies. The food is always hot and delicious. I did share an entree and as expected they do charge a $7 split plate fee. The additional fees do add up, but in my opinion it's well worth it. read more

Ruby Lee's - Soul Food Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Not really a stew. Was expecting it to be swimming in something brown whether it was some kind of broth or gravy. The oxtail wasn't as tender as I'd like it to be but the flavor was ok. Pretty mediocre for the price. The greens were good though. read more

Ruby Lee's - Oxtail stew - Soul Food Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

A local recommendation lead us to Ruby Lees. Immediately we knew it was more like sitting in someone's home in this small but warm and friendly place. Servers stopped and chatted with regulars and made the non regulars like us feel welcome too. And there were plenty of hugs and inviting dialogue to share. Our server Patty was very engaging and genuinely loved her job. She complimented our choices of oxtail stew and fried chicken which she claimed was the best anywhere and she was correct! The chicken was crispy and piping hot, and the oxtail fell off the bone with rich tender meat. Each table was served warm, light, and moist cornbread as a starter. We made a reservation for the only time open of 5pm & they have entertainment starting at 7pm which we weren't staying for. One note is that the menu states you will be charged an $11 per person entertainment fee, and the place does start to get busy after 6pm. read more

Great music, food and overall environment! I would recommend this establishment if you are looking for local comfort and a great time!

A cozy blues and souls food spot on Hilton Head Island. This is my second time visiting and this time I made reservations to dine in. We had a really nice server and music was amazing. The crab balls were delicious and they didn't skimp on the crab meat which I appreciated. I had a salmon Cesar salad, the salmon was very flavorful but borderline too salty, my friend had house salad with shrimp which she enjoyed and had enough to eat of if a couple of times. Servers were attentive and ambiance was lovely. Would return again. read more

Ruby Lee's - Front entrance - Soul Food Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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The food was AMAZING! Staff AMAZING! We ate here 2 times during our 1 week stay on Hilton Head Island! Beautiful restaurant inside they even had a live band! We order Fried chicken, Oxtails, corn bread, sweet potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Zucchini and Squash, Ceaser Salad, and a kids meal chicken tenders! You definitely feel the LOVE in there cooking!! read more

Ruby Lee's - Oxtail Stew with mashed Potatoes and mac and cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Great food, great music, and even better service! We went to Ruby Lee's South last night on a Tuesday and had an amazing time. The Target Band was playing, and they were fantastic. We danced most of the evening and truly enjoyed the energy they brought. The staff was wonderful, and the food was absolutely delicious. I had the baby back ribs with mac and collard greens. Everything was seasoned perfectly and cooked just right. My wife ordered the pan seared salmon with a baked sweet potato and squash, and she loved every bite. We topped it all off with the bourbon pecan pie for dessert, which was the perfect ending to a great meal. Our waitress Pattie really made the night special. She was hilarious, welcoming, and made us feel right at home. Excellent service with a great personality. We were visiting from Georgia, and this will definitely be one of the first places we return to the next time we are in Hilton Head. Highly recommend! read more

Sharia, our server, and the owner Tim were exceptional!! Sharia was the only server at the restaurant for both nights because two servers had called out. My husband truly enjoyed the shrimp and grits, and my fried pork chop with greens and yams were delicious! It was so good we ate there two nights in a row! The ambience and the live music created a vibe we truly enjoyed! Give them a visit if you're ever in Hilton Head, SC. read more

Came in town to celebrate my girls bachelorette party. The food and drinks were delicious. I had the fried fish w/ Mac & cheese and collard greens. The service was okay considering it was one server on a Friday night at 8pm. The server did her thing considering the lack of staff. Parking is free and the restrooms were decent. read more

Beautiful space inside with lovely African American art all over the walls. The host and wait staff were delightful felt like family! The food was delicious felt like a Sunday dinner I was so excited forgot to take food pics. But I enjoyed the grill pork chop with rice green beans and mac cheese. Yummo must try if in the hilton head area! read more

Ruby Lee's was recommended by several people so we decided to check it out. We were advised to make a reservation to better ensure seating. The restaurant is very unassuming from the exterior and it is very small on the inside so I wouldn't recommend parties of more than ~4 for convenience. It gives me totally nice juke joint vibes out of a mid-century novel but only the good parts. The staff is very warm and friendly which is a key factor in my love for Hilton Head Island. They offered live entertainment in the evenings. There is an $11 pp fee for this perk but I believe only if you come during a set. The offered fare includes soul food options, including seafood as expected. The meals came out fresh and quick, without the need for extra table seasoning. I dove in to eat so quickly I forgot to get pics before. I would definitely visit again! Cons: my fried shrimp were a bit overcooked. I was told the chicken wings were a bit tough. They are sizable wings which impact cook time. The air conditioning wasn't working properly but the staff informed us of that up front. read more

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This restaurant was on social media so when we visited Hilton Head Island, I had to check it out and it lived up to the hype. The food, service and ambience were all amazing. This place is a vibe and I recommend you check it out. read more

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Service was Amazing we come every year and this is one of our main stops. Owner is very helpful Food and Entertainment is top tier. Will definitely be back next year, always a great time. read more

Looking for some delicious soul food and live music? Ruby Lee's is your place! I dined there last night, enjoyed a nice band and the most delicious, juicy, seassoned and crispy, fried chicken. The macaroni and cheese was amazing, so cheesy. The yams were tender and sweet. Service was great, for a busy evening. The live music was awesome, they performed some hits! Down home Hilton Head fun, and good soul food cuisine. read more

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Stopped by Ruby Lee's in Hilton Head to celebrate my brother's birthday, and we were so glad we did! The food was AMAZING and the service was excellent. The live entertainment by Target...The Band was the highlight of the night -- they were outstanding! The atmosphere gave me modern juke joint vibes -- soulful, fun, and full of good energy. We were pleasantly surprised and can't wait to return! read more

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Need more servers. Friday might very busy the jazz band was good but way too loud. Food was ok I had fried chicken bread it was ok for the $28 price tag plus $11 entertainment charge per person. Collard greens and corn bread were good. Very tight seating. Can't have a conversation with the music. Been there before and food was better as was service. Drinks very pricey Probably won't be back. read more

The atmosphere, the food, the service were all EXCELLENT! Everybody was friendly including other customers. We were a large party and they accommodated us quickly and friendly. It was the best experience in a restaurant/bar I have ever had. It felt warm and inviting. Thank you so much, the Knoll Family. read more

small quaint restaurant. the food is excellent with generous portions! The service was wonderful as well! highly recommend it!

Incredible food and service! This was our first time and we will surely return. We started with the best fried green tomatoes I have ever had and two dirty martinis. Then I had the heavenly fried catfish, tender sweet potatoes, and memorable macaroni and cheese. My husband had the outstanding ox tail, really good rice, and great collard greens. Between the warm welcome, amazing service, and fantastic food and entertainment, Ruby Lee's is truly a a gem. read more

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Food was fantastic. Fried chicken, collards, green beans all delicious. We were there on a weekday just as they opened so we were the only customers and we were given extraordinary service. No entertainment while we we there but has a very nice atmosphere. read more

The food here was pretty good we had grilled chicken, fried chicken, fried pork chop, and sides of veggies. The zucchini and squash side was tasty as well as the collard greens. The chicken had a house made seasoning which reminded me of Old Bay seasoning. It was pretty tasty. It was a small place with live music (three man band playing blues). The music was good but.....there was a charge of $11 for the music. This was listed on the menu as entertainment charge. We thought it was going to be per person but it was one charge on each bill. Ummmm not really worth it even though the bad was pretty good. They also do not have beer on tap only cans. read more

What great experience, has their burger with greens. Yes it was amazing and the band was just great as the food. We will return, awesome experience! read more

Ruby Lee's - Burger with greens. Awesome - Soul Food Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Ruby Lee's is a quaint spot in Hilton Head. They have a good sized menu, not too overwhelming, and a full bar. There's inside seating, which is pretty tight (quaint), and there's an outside area in the front of the restaurant. The live band (Target the Band) was great! Each of the entertainers shared their unique talent and worked the crowd, and they had a great vibe! We got the fried okra, fried green tomatoes and complimentary cornbread as the starters. All were delicious! The okra was perfectly crunchy and well seasoned. The fried green tomatoes came with a jam on top, and they were perfectly cooked and seasoned. I could have really stopped there! Your sweet potato is going to be the basic fare, and I had expected more from the Mac n cheese. It's just lacked a little flavor, but was ok. The Ruby Spicy wings were quite spicy, and I like a little spice. Even my husband, who eats African pepper sauce, said they were a bit much. Could've just been that night. The lemon pepper were actually so lemony that I couldn't eat them. They were pungent, but, again, it could have just been that night. I would just get them plain the next time, maybe a sauce on the side. My husband got the salmon and rice, he'd wanted the oxtail but they had run out. Overall, I'd definitely go back and try some of the other menu items. Check out their event line up, and don't underestimate the good time that will be had if Target is the band! You'll have a great time! read more

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I was there for a conference on November 13th and this restaurant was recommended for great food and atmosphere. I was not disappointed at the end of the day. The owner came out and gave some history on the restaurant as he greeted all his customers in attendance. I will go back to the restaurant when I am in Hilton Head again. The Ox tail and rice was real deal. read more

We had a great time, meet a lot of great people and the food, music and the atmosphere was amazing! read more

Ruby Lee's - The band - Soul Food Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

I'm giving this place 2 stars and even that's being generous. I ordered the pulled pork and it was awful. It was soaked in BBQ sauce and didn't taste fresh at all. The presentation on the plate looked as though it was prepared for a dog. The wings on the Ruby platter were also gross. The inside was slimy and the fried chicken tasted like it had been fried in fish grease. The only good thing about my experience was the live music that they charge $11/person for. I will NOT be going back there!!!! read more

We arrived in Hilton head around 10:30 PM. Barely 30 minutes before the restaurant closed. So we weren't sure if we would be able to get a table or not. We were starving and hoping we would get there in time. Thankfully, the owner was super accommodating and allowed us to dine in , even after closing hours. A very big thank you to him and his kind staff. The food was great! We will definitely be recommending this place and returning again in the near future. Now this is how you run an establishment read more

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Food was fresh and hot. Service was great you walk in and feel like lost long family members. They made my wife and me feel very welcome. The adult drinks were good. Enjoyed the live music that was playing. Will be back next time I visit read more

Saturday, September 20, 2025 we landed at Ruby Lee's South, where the food was plentiful and absolutely delicious. The Bowman-Hill Experience lit up the room with flawless renditions of soulful R&B classics. The band was nothing short of stellar--guitarist Wickey Bowman commanded the stage while Pamela Hill kept the crowd smiling with her playful musical banter. Their energy was infectious! We loved them so much that we're already planning to catch their show next month at The Pink Lion in Stonecrest, Georgia. In a word, "Come for the food and excellent customer service and stay for the music! read more

Ruby Lee's - Band setup - Soul Food Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Stopped in while in town for a conference. Made reservations for dinner while they had a live band. There is a $10 or $11 fee during this time, which is added to your bill. It's a small place inside, but there is outside seating to take advantage of when the weather allows. I ordered a cup of She Crab Soup, Blackened Salmon, green beans, and Mac n cheese. Everything was very tasty, but wished the salmon was a little larger. Seasoned well. Loved the She Crab Soup. read more

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Went to Ruby Lees on a friends recommendation. Had the tropical storm drink and it was very good. Are the catfish and just wish it had that southern seasoning or taste I was looking for. It was bad it just didn't taste like much. My friend had the pork chop and that dish was very good. There is an $11 mandatory charge for entertainment but the entertainment was very good. read more

Ruby Lee's - Catfish with baked beans and green beans sides. - Soul Food Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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Feels like family. Always good music and the bands seem to know the regulate patrons well. Small dance floor but somehow it seems like just the right size. The service is attentive and the food doesn't disappoint. Restaurant has a bar, a dance floor and an outdoor patio all with a fun lively soulful vibe. read more

This was the worse culinary experience I've had coming to Hilton Head for years. We had the shrimp gumbo, blackened stuffed salmon, shrimp and grits, the low country boil, and a few other dishes that were way over salty and lacking any real flavor. On top of that, the band did not show up. We paid over $400 for this unfortunate evening. The servers were great folks though and were very hospitable and friendly. Not their fault. Must be different cooks from 2017 when we ate here at the other Ruby Lee's location. The food was better back then. Wont be coming back again. read more

BEWARE!! The food was awesome, service was lousy and the entertainment was totally not worth the $11.00 per person. First of all this was my husband and I second time patronizing this restaurant however this is not the same location that we were introduced to in 2019. In 2019 we enjoyed the meal, the service and the entertainment. This time since we were traveling with friends, I made reservations online for Wednesday 18, 2026 for 6 people at 6: 15 pm. We arrived early. We noticed the entertainment fee printed on the top of the menu but did not pay attention to the fee as there was no entertainers there and the website states that the act didn't start until 7:30, surly we would be finished before 7:30 pm. Our food was served and we were finished eating before 7:30 had asked for boxes for the leftovers and was ignored by our waitress until 7:30. After waving down another staff member we received our receipt and much to our surprise there was a $66.95 charge for entertainment. When questioned the waitress, she stated the fee is at the top of the menu, I stated that the entertainment fee was nowhere on the website and was not mentioned on the reservation site, I also stated that had that been communicated on the website perhaps we would have taken our business elsewhere (pretty sure that's why it's not on the website), on top of that I also reminded the waitress that our reservation was for 6:15, she stated that entertainment started at 7:00 pm again referencing the website I showed her the 7:30pm starting time, she apologized and said there was nothing that could be done. I asked for a manager, she proudly stated that they were not available. As a proud black business owner myself I take pride in offering honest and impeccable customer service. This is not it. I take pride in supporting black businesses and have even offered classes on customer service that leads to a successful business. My suggestion to Ruby Lee is stop nickel and diming folks. You should be honest in your pricing, perhaps you should charge the $11.00 cover charge at the door and put that charge on your website. You should be able to split a bill (technology is so advance this is not difficult) and charging $6.95 to split a plate is ridiculous. Perhaps these are the various reasons why the place was not as busy as it was 2019. P.S. take a page out of Kind Of Blue as they have their entertainment charges on their website, and with clear messaging we have a reservation for there tomorrow. I will definitely compare the two after our visit as I am sure the other four members of our party will as well. We strongly suggest you take your business elsewhere. Perhaps the Jazz Corner or Kind of Blue. read more

Would not recommend this place at all. Completely disappointing. I came from Miami for a family vacation. I make a point to support Black owned businesses and the night ended with the owner yelling at my aunts and cousins (all women) for a $10 a person cover charge. My aunts convinced us to go out on our family vacation. They arrived at 10p. We arrived at 10:30p. The restaurant closes at 11p on Saturday. We had a great time with the band, Fresh Vibes. When we went to tip the band and settle the bill, we learned of a $10 per person "cover" charge. There were seven of us. We were more than ready to purchase our drinks and tip the band. The kitchen was closed by the time we got there. Everyone got at least one drink. We would have ordered another round. We asked about the $70 extra charge when we were (1) there less than an hour, (2) unable to purchase food, and (3) unaware of a cover charge. The owner was adamant that this was just how he does business. The owner had to be calmed and restrained from yelling at us. It ruined the night for my aunties. My younger cousins and I went to THE ROOFTOP BAR @ Poseidon's. FABULOUS TIME! We got our drinks, we danced, met some folks, and they closed at 2 am. NO COVER CHARGE. Great music. Great vibes. Very disappointed in Ruby's. read more

Ruby Lee's - Would not recommend this place. Sadly, after this photo the owner was overly aggressive about the "cover charge" and ruined a charming night - Soul Food Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

The food was fabulous!!! If you want "Down Home" style cooking, this is the place!!! We thoroughly enjoyed it. On Saturday, September 27, 2025 - we were celebrating a family member's 60th birthday. Most of us traveled from North Carolina for the weekend, and I am so glad our family member from Virginia suggested this place. The music was awesome [I'm a retired musician]. They played everything and did it well! The owner Tim Singleton came over and introduced himself. I told him that I had read reviews - most of them talked about how good the food was. a few mentioned how slow the service was, but understand they cook as you order - this is NOT fast food! The servers worked their butts off to handle the crowd. Check it out! read more

Ohhhh, I love this place. Music: Wonderful. "They have a surcharge for entertainment, so you need to understand that." Appetizers Fried green tomatoes: They were good. I could have omitted the cheese or sauce, but they were good. She crab soup: it did not have shells, which is excellent! Thick and yummy Gumbo: it is low-country gumbo, so it has tomatoes. It was good, but I enjoy New Orleans a tad better Okra: OML was it good. If you don't buy this, you are missing out Sides: Mac & Cheese: Yum. Just yum Coleslaw: it was good Sweet potato French fries: my husband loved them Candy Yams: If you do not like cinnamon, then they are not for you Collards: top 5 I have had in a restaurant Main Blackened stuffed Salamon: My husband loved it Fried pork chop: It has a great peppery crust, but it's not tough. Overall, it's a great pork chop! Fried Catfish: flaky, well seasoned, and yum Fried Chicken: Damn good. Best I have had in South Carolina. read more