Snowbirds, Sunshine & a Taste of New York on Hilton Head Island
Escape the winter chill, enjoy the Lowcountry lifestyle, and find your favorite New York-style breakfast and deli lunch at Gruby's.
Every winter, Hilton Head Island welcomes a familiar group of visitors trading snow shovels for sandy beaches, heavy coats for light sweaters, and freezing temperatures for a little Lowcountry sunshine. They're affectionately known as snowbirds, and for many, spending the winter on Hilton Head has become an annual tradition.
The island offers a wonderful change of pace, with beautiful beaches, championship golf courses, miles of bike paths, and a welcoming community that makes it easy to feel right at home. For snowbirds who appreciate a great New York deli, there's another reason to love Hilton Head Island… that’s Gruby's!
What Are Snowbirds, and Why Do They Love Hilton Head Island?
Snowbirds are seasonal visitors who leave colder northern climates to spend part of the winter in warmer destinations. Many are retirees or seasonal residents who return to the same communities year after year, enjoying a few months away from the snow and ice. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is a natural fit.
Winter brings a quieter side of island life. The summer crowds have thinned, the beaches are peaceful, and there's more time to enjoy what makes Hilton Head special. A typical winter day might include a morning walk along the beach, a round of golf, an afternoon bike ride, or simply relaxing with friends over a good meal.
For visitors from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other northern states, Hilton Head offers a comfortable blend of Southern hospitality and familiar conveniences. Of course, there's one thing that many northerners miss when they're away from home: a really good New York deli.
A Little Taste of New York in the Heart of Hilton Head
Gruby's New York Deli has been serving Hilton Head Island since 1986, bringing authentic New York-style breakfast and lunch favorites to generations of locals and visitors. Forget the fancy resort dining experience for a moment. Sometimes, all you want is a comfortable neighborhood deli where you can settle in with a cup of coffee, enjoy a hearty breakfast, or order a sandwich piled high with your favorite deli meats. That's exactly the kind of experience Gruby's is known for.
"Love this joint! Felt like I was in lower Manhattan! Great food, friendly service. Kudos Gruby’s!" — SG
For snowbirds who grew up around New York delis, the menu brings back plenty of familiar favorites. And for visitors discovering Gruby's for the first time, it's a chance to experience a little New York tradition without leaving the island.
Sandwich shown: The Bronx Bomber. Hot corned beef, roast beef, and turkey on three layers of sliced rye with coleslaw and Russian dressing.
Start Your Morning With a Real New York-Style Breakfast
A great winter morning on Hilton Head deserves a great breakfast. Gruby's serves the kind of hearty, satisfying breakfast that New Yorkers know and love. Stop in before a round of golf, grab something to go before your morning walk, or take your time catching up with friends over coffee.
Some breakfast favorites include:
Bacon, Egg & Cheese on a Roll (shown in photo): The classic New York B.E.C., served on your choice of a Kaiser roll, bagel, or toast.
Fresh Bagels & Cream Cheese: Choose from favorites like everything, sesame, plain, and cinnamon-raisin, with a variety of cream cheese spreads.
Bagels & Lox: A traditional deli favorite featuring smoked salmon and classic accompaniments.
Deli Special Omelet: A hearty combination of corned beef, pastrami, American cheese, and Swiss cheese.
Pancakes & French Toast: Perfect for those mornings when you're in the mood for a traditional breakfast.
"Excellent food and large portions. The bagel sandwiches were amazing and fresh. We’ve come to HHI since 2016 and never tried Gruby’s before. It’s a hidden gem for sure!" — RH
There's something especially satisfying about finding your favorite breakfast sandwich hundreds of miles from home. Planning your next morning out? Explore our Hilton Head breakfast menu and find your new favorite way to start the day.
Lunch the New York Deli Way
Hilton Head Island is famous for its seafood, but sometimes you're craving something different. Maybe it's a hot pastrami sandwich on rye. Perhaps it's a classic Reuben, a hearty bowl of homemade soup, or a generous deli sandwich that requires two hands. Gruby's brings those New York deli traditions to the island with a lunch menu featuring hand-sliced pastrami and corned beef, overstuffed sandwiches, homemade soups, and traditional deli specialties.
That's the beauty of finding a great neighborhood deli. Once you've discovered it, you tend to come back. See what's cooking on our Hilton Head lunch menu.
"I wouldn’t have expected a NY deli in Hilton Head of all places to be such a standout, but this was one of the best finds on the island. We came here several times for breakfast and lunch, and everything we tried was excellent. Don’t skip the matzo ball soup!" — KJ
A few Hilton Head lunch favorites worth trying include:
Pastrami & Corned Beef: Classic deli meats served in the generous portions New York delis are famous for.
Reuben Sandwiches: A timeless deli favorite and a satisfying choice for lunch.
Matzo Ball Soup: Homemade chicken soup with a fluffy matzo ball. Just the thing for a cooler winter afternoon.
Potato Knishes & Potato Pancakes: Traditional deli specialties that are harder to find at your typical island restaurant.
Specialty Sandwiches: Explore a menu full of New York-inspired creations, including the 42nd Street and the Greenwich Village.
Settle In Like a Local This Winter. Your New York Deli Is Waiting.
One of the best parts of spending the winter on Hilton Head Island is getting to know the community beyond the usual vacation attractions. You find your favorite beach access, discover the bike paths you enjoy most, and start developing a few regular stops along the way. For many Hilton Head locals, Gruby’s New York Deli is already one of those places.
Stop in for breakfast before a round of golf or a day exploring the island. Meet friends for lunch over a Reuben and a bowl of matzo ball soup. Grab a bagel and coffee in the morning, or pick up a couple of overstuffed deli sandwiches to take back home.
For snowbirds spending several weeks or months on Hilton Head Island, finding a place that feels familiar can make the island feel a little more like home. Gruby’s offers the authentic New York-style breakfast and deli lunch favorites you remember, served right here in the Lowcountry. The sunshine may have brought you south, but a great bagel and a stacked pastrami sandwich might help convince you to stay a little longer.
