Buffalos restaurant in Palmetto Bluff renovated and open to the public. See what’s new

Lisa Wilson
·3 min read

Buffalos restaurant in Palmetto Bluff is once again open to the public.

Since closing to the public during the COVID pandemic, the restaurant also underwent extensive renovations and reopened in July with a new look and a new menu.

The rear patio was expanded with a covered outdoor dining terrace as well as an open area showcasing views of the May River and the community’s picturesque May River Chapel and Wilson mansion ruins. A news release says the outdoor porch roof was designed to not interfere with the existing windows to allow as much natural light into the screened porch as possible.

The interior features refinished hardwood floors, cream white walls, an exposed kitchen, a brick fireplace and high ceilings. A revolving exhibit of works by local artists will hang on the walls.

The renovations at Bluffalos in Palmetto Bluff included a 10-seat bar.
The renovations at Bluffalos in Palmetto Bluff included a 10-seat bar.

A new full bar with seating for 10 features a raw bar with locally caught oysters, shrimp, flounder, and snapper.

“We are excited to showcase the new and improved space to our residents, members and the broader Bluffton community,” chef Rhy Waddington, director of culinary and events for the Palmetto Bluff Club, said in the news release. “There is a real buzz in the air.”

The menu features fresh, local ingredients, including produce from Palmetto Bluff’s own farm, rice from Rollins Raw Grains in Levy and salad greens grown in Hardeeville.

The breakfast menu includes a strawberry and blackberry cobbler waffle served with brown butter caramel or the Lowcountry biscuit sandwich with ham, green tomato relish, a sunny side up egg and wild arugula. For lunch, diners may choose from a list of salads, savory bowls or sandwiches, such as the blackened swordfish sandwich or the fried chicken sandwich. Dinner options include a roasted Beaufort flounder or the pork, veal and ricotta meatball served with cheesy stone-ground grits.

Shrimp-stuffed padron peppers from the Buffalos lunch and dinner menu
Shrimp-stuffed padron peppers from the Buffalos lunch and dinner menu

Each menu includes vegetarian options, including roasted hen of the woods mushrooms or a sprouted grain bowl with seasonal farm vegetables.

Chicken tenders, a grilled cheese and a burger are among the kid-friendly offerings.

Palmetto Bluff

The 20,000-acre Palmetto Bluff property in Bluffton is known as a celebrity magnet for its luxury Montage resort, which hosted the weddings of Justin Bieber and Haley Baldwin in 2019 and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2021.

The expansive property, 32 miles of which touch the May River, is the Town of Bluffton’s largest development agreement. It’s also one of the town’s fastest growing neighborhoods, with nearly 1,000 new residential building permits approved over the last decade.

In May, the community launched a farmers market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on select Wednesdays. The market is held at The Farm at 228 Old Moreland Road and is open to the public.

“The Dreamer” is a cocktail made from empress gin, lavender seeds and lemon juice simple syrup, and ginger beer at Bluffalos in Palmetto Bluff.
“The Dreamer” is a cocktail made from empress gin, lavender seeds and lemon juice simple syrup, and ginger beer at Bluffalos in Palmetto Bluff.

At a glance

What: Buffalos restaurant

Where: 11 Village Park Square in Bluffton (in Wilson Village in the Palmetto Bluff community)

Hours: Breakfast 8 to 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday, lunch 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, and dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Monday; closed on Tuesdays

Phone: 843-706-5455

Website: https://members.palmettobluff.com/web/pages/public-buffalos

Local fish crudo from Buffalos at Palmetto Bluff
Local fish crudo from Buffalos at Palmetto Bluff