Location: Surf City
Top Restaurants in Surf City
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Top 10 American food in Surf City, North Carolina, United States
Find out what American restaurants to try in Surf City. Surf City is a town in Pender and Onslow counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 1,853 at the 2010 census. It is located on Topsail Island.
Things to do in Surf City
10. Beauchaines 211
Overall Ratings
4 based on 349 reviews
Great place to relax for a drink, date night, family dinners, or celebrations! Reservations strongly suggested.
Reviewed By LovinMyLife_8
My husband and I hesitated to try this place due to the mixed reviews, but decided to go for it. We made a reservation for 8:00 but upon arrival realized there was probably no need.In hindsight, we should not have ordered our appetizer, salad and entree all at once. Normally the waitstaff discreetly observes the customer sipping their cocktails and the food gradually arrives. Instead, here comes the app and salad, both were delicious and presented well. The app was roasted oysters on the half shell and we would return just for those!But before we could even finish, here comes dinner! My husband ordered the surf and turf special. I ordered the salmon, which was baked in butter and fresh basil, in parchment and was one of the best pieces of salmon I ever tasted! Buttery, soft, cooked perfectly!Then I realized by the time we ate our dinners, I still had half of my one and only cocktail to finish off!!From start to finish, the whole evening there lasted 50 minutes! I would have LOVED to have taken my time, savored the lovely food, had another drink but we decided to go have a snowball since it was only 8:50!!My husband believes there was a lack of coordination between our server, kitchen and runners, considering it was a different person bringing each selection of food! But kudos to the chef and kitchen staff for the creativity and speed for turning out such amazing food! We will definitely return, but will order very slowly, one item at a time!!
9. SurfDog Bites & Brews
Overall Ratings
5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By AuburnNC
Great food and super friendly staff has quickly made Surfdog one of the best new restaurants on the island. To go orders are accurate and prompt. Their homemade potato chips are a perfect compliment to the Holly Ridge sandwich. The buffalo chicken dip is a crowd pleaser for those who enjoy some heat other than a sunburn. The only way to make Surfdog even better is to serve Coca~Cola instead of the native NC soft drink.
8. Shuckinâ Shack
Overall Ratings
4 based on 201 reviews
We offer seafood including local oysters and clams when in season. In addition we also offer many types of fried seafood baskets, whole breaded hot wings, salads, sliders wraps and more. With 12 rotating draft beers and over 30+ bottles we're sure you'll
Reviewed By letsgotovirginia
This was our favorite place this week. The service was fantastic and the food was outstanding ! We had the low country boil, oysters, and steamed shrimp. Best fried oysters! The shrimp were huge and excellent. They do have a special each night. It's a small place, so it will be loud.
7. Gallagher's Sports Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 550 reviews
Now Open at 8:00 AM for Breakfast! Gallagher's Sports Bar & Grill is the place to be for family fun! 16 Flat Screen TV's, a great professional staff and something on the menu for everyone. Gallagher's Sports Bar & Grill uses the freshest local seafood ava
Reviewed By BeachcombersNC
We tried two other restaurants first but werenât willing to wait 1.5 to 2 hours. On the recommendation of a friend, we tried Gallagherâs. Let me begin by saying our opinion of Gallagherâs was framed by our experience at the front door. The man at the door, who was taking names and directing the hostesses to seat parties (his name is Peter) was perhaps the most rude person we encountered while at Surf City. We were told he was the new manager! We witnessed him yell at one woman who was trying to get in the door but was delayed by the crowd. He told her to close the door because he wasnât cooling the entire beach. Very classless. This made use pay closer attention to his behavior, and we witnessed this same unnecessary behavior extended to the hostesses and female wait staff. The bartenders were left alone.The manager should have been paying attention to what was happening, or not happening, in the kitchen. We waited close to an hour for our food, and had decided to simply pay for our drink and appetizer and leave when our food arrived. Our waitress, Kara, was excellent. She anticipated our every need, hassled the kitchen to get our food moving, and was very apologetic for the delay. The manager apologized to no one. It would have made up for a lot had the food been great, but it was just okay. Two examples: The tuna was way over cooked and tough. It is difficult to mess up tuna this bad. Fish and chips should be an âeasy Aâ for any seaside restaurant, but this one arrived cold. As long as we had to wait, we were not going to roll the dice by sending the food back. On a positive note, the drinks from the bar were quite good and the bathrooms were clean.The manager tried to make up for his earlier behavior by wishing us a good night and saying âSee you again soonâ. However, nothing short of him actually asking us about our experience and offering a bit of an apology would have made any difference. We wonât ever return and recommend you bypass this place as well.
6. Daddy Mac's Beach Grille
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1041 reviews
Oceanfront dining at it's finest. Enjoy a wide selection of hand cut steaks, fresh island seafood, and the house specialties. A locals favorite since 2006.
Reviewed By KenA490
We arrived right at 5:00 on a Thursday and already several people seated. We were greeted warmly and given a choice of inside our outside. We set outside in the shade and very nice view and comfortable setting. Our waitress was very friendly and engaged and took our drink order. We started with crab dip which was excellent - creamy and tasty with a good amount of crab. The pita points were fried and a great change. We wife had the grilled shrimp which were a dozen good sized shrimp perfectly grilled with the Tuscan garlic butter sauce. The shrimp were tender, sweet, and delicious. She had the mashed potatoes and vegetables du juror which were both very good. I had the grill scallops which were 6 large sweet and tender scallops topped by the Tuscan garlic butter. The fries were fresh and hot. The coleslaw was good but not fresh and soggy with little taste. There was plenty of convenient parking just across the street. This was our best meal during our week on Topsail Island and we will definitely go back.
5. Sears Landing Grill & Boat
Overall Ratings
4 based on 842 reviews
Reviewed By KenA490
We stopped for an early dinner on a Sunday and sat inside. We started with the West Indies which was good - creamy filling and crispy crusted outside. My wife had the fried shrimp and cheesy fries. The shrimp were very lightly breaded and fried and were tender, sweet, and delicious. The grits were creamy and tasty. I had the grilled magi which was a good sized portion of very tasty fish. The fries were the run of the mill crinkle cut fries. The cornbread was excellent - slightly sweet and very tender. The service was efficient but not that friendly. A good meal.
4. Island Delights
Overall Ratings
4 based on 442 reviews
Hand Pattied Burgers, Subs, Pitas, Salads, BBQ and all the fixins..Full HARD DIP ICE CREAM BAR and SOFT SERVE. 50s Style Dining, 2 antique Jukeboxes, kiddie rides and walls of Nostalgia..FUN...
Reviewed By COTraveller33
Stopped in for some late night ice cream, and grabbed a burger as well.- burger was old-time 50s style - like your dad would make on the grill for the block party - Ice cream is awesome, and their smalls are huge.The 50s / 60s decor is so cool, and although is nationally focused (Beach Boys, Elvis, Betty Boop, etc..) there is a lot of local decor. So cool.The line was at the door for much of the night, but moved relatively fast.The staff was friendly and efficient- Josie was very nice - Would recommend: YesWould re-patronize: Definitely
3. New York Corner Deli
Overall Ratings
4 based on 380 reviews
Reviewed By Realsadflute
Like the variety of options for breakfast. Get there early or you will have a somewhat crowded wait. Outdoor seating is available. Good eats!
2. Surf City Barbeque
Overall Ratings
4 based on 314 reviews
Reviewed By brofrito
On a hurricane relief crew were several co-workers from Raleigh area. Prices, low. Portions, huge. Tastes, outstanding. I had a Shrimp Po Boy that was overflowing with shrimp on a fresh roll. Shrimp was fresh, crisp, and flavorful. Lightly breaded with a really nice different taste. Love it. Only had Brunswick Stew once before but opted to try again. It was incredible. This Yankee was born in the wrong part of the country.
1. Topsail Steamer
Overall Ratings
5 based on 79 reviews
We provide seafood steam pots prepared with fresh local seafood, meat and veggies and homemade spices to take home, steam, eat and enjoy! Our buckets come in a one-time use pot with easy to follow instructions.
Reviewed By msdevore
My fiance and I got engaged last year in Top Sail and we ordered from here as our celebratory dinner. It was pricey (as all good seafood should be) but it was SO worth it. We will be back in Top Sail next month to get married can't wait to order this for our wedding day dinner for all of our family to enjoy. Will definitely be a family tradition from now on.Thank you for the kind word and congratulations!
