i lived in fernandina beach up until about a month ago. and my friends and i always went to the surf. its one of my favorites! the crab soup is excellent! its one of the things i miss most about the island. it has a great atmosphere and you almost alwyas seee at least one person that you know in there ( its a popular hang out spot) the live singing and bands are great and i try to make it a point to go on wing night! (wed) I DEFINITALLY RECCOMEND THIS PLACE!

The Surf used to be fun and decent food. Good place to go for drinks and great wings. Now it stinks. Service is awful, they always have lame dj's with music so loud you can't have a conversation with the people at your table, and that is even if you are sitting far from the bar area. Food is overpriced and sometimes drenched in sauces; they think american sliced cheese is cheddar cheese; you ask if they really serve the Hebrew National hotdog (like the menu says) and then they have the nerve to bring you an imitation hot dog- if you are someone who only eats all beef (kosher) hot dogs- you know what this means. Its like serving scraps of meat to someone and telling them it is filet mingon! We had to go to another table last time and get salt/pepper/napkins because the server never brought it. You finish your drink before your food is done; then ask for a refill when your food finally arrives and then your refill is brought to you when you have finished your meal. We used to go for 'winging it' every Wednesday night but they got so busy that they would send the wings out half cooked and they just started making them in mass quantity and so we stopped going for that. The burger is ok and the grouper sandwich is ok. Some people like the fried shrimp basket and fried oyster basket. But all of their $10 and up entrees (pasta, steak, etc) leave much to be desired. All else is mediocre or overpriced. A flavorless ceasar chicken wrap is not worth $9.00, especially when you wait for 45 minutes for it. I have been there many, many times because it is one of the few beach side places to eat (although it is actually roadside near the beach) and every time I say I won't go back; then a couple of months goes by and someone talks me into going, but if you are a visitor- do not go for the dining experience or the service. Only go for a beer after a day at the beach or for a drink and to laugh at the people who drink too much and try to line dance! I give it a 5/10. They keep saying they are tearing it down to put up condos... but they've been saying that since 2005!

I have not stayed at the hotel, but I often eat at the restaurant. This place is a place locals and tourists share and enjoy. It has a mix of different types of local music and good drinks. Some nights it has featured guests like Elvis (good impersonator). It has wonderful specials like crab legs, chicken wings, and lobster. The beachy atmosphere is relaxed, and people usually feel like it is a comfortable place to go with friends and family. You can see the ocean during the day light hours.

Old-fashioned beach bar atmosphere. Service was a little slow, but friendly. Fried shrimp was excellent. Lots of choices and specials. Limited view of the ocean due to homes and condos across the street.