19 Best Seafood Restaurants near Surf City

“The food was very well prepared and tasty. Way over priced . $60 for an average size piece of halibut over a bit of spinach. Duck was enjoyed by others I was with and at a better price point (still high $48) Menu is always the same. Nothing particularly special, but all good. Service was good. I would suggest this place if the price doesn't matter or it's a very special occasion and you need a more upscale place. Otherwise, save your money. Eat with regular folks (e.g. not the Love Ladies crowd) and save your money for a really special meal that matches the price.“

“AMAZINGGGGG!!! After hearing nothing but excellent things about this restaurant I finally made it and it lived up to all the hype!! Everything was amazing from the time we sat down, staff was very friendly and welcoming and our waitress was so personable and very attentive. All the food was top notch, the crab toast appetizer special on the fabulous sourdough bread was unbelievable, I have never had crab that fresh! Also, I highly recommend the potato app ? I will definitely be back!! Chef came out to ask how everything was, great guy! I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone!!!!“

“This morning my husband and I went to Dockside Diner for breakfast. They were busy and full. We sat down at counter and they only had one waitress, one busser/runner and chef. Despite being shorthanded and extremely busy, the staff, service and food that day were incredible. The 3 staff members handled a difficult situation with class, efficiency, hard work, and a warm friendly smile. Kuddos to that staff!!“

“First time here. Very impressed! Very nice restaurant in a small strip mall. Excellent service as well as food. They have a small but varied menu. I ordered the Hanger steak and my wife had the chicken franchise. Delicious! We don't live in the area, but would love to return sometime.“

“Definitely one of the top restaurants in Manahawkin/LBI area. My pasta dish was amazing, and service was great. Only downside to this place is it’s not huge and they don’t take reservations. We lucked out and got a front parking spot and table fairly quick. They also have a cool little outside area with a drink truck and a fire pit. This makes the waiting part a lot more bearable (keep in mind we only waited about 15-20 mins anyway). Overall, great experience. Certainly a spot you should try this summer if you’ve never been.“

“We ran in on a whim and were greeted with a warm welcome. We ordered a bunch of small plates and they were all delicious- the artichoke were cooked in a lovely sauce, the calamari were fried in a light, spicy sauce and the grilled shrimp had a terrific dipping sauce as well. All were a bit unusual and very tasty. Our waitress was friendly and helpful. A fun vibe and a creative spin on all the dishes. We will definitely return. Thank again!“

“A small spot with counter service, and a few tables outside. This fairly priced, $21 a lobster roll, spot gives you a healthy serving of lobster both claws and tails on a perfectly toasted buttery roll. They have Maine, CT and Mass choices. They created a new category called Rillaioli, a lobster roll with varying state themed offerings. Check out the Texas.The lobster Mac and cheese was creamy, and didn't skimp on the lobster portion.“

“as you walk through the shopping village the aroma of chowdah tickles your nose and entices you as if in a trance. A cartoon who smells a fesh pie left on the window sill, you can't help but fall victim to it's inebriating fragrance. When you finally find this gem in buried deep in the shopping jungle, the doors open to a bouquet of bisque, chowda, and lobster alike. It crashes into your nose like an embrace from a long lost lover in a former life. Something out of a dream as you bring the first spoon full of bisque and oyster crackers to your lips. A flavor so familiar, but you've never had something this intoxicating. Your mind races to make sense of it, but it's impossible. You're hopelessly lost in the bliss of the bread bowl bisque.“

“Every year I come to LBI, I have to stop here. They have some of the freshest seafood on the island and the customer service is amazing. Every year I call ahead to see what they got and Marty is always excited to give me the rundown. This year I was specifically looking for cherry stone clams and he explained the history of clams to me so instead of cherry stones, I went with the top necks. I came in and everyone was super pleasant and Marty greeted us with a smile. Give this place a try!My family travels from PA and VA and this is one place we HAVE to go to. Thanks Marty and his team for the continued years of great service & high quality fish.“

“This place is a total gem of south Jersey. Been here for my birthday and came back for brunch the same week. If you are into seafood and love cozy bars this is the place to go. They have raw oyster bar but also there are a lot of cooked options. Their jersey deviled eggs and crab cakes are to die for but all the other options are pretty amazing as well. That being said, parking and seating might be limited during peak hours.“

“Happy New Year!Enjoyable evening with friends and family for our second New Year's Eve. Robert and his family have always gone out of their way to make our dining experiences special and have had many celebrations at the restaurant. We plan to have many more.“

“Absolutely loved Dune 18! Have been dying to try this restaurant and so glad I did. Everything from the appetizer to dessert was amazing. I couldn't stop talking about the tomato soup and Cacio e Pepe! Service was great and I loved how the owners were present introducing themselves and helped out around the restaurant throughout the night. Excited to go back and try more.“

“My husband and I had dinner here for the first time in the summer of 2023 on a weeknight inside. We decided to give it a try due to the recommendation of our neighbors. I had the Lobster Grilled Cheese sandwich and Lobster Bisque Soup in a bread bowl upon recommendation of our neighbors again. Both items did not disappoint. Both items were super filling and tasty! If you order the soup in a bread bowl, be prepared to share. It becomes like an appetizer with all the soft bread in the bowl. Absolutely delicious. As for the atmosphere, we chose to sit inside. Watching the ocean and the boats at sunset gave it a perfect summerlike feel. We will be back based on our last experience this past summer.“

“First time to Black Eyed Susan's and it really was such a delight. The vibe inside was very cozy and inviting, they had a wood fire going in the fireplace, the lights were perfectly dimmed. We were greeted warmly, our coats checked. My drink, the "you had me at aloe," was the prefect blend of fruity and fresh - and the passion fruit pearls atop the drink were so fun - a little burst of flavor! My husband couldn't decide on a wine, and they kindly let him have a small taste of one before he committed - in the end he went with a lovely Sangiovese Red. We left feeling FULL. The prices here are not cheap, but the serving size you get for the price is a good value. We took home portions of our entrees, and the only apps we had were the sour dough bread and olives - of which we also took some home. Typically I don't venture this far north on the island, but for the tasty food and bevies I would make the trip again.“

“First time getting food here and I was not disappointed. I’ve seen them over the years while on vacation and always wanted to try them and so glad I did. We were just grabbing a quick lunch so I opted for a burrito, and chose the Burrito De Mariscos. I have to say it was one of the best, most flavorful burritos I’ve had. The blend of seafood (which was cooked perfectly) with the rice and beans and spices was delicious. And it was big enough to share or get two meals out of it. There was no chips and salsa that you get at some places with takeout, but that wasn’t an issue for me today. I’ll definitely be back to try other things.“

“Took a ride to Viking Village expecting to see a bunch of shops, get something to eat something to drink, but the food vendors were closed and it was a beautiful day. Some of the shops were closed also. surprised with the Labor Day weekend upon us. the shops that were open were cordial and inviting, very interesting merchandise to sort through.“

“Went to Tuckers on Easter and had the most AMAZING bartender ever John!!! He was so tentative and helpful on food recommendations! Everything from his service to the food was excellent! He is a great asset to this business and we will definitely be returning to see him, he makes delicious drinks and was a pleasure to talk to! Bravo to you John and we look forward to our next visit ??“

“Came in for an early dinner with my son. We arrived at 4pm. By the time we left there was a wait, and it's obvious why. The food was so good. The wings were delicious, and cooked perfectly. I had the scallops and my son had the cheese steak. Two very different meals and both absolutely incredible. Our waiter was so awesome and attentive as well. Would 100% come back.“

“This Restaurant means so much for my family and I. Ever since the first time that we came here we were hooked! Just alone the atmosphere, the joy and smiles from everyone enjoying the time. An amazing staff that is ready to greet you and cook some really delicious seafood. With good music and drinks what else can you ask for. Thank you for your service, we truly appreciate it. The Padilla Family.“