It's always a good idea! This casual, family-run, beachy-feel restaurant serves up great food for the whole family!

My family and I were vacationing in Emerald Isle and chose this restaurant for one of our evening meals. On June 24th, we first attempted to call the restaurant multiple times in order to place an order. So my husband and I chose to drive to the restaurant to place a carry out order and wait. When the hostess was placing the order, she said that anything over $100 would impose a 18% gratuity. This was a carry out order. We were not being seated in the restaurant. The hostess got the manager Amber. Amber was not receptive at all to our point that this was a carry out order. Our choice to tip or not is our choice. The order was $103. Really. Wow. My daughter insisted she would pay the tip. But my husband and I will not set foot inside this establishment again. Very disappointing. First we were told that the phones were working, but I got a message saying the voicemail had not been set up. Second, we drove in thinking we had to pay to park. Third we placed the order, but, I had to call my daughter to get additional info about cooking preferances. Fourth, we placed the order with the hostess who then tells us there is a 18% tip imposed on orders over $100. The order was $103 (after my husband and I dropped our meals from the order). This is absolutely absurd. Very frustrating evening for my husband and I. We are on vacation, and this is the hospitality shown to visitors. We asked to split the order, so that I could place an order for my daughter and my husband could place an order for us. But oh no, you can't do that. And then we were told that there would be a charge to use a credit card. Do you know how to rub salt in the wound. We paid $133.89 for a carry out food order that was barely over $100. read more

Terrible experience and didn't even get to eat. Our family of four went for dinner Friday night around 6:30pm. We were told 45 minute wait and 6 parties ahead of us which was no problem. We grabbed some cold drinks at the bar area and walked the pier for about 40 minutes then came back to wait inside. After 55 minutes we asked the hostess how much longer and she said there were 3 parties ahead of us. Odd that in almost an hour they only sat 3 tables? My husband and kids went outside for a bit and I noticed there had been 3-4 tables outside that had been empty since we were on the pier. I went back to the hostess (this was after well over an hour of waiting) and asked why the tables outside had been empty for so long with so many people waiting and we requested outside seating at checkin. She stated the cooking staff was overwhelmed so they were ALL taking a break. I have never in my life heard of such. If you cannot accommodate for the amount of tables you have in your restaurant you should NOT be in business. I also heard another hostess complaining after a lady asked about their table as well because it had been way past the what she was told. After the woman walked out due to the long wait I heard her say loudly "it's just an estimate, it's not a guaranteed time" with an attitude. I then asked if we could get a voucher for us paying for parking, since we only paid to eat there. She stated we'd get one after we ate. I said we are not eating now, we have waited close to an hour and half so we were leaving. She told me they couldn't give us a parking voucher because we hadn't eaten yet. We DID pay for drinks at the bar and waited an hour and half and were never seated, and had to pay for our wasted time (to park there) leaving with no service and empty stomachs. That has to be the worst experience we've ever had at a restaurant anywhere. We own a vacation home in EI and that is the last time we'll ever visit that establishment again. read more

Amazing location--hard to beat sitting outside and watching the waves roll in. It's a great spot to relax and take in the view. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the setting. I ordered the Cheesy Charlie (ribeye with white cheese sauce) and was expecting something hearty on a proper hoagie roll with a rich, beer cheese-style sauce. Instead, it came on what was essentially a hot dog bun with a small portion of shaved ribeye. For the price and description, it felt pretty underwhelming. Drinks were just okay--nothing memorable either way. Overall, the atmosphere is a big win, but the food was a major letdown and honestly pretty disappointing. read more

Nice local restaurant. Very casual and has like a tiki bar atmosphere. Food was good and portions were a nice size. Server was quite harried but was friendly and attentive. read more

Will not be back :( shrimp was overcooked, fries were super soggy, the coleslaw was ok, and the hush puppies were gross. read more

Surf's Up Grill and Bar - Grilled shrimp - American Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Stopped by when visiting town for the first time. Parking was free and our server was attentive. We were able to sit outside and see the beach, listen to the sounds of the waves hitting, and see birds flying. It was a breathtaking view and I could sit there for a while enjoying the sights. I ordered fried shrimp with fries and both were good. I had a great portion of shrimp but it cost $19 for that and not sure if that is cheap or costly for the area. When I compare the price to where I am from, it seems expensive but it was good and I do not regret ordering it. I also ordered the Pier Pressure drink which was a very good refreshing adult beverage. read more

Surf's Up Grill and Bar - Fried shrimp platter - American Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

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Came here on a Saturday night in November and it was quiet. A few customers at the bar. Staff was accommodating when we asked to have our football team game shown on one of the TV screens. Restaurant is right on the pier. Large parking lot. Our server was attentive. She was also busy sweeping the floor. I ordered the house salad and added grilled shrimp. The shrimp was prepared well. Prices seemed high for the casual ambiance. read more

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I have visited Emerald Isle yearly for the past five or six years now and eating out at Surf's Up is typically the highlight of our eating out adventures. This year we visited as a party of three and were seated quickly. Looking at the signature drinks menu, my eyes quickly went to the "Purple Drank" offering. Tart with a hint of sweetness of the grape vodka; it was delicious! My wife got the grilled chicken bowl and was delighted. It was so good, she was upset having left the leftovers on the table and forgot to take them!! I got the Backyard Chicken, which was juicy and smokey! My brother got the grilled salmon over a bed of Jasmin rice and vegetables. He commented that it was the best salmon he's ever tasted. You simply cannot go wrong with this place. It continues to be one of the best dining experiences we have every year 5 years running. read more

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You come here for the views and access to the beach, the parking seems to have a fee during tourist seasons but was free when we were there. Staff was friendly and attentive and our orders came out fast. I had the nachos which were good but very mild. The ground beef was either not seasoned or very lightly and had the color of just plain ground beef. Yet it was still very good. I like medium heat so I added the hot sauce and that was fine for me. I also ordered the roasted corn. My wife had fish, it was lightly battered and she seemed to enjoy it. After lunch we walked on the beach for a few hours which is why we were there. It seems there are some regulars there as there were several groups chatting on the outside bar and inside as well. read more

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Good service, great view. They even had live music outside, which was where we sat. The good was good in general, but the fried shrimp was the shining star of the night. I'd go back every time I go to the beach. It's just to SEE the sand but not TOUCH the sand. read more

Had a super dinner here on a Friday evening!! Food was amazing Grouper basket and Pound of streamed shrimp loaded with Old bay and home made cocktail sauce !!! It was all hot and service was class 5 !! Wished I had taken pictures but was too hungry! I have eaten at Fish Hut several times and this place shames them ! Hats off to Marine Corp dude that suggested many of his favorites!!! read more

My husband and I ate lunch here, and the food & drinks were good. We walked out onto the pier to check out the views which were great. We came back inside and ordered some drinks . However, we had to move away from the bar area because there was a very loud intoxicated man who had urinated on himself. We moved to the bar stools located on the back wall to finish our drinks. There were empty tables, and no one was sitting on the back wall where we were sitting. While we were sitting there, a very rude hostess came up to us and said we needed to move or order food. We told her that we had already ordered our food and ate, but came back inside for drinks. She was adamant that we move back to the bar which we were not going to do. So be aware of the mean/rude hostesses as well as obnoxious unsanitary drunks! read more

Service was really good, kept up on drinks and made sure all was good. The hush puppies were great (not many though for the price), backyard bbq burger was really good read more

A pod of Dolphin swam by outside our window. How can it not get 5 stars?! Service wasn't five star. Our server was AWOL once we got our food and drinks. Good bloody Mary's. Don't fear the tuna nachos as it's actually a great combination. Beachfront! In January ample free parking. It's got lots of windows, summertime colors, bright space! read more

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Beware, they are too busy on a Monday night to take a take-out order! Ridiculous! I wish them luck during the next pandemic!

An attempt for me and my family to go out to eat for our last day at the beach was a big mistake. My family and I have gone to the same beach every year since I was 2. For context I am 15 next month. The reason I bring that up is because out of 13 years going to this beach, I have only been here twice. Neither time was it any good. You walk into the place to a wierd smell but tolerable, beach and sports decor on the wall (no canes decor tho), all the staff waiting tables seem like they hate their job which I can understand as the place is ABSOLUTLEY FILTHY! Kinda grimy and dirty hence the odor. The place looks like it hasn't been cleaned since 2 BC. I go to the bathroom, big mistake, terrible stench, dirty, random crap everywhere, flies... vile... and the food isn't even that good either. It's mediocre at best... not worth the price, soggy fries, fried fish that's more unseasoned than a dad joke and I love fried fish, watered down beverages all in plastic cups with no lids, plastic silverware and no straws... they truly did nothing right... will not return read more

Food was good Healthy portion of shrimp and fries Salad was interesting but still good The frozen drinks were very loose in consistency but, but tasted good The machines must not have had time to freeze them Better Very busy Ambiance was a surf shop so it was great Parking was free under two hours and since we spent more than $15 We'd go back read more

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This place has some great bar/fried seafood. Good portions and everything we got was delicious. It's nothing fancy, but that's not the vibe here. I'd be back especially for a bite in between or after fishin at the pier. read more

Always pretty consistent. The bbq tatertots area must have. We split a sesame bowl with shrimp..very good.

A place shouldn't advertise they do take out when every time we've tired, they say they are too busy. Unacceptable. We have been here several years for vacation and every time they say they can't do pick up. Ok, just don't say that you do. read more

The food was amazing here I got a quesadilla. The chicken was not soggy, and the quesadilla was a little bit hard hard though I will say for forgiving a four out of five stars that our waiter to come by and ask us how our food was going, but did not want to come and refill our drinks which was kind of upsetting, but either way it was really good! read more

Nice view and good beach bar. Food is good and be achy. Drinks are strong but not the best crafted. If you are looking for a quick bite with a strong drink, I'd come here. If you are looking for a well done cocktail. My experience was, don't visit this bat. I got the Smokey tots. Not listed as a gluten free option but I switched them out with fries instead of tots. Yummy sloppy dish. read more

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The food was good always had been. The service was good as well. The view from the giant glass window overlooking the beach and the Bogue Fishing pier at Sunset last night was spectacular as always on a sunny day! Being a beach bar and restaurant to see young women in bikinis is not unusual during daylight hours, but not appropriate after dark. Last we had a drink outside and took some pics of the sunset. We came inside as it got chilly at dusk. We ordered 2 more drinks at the stool setting in front of the huge window. This window becomes like a mirror after dark. The 2 bikini couples were still sitting and drinking at the bar, their reflection in the glass was like a mirror to which we were Not entertained by the vulgar, obviously sexual content during our dinner. They should have been asked to put on a cover up at least. The bikini was very skimpy They should have been checked or flagged as they were there before us and after us drinking and the sexual behavior of the man with her placing his hands and fingers in all the available orifices he could find was disgusting and vulgar. Get a room, please. Maybe rooms for rent by the hour!?!? Most restaurants I have EVER been to have some sort of dress code after dark. I mean really! A bathing suite cover up, maybe? We told the waitress and asked about the manager? The manager came out and said she asked them to curb the sexual behavior or they would have to leave. The manager was approximately the age of the offenders, her name was Amber, she seemed very cool and unconcerned about it all.​​ I use to recommend Surfs Up to friends, family and tenants of our Airbnb, Not anymore. Suppose you were there with your children for dinner with a beach view. The "Show" during dinner was over "R" rated and totally unacceptable. read more

Food was not that great. I got a handful of Calamari for $15, a Caesar salad with like 4 shrimp for $20 and 2 hot dogs that look like they were cooked yesterday for $23. The 2 pina coladas were good thought. Overall not at all worth the $81 I spent. read more

We always like to dine here when on Emerald Isle. Prices and portion sizes are good, the food tastes great, the service is very good and the view of the pier and the Atlantic can be very nice. I like to order the grouper. It is a large amount of fish so make sure you're hungry if you order it. read more

We had a great time at Surf's Up on Christmas Eve, and really enjoyed the ocean view. The food was very tasty, especially the sweet and spicy shrimp we ordered for the table to share. The pier was closed for the holiday, which was a bummer, but it was still a very cool place to visit. read more

Surf's Up Grill and Bar - Great ocean view from the dining room on Christmas Eve! - American Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

I stopped for dinner and ordered 1/2 pound peel and eat shrimp, broccoli, and a side salad. The ranch for the salad was really good. Shrimp were also really good. I sat outside and it was a beautiful view. Server was really nice and I enjoyed my time here. read more

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Stopped in on the way home from a round of golf for a quick afternoon bite. It was around 4:30 or 5:00 on a Thursday afternoon. The parking was free, but definitely looks like paid parking from a distance. We were seated immediately, it wasn't incredibly busy. But it was well staffed like they were waiting for a big summer dinner rush, so our orders were out within probably 10 minutes. The food was hot, tasty, and cooked well. We ordered a bunch of appetizers, like the tots, calamari, fried shrimp basket, chicken tenders, and quesadillas. The group loved their food and the fast friendly service. The drinks were also refreshing, but the blue crush seemed a little lighter on the pour (still tasty though!) The waters were also always topped off. I'd love to try out their meals beyond the apps, but everything we had was great. Would definitely come back. read more

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Had a grouper basket, the grouper pieces were great tasting, not overcooked and not greasy!! Yum! The side I chose was a salad and it was plentiful but not enough greens, was iceberg lettuce, a great salad is made with leafy greens! All in all enjoyed the view and the grouper, great wait staff!! read more

The food was decent. I got the aloha burger, but it didn't have a lot of flavor. My mother got a chicken quesadilla but they put shrimp in it instead. By the time they brought out the correct food we were all done with our food. read more

It is my favorite place on the beach. I have been here at least a half dozen times in the last year. The food is always great. The service is always excellent and the ambiance is perfect for a beach seafood restaurant. Will be coming back soon. read more

Without a reservation, we were able to get a table for 7 people in about 30 min. We left our phone number and walked to the end of the pier and back! Weather was nice so it made everything pleasant. Fair warning for parking: $15/first hour or $20/all day Our server was fantastic! She kept our drinks filled at all times and when I asked to heat up my food, she gladly took it! Food was well prepared (only complain is that it took a bit for the food to be ready!) busy place so it's understandable. (Just a fair warning!) read more

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This place is just fine. The reason to come here is access to the pier and the view. But the food is just so-so. A surprisingly delicious item on the menu was the tuna nachos which could have fed four people haha! However, the french fries tater tots and shrimp sandwich were just okay. I wouldn't likely return to eat, but I would order a drink and enjoy the view. read more

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The location was great due to the pier but the limited parking was a nightmare. This place was busy (but not like Fish hut). Get $20 off parking if spending a certain amount at the restaurant, but you would have to get your parking ticket taken care off next door at the fishing store. Good idea to do reservations or takeout. Calamari appetizer was good but small. Salmon option was good. Fettuccine Alfredo was mediocre. read more

Good service. Food was good. The tiki bar was fun. Kellie was a great bartender! The restaurant and the hotel need to work together to manage the area. Hotel guests should be able to take their own food into the common hotel areas without hassle from the restaurant employees read more

Food was good but there were alot of, and I mean not just a few, flies inside the restaurant landing on our food. Enough to lose our appetite. Very disappointing. read more

Obviously the location is just right and we thought the service was a touch above average saving this place from a 1 star. But the food was absolutely awful. Fries were cold, soggy fried fish and shrimp, some type of weird chewy chicken tenders for our son. We wanted to love it but can't recommend. read more

Four of us got burgers to go . They were okay. Our order came to $76 and we were told that anything over $75 would be subject to an 18% gratuity. I'm a good tipper if I'm eating in a restaurant but I think that getting things to go shouldn't require 18%. read more

Sat at the bar on Valentines Day. Great service from Court! Had a couple of dirty martinis and steamed shrimp. I believe them to be the best on the island. The atmosphere is great ... right on the beach. The restaurant is clean and inviting. She packed me up wings "to go" beautifully. I'll be back! read more