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    The Surfing Fox

    4.2 (294 reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Closed 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

    The Surfing Fox Photos

    THE SURFING FOX ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - The Surfing Fox

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    Breakfast Burrito
    Marcelino R.

    Great service, fun and relaxing atmosphere, and the food was solid. It's walkable from the Santa Monica pier and good people watching.

    Roasted half chicken
    Jasmeer O.

    It was my first time there but not the last time. Food is unique and very delicious. I stay away from ordering any chicken dish as it's always dry. This one was very different and chicken was very moist. Rise was also amazing. Be patient when you order as it's made fresh and takes around 30 mins. Everything else we tried was amazing. We are outside on the patio which is just a block from the famous Santa Monica Pier. Service was 5 stars too. Nightly recommend

    Matt I.

    The Surfing Fox was a hidden gem. It is located in the Pierside Hotel. Nicely decorated with a calm relaxing ambiance. It was never too crowded for us during breakfast and lunch hours. The staff are friendly and the food is delicious. It is right across the street from the Santa Monica Peir and only a couple minutes walk from the 3rd street promenade. I would definitely recommend giving this place a try. Atmosphere: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Food: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total: 4/5 Price: $ Rating Criteria: Based on comparisons to other establishments in the area 1/5: Terrible, would not recommend 2/5: Might be worth it depending on price and other factors. 3/5: Solid option. Average in this category for the area. 4/5: Above average and excels in this area. 5/5: Excellent, needs no improvement Pricing Criteria: Based on what we spent $: $0 - $50 per person $$: $50 - $100 per person $$$: $100 - $200 per person $$$$: $200 - $500 per person $$$$$: $500+ per person Please be mindful that reviews are based on personal experience which may differ from person to person based upon a multitude of factors (individual/specific workers, time of day, personal preferences, etc). Pricing may also differ and is reflected here based on what we paid for our meal. We typically enjoy multiple courses with our meals including appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts, and sometimes drinks or tasting menus when available. Please do your own research if concerned about potential pricing.

    Jason C.

    It was fine? Nothing crazy nothing special. Way overpriced but I guess you're in Santa Monica and it's a hotel restaurant. I won't be coming back but the decor and ambiance was nice and service was jsut ok too

    Crispy Brussels Sprouts - not crispy at all
    Susan L.

    I liked it. It's too expensive, but our server George was great! The sweet potatoes were delicious. The brussel sprouts were tasty but not crispy. The poke is good, but the cucumbers were under-seasoned, or maybe there were just too many as filler for something that was too expensive and small. The fish was delicious though. It's confusing. I think it's so expensive because it's close to the SM Pier. Plus, you have to pay so much for parking, too.

    MaDonna W.

    Yum!!! This place was so fun for brunch, we highly recommend you make a reservation. This was Valentine's Day so there were lots of people enjoying the great weather. They have a beautiful outdoor area as well as as a sufficient indoor space. The nonalcoholic drinks, the strawberry spritzer, and the honeydew refresher. We're both amazing not too sweet just very refreshing. We enjoyed so many great dishes their hamburgers with the Portuguese bun very very good. Their breakfast burrito burritos are great their hangers steak you cannot go wrong with any of your choices from the menu. There is parking here and there however we found out as we were sitting down that they do offer a $15 valet Next time surfing fox....

    Fish tacos
    Corinne R.

    We came here for lunch and everything was delicious. I had the grilled Mahi fish tacos and they were phenomenal. The Cucumber "Foxtail" is light and tasty.

    Fritz H.

    Stopped in for a quick brunch and was pleasantly surprised. The menu had a good variety of options to choose from. I ordered the avocado toast, which was fresh and delicious, while my mother had the breakfast burrito and said it was excellent. Service was friendly and attentive, and overall we were very happy with our meal. Would definitely come back.

    Cheyne T.

    Cute place to eat by the Santa Monica Pier! I like how they have different types of tables set up. Drinks (4/5): ordered 4 cocktails and we enjoyed most of them, my favorite was the espresso martini. Food (3/5): we tried a variety of appetizers, entrees, and sides and while the presentation was great, most of the dishes lacked flavor. The shrimp bao, lobster roll, and sweet potatoes were our favorites. Overall would be a good spot to grab drinks, they have a patio outside that seems nice to hang out in.

    Celine C.

    The Surfing Fox is located on the first floor of the Pierside Hotel, which is literally by the Santa Monica pier. The restaurant is trendy, clean, and felt very much like a vacation. Service was friendly. Food, however, was just okay. The American breakfast was disappointing in terms of flavor and presentation. I requested for scrambled eggs but got a large piece of dry egg crepe lol (see picture). As for the potatoes, they were so bland and lacked seasoning. Breakfast plates usually come with a piece of toast but not at Surfing Fox. I had to order a side of sourdough to eat with the avocado slices that I substituted for meats.

    Ceviche* gf
    Melissa B.

    I was nervous about a place so close to the pier - often the location near popular spots is great but the food is subpar. We stopped in for brunch and were delighted to find both a great location and awesome, fresh food. Family had lobster rolls and fish tacos that they enjoyed. I had the ceviche and sweet potatoes, which were fresh and flavorful. Was only shocked to find, given the location and great food, it wasn't more crowded at brunch on a Sunday! Check it out if you're visiting the Santa Monica Pier area!

    Richard L.

    The event at the SURFING FOX is outstanding. It's great to be an elite and enjoy meeting such nice people in such a super nice restaurant environment. I'll definitely come back to this restaurant after the event to patronize them because the food is very good. Sarah did an outstanding job with organizing this event.! Thanks Richard L

    Madisyn y.

    Great location, just steps away from the pier. We sat outside to take advantage of the beautiful weather, which made the experience even better. We started with the peppers as an appetizer--delicious! For mains, we had the spicy chicken sandwich and the burger. The chicken sandwich was flavorful with just the right amount of heat. Unfortunately, the burger was a bit overcooked, which was a letdown. For drinks, we had the cucumber cocktail and an Old Fashioned--both were well-crafted. Overall, it was a solid lunch spot. I'd definitely recommend it, especially if you're looking to enjoy a meal outdoors.

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    Fun place to watch Egypt-Iran, made a few friends. Good, strong wine, decent burger and fair service.

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    The Surfing Fox Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Surfing Fox

    How much is valet?

    is there parking or is it street parking?

    Is there a happy hour?

    Yes, there is now HAPPY HOUR at The Surfing Fox Monday - Friday (3pm - 7pm)

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    Edgemar

    Edgemar

    4.4
    (206 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Enjoy the atmosphere. Service is touch and go. Last time was disappointing. The time before…read moreexcellent.

    Reservations: Convenient to make through OpenTable though they're usually able to accommodate…read morewalk-ins. Parking: They have an adjacent paid parking lot though metered street parking is cheaper since they unfortunately don't validate. Ambiance: Really gorgeous inside, with high arced wooden beam ceilings, natural light through skylights, romantic dim lighting, candles, lots of potted trees for greenery, and velvet seating to add elegance. Even the plates are worth admiring. They have a nice patio with heat lamps for cooler evenings as well. I absolutely love the vibes for date night. I have eaten here four times now and have a reservation ready for my fifth. The menu changes EVERY WEEK and the fact that the ingredients are so seasonal, and the chef really seems to takes pride and passion in creating different dishes so often, keeps me coming back each time. They have done specials from Sunday Night $35 7-course omakase to 50% off Neighborhood Patio nights to $65 for two 4-course date nights and the quality is so worth it. I even came by for an art class hosted on the patio since they hold multiple community events, including sports watch parties. The best yellowtail I've had (including eating in Japan and various sushi spots in LA, OC, SF, and NY) was surprisingly here, at a place I was honestly hesitant to even order sushi from. It's the first time I actually really could taste the flavor as it's more subtle than tuna, salmon, or albacore but they somehow made it incredibly memorable from the freshness. Definitely order the hamachi with pomegranate. I loved the flavor with the ponzu and that it wasn't just the basic jalapeño combo. There was a Singaporean crab garlic butter noodle dish they made once that was incredible though sadly seemed to be on the menu that time only. This was my absolute favorite entree they've offered so far. The gem lettuces Caesar salad is amazing although unfortunately, both times I've ordered it without cheese, they forgot. The boquerones (anchovies) are a gem (ha) that really adds to the salad and I love the texture from the herb crust. Their signature shrimp toast has a good crunch from the sesame seeds and distinct pieces of shrimp rather than mush inside and the ikura on top adds another good layer of flavor. The vegetable curry was rich, flavorful, and savory witbout being too heavy with perfectly cooked potatoes that didn't just hide in the sauce in a way that actually didn't make me miss the meat. The short rib curry had such tender meat and the roti made in house was actually a major highlight for me as it was so flaky, hot, crispy and had an amazing garlic flavor. The chocolate pot de creme had a good orange zest flavor to add to the chocolate and wasn't too rich or heavy though the texture was thicker. The calamari had super crispy batter so didn't associate it as much with a lighter tempura one but the lemons in it and the roasted garlic marinara sauce it came with were so good and added a lot of depth. The butter curry prawns has SUCH well cooked shrimp - flavor was amazing. Miso salmon was good though crispy skin side up would have been better personally. I liked the olive oil flavor in the vinaigrette and the lemon with veggies on the side as well. The tres leches was surprisingly light for a cake and very moist so I enjoyed a lot and the caramel ice cream wasn't overly sweet. The lychee vodka drink is my favorite (came with a drink pairing they offered with Sunday omakase) and the imperial gold yuzu cocktail is better for those who like a stronger drink. The grilled asparagus was cooked to a tenderness with great flavor from the crispy onions on top that have somehow made it among my top favorite dishes here, despite it just being a small side vegetable dish but I didn't like asparagus until this! I would definitely recommend coming here for dinner over brunch personally, as those have been my most memorable bites. Definitely order the yellowtail sashimi, shrimp toast, gem lettuces Caesar salad! Hoping the garlic butter crab noodles, grilled asparagus with crispy onions, and housemade roti reappear on the dinner menu!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Interior
    Interior
    Prawns

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    Prawns
    Tar & Roses

    Tar & Roses

    4.5
    (2.8k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$
    Romantic vibe
    Locally sourced ingredients

    The food and the wine are incredible here. We came here right before we got engaged in 2018, and…read morewhat I wanted for our 6th anniversary was to come back, and we did in September! The mains that are wood-fired are delicate and delicious. I appreciate all the bold wine pairings, especially with meat. Wood-roasted bone marrow was incredible! The duck breast was moist and sweet! My husband got the lamb shank, which was by far the best with bold Middle Eastern flavors like zhoug and labneh. You must try!

    Tar & Roses is a mixed bag with one genuine high point…read more The menu is where it lost me. It swings from Vietnamese small plates to a straightforward steak, and the range never settles into a point of view -- it reads less like a confident eclectic kitchen than a grab bag. The fried red snapper was the standout: crisp, well-cooked, good enough to stand on its own. It came with a fish sauce for dipping that it didn't need -- a wedge of lemon on the side would have suited it far better. The Vietnamese crab cake was a real miss; I couldn't get past it. The dumplings were fine but forgettable. Service ran to extremes. Our server was warm and eager, almost too eager -- he pushed a bottle of wine we weren't sold on, and we ordered it anyway. Then, after all that attentiveness, he disappeared toward the end of the meal and never came back. The wine list was fine, nothing memorable. There's real skill in that kitchen -- the snapper proves it -- but the meal never added up to more than its parts. I left full, not delighted.

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    Tar & Roses
    Tar & Roses
    Tar & Roses

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    Rabano

    Rabano

    4.7
    (179 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Established in 2024

    Robano is the kind of neighborhood café I wish I had within walking distance. I stopped in while I…read morewas in the Ocean Park area and immediately understood why locals seem to treat it like a regular spot. I ordered the salmon plate and an iced matcha latte, and both were fresh, satisfying, and exactly what I was in the mood for. The service was genuinely friendly and welcoming, adding to the relaxed neighborhood feel. The patio is the real draw. It's a great place to post up with a laptop for a few hours, whether you're answering emails or pretending to be productive while people-watching on Main Street. If I lived in the neighborhood, I could easily see myself coming here all the time. Between the good food, friendly staff, and comfortable outdoor seating, it's the kind of place that quietly becomes part of your weekly routine.

    Obsessed with this place! Not only is their menu extensive but they also use the best ingredients…read moreso you. Leave feeling energized and full in the best way possible (and depending on what you order leftovers for the next meal or two!). I've tried the super bowls which are amazing - both the pork belly and the lechon are full of flavor and I like that you can do half/half on your mix base as well. The garlic noodles, so good. On the lechon the black beans are delicious! For drinks, the mixed matchas are amazing and such a good deal! The strawberry and the off menu mango are both great and at $6, a steal! I can't wait to come back and try more items. Service is always friendly and the decor is bright, inviting and homey with tables inside and outside.

    Photos
    I mean look at this ambiance!
    I mean look at this ambiance!
    Peruvian Saltado
    Peruvian Saltado
    Peruvian Saltado

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    Peruvian Saltado
    Chelsea

    Chelsea

    4.6
    (199 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Definitely worth trying .. especially happy hour .. no reason not to…read more Food, drinks, and service were all 5/5 .. shout out to Ty for top tier service The kimchi grilled cheese was the stand out. Seems weird but it really worked. Menu didn't say so but came with some really good tomato soup dip also. Love a good food surprise Drinks come next .. wow .. really unique and delicious. American Samurai and Shades of Pink .. both home runs The Sea Bass in coconut lemongrass deliciousness. A bit pricey but fair for Sea Bass and location. The portion was pretty large compared to other places. Excellent Tempura cauliflower.. this was good but the only thing I have any notes on .. I'd like a sauce .. it's has flavorful toppings and something like chili oil on the plate .. wish chili oil was more of a sauce .. but still was very good .. texture was perfect tho .. a little crunchier than traditional tempura which was nice Ambiance was charming .. cute little place .. a must try

    Chelsea was a beautiful, moody interior restaurant with vibrant dishes and fun cocktails…read more Especially loved the yellowtail and watermelon dish as well as the grilled octopus. I believe everyone enjoyed their dishes, but docking a star as they overcooked the steak frites! We ordered it medium rare but it came to us medium-well done. It is always disappointing to get a steak more done than you requested. They had a seasonal banana foster dessert at the end that was delicious. Service was attentive and pleasant. Definitely a pricier place, but worth it to try the different dishes on the menu!

    Photos
    Interior is stunning
    Interior is stunning
    Escargot mushrooms
    Escargot mushrooms
    Shades of Pink cocktail #yumola

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    Shades of Pink cocktail #yumola
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

    4.2
    (4.7k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    We had a very good experience here! Our waitress was friendly, fast, and gave great…read morerecommendations! We split two appetizers, which was plenty due to the portion size. Drinks were delicious and the vibe was fun!

    I finally made it to The Misfit in Santa Monica, and honestly, the interior is giving major…read moreBalthazar-meets-Parisian-speakeasy energy. It's located in the old Clock Tower building, and the Art Deco decor is absolutely stunning--dark enough to hide a bad day but vibrant enough for a girls' night. The Vibe: It's loud, lively, and perfectly "bohemian chic". If you're coming on a weekend, prepare for a crowd, but it's the good kind of crowded where everyone looks like they just came from a gallery opening. The Food: I'm still thinking about the Crispy Chicken Sandwich--it was juicy, perfectly seasoned, and came with a fennel-apple slaw that actually felt fresh. We also shared the Bacon Wrapped Dates (obviously) and the Hand Cut Kennebec Fries, which arrive in a bowl so huge it could basically be its own zip code. The Drinks: Their Happy Hour is arguably the best in the city. I had the Japanese Dream with matcha, and it was expertly crafted--not too sweet, which is my biggest pet peeve. The "Misfit" Moment: The service can be a tiny bit slow when it's "rammed," and there's a 4% kitchen fee that feels a bit unnecessary, but they make up for it with those complimentary sea salt chocolate chip cookies at the end. They are warm, gooey, and life-changing. One major heads-up: I heard a rumor they might be closing their doors on April 18th due to some landlord drama, so get there while you still can.

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    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

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    Shoreside

    Shoreside

    4.0
    (20 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    Outdoor seating
    Kid friendly

    I ordered the seared Ahi sandwich and salad with "Asian" dressing…read more Sandwich itself was very good. Ahi wasn't too fishy and the sauce and salad matched perfectly. Only drawback was that there was a lot of bread. Salad was pretty good too. Sour, zesty, fresh, and mouthwatering. Service was fine - there weren't a lot of people there for a Monday afternoon. Ocean view ambiance, although, there's a lot going on in the space considering that it's part of the hotel.

    They should call this restaurant poolside instead of shoreside. They are not set up for large…read moregroups. I was looking for a new restaurant for a work dinner -- I would not suggest this spot. I also thought you would be able to see the ocean since it is right on Ocean Ave -- but once seated you can't really see the water. And unfortunately the view of hotel guests swimming wasn't very appetizing. We had a reservation for 14 and somehow they lost it (even though someone called to confirm the day before) -- so they had to quickly set up a table for 14 which they clearly did not do that often -- it was all squished between plants and heaters. After waiting 10+ minutes we were finally seated. Right away we noticed that the menus were different, not drastically but enough to cause some confusion. The waitress seemed very flustered and kept mentioning that our group was not expected. We started off with drinks -- I got a strawberry lemon tart -- it was good but the strawberries were a bit too chunky for a cocktail (IMO). Some people received their drinks in a plastic glass -- I guess because it was near the pool? We ordered a number of appetizers and then our mains. The waitress wasn't sure about us even ordering a main -- it made me wonder if they actually had enough of the dishes in the kitchen. Apps were good but nothing amazing. I got the sea bass for the main and it had no spice or flavor to it -- it even had these little dollups of romesco sauce that was also flavorless. Several people at the table ordered the filet mignon -- the only beef course on the menu and one of the plates came out at least 10 minutes after everyone else received their meals. The waitress did give him a free drink for his patience. Also my other coworker told me the lobster roll was terrible and made her stomach hurt the next day. Overall I was not impressed and will not likely return for a dinner here.

    Photos
    Shoreside
    Shoreside
    Shoreside

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    The Surfing Fox - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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