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    Drifters Surf Restro

    4.7 (41 reviews)
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    Updated 2 months ago

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    Bob W.

    Incredible little find!! Wow, ordered two fish dishes that were out of this world good! A must try, looking forward incoming back and trying some other dishes

    Gaston P.

    Tucked away in a modest strip mall at 1875 S. Patrick Dr. in Satellite Beach, Drifters Surf Resto is the kind of spot that reminds you of those unassuming, intimate restaurants you might stumble upon in New York--think SoHo or the Bronx. Small in size but overflowing with character, warmth, and soul. This was my second visit, and I'm happy to say it was just as impressive as the first. I first heard about Drifters through a friend who raved about it--and they weren't wrong. Anyone familiar with Brevard County knows that while we have a handful of restaurants, very few stand out. Most tend to be either chain establishments or high-end spots with stagnant menus. So finding a place like Drifters--a truly phenomenal local restaurant--is a refreshing experience. Whether you're catching up with friends or sharing a relaxed evening with a loved one, it's an ideal spot. Some might initially overlook the location, which shares a strip with an Ace Hardware, a laundromat, and a pizza joint. But that's part of its charm. It feels like a hidden gem, the kind you'd only discover if you were lucky--or local. Inside, you're greeted with a laid-back, welcoming ambiance--not overly lit or flashy, but cozy and calming. The staff is attentive and friendly, and the best part is that the owners are fully involved. Danny Clark and his family run the place with heart and care, drawing on their background from Costa Rica where they previously owned a restaurant near a surf dojo. That surf-town spirit is infused in every detail of Drifters. Now to the heart of the experience: the food. The menu is on the pricier side and appears to change regularly, which is rare and welcome in our area. It keeps things dynamic and exciting, unlike many local restaurants that rarely rotate their offerings. We started with the beef Wego starter plate, and it was a showstopper. The presentation was vibrant and elegant--an open invitation to dig in. Even my wife, who doesn't typically eat red meat, commented on how flavorful and tender it was. Cooked to a perfect medium-rare, the meat was juicy and well-seasoned, complemented beautifully by the salad and dressing. It was so good I finished it too fast to properly savor it--definitely ordering it again. For our mains, I chose the lobster Pad Thai while my wife went with the sashimi bowl. The Pad Thai was phenomenal. Having made Pad Thai at home, I know how delicate rice noodles can be--these were cooked flawlessly. The sauce had a wonderful kick, and the lobster was tender and perfectly done. My only suggestion: I wish there were spice-level options for this dish, as it's naturally spicy. It was perfect for me, but those sensitive to heat might want to choose a different entrée. My wife's sashimi bowl was equally excellent. The freshness of the fish was immediately noticeable--not like some local places where the fish clearly has been frozen for days. Here, it tasted like it had been caught that morning. The quality was top-tier, and we both appreciated the care that went into it. On my previous visit, I had tried their ceviche. It wasn't the traditional Peruvian or Ecuadorian style I personally prefer, but more of a Central American take. Still, the fish was fresh and properly marinated. I also tried the dragon roll and was again impressed by the quality--if you love sushi, Drifters stands far above the usual suspects in Indialantic or Melbourne Beach. As for drinks, they offer a good selection of draft beers and a thoughtful wine list, but no hard liquor--so no tequila, scotch, or rum here. However, their mocktails are creative and refreshing. My wife, who doesn't drink, enjoyed her alcohol-free cocktail and found it both flavorful and fun. Final Verdict: Drifters Surf Resto is exactly what this area needed--a fresh, family-run restaurant that offers elevated yet approachable food in a relaxed, surf-inspired setting. With its ever-evolving menu, high-quality ingredients, and sincere hospitality, it's a rare gem in Satellite Beach. Whether you're local or just passing through, it's absolutely worth a visit.

    Nami nori trio
    Dacqueri M.

    WOW!!! Drifters in Indian Harbour Beach is a must! Don't miss the newest gem: a family-run sushi (and more) restaurant that offers a unique menu unlike anything else in the area. The intimate setting adds to the charm, making it perfect for a cozy meal. The service is exceptional, reflecting the warmth of a family business. A definite must-try for any sushi lover! We got the Nami Nori Trio and the El Jefe roll. Both were excellent!

    The tuna poke
    Jesse H.

    Went there on a Tuesday hoping for a quiet dining room. Was greeted right away with a smile and was shown the bar with 4 stools by entrance and the sushi bar with 8 stools. We chose that latter. Ice water was poured and menus presented in a few short minutes. I was explained that Tuesdays were only sushi and bowls available and the full menu is Wednesday through Saturday. Although the menu was one page every option looks super desirable. I chose the sublime dish which is salmon and short rib over a lovely noodle and my companion shows a vegetable bowl but wanted to add tuna as a protein and what she really wanted was a poke bowl. The kitchen accommodated And created a bowl on the fly that met her expectations. After the orders were taken within moments we were offered an Amuse-bouche including four petite muscles in the half shell with delicate accompaniments and garnish. The entrées arrive shortly after and the utensils were great although the stainless steel chopsticks reproving too hard to handle and I resorted to the fork halfway through the dish. The portions were generous and flavors were profound. Super happy with our choices and completely satisfied with the meal. Drifters occupies a small space and its family owned and operated. Reservations are recommended Wednesday through Saturday. Looking to try the full menu soon.

    Coffee cacao crusted steak

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    2 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

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    29 days ago

    Very cool place. They need to expand. Food was great as was the service. Will visit again.

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    2 months ago

    Great food and service. Amazing specials and always very fresh. Highly recommend visiting.

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    5 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Great food atmosphere and great staff our area really needed this restaurant! Food was amazing!

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    5 months ago

    Food and service wax amazing! Will definitely go back! The smash burger with lobster on ''twas my favorite!

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    6 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Everything was great! The rolls and specials were all unique and delicious. The service and atmosphere were equally amazing!

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    7 months ago

    Great, innovative food. Creative sushi. Great options and nice staff. Cute decor. Is small but worth a try.

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    7 months ago

    Everything was wonderful--flavors, service, ambiance were exceptional! Left wanting more, but were quite full. Happy 1st anniversary!!

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    So good! Best quality! Get the tuna and ponzu noodles! Sushi was also excellent. We will be back!

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    Ask the Community - Drifters Surf Restro

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    Umami Restaurant and Sushi Bar

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    This is by far THE BEST sushi/Japanese restaurant in the Melbourne, FL area! Everything here is…read morehigh quality and great! They source many different types of superior and exotic seafood types from different areas of the world and feature daily special offerings. I love that I can request the fatty belly portion of salmon and yellowtail sashimi and they often have fatty toro tuna. I love that they will flash fry the body portion along with the heads on sweet shrimp and fried prawn orders (I don't like raw shrimp). I love their exceptionally good ginger dressing and usually get an extra side portion of it! I love that they most often have sea urchin available (and often several types) that I like to enjoy with shredded daikon and shiso leaves! I love their shrimp and vegetable tempura! I love their fresh scallop hand roll with mayo and fish roe! I love their 'distinguished gentleman' roll with seared tenderloin beef and lobster! I love their broad selection of cold sake choices! Just have a look at my photos and see what I usually love to order.

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    Osuki

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    The staff are so kind. The fish and rice is a great quality even though the price is considerably…read morelower than most sushi restaurants in the area. Also the ambience has a nice feeling with an ocean like theme. Over all I would come back here a thousand times over. Highly recommend.

    (but also... send help)…read more Let me start by saying: I came to Osuki All You Can Eat Sushi as a normal, responsible adult. I left as a human sushi roll with zero self-control and absolutely no regrets. Round 1: "I'll pace myself." Round 2: "Okay but these rolls are tiny, so it doesn't count." Round 3: "We don't quit in this family." Round 4: I started negotiating with my waistband. The sushi? Fresh, fast, and dangerously delicious. Like... suspiciously good for something labeled "all you can eat." The spicy tuna had me questioning my loyalty to every other sushi place I've ever been to. And the fried rolls? Crispy little traps of joy. AND the vibe? Super cute, really clean, and tons of seating--so even while I was making questionable life choices, at least I was doing it in a place that felt put together and comfortable. Service was on POINT. Our server kept the plates coming like they were personally invested in my downfall. At one point I'm pretty sure they made eye contact with me like, "You sure about this?" No. No I was not. By the end, I was: 70% sushi 20% soy sauce 10% poor decision-making Would I go back? Absolutely. Will I learn my lesson? Absolutely not. Pro tip: Do not say "just one more roll." It is never just one more roll. 10/10 would roll myself out of there again.

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    Walking up to the restaurant
    Dinosaur eggs
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    Osuki roll, spicy tuna roll and some sushi
    Sumo Japanese Sushi & Grill

    Sumo Japanese Sushi & Grill

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    Awesome food!!! Great service! One of the best sushi rolls…read moreI've ever tried! My husband got the Hibachi with steak and scallops and it was AMAZING!!

    The server on our visit Wednesday afternoon was so friendly and nice. We were seated immediately…read morewithout a wait. We were the only ppl there at 12:45pm. I have to say first - we literally chose this restaurant bc they had pork katsu (tonkatsu) and Japanese curry on the menu. These are dishes we had in Japan and always look for, but this is THE ONLY restaurant we've found in the area that has real pork katsu. A few have chicken... but that's not the same at all. Also, Japanese curry is a specific and special dish that I haven't seen anywhere else around here (except in my own kitchen). I ordered miso soup, squid salad, shumai, and eel with cucumber roll. Hubs ordered pork katsu entree which came with a carrot ginger dressing salad and miso soup to start, and rice, broccoli, and tonkatsu sauce with the pork tonkatsu. Also ordered Kirin and a sparkling sake. We were both mostly happy with our choices overall. The katsu was SO crispy, just like we had in Tokyo. But it was a tad overcooked, so not as tender inside as one would hope. It also didn't come with shredded seasoned cabbage, which I would have expected as a traditional accompaniment for this dish. The steamed broccoli was crunchy, bright and fresh. The tonkatsu sauce was on point. Steamed shumai was a delight! So well made, delicate but tasty, and it came with a perfect soy vinegar sauce. The squid salad was amazing! I scarfed every single bit of it. I loved the plentiful addition of julienned cucumber. Miso soup wasn't anything special, but wasn't bad. Kind of basic. Didn't seem house made. Maybe from packets. Hubs loved their ginger carrot dressing. More than what we've had at other places. I was not happy with the eel and cucumber roll. They were very tiny pieces, which made them fall apart easily. The wrap barely overlapped so it almost required a fork, and it was less than an inch thick. Also the eel itself did not have a prominent flavor or texture. Neither did the cucumber. The sauce seemed bland. It wasn't "bad" or "off", but it just didn't stand out at all and I'd give it a 2-2.5 stars. (If I had blind tasted this dish, I would not have tasted unagi or sauce or cucumber. I honestly wouldn't have been able to put a finger on what I had eaten at all.) Because the eel cucumber roll was a disappointment, I chose not to order additional sushi or the curry I had intended to order for myself. Definitely going to come back for another meal. I'm giving it a 4 now because I believe we'll probably have more success coming during dinner. Maybe they had prepped my lunch roll earlier so it wasn't great? Maybe the lunch chef is inexperienced and overcooked the pork by mistake? Hubs thought the hibachi choices looked great and he 100% enjoyed the tonkatsu (despite it being overcooked). The crust and fry on it were shatteringly crispy in the best of ways. I am absolutely going to try the curry next time. It's such a comforting dish when done right. We also will try the nigiri and rolls for a better feel and taste of their sushi offerings. Sometimes your first visit happens to be on an off hour or day, so we'll give another try before being too critical in stars.but another mid visit like this would definitely be 3 stars or less.

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    Larger party hibachi seating
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    Less than a cup of food for $13! Insane!
    Less than a cup of food for $13! Insane!
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    Mangetsu

    Mangetsu

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    Visited this place with the fam at 6pm on a Tuesday because it is PACKED Friday -Saturday and we…read morewanted to see what the hype was about! We were sat they had Avatar the Last Air Bender playing on a TV in the back, great for my daughter, and friendly staff who sat us & got our order. Their menu features Japanese, Thai, and Korean cuisine and we chose Korean that night. Didn't feel like cooking the beef so we chose the option to have the chef cook it for you. The banchan was good but very light, which I'm not used to. I request the banchan to be refilled 3x. The kimchee rice was so good, best place I've had it! Overall, I personally wouldn't return back, everything was just over the 'average-to-good-bar' but who knows, there might be something I'm missing by not coming on the weekends.

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    So there I was, in need of Miso soup. And I don't mean those dollhouse tea cup serving size new age…read moreportions of soup either I'm talking an absolute unit of miso soup. We're just craving that I couldn't quite shake. Lucky for me this place was five minutes away from work in Melbourne and I placed an order just to make sure both a large and a small order. To my surprise, it was a very generous portion and it was so much soup I had enough for dinner. Although I ordered it over the phone and did not sit down to eat the place had plenty of parking and it was a great experience from starting to finish. When I went to pick up the order place was packed and definitely a great tell service wise person on the phone and the person I spoke to the register were very kind and my order was ready right away so I went back to my office and enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to posting a follow up review when I sit down to eat their cuisine and I'll have all kinds of photos. This was a great experience and a great first. Impression. The price point was awesome, and the serving size was supremely generous.

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    All very, very delicious!

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    All very, very delicious!

    Drifters Surf Restro - caribbean - Updated August 2026

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