Cancel

Open app

Search

The Surfing Fox

4.3 (286 reviews)
ModerateNew American
Open • 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

The Surfing Fox Photos

THE SURFING FOX ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
Trendy

Recommended Reviews - The Surfing Fox

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

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.

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.

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.

Deodorant stain

Restaurant was great but when we went back to our valet car, the waters were taken, half of the peanuts were eaten, the vents and seats were messed with and there was a deodorant stain on the door. DO NOT valet there. For reference the car was just detailed.

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.

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.

Magy S.

If you're around Santa Monica Pier you NEED to stop by The Surfing Fox & ask for JAHIR!! We ordered the mouthwatering Hot chicken sandwich , the rich and flavorful Fish Tacos that had a sauce that elevated the dish! , the crunchy and satisfying shrimp toast appetizer and the refreshing hibiscus agua fresca! The flavors worked perfectly together! Prices were worth the price for the size of the dishes. You can choose from sitting at the bar, a nice and cozy booth, a high top or just a nice table. I wouldn't want to miss this gem while you're around. Check it out! Thank you Jahir and Chef Irene for the amazing experience! We will be back!

Yesenia E.

This place is super cute. We came here after a beach workout. The vibes are very mellow and the staff is very sweet from the waitress (Katherine) to the servers and busboys. The food was amazing We had chilaquiles and a cheeseburger. We expected the chilaquiles to be bland but surprisingly they had a good kick and sazón. Will definitely be back.

Cute logo coaster
Melissa M.

The space is airy and well-ventilated. I found it a little cavernous and the live music too loud when I arrived. But once the space filled up a bit, the sound was dampened enough for me to hear my dinner companions. Our server was friendly and graciously offered to take our orders separately so we could each receive individual checks. The food and drinks were only OK. I had the Honeydew Refresher (N/A) and the pea falafel with green curry sauce. The falafel was a bit mushy, but it was surprisingly filling for there only being 4 pieces. I liked the flavor of the curry.

Champagne / Gambino Cuvee

See all

3 months ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 3
Love this 3
Oh no 0

20 days ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 3
Love this 4
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Corinne R.
49
60
113

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Cheyne T.
1310
1506
1212

4 months ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 4
Love this 5
Oh no 0

13 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

11 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 5
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of San A.
5
29
8

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Magy S.
300
12
15

7 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of H N.
474
40
12

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 5
Oh no 1

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ariel T.
421
35
75

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

The service was very good, the food was yummy and the place has a very relaxing atmosphere!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Mel D.
1123
1271
1199

2 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 2
Love this 4
Oh no 0
Photo of City B.
3
116
4

9 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Tami H.
0
20
33

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Wil S.
0
12
6

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 8

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)

View All 3 Questions

Tar & Roses

Tar & Roses

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

Tar & Roses is in our regular but infrequent rotation. Every visit we revel in every dish. The…read moreservers are usually friendly, chatty people who give genuine feedback on their preferred items on the menu, it never feels like they are selling you items... hey, we are already seated with menu in hand, so when we ask which has more luscious mouth-feel and rich sauce dish A or B, I value their honest answers. While occasionally we switch things up, the oxtail dumplings are a must have and occasionally instead of dessert we have ordered a 2nd helping of them. My BF has asked if I can recreate this at home; I think this is best left to the professionals! At the servers recommendation we switched things up and had the creamy, but not milky, delicious corn gnocchi, with slivers of cucumbers. He steered us to the asparagus which tasted freshly picked. The duck was moist and not greasy served in parsnip puree and I could have had another full cup of that sauce, because it's just that good. Those 4 dishes and a bottle of priorat was more than enough food for 2, leaving no room for desert. Tar & Roses stands the test of time for a reason. It's just that delicious.

Second time at Tar & Roses for my birthday dinner and I was excited to dive deeper into the menu…read moreafter only trying the pre order Singaporean chili crab and a few lighter apps on my first visit. We started with the oxtail dumplings since they seem to be one of the most hyped dishes here, but honestly... they were just mid for me. Not bad, just didn't really live up to the hype. The whole fried snapper was easily the star of the night though. Perfectly crispy outside, flaky inside, and the dipping sauce absolutely makes the dish. The shellfish pot was also excellent -- rich, flavorful, and great for sharing, but I do wish they gave a little more grilled toast with it because you'll want every last drop of the broth. The ribeye was solid and cooked perfectly, but nothing particularly memorable compared to other steak spots around LA. For dessert, definitely get the strawberry galette. The crust was buttery and delicious, and it was the perfect ending to the meal.

Photos
Tar & Roses
Tar & Roses
Tar & Roses

See all

Rabano - Peruvian Saltado

Rabano

4.8(174 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$
Family-owned & operated
Established in 2024

Tried this place for the first time and it was fantastic! I already want to go back and try more…read moredishes. Very nice location with a short walk to the beach. The inside was very clean, cute, and spacious. There is also an outside patio. No shortage of sitting options. We ended up ordering the super bowls- VIP Poke and Kebobs Mediterraneo. Both with white rice and greens. I honestly loved both of them equally. The quality of fish in the poke was outstanding and the chicken kebob was so tender and juicy. We also got the Pineapple Zingy Fizzy drink which was very refreshing on the warm day. The staff was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The only thing I want to add is that on the menu board had a key for items, one being a * indicates the item contain nuts. Some of the bowls listed cashew chipotle sauce, but there was no * next to the item name. It's a quick fix to avoid any accidents :)

All I can say is wow. We're in the area often, and today we were looking for a new, cool spot to…read moretry when my wife came across Rábanos. I'm really glad she did. My wife was craving Thai food, so she ordered the Thai dish, while I was stuck between the Peruvian Saltado and the Showtime Burger. I ended up going with the burger, and I'm glad I did. It was absolutely amazing -- flavorful, high quality, and perfectly put together. From the first bite, you could taste all the layers of flavor in what honestly felt like a masterpiece of a burger. Both dishes were very good, but the burger was definitely the winner for us. We also tried the Garage beer, which was super light and delightful, along with a latte. The latte was okay. We're big coffee people, so it didn't quite meet our expectations. It was served too hot, and the milk seemed overheated. The coffee itself tasted good, but it didn't feel carefully crafted. I enjoy latte art and that first sip from a freshly made uncapped latte, and that part was missing for me. That said, the food was so good that we're more than willing to overlook the coffee. Great vibes, superb service, and an overall fantastic experience. Highly, highly recommend this place. We'll definitely be back with friends and family.

Photos
Rabano - I mean look at this ambiance!

I mean look at this ambiance!

Rabano - Peruvian Saltado

Peruvian Saltado

Rabano - Peruvian Saltado

See all

Peruvian Saltado

Shoreside

Shoreside

3.8(18 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

See all

The Surfing Fox - newamerican - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...