Surf in Southend-on-Sea

We first visited Surf last January, when after a delicious meal, I left a 5 star review. We subsequently made other visits during which the food was just as enjoyable. However, our last visit was very disappointing. The 3 dishes with hollandaise sauce, which I felt were a real highlight, are no longer on the menu. The poached eggs we ordered were very overcooked. A new branch of Surf has opened on the Rayleigh Road, and I noted that the 3 previously mentioned dishes are on the menu at the new location. I can only assume that the Chef is now working at the new location, leaving someone with less culinary skills to manage the less ambitious menu at the Chalkwell Beach location. It would be a terrible shame if standards at this wonderfully situated location are going to suffer.

Had an excellent lunch at this delightful little cafe right on Chalkwell Beach. Beautifully poached eggs on well cooked, good quality bacon, sitting on their renowned bubble and squeak, covered with a silky hollandaise sauce, all faultlessly presented by friendly and efficient young staff. The coffee is also very good. Will definitely be back.

Went for breakfast as restaurant is now operating after Summer takeaway operation. Smoked haddock with bubble and squeak and poached eggs was perfectly cooked also avocado with stack was great. Outlook over the estuary is very pleasant as is the service, much prefer Surf to the beach hut close by.

Cod and chips, with homemade tartare sauce, served with a slice of lemon and a gherkin. We were very impressed with our meals. Our dog was very pleased with his sausage. Recommend this establishment.

Went there a month ago and although a bit expensive the food was lovely but visited yesterday and the sausage wasn’t cooked properly and the beans must be the cheapest they could find as white cold and hard , even my wife’s bagel wasn’t a bagel but an ordinary roll ,won’t go again

ice cream is insane good staff and helpful got good younger staff who are happy to help i would recommend

This little cafe is right on the beach in chalkwell and offers great views with yummy food served by lovely staff. Highly recommended.

It pains me to write a bad review but I feel I must as Surf need to get their act together. We ordered surf pots on Father’s Day. Firstly to be told they weren’t available after queuing 20 minutes. I pointed out they should put a sign up to let people know - which they did. Maybe you should consider your stock and allow for Fathers Day on the seafront this is obviously going to be a busy time! We then proceeded to wait 45 minutes for a take away pot. We were advised it would be 20 minutes. After this time passed I asked how long to be told sorry we don’t know we’ve had to get all the Deliveroos out - how about you deal with your customers waiting in front of you. Terrible terrible service. I will not be returning.

Since they changed hands it's not the same. Had a breakfast and food not very hot. Today I had a large 99 ice cream which was tiny. Hardly any ice cream on it at all. Not like the image on their advert. A real shame as they used to be excellent.

Right on the beach wherever you sit you will have a wonderful view of a beautiful shoreline. Latte was fine and although I didn't eat the menu looked enticing. Service was very friendly and engaging. The only downside the card machine didn't work which was inconvenient but I am sure this will be fixed and was only a blip. Open all year round.

Absolutely love this place. Wide range of breakfasts which are delicious and healthy. Staff are friendly and accommodating. Can't recommend it highly enough but maybe I shouldn't so I can always get a table!

Ice ages come and go before you get your food , And its definitely not worth the wait , staff more concerned about what happened last night , Far better places to eat along the front than this place

I’d seen & heard friends rave about the ‘Surf Bubble Pots’ & I wasn’t disappointed. Decent sized portion of bubble & squeak, sausage, tomato, beans & bacon topped with a poached egg. Quality ingredients, really tasty. Friendly staff & quick service. Highly recommended. Thank you, I’ll be back as swim regularly at Chalkwell.

I went here with the family at the weekend as we wanted to try somewhere new for brunch and I'd always liked the look of this place. Not disappointed is an understatement, one of the best places I've eaten in for a while and certainly one of the best brunches I've ever had. So I had the smoked Cod, bubble & squeak and 2 x poach eggs, my wife had poach eggs on sour dough, my 8yr old boy had battered haloumi and chips and my 10yr old girl had egg and chips. Everything was perfect, not your typical catering chips but homemade chips, poach eggs were perfectly done, couldn't fault anything. They also do great smoothies and iced coffees and the location is amazing. Well done Surf we'll be back soon!

Our first time to Chalkwell and a very enjoyable one. Only an hour to get here from Barnet and needed breakfast on arrival! We found Surf, and proceeded with coffee and breakfast and wasn't disappointed. The coffee was proper coffee, quality, hot and great strength. I had a sausage & bacon baguette and Claire the toasted ham and cheese bagel, both were proper tasty. Very friendly staff too 😊. Thanks for making our first visit to Chalkwell a great one. Thank you Perry & Claire X

At last Surf is open for takeaway just arrived home after sitting on the sea wall and having there Surf Pot. What excellent value Bubble poached egg beans and bacon for the best value Cafe on the Westcliff front. There is also probably the most comprehensive menu available from the Cafes that are open along the promenade. Regards John and Mary

Great location excellent breakfast with high quality produce. (Jim's sausages)Staff are extremely polite and efficient. Price for breakfast very reasonable considering location.You will not be disappointed if you visit the Surf Open for takeaway from nine olock, Just had a bacon and bubble sandwich excellent. Also takeaway lunches including fish and chips Enjoy

myself and my husband came to surf yesterday(i have been before so i knew how nice it is). Surf is a small cafe it only can have 24 at maximum inside. Its has a very natural wood design to the interior, lots of glass so plenty of views to look at on to the sea. As soon as we arrivied i knew my husband was liking the calmness of surf(my husband had just been to the dentist so surf was the perfect place. We were greeted warmly by a very nice lady. My husband had a breakfast which he said was the best breakfast he has had. I had a blt with coleslaw n chips which was delicious. We also had coffee, tea and a large slice of coffee n walnut cake. It does also have a toilet which was spotlessly clean. As soon as we left my husband said "we will defo go there again". now i dont think you can reserve a table(not sure). great place for a calm relaxing drink n eat

We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch here, of fish, which we had without chips, but instead I had it with bubble and squeak and salad, and my husband had salad. It was beautifully presented. The tea was very good, and the coffee excellent. We enjoyed ice cream too. Waiting staff were prompt and courteous. It was high tide and exciting to see the waves nearly splashing the windows. I would certainly come here again. Thank you.

First visit here and certainly won't be the last. Friendly, clean and fresh. Food awesome. Staff certainly know about customer service. And dig friendly to well behaved, dry and clean dogs. Great addition to my Southend highlights

Had a wonderful breakfast overlooking the beach at Surf which is located between Chalkwell and Westcliff. Great value for money! Only problem I had was that it was full of dogs and at some times during the breakfast a number of dogs were barking.This shouldn’t be tolerated and the owners should be made aware that they need to control them or be asked to leave. I can imagine that some people would feel quite intimidated with dogs around them whilst eating! But overall the breakfast was great. The same can’t be said about the weather when we decided to leave - really windy and raining.

I popped in here on a hunch, really. We’d stopped for a takeaway coffee before, but I wanted something for brunch. It is something of a Tardis year inside and sits over the beach, with panoramic views of the river. I was there on a cold bright day, which always helps, but even a stormy day would present quite a view!I ordered coffee - which was excellent - and eggs benedict. This was cooked to perfection, with a special mention of the bacon; really tasty, but not thick and beautifully grilled.We’re very lucky in Southend for cafes, but it’s always good to add another to the list of “go to” places. Recommended!

Popped by for a snack and paid £3.50 for a tiny slice of banana bread today! This place attracts day trippers desperate for a refreshment (slim pickings along the seafront). Let's just say it's not the kind of place that keeps locals going back for more.

Took my mother, uncle and auntie and mums friend for breakfast , I must say it was the best breakfast I've ever had in southend... Service was amazing with very polite staff.. Food was excellent, everyone left with a smile on there face .... thankyou ( mick from great Yarmouth)

I did not even know this was there. Was my nans recommendation I went and treated her for her birthday. Nan had the eggs royale and I had the special burger for the day. I really enjoyed and I loved the view. I am fussy with chips and they were perfect. One of the best overall things for me too, is they let dogs in how lovely I will be returning with my own.

Great location excellent breakfast with high quality produce. (Jim's sausages)Staff are extremely polite and efficient. Price for breakfast very reasonable considering location.You will not be disappointed if you visit the SURF

My wife and I were walking along the seafront when we came across Surf, We fancied some chips so we ordered some. Very good process of handling out a number for your order which I thought was a pretty good idea. We have to say that these were the best chips we have ever had. They were crisp and hot, just as we like them. Will definatey be returning again.

This bijou place is very convenient for those walking from Leigh along the seafront to Southend - if you walk that far! There are a few tables outside and there is indoor seating as well. Staff are very friendly and helpful. The food was fresh, but nothing special. The weather was good, so it was quite busy, many of the customers were regulars.

There is absolutely nothing "premium" about the burgers, just a dry patty in a bun, no toppings whatsoever, hilariously bad. People are nice but yeah complete joke of a burger, I suggest you stop using the word premium.

5 of us, including 2 children visited Surf today for lunch. We are visiting family from the Isle of Wight and wanted somewhere nice with a sea view. I had the Crispy chicken baguette, my husband and sister in law had the Fish Finger baguette (I’m definitely having this next time we visit!!) and the children had crispy chicken and chips. All of our meals were delicious and we were very satisfied. The staff were all very pleasant and friendly. Very nice spot to watch the sea from and can definitely recommend the food and service. We will be back in sure!

Called in today not knowing what to expect as this was our first visit.

Seven of us went for lunch today. Nice table good views ( shame the tide was out) There was a good lunchtime menu plus an all day breakfast menu. The food was lovely, staff very friendly and helpful. Rossi ice cream! I’ll certainly visit again.

5 staff in the kiosk. Nobody knew was what going on. Waited fifteen minutes for a coffee!

A small, but lovely spot with a fab view. I had the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast and it was perfect. The staff were friendly and welcoming.

Had a fabulous breakfast overlooking the sea watching the paddle boarders go by. Glorious sunshine so it set us up for our walk into Southend-on-Sea. Enjoyed the full surf and veggie breakfast. All cooked fresh and was very tasty. The halloumi was cooked just right as was the bubble and squeak. Staff very friendly. When next in the area will definitely visit.

This is my first time here although my wife has been a few times for breakfast.

Really lovely little place. The food was amazing - I recommend the burger. The two waitresses were really accommodating to us with a pram and the service was great.

My partner and I come here often for lunch either at the weekend or during the week and love the place. Food is fresh and straight-forward. Staff are friendly and the cafe is just lovely right on the beach with great views. Love it here even in the winter.

Came for lunch with my 4 year old. Really tasty food and great views. Highly recommend a visit - we will certainly be returning!

It was very friendly and bright, right on the sand, food was good

Took my parents here for lunch on a beautiful sunny February day. The cafe is right on the beach and when the tide is in the water virtually surrounds you. Lovely views through the fully glazed room which has been decorated in a modern rustic style. We had a mix of food, sausage baguette for me, egg and chips for mum and swordfish steak and bubble for dad. All the food was good although it was a bit slow arriving, but we sat and enjoyed the view and our drinks whilst waiting. I think it will prove very popular during the summer months and is quite small inside so you may be disappointed if you want a table, however their are outside tables and also a takeaway hatch which I think has a more of a snack menu.

Delicious breakfast, fantastic service, amazing location. It’s even Dog friendly. Just perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Met with friends for breakfast on a very cold day the view was beautiful from our table and we were served by a lovely friendly lady called Leane

Recently got a dog and as a couple we love to eat out and explore the world so we don’t want this to change.

First visit yesterday to this well presented small but welcoming cafe/restaurant with a fantastic sea view.

Lovely Sunday lunch with family in this cosy restaurant, food perfectly cooked, tasty and service very friendly! Highly recommended! We will be back very soon!

Visited Surf on a chilly midweek day in January, super veggie breakfast, friendly staff and you can take dogs in this time of year. Will definitely be returning. Good menus with plenty of choice for vegiterians

Visited ‘Surf’ this Sunday afternoon. The staff are pleasant and welcoming and the the place is spotlessly clean. The fried breakfasts were tasty and reasonably priced as we sat, ate and drank a lovely cuppa, onlooking over the sea. There’s a relaxed atmosphere and it’s a perfect retreat following a bracing walk along the coast at this time of year.

Delicious food and good service. I had eggs benedict with smoked salmon and my husband had the veggie breakfast. Gorgeous view and they allow dogs inside, which is a big plus for us. My new favourite breakfast place, very very impressed. Will definitely be visiting again soon.

I ordered a portion of chips to take away to walk along the sea front with. It was £2.40 for a small polystyrene tray and it took over 10 mins for them to be ready. While I waited, the staff were moaning to each other about how much longer was on their shift and the cook and waitresses were bantering and telling each other to f*** off. Not really very professional. When the food finally arrived, I walked off with the chips but they were pale, hard and undercooked. I didn't finish them. Don't think this place knows what it wants to be: looks like a fast food hatch like a typical seafront place, but is possibly better when you sit in. Wish I hadn't bothered!

Called in here today during a chilly beach-combing visit. It’s a small, cosy, welcoming and clean cafe with views over the sea and beach and an ice cream kiosk attached. We ate in (a toasted bagel with cream cheese & smoked salmon, and a ham, cheese & tomato toastie) and they were lovely, as were our drinks (a hot chocolate and a tea) served by friendly staff. It’s probably not the cheapest cafe in town, however I think it’s good value given the quality and quantity served. And my husband said the tea was excellent - high praise from a very fussy tea-drinker! We were visiting the area but would definitely call in again if we found ourselves back here.

Waited at kiosk side to buy kids ice cream, nearly 15 mins wait with only a few people in front, they take forever to do a coffee and when finally get to order they tell us ice cream machine broken and only what have in freezer which is at side so have to leave questions to look, not much in there and then another 10 mins to que again , maybe a machine broken time would have been an idea instead of letting people que for nothing, only got lolly there as promised child and no where else there, plus well overpriced

I looked at the two reviews on here and both were opposite with a 5 star and a 1 star. I have given it 3 as it was ok.

Went to the surf today with 4 adults and a baby. We had very slow service. Took over 30min for first drinks to arrive after ordering. Lunch came around 30min after which should have been 2 bacon sandwich 1 cheese tomatoes sandwich kids meal and a lasagna. We were 1 bacon sandwich short and asked it was coming and it looked like it was forgotten. We have to guess this as no other words were spoken. The 2nd bacon sandwich turned up around 30min later after everyone at our table including baby had finished their food. Waiting approximately 1.5hrs for a bacon sandwich is very poor. The food was nice the people were nice but the waiting times for drinks and service very poor need a major improvement.

GREAT PLACE To Eat, ( Dogs Welcome) newly refurbishment fab food great Views of the sea & atmosphere