A lively downtown seafood destination with unusually broad sushi and raw-bar offerings, strong service, and standout dishes, though current pricing and occasional quality inconsistency warrant selective ordering.
Surf Restaurant delivers solid food quality anchored by standout oysters, sushi, and seafood entrées, paired with notably attentive service that keeps diners returning. Consistency remains strong across most visits, though occasional misses on non-seafood dishes and premium items prevent flawless execution, keeping it just short of the very top tier.
Surf is a busy, polished downtown Nashua seafood restaurant with a genuine local following. The room tends to buzz, especially on weekend evenings, and reviewers describe a convivial mix of date nights, family dinners, business meals, and celebrations. One recurring impression is that staff can turn a wait into part of the evening by offering drinks and keeping service upbeat. The cooking is contemporary and wide-ranging rather than narrowly traditional: New England seafood shares the stage with sushi, raw-bar selections, miso, Korean barbecue flavors, tamari, and playful specialty rolls. Portuguese Seafood Stew, oysters, scallops, chowder, and sushi are the safest bets, while lobster dishes can be excellent but are more expensive and occasionally inconsistent. The menu rewards diners who enjoy variety and are willing to pay for premium seafood. Families are welcome, and reviews specifically describe young children enjoying seafood with attentive servers. The current menu also offers approachable choices such as fish and chips, chicken, a burger, tacos, fries, and a vegetarian roll, alongside more adventurous raw fish and globally seasoned dishes. It is family-suitable, but picky eaters may be happiest with the simpler cooked options.
Area vibe: Small-city downtown with a mix of historic brick buildings, riverfront walkways, and local retail.
Safety: Generally safe and well-lit in evenings with regular foot traffic near Main Street and riverfront.
What's nearby: Near Nashua River, Nashua Transit connections, local theaters, banks, and a concentrated Main Street restaurant strip.
The strongest bets range from Portuguese Seafood Stew and scallops to oysters and creative sushi rolls, with lobster carrying more risk and cost.
Expect a lively downtown meal, possible weekend waits, paid parking, and a premium bill, especially if you add drinks or raw-bar items.
It is a polished, celebration-friendly room where attentive service meets a lively weekend buzz.