The Crab Pot - Surf City

This restaurant is a true hidden gem in Topsail Beach! The laid-back ambiance perfectly captures the coastal vibe, and the food is outstanding. Without a doubt, these are the BEST SCALLOPS I've ever tasted on the island. I highly recommend visiting this spot if you're looking for the ultimate Topsail Island experience!

This restaurant used to be a great spot for family outings, offering good seafood at reasonable prices. Unfortunately, the atmosphere has now become quite dreary. While our waitress was friendly and our orders were correctly filled, the service left something to be desired; she was not very attentive when it came to drinks or the bill. The food itself resembled more of an elevated bar menu than quality seafood. Interestingly, they charge extra for blackened dishes—apparently, spices are hard to come by in North Carolina? Additionally, I would advise against ordering the shrimp burger; it's not an actual burger or even a shrimp patty, but rather whole shrimp thrown onto a hamburger bun. Overall, I would suggest trying other places for seafood instead.

The service was the worst I’ve ever experienced, and the food was terrible. The bathroom was dirty, and there was no air conditioning. I would never recommend this place to anyone—I'd even choose McDonald's over it. We were automatically charged a 20% tip, so the waitress ended up with a $50 tip despite her rudeness and the poor food quality. Afterward, we went across the street for ice cream. The food was overpriced, and the drinks were equally disappointing. Overall, it was a terrible experience, and it really put a damper on our vacation.

I went on Labor Day as the crowd was leaving the island. I got the fish and chips, and my companion got the oyster sandwich. Both the fish and the oysters were crispy but still soft and flavorful inside. Fries and slaw were great, too. Great food and friendly service. Great end to our holiday.

My wife and I went in twice on our vacation. We loved both the food and mixed drinks. The atmosphere was relaxing and service the service was really good. We will come back again!