Surf City is the commercial heart of Topsail Island — the most shops, the most restaurants, and the most services on the island. Here are the best local businesses, with video reviews.
Surf City, North Carolina is the first incorporated town on Topsail Island, established in 1949. With an estimated population of 5,400 residents and thousands of seasonal visitors, Surf City serves as the island's main commercial hub spanning both Pender and Onslow counties (ZIP 28445). The town is known for its family-friendly beaches, the 937-foot Surf City Pier, world-class shark tooth hunting, and a vibrant local business community along Roland Avenue and the US-210 corridor.
Whether you're a year-round resident looking for a reliable contractor, a vacationer searching for the best seafood restaurant, or a new homeowner who needs an electrician familiar with coastal construction — this page features the highest-rated, locally-reviewed businesses serving Surf City and the surrounding Topsail Island communities.
Video reviews of the best-rated local businesses in Surf City, NC.
The best-rated businesses serving Surf City and Topsail Island, organized by category.
Surf City is the dining capital of Topsail Island. From fresh-off-the-boat seafood to wood-fired pizza, the restaurant scene here punches well above its weight for a town of 5,400. Most restaurants are locally owned, many source seafood directly from Topsail-area fishermen, and several have been family-run institutions for decades. Look for spots along Roland Avenue and near the Surf City Pier for the highest concentration of options.
Fresh, locally-caught seafood is the specialty of Topsail Island
Margherita Pizza Co, Max's Pizza, Wildfire Pizza & more
The Daily Grind, Fractured Prune, Island Delights
Shaka Taco, New York Corner Deli, Surf City BBQ
Coastal construction and maintenance require specialists who understand salt air corrosion, hurricane building codes, flood zone regulations, and the unique challenges of barrier island properties. Whether you need a new roof after storm season, an electrical panel upgrade, emergency plumbing, or a full home renovation, these are the highest-rated contractors serving Surf City and the Topsail Island area.
Licensed electricians for residential & commercial work
Emergency & scheduled plumbing services
Renovations, new construction & storm repair
Heating, cooling & ductwork for coastal homes
Surf City's stretch of Topsail Island offers some of the best beach activities in southeastern North Carolina. The town's location at the center of the island makes it the easiest access point for water sports, fishing, and beach recreation. The 937-foot Surf City Pier is a landmark for pier fishing, while Soundside Park provides kayak and paddleboard launches into the Intracoastal Waterway.
Rentals, lessons & guided tours
Inshore, nearshore & offshore trips
Explore the Intracoastal Waterway
Chair, umbrella & bike rentals
Surf City's real estate market is driven by a mix of primary residences, vacation homes, and investment rental properties. The town has seen over 250% population growth since 2000, with the new high-rise bridge (opened 2018) replacing the iconic swing bridge and improving access. Vacation rental management companies handle turnovers, cleaning, and marketing for the hundreds of rental properties on the island.
From surf shops along Roland Avenue to beach boutiques and souvenir stores near the pier, Surf City offers the largest concentration of retail on Topsail Island. Notable shops include Aussie Island Surf Shop (serving the area for 30+ years), East Coast Sports, and a variety of locally-owned gift shops and clothing boutiques.
Surf City is located on Topsail Island, accessible via the high-rise bridge on NC-210 from the mainland. From Wilmington, take US-17 North to NC-210 East — about 35 minutes. From Jacksonville, take NC-210 South — about 30 minutes. The nearest commercial airport is Wilmington International Airport (ILM), approximately 40 minutes south.
Incorporated on March 23, 1949, Surf City was the first municipality on Topsail Island. The island itself has a fascinating military history — during WWII, the U.S. Navy used it for Operation Bumblebee, a secret guided missile testing program that launched over 200 experimental rockets between 1946 and 1948. Several of the original concrete observation towers still stand along the island. The beloved teal-blue Surf City Swing Bridge served as the gateway to the island from 1955 until December 2018, when the modern four-lane high-rise bridge replaced it.
Surf City is the dining hub of Topsail Island with popular restaurants including Daddy Mac's Beach Grille for seafood, Shaka Taco for street tacos, The Daily Grind for coffee and breakfast, Margherita Pizza Co for wood-fired pizza, Surf City Line for beachin' bowls, and Topsail Steamer for low country boils. Most restaurants are locally owned and feature fresh, locally-caught seafood.
Top-rated electricians serving Surf City include Topsail Electric (a local family-owned business in Hampstead), Andy's Services, Soundside Electric, and 34 North Electrical. For coastal properties, look for electricians experienced with salt air corrosion, hurricane-rated panel upgrades, and generator installation.
Top activities include fishing from the 937-foot Surf City Pier, shark tooth hunting on the beach, kayaking and paddleboarding from Soundside Park, surfing at beach access points, visiting local surf shops along Roland Avenue, exploring the restaurants and ice cream shops, and enjoying sunset views from the Intracoastal Waterway boardwalk.
Surf City straddles two counties: the southern portion is in Pender County and the northern portion is in Onslow County. The county line runs through Topsail Island, making Surf City one of the few towns in North Carolina that spans two counties. The ZIP code is 28445.
Surf City and the Topsail Island area have a strong network of contractors including general contractors, roofers, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and electricians. Many specialize in hurricane-rated construction, salt air corrosion prevention, and beach property maintenance. Most service providers cover the entire Topsail Island area from Hampstead to North Topsail Beach.
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