The Surf Lodge

The waitress was the only bright spot, she was nice. The ceviche tasted good, but the plantain chips were stuck together and so hard to chew that I had nothing to eat it with. I had to go get utensils and water myself. The mocktail was basically all ice, and when our food arrived there were no napkins. Maybe we hadn't ordered “enough.” We'd gotten a cabana, and whoever cleaned it had left a full drink behind the pillow. It tipped over while I was lounging, leaving my back sticky. I used to come on Wednesday nights a few years ago. Never again. I would've gone anywhere else. Awful!

The outdoor part of the evening was great. Service was fantastic, and as a vegetarian I was happy with the fresh, well-prepared burrata salad, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, and fries. Everything came quickly, the dessert was outstanding, and the cocktails were beautifully made. We had two rounds of tequila drinks, then Casa Dragones tequila served just right. The mood changed once we went inside to the bar. I politely tried to order, but the male bartenders kept serving other people and never acknowledged me. It felt deliberate and left me uncomfortable and disrespected, to the point that it came across as racially biased. There was also a billing problem with my friend. His first drink cost $31, which was expensive but not surprising. The second was billed at $59, with no clear explanation. When we asked about the difference, the bartender said, “That’s just the way it is. If you have an issue, you can talk to the manager.” The answer felt dismissive and unprofessional, and the manager was nowhere to be found. For a place with this reputation and price point, that kind of service and questionable billing is unacceptable. The two parts of the visit were a shocking contrast. Montauk depends on tourism and reputation, but disrespectful service, billing like this, and what felt like discrimination at the bar spoiled what could have been a perfect evening. The outdoor team and kitchen deserve five stars, but the bar staff's behavior drags the whole place down. Unless staff training and accountability improve, I can't recommend The Surf Lodge and won't be back.

Dinner at The Surf Lodge in Montauk was enjoyable, and the restaurant service was very good. The bar afterwards was a different story. I was charged a different amount for the same drink on each order. When I politely asked the lady bar attendant about it, she was rude and brushed me off, telling me to “take it up with the manager.” The manager wasn't around, so I couldn't get the problem sorted out then. With Surf Lodge's exclusive reputation and high prices, this is completely unacceptable. The bar seems to be running a scam with inconsistent pricing, so check the rates carefully before ordering drinks. Shady practices and unprofessional staff reflect badly on a place that markets itself as a high-end Montauk destination. Management should address this seriously.

Beautiful sunset views, good food and drinks, and the price seemed reasonable. We went to the restaurant on a Monday and really liked it. Great service too!