In predicting the critical heat flux (CHF) in pool boiling systems, the contact angle between the boiling surface and the liquid and the surface roughness are considered to be the important parameters. From the microscopic viewpoint, those are affected by the micro/nano structure of the surface. Several studies have been reported on the dependence of CHF on the surface microstructure such as height and width of the cavities and distances between them. In this paper, the effects of the boiling surface characteristics on CHF are reviewed and the future research issues are discussed for better prediction of CHF.