A light emitting device includes: a substrate; a semiconductor light emitting element provided on the substrate; a sealing member which covers the semiconductor light emitting element; and a lens having a plurality of convex parts and a concave part. The light emitting device emits light having a non-concentric luminance distribution made up of a plurality of bright regions and a plurality of dark regions, the non-concentric luminance distribution being observed on a plane which is parallel to the substrate. This makes it possible to provide (i) a display device which has a thin body and hardly causes unevenness in luminance and in chromaticity, and (ii) a light emitting device and (iii) a surface illuminant suitable, which are suitable for use in the display device.