Hidden Gem: The Lazy Turtle Welcomes You to be Lazy
You can take a tropical vacation without leaving Brevard County.
When Sal Tawilco began renovations on the new waterfront restaurant The Lazy Turtle that he bought with wife, Rita, in 2020, he designed it with customers like himself in mind. He knew he wanted to create a space where locals could enjoy delicious food and drinks while listening to live music and taking in spectacular riverfront views.
Renovating in the midst of a pandemic had its challenges, and things took much longer than planned. The property had formerly been home to an Italian restaurant that had done little to showcase its location on the river. Tawilco added two decks, two tiki bars, and an abundance of tropical landscaping. Over a year after closing on the property, Tawilco saw his vision become reality in June 2021.
“It is a one-of-a-kind restaurant,” Tawilco said. “When you come here, you are basically on vacation. You feel like you are in the islands. It sits on a 40-foot bluff that overlooks the river. It’s just a gorgeous place.”
Diners have many options when it comes to dining at The Lazy Turtle. In addition to the outdoor patios and tiki bars, there are two indoor dining spaces. And dress code is your choice.
“You can come in wearing baggies and flip flops or a dress and high heels,” Tawilco said. “You can have anything from a surf and turf to a cheeseburger. We have you covered for every budget and every occasion.”
“I went to celebrate my three-year anniversary,” said first-time visitor Paige Crowder. “My mango margarita was delicious and came in a fun glass. The ambiance was perfect.”
The same extensive menu is served both inside and out. Popular items include fresh fish, prime steaks, and their signature red snapper Hemingway — a lightly breaded snapper filet, topped with lump crab and a citrus beurre blanc sauce. You can pair your meal with a glass or bottle from the restaurant’s extensive wine list, or keep the vacation vibes going with a tropical cocktail served in a fresh pineapple.
Above all, Tawilco wants The Lazy Turtle to be a place for his customers to relax and unwind. There is live music on both outdoor patios Thursday through Sunday nights, and they host karaoke on Tuesdays.
“It’s a laid back island atmosphere,” Tawilco said. “Unfortunately in most restaurants these days, you go in, you eat, you run, you get the check before you even finish your food. This is not that kind of place. The gorgeous views of the river allow people to sit back and enjoy their time.”
The Lazy Turtle
4445 Dixie Highway NE, Palm Bay
Sun-Thurs: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fri-Sat: 11 a.m. - 12 a.m.
321-455-LAZY
Facebook: /lazyturtleriverfront/
Instagram: @lazyturtleriverfront/
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