Tipsy Turtle Restaurant and Back Bar
Looking for a laid-back yet trendy dining experience on Sanibel Island? Tipsy Turtle Restaurant and Back Bar might just be the perfect spot for you. Located at 1223 Periwinkle Way, this casual hotspot combines a lively atmosphere with delicious food and refreshing drinks. Whether you're visiting with friends, family, or even a larger group, the Tipsy Turtle offers something for everyone.
One of the standout features of Tipsy Turtle is its lively vibe. With live music playing in the background, it’s a great place to unwind and enjoy the rhythm of the island. The noise level is moderate, making it ideal for conversation while still feeling the energy of the place. Plus, if you prefer to enjoy the sunshine or a cool evening breeze, there’s ample outdoor seating that lets you soak in the beautiful surroundings.
The menu at Tipsy Turtle is just as enjoyable as the atmosphere. You’ll find a range of flavorful options that cater to a variety of tastes. Whether you're craving seafood, burgers, or something a little lighter, their dishes are sure to hit the spot. And, of course, don’t forget about the drinks—perfectly paired to complement your meal.
The space is designed to be welcoming for groups, so it's the perfect place for a get-together or even a small celebration. Whether you're here for a casual lunch, an evening out, or just a few drinks with friends, Tipsy Turtle Restaurant and Back Bar offers an environment where you can relax, enjoy good company, and let the island vibes take over.
Reviews
Yes, it is shamelessly touristy - but hey, "welcome to the island!" Plenty of parking and quick service, good food and drinks, at fair prices - well done! The Clam Chowder is creamy and flavorful, with small- medium chunks of meat. The Shrimp Catch has great-tasting shrimp on a platter with sides. I added shrimp to the House Salad, and transformed it into a tasty meal! I would rate all of these food items 8.5/10. My Mojito was only average, in an area of good mojitos (7/10). But there were other drink options as well. Overall a big thumbs up!
Cute restaurant located on Sanibel. Food was very good. We went at 10:30 right before lunch (11 am) and the end of breakfast. Half our party had breakfast and the other half waited for lunch. Not crowded at all at that time. Kids had the pancakes and sausage. They loved it. I had the chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks. They were okay. One person had the mahi-mahi and loved it. Another had pasta which was okay. They also have a gift shop inside with lots of cute items for sale. Get the noseeum spray if you're going to the beach there. I always get bit and the spray really worked. Sever was very nice but a bit forgetful. We will definitely be back. Price point is moderate.
We were starving and didn't want to go too far and noticed everything on Sanibel island closed around 9pm-10pm so we decided to give this place a try. I must say, the food was pretty good. I was in the mood for "food food" and not a burger or salad so I ordered the roasted 1/2 chicken with chimichurri sauce. The chicken was small and didn't look like 1/2 a chicken and the taste was more on the bland side BUT I had to give a 4 star for the superb crab cake burger and Big Fish blackened Mahi sandwich my daughter and husband ordered. I always take a bite of their food to try it out but this time around they were enjoying their food way too much and I almost didn't get a taste...lol It was delicious!! Hands down, the best crab cake burger I've ever had! For dessert we couldn't make up our minds since all their selections sounded scrumptious BUT we decided on the lava cake and mud pie. Lava cake was your typical "lava cake". Not bad but nothing special that made it over the top HOWEVER the mud pie was amazing! Wish we had ordered two! I'm still day dreaming about it so you know it was that good!!!!!!
Ok, I'll cut to the chase here folks. If you're a fan of Mac'n Cheese like me, you absolutely need to come here and try their "Mac 'n Cheese Skillet". Thusly named because it's served in an iron skillet with gooey melted cheese and penne pasta. ($14.89). It's also available with fried chicken ($19.89), or fried shrimp ($20.89). I chose the fried chicken. For my drink I ordered a Landshark - which they had on draft ($6.00 / 16oz). Drinks were brought first within a matter of minutes after ordering and entrees arrived approximately 15 minutes later. My Fried Chicken Mac'n Cheese Skillet looked amazing! Note: Be aware the iron skillet just came out of the oven and it's hot - don't touch it. (Dang it!) My chicken had a crispy crust and the meat was moist and flavorful. The penne was cooked just right (not mushy), and copious amounts of cheese that was baked to a golden brown made this one of the best Mac' n Cheese dishes I've had in years. I practically inhaled it, ha! My Landshark was cold and refreshing. This place is easy to find. At the main intersection after arriving on Sanibel, hang a right, go about 1/2 mile (towards Captiva), and you'll find them on your left. There's inside dining, some covered outside dining, and some outside dining with table umbrellas. We chose inside as it was a hot day and we had been bicycling. It was nice to relax inside with the a/c environment. Everyone was polite, friendly, and courteous. Our server did a great job checking on us frequently and making sure everything was good. The Tipsy Turtle is a bar with great bar food and service to match. I'm going with 5 stars. Give this place a try (and try their Mac'n Cheese Skillet).
Staff was very friendly & took great care of us. It was extremely hot outside & I was concerned about eating on the outside patio with our dog so we almost didn't stay but our server welcomed our dog inside & that sealed the deal for us. She checked on us regularly & fussed over him the entire time which really enhanced our dining experience. We will definitely grab a bite at Tipsy Turtle again next time we're in town