La Tartaruga

Tucked right next to Buccoo Boardwalk, La Tartaruga is a charming little gem offering a truly authentic Italian dining experience. The ambiance is warm, rustic, and homely, with wooden interiors, a cozy wine display, and a bar stocked with an excellent selection of spirits. The open-air setting flows seamlessly into the lush outdoor greenery, giving diners a breezy, relaxed island feel while still maintaining a touch of European elegance. When it comes to the food, La Tartaruga delivers authenticity. The appetizers were a highlight, rating a solid 9/10 for flavor and presentation. The mains—both lunch and dinner—were hearty and satisfying, though leaning slightly more towards a 7/10, perhaps reflecting my personal bias toward stronger Trinidadian flavors. Still, the quality and authenticity were undeniable. The drinks menu, particularly the wine selection, is impressive. The curated list complements the food beautifully and adds a touch of sophistication that elevates the dining experience. Overall: La Tartaruga blends Italian authenticity with Caribbean charm. It’s a place where you can enjoy excellent wine, great food, and a laid-back yet refined atmosphere. While some mains may not have the boldness I’m used to from local cuisine, it remains a must-visit restaurant in Tobago for both visitors and locals seeking a taste of Italy. ⭐ Appetizers: 9/10 ⭐ Mains: 7/10 ⭐ Drinks/Wine: 9/10 ⭐ Ambiance: 9/10 ⭐ Desert: 6/10 📍 Verdict: Good food, excellent wines, wonderful setting – highly recommended

Great experience. Friendly staff. Came for lunch with a party of four but could not stay as one of the party was feeling ill. The staff was so considerate and understanding. Packed up the lunch for us to go. Had been a birthday celebration and they put up a happy birthday banner. Was so impressed came back that same day for dinner.

Did a wine tasting session here and there are no words. The wine was immaculate but the entire experience from start to end is a must-see and must-try for anyone visiting Tobago. This is what a taste of Italy feels like and the food, simple plates to go with each round of wine, was delicious 😋 I'll be visiting this restaurant whenever I am in Buccoo Tobago. It cannot and will not be a one and done. Too too good 😩😩😁

The atmosphere is picture perfect but the food does not measure up as expected.

Nice Italian restaurant with good service, ambience and a decent wine list. We ordered the tomino grigliano, chicken alfredo, spinach cannelloni, and a tiramisu and enjoyed it all. We had bellinis to start and then a couple of herb teas at the end of the meal. Would recommend

Our reservation was made to have lunch and the food was good, very tasty (Penne Alfredo and Penne Bolognese) and it was served at an optimal temperature (warm to - hot). Our wait time was about 8 minutes. In terms of drink, our waitress helped us through the selection and even allowed us to sample the wine of choice. Neither person at the table is a fan of red wine but the chosen wine was delectable and enjoyable. Can't remember exactly which wine it was but it was in the "By the Glass" section of the menu and I'm sure the waitress can guide you to a selection. Also, our waitress was respectful, kind, courteous and helpful, really cementing the experience as a class action in first experiences. P. S. The website has almost all the information and allows for booking via phone or WhatsApp, highly recommend you check it out before reserving or walking in. Additionally, the boardwalk as well as the ILoveBuccoo sign is in close proximity to the restaurant making for a scenic view of the greater Buccoo beach area. However, at the time we came for lunch some light maintenance being done around the restaurant and the sound of drilling not to far from our table often disrupted conversations. "But besides that everything was perfect, I loved it."

The location is outstanding in Buccoo Bay. The ambiance was inviting and warm. The staff was very attentive, friendly and accommodated my restrictive diet. The food was fresh and just the right amount. The veggies and fish are sourced locally and the pasta ingredients come from Italy, as they should. The owner was super friendly and loved greeting his guests.

Arrived at 1pm to find the tables set but noone around. We called out several times to get someones attention and eventually a member of staff came out. The restaurant has a separate vegan menu which has 3 starters and 3 mains. The dishes are expensove as tax (12.5%) and service charge (10%) are both added to the bill. Despite being the only customers service was slow. The pasta was slightly under cooked - it was more firm than 'al dente', and the general quality and portion size was poor given the price. 2 of the group ordered cokes and did not receive them. When we finished the food and asked for the bill, the server realised she hadn't given us the cokes. Instead of asking if we still wanted them she just brought them anyway. We wanted drinks with the meal, not when we're ready to leave. There was no deduction on the bill for the bad service and the server even asked for a tip despite already paying a service charge. 3 bowls of pasta, 2 bottles of water and 2 cokes came to around 550TTD