Tortuga's Saltwater Grill

This is a restaurant. We enjoyed brunch twice on Sunday. Excellent !!! I especially liked the Port A Benny. My husband loved the shrimp & grits, quite unique & very flavorful. Atmosphere & service are excellent. We also had dinner with friends on the front patio & had the perfect view of the Mardi Gras parade.

Dayana was the hostess. She answered the phone when I called. We had a slight mix-up with the order. They QUICKLY corrected the mistake, no questions asked, and Dayana was sincerely apologetic, even though the mix-up wasn’t her fault. It was busy there, and she didn’t hear me correctly on the phone. While waiting for them to correct my order, a handsome gentleman walked up and asked if Ivwas the person whose order was wrong, and he handed me a menu and said for me to pick out ANY dessert I wanted, ON THE HOUSE. I asked Dayana who he was, and she said he’s the head waiter, Ruben. I said “He’s not even involved in this. Oh my goodness.” She said “Yah! Lucky you!” So I picked the Chocolate Lava Cake, and it didn’t disappoint. AT ALL. The fact that Ruben bought my dessert, just to make me happy(er), was sweeter than the cake itself. That’s the difference between a good business and a GREAT business. I was already going to be returning because of Dayana. She’s a DOLL. Total sweetie pie. But Ruben set the deal in stone. Bravo to Tortuga’s! If I could make it 100 stars, I would. I can’t wait until Monday — cuz that Espresso Martini has MY name on it. THANKS, Tortuga’s!! (Dayana & Ruben deserve their flowers!!) 😘♥️🫶🏽

I always make this place a stop during my trips to Port A. The service has been friendly and the food is consistently delicious! The drink selection at the bar makes for a fun night! I love their salad choices when you need to feel bikini ready!

I heard someone talking about it as I was checking into my hotel. Was a great recommendation! We came early but when we left there was a 2 hour wait for seating so a reservation is a must. The butter clams were amazing, light and savory. The queso crab dip was also a nice appetizer. We also got the texas fried platter and the oysters and shrimp did not disappoint! The oysters were pretty big and the shrimp had the gulf flavor I enjoy and rarely get. Shrimp and grits were good, the grits shaped like toast was a surprise. Overall was a nice little spot, a tad pricey but is a nice now and again kinda place.

Best food we had in Port A! Had crab dip for starter then we got shrimp and grits and redfish, all were top notch. Highly recommend and would come back.

I'm reviewing the restaurant Tortuga's. Google seems to think it's a hotel in the review window, and maybe they have rooms, but I dined this past Saturday at the restaurant and have dined there a few times before on trips to Port A. The food was good, not many lighter options, heavy sauces (but you can ask for those on the side). The wine list was good and the cocktail menu looked good as well. We sat on the patio which should have been a fun experience, and here is where the evening went south. The table next to ours had a phone out and was watching some sort of motorcycle race with the volume turned up so that all of us on the patio could hear it. it was a couple and a child, all watching this little TV as though they were in their living room alone. The waitress told them "y'all are fine!" when the mom explained they were watching a race. Fine? not fine. Other tables on the patio were visibly annoyed, the table across from us evening caught our eye and asked if that was OK with us. We said no, and all looked at the offensive table, who decided rather than to display good manners, they would turn up the volume. maybe because it was a patio it was an anything goes atmosphere but for a nice place to allow such disruption to an entire patio of diners was really disappointing. Second, it got chilly and there was a heater right next to our table. We asked that it be turned on and our waitress said it didn't work. Ah well, we understand. But about 10 minutes later another waiter came and got that heater and turned it on, then moved it to another table. Ugh. it's a shame when an otherwise nice evening at a restaurant is diminished by things other than the food.

We had tried a few other restaurants over the week in Port Aransas that we were hoping would have been better. Tortugas made up for it! Every we tried was delicious. Staff welcoming and attentive, indoor and outdoor seating clean and spacious. Highly recommend!

My experience at Tortuga’s was the best ever!! We were a family of 4, first time eating here and the service and food definitely deserve 5 stars!!! Our waitress Kristina, that’s my girl right there, had the best customer service and she was so attentive to our needs!! All the employees were amazing!! The food was the bomb!!!! Everyone around the world, please come to Tortugas and try the shrimp and grits’s!! OMG! It is by far the best I’ve EVER had.

We wanted to catch dinner before heading to the ferry. The seafood pasta had a nice flavor profile with an appropriate amount of pasta to seafood. The flavor of the scallops was a little overpowered by the sauce. The shrimp and grits were nicely seasoned except for too much salt. Wait staff was pleasantly attentive.

I began with the Poke'! It was awesome. I loved the sauce, it was very fresh. Then I tasted the crab dip. It to was delicious, as was the steamed clams. I tried the truffle fries and thought they were as good as any other truffle fries I've ever had. That includes the Capital Grille. For my entrée, I had the blacken and red fish , with a étouffée sauce and lump crab. The fish was seasoned perfectly, I would've liked to have seen the sauce with a little bit more spice. It was still great. We were celebrating a birthday, so several desserts were ordered, you could not go wrong with the chocolate cake or the caramel cheesecake. Finally, the service was as good as any other restaurant that I've ever been to. The waiter was knowledgeable, but more important than that he was nice and had a wonderful attitude. It was crowded, but I did not take away from the ambulance.

Stopped in for lunch immediately greeted by a friendly staff, and we had Antonio for our server who was quite pleasant and knowledgeable. I would say if you like a nice seafood lunch this would be a great place to go nice ambience. They do have some items that are without seafood and which I was looking for. We ordered a grab cake side salad with a balsamic lemon vinaigrette and a chicken Caesar salad. I think the only disappointment was there was only one crabcake for the price probably should've been two site. Tell it was nicely done delicious dressing and enjoyed the Caesar salad chicken perfectly cooked. The only thing there was no Olive tapenade but it was so delicious. Overall, it was a very nice experience.

Food was good Service was good and location was great The portion size was perfect I recommend the gumbo

Tortuga's is one of my absolute favorite places on the island to eat. I usually make a reservation, especially on a Friday night, but since it's winter we were able to snag one of the last available tables without one. As always, the staff was top notch, the food was excellent, and the drinks were perfect. I loved the Christmas decorations!

Port A isn't exactly overflowing with fine dining options, so Tortugas feels like a bit of a gem on the island. The vibe is definitely more upscale than most spots around here--think beach‑town laid‑back but with a touch of polish. Our waitress was friendly and made the evening feel easy and enjoyable. The cocktails? Expertly crafted. You can tell someone behind the bar cares about their craft. Food-wise, everything we ordered came out fresh, flavorful, and clearly handled with care--seafood done right, which isn't something I say lightly. One of my favorite parts: they actually take reservations, which is a rarity in this area and makes planning a night out so much less stressful. All in all, Tortugas is a solid choice if you're in Port A and want something a step above the usual island fare. I'd happily recommend it and will definitely be back.

The staff was super friendly and attentive. The interior clean and cutely decorated. The food was good-shrimp and grits are more of a grits cake. The grouper tacos were large and delish. Skip the fries. Taste like frozen and over done in the oven.

I've been coming to Port Aransas for the past 4 years. Every year I look for some really good seafood. Found it! Tortuga's was excellent! Fresh fish, large portions, friendly staff and served quickly (though we did go at 4:15). The place is small and nicely done. You can sit outside or inside. We will definitely be back next year! *Make your reservation a day or two in advance.

We had reservations and were seated in a booth. It's a lovely place. Our server was fun. We ordered half dozen oysters from the gulf. They weren't bad. They did not have mignonette but they had cocktail sauce and horseradish. I asked for tobasco and it was a good combo substitute. My fish was tasty but a little overcooked. His fish was cooked just right. The sauces on the fish were yummy too. I loved the dessert though. it was a chocolate cake with date butter, caramel and pecans. I probably could have enjoyed the whole thing on my own. Take sips of red wine between and it's fun for your taste buds. I liked Bonanza by Caymus. I recognize the winer and it allowed me to enjoy just a glass vs the entire bottle. Their wine selection is on par with the place and ambiance.

IMO, These are the ratings: Food: 4.86/5 Service: 4.75/5 Ambiance: 4.60/5 Total: 4.73/5 THE FLOUNDER! I repeat! GET THE FLOUNDER!

The place was nice, clean, good ambiance. Service was excellent. As was the food. We were greatly disappointed by other "high end" places in town. Tortuga's did not disappoint!

Every time we have come to Tortuga's, the service and food are equally amazing. We are usually seated pretty quickly and it doesn't take long to be greeted by the server. My favorite dish is the crab crusted fish and it never disappoints. I cannot wait to come back.

Went on Monday 11/10/25 around 6:30 party of 2. We were immediately seated. Our waiter was friendly and efficient. Ordered beers and oysters which were excellent (horseradish A+). I was tired of 2 previous nights of fish and ordered house salad with N Y strip medium rare. It was awesome. Charbroiled and perfectly prepared. Fresh and cold greens and veggies and ranch on the side. Dining partner had the flounder and enjoyed it also. Attentive waiter throughout meal. By the time we left around 8 restaurant was packed and customers waiting in line. It was too chilly to dine outdoors. Overall a great experience and best restaurant I have been to in Port A with many under my belt. Note: large house salad $14 and added NY strip 8 oz $16. Excellent value.

We were here a few years ago and it was okay. They must have made changes because this time it was great. Nice inside and tables outside. Rueben was our very nice server with lots of info to answer all the wife's questions. We started with a marg. Boudin balls for appetizer. There were 5 and large so we each ate one and took the rest home. The wife got fried shrimp and oysters and substituted a delicious kale salad for the fries. She gave me her hushpuppies. All good, even at home the next day. My dish was absolutely one of the best things I have ever eaten. Parmesan crusted flounder with a lemon wine sauce, risotto and asparagus. That fish was delicious.

My new favorite in Port A! The cocktails are stellar. We both had the jalepeno cucumber marg. Very nice. We ordered the shrimp cocktail that came with 6 shrimp. Well that was not enough and we had to order two. The shrimp were so fresh and had a nice snap when you bit into them instead of the under or over cooked. Absolutely perfect shrimp cocktail and I requested remoulad sauce in addition and it was delicious. We split the Snapper Pontchartrain with the cheddar grit cake and the most amazing tomatoyyyy sauce that was incredible. It had a nice fresh serving of asparagus with it and it was plenty for the two of us.....Perhaps because we ordered two shrimp cocktails! ;) Our server Emily was amazing and we will definitely ask for her next time. The service was super friendly. It was July 4 holiday when we were in and the guy who greeted who seemed like he was the manager was wearing an Uncle Sam hat and beard and the tables had patriotic centerpieces. It was a fun place and I look forward to returning.

There was a wait. The told us it may take an hour and there was no other place I wanted to try except here so we decided to wait. But actually, they texted us in 30 minutes so it wasn't too bad. We got seated outside and ordered the choice of the day (fish) as well as the pasta Acadiana with shrimp. Both were okay, but I didn't get the hype with how this got a TripAdvisor recognition. It's not a restaurant I would wait in line for and the prices are more on the expensive side.

Service was slow. Sat outside so a little warm. Fish and chips were great! Boudin pretty good. Chimichurri steak was tough. The Golden Grove drink was perfect esp for hot front porch seating. It was mediocre night but served our purpose.

Reservation for 4 New Years Eve 4:45pm 12/31/25. Day started with multiple text and a phone call from Tortuga's reminding us of our reservation. Last text was as we were parking. We arrived 10 minutes early. Our friends walked in few minutes ahead of us. They were seated a table for six in front of the door, Terrible place in a empty restaurant. Our reservation was for 4 in a booth. We showed the Hostess. She moved us to the worst booth in the restaurant. It is next to the kitchen. The servers drop silverware and dishes; they are playing and rowdy. So that booth puts guest in the major noise zone for the evening. There was lots of open seating. Limited menu for the evening and higher than normal high prices. The server constantly rushing us during the meal. When we had reached our patient's level the server was lighting fast with the check. I was kind and left a 25% gratuity because it was New Years Eve. It was not the pleasant evening we had planned with our friends to start 2026. Food was not worth the $300.00 per couple. We have been to Tortuga's when there was a line waiting and the restaurant was full. That night was empty tables inside and almost every table empty on the Patio when we left. No reason to be rushed. That was why we made an early reservation. To relax and enjoy the evening. I called back this week and ask the General Manger Trevor to give me a call. I never received a call from anyone; I decided to share our experience in a review. We live on the Island there are better restaurants. Our friends like Tortuga's however they commented this was a bad experience.

We dined here for dinner during a family vacation. Everything was amazing, but my personal favorite was our waitress Laura, who made sure our dining experience was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. Her recommendations and detailed descriptions of the dishes made it easier to narrow down what to get on a many where everything sounds delicious. You can tell she's passionate about her job and happy to be there. For me, a waitress like that makes the whole experience go from good to a lasting memory in which you look forward to returning in the years to come. I got the lemon pepper flounder which was delicious, my husband got the ponchartrain which he also devoured. The cucumber martini was the best!! So refreshing and delicious! Then for dessert we got the chocolate eruption with the Goodfellow martini (if I'm not mistaken!) It paired wonderfully together and it was a perfect ending to a delicious meal with perfect service. 10/10 chefs kiss!

This is a "nicer" place, so if you plan to jump pop in for lunch after the beach, you'll feel under dressed. Outside sitting for walk ups. The food is delicious, and you get a lot of food. We split two meals and and appetizer for 3 people and it was too much food for us to finish. Very pricey though. So be prepared for that. The staff was so friendly, and checked on us a few times while waiting.

My husband and I visit Port Aransas every year for our wedding anniversary and always make sure to visit Tortuga's before heading home. Everything is perfect, the food is amazing, the wait staff is so pleasant and helpful , atmosphere; I love the soft lighting, etc. we've only experienced brunch and lunch, we plan on trying them out for Dinner next time around. From Austin,TX, L.L.L

Fantastic service and food. Definitely a choice when in Port A after a long day at the beach.

We came through town and I looked at the reviews and menu and said "we need to go here!" It did not disappoint... so good! Like so, so good! Great service too!

I'll start with the prices... it is a bit overpriced. Now the rest of the story. The food was fantastic!! Charbroiled fish of the day, was cooked perfectly and was freaking amazing. Wife's side salad was great. The risotto was absolutely delicious. Some of the best shrimp I've ever had in my life, big fat and juicy! Our server Alison (I think) was amazing! They had quoted an hour and 15 minute wait but we actually got in half that time. We sat outside so I don't know what the inside looked like. I definitely highly recommend this place if your budget allows.

Service was fine for our table. But some of the staff was seen being rude and cold to some of the other patrons. Food was delicious, though! Careful ordering their "key lime pie"; the drizzle is green apple flavored, not lime. It was a bit chilly that day but they turned on the heaters!

Way overrated & overpriced! Food is good, restaurant is not as fancy as the prices. We celebrated my birthday here, youll be paying $60 for a steak and 40 for a fish filet...on the other hand there are not many good options in the area, I liked the menu options and variety and my baby girl love the tortugas. Service staff were super friendly

Great food - nice ambiance and attentive service. Everyone enjoyed their meals, and we had a great time for brunch.

Service was good. The margarita I received was overwhelming with grenadine. I had to get another shot of Don Julio to soften it up. Ribeye steak and shrimp was split between two of us. It was supposed to be medium rare but came out medium /medium Well at best. The meat was very poor quality. Mostly fat. The wine from Oregon was Pinot Nior - they have so many good wines from there but the bar served one of the worse ones. It tasted extremely fruit forward. The red fish was fantastic!

Tortugas is a great option while visiting Port A. Their menu is eclectic and the food is tasty. Our service was top notch. My son and I both had the snapper with crab. Portions were generous, and that cheese, grit cake was divine. We started with oysters which were clean and freshly shucked. Thanks again, I will be back.

This was our first time to Tortuga's and we went for a New Years Eve dinner. Dinner was preset menu with good options. We had the goat cheese appetizer which was delicious; others in our party had the scallop which was too small to be an appetizer. Half of our party of 6 had the Marsala mushroom ribeye with mashed potatoes and broccolini .. while the sauce was tasty it was overwhelming what should have been a good cut of meat. All 3 steaks were extremely fatty and not just in the expected places for a ribeye with a chewy flavorless quality (which explains the need for a sauce). The others had the halibut which was average at best. All of this would have been reasonable had the dinners been 40-50 per person but it was a set 98.00 per person. Luckily the company and the waiter were excellent although he never bothered to fill our waters after initial delivery of our drinks. They were out of apple cobbler, which again, with a preset menu you'd expect them not to run out of 1 of only 3 choices. The mousse was actually a cake and not mousse - just a layer of it in the cake which wasn't tasty and didn't work for our gluten free guest who ordered it. It was a good evening and laid back back because of the company and the holiday but extremely disappointing food experience.

Great restaurant, the staff is friendly and engaged. The blackened snapper is my favorite, either just the blackened snapper or the Pontchartrain version, and the Tortuga pecan chocolate cake is devine. Tortuga's is our go to restaurant when in Port Aransas.

Terrible food On the positive side the boson balls we're good On the negative the shrimp and grits were ridiculous - a hard yellow hockey puck was called "grits" , small shrimp and cheap pico de gallo adorned the joke. A fish of the day was a muddled tasteless mess and came cold. And finally their best margarita was bitter and all ice. Eat anywhere else !!!

Dinner in a Thursday. We had a reservation at 6:30, and they were quite busy when we arrived. Got seated right away. Got in our drink orders. Lots of wine by the bottle and a reasonable number by the glass. I got their margarita-good, but not my new fav. Comes in a unique glass! For dinner I got the Snapper Ponchartrain. Delicious!! Meaty piece of fish with a great Cajun crawfish sauce, tasty asparagus, and a cheddar grit cake. My wife got the Yellow Curry Shrimp. Flavorful, without being spicy. Service was very good. Food came out very quickly and was very fresh and hot. Really a solid meal. Recommended!!

It's definitely one of the best and most expensive seafood restaurants on the island. Black Marlin is a close competitor.

Came to Port A for a weekend away and chose Tortuga's to celebrate a birthday. We enjoy good seafood and have had seafood all over the world from bar menu fried fish and shrimp to Michelin starred creations. The shrimp that came with my corvina are probably the best cooked shrimp I've had anywhere. Cooked through but not a second more - absolutely melted in my mouth. Both my fish and my partner's fish were perfectly done as well. Mastery of technique is evident. We weren't in the mood for island fried fish but it's on the menu here and I had to wonder why. We ordered the hush puppies to see how that technique was. Turns out the fried fish is there for tourists that don't like seafood any other way. The hush puppies were cooked perfectly and a medium texture - finely ground but on the thicker side. Interestingly they were sweet, almost like yellow cake, and in a place with creole influence it would be interesting to see these made with vanilla and lavender and sprinkled with powdered sugar as hushpuppy beignets (or maybe with apple and caramel). The food here is elegant. Definitely high quality and cooked with finesse.

Went for an early dinner / late lunch and enjoyed the Fish Fry and the Crab Crusted Red Fish and a Calabrian Spritzer - perfect refresher for an afternoon at the beach. The ambiance was beautiful, soothing, and calm. The staff are friendly and the food was so good and it was in walking distance to our rental! The portions are generous, especially with the fish fry!

Tortuga's is the spot you want on the island. The seafood tower was fresh and tasty, packed with flavor from start to finish. The drinks were just as impressive and made the night even better. This is the kind of place where you meet great people, enjoy incredible food, and leave already planning your next visit. Highly recommend.

Extremely busy restaurant on a Saturday night so we sat at the bar. Chelsea ordered a signature cocktail but I chose to abstain since I had a couple before and I was driving. We ordered the Crab Cake for an appetizer which was shareable and well prepared plus a side salad. We decided to share an entree as well and ordered the Snapper Ponchatrain. It was a large portion of snapper topped with a Creole Crawfish Sauce. This dish was excellent. I almost forgot to take photos...the Snapper picture was taken after sharing. Tortuga's is a little pricey but well worth it. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there.

I was so looking forward to eating here...unfortunately it did not turn out to be a pleasant experience. The waiter was basically absent. Totally ignored us after taking our order. Our food came out and everything on my plate was cold, my husbands was ok. Had to finally ask someone to find our waiter who was nowhere to be found. He said he would let the manager know and took my plate. Brought my refire out and the only thing that was hot was the fish. Manager still didn't come out to talk to us. Again we had to flag the waiter down to get our check. Will not return.

The food was delicious! A bit pricey but what isn't now a days. The kids had the pasta with chicken and a cheeseburger. My husband had the car boiled catch of the day and I had the fried mahi mahi.

One of my favorite places on the island. We like to sit outside on the patio. Food is some of the best, if not THE best, in Port A. And they have really good cocktails.

Solid lunch option in Port A - probably the best from what I've seen. The service was excellent, every single one of the staff were very sweet. For those of you with four-legged friends, the patio is covered and dog friendly! We had lobster bisque and then I had the lobster roll and my date had the fish and shrimp combo entree. All were tasty! I'd eat lunch here again when I'm in town.

After trying to avoid backed up traffic from the beach, we pulled into this spot. We were seated quickly and ordered. Food was quick to come out and was packed with flavor! Everything we ordered as delicious! And might I add, the place was decorated nicely with lots of coastal themes. Plenty of seating inside and out. So if you're looking for somewhere to stop after a long day at the beach, you can go wrong here.

We had reservations for dinner but decided to go early, we arrived at 2:30. The staff was completely accommodating by letting us order appetizers until they switched from lunch to dinner menu at 3 PM. I had the lemon Parmesan. Flounder, my husband had red fish ponchatrain, our oldest (19) had the Thai tuna, and our youngest (17) had the ribeye and shrimp. All were delicious! Service was excellent. Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a nice meal.

Food is AMAZING. Most of the available seating is outside and that's unfortunate as I'm sure it gets really hot in the summer. It was pleasant while we were there and o was thankful for that. Boudin balls are highly recommended!

My husband Dr. John Schmitz and I went to Tortuga's for my birthday lunch today (we had our elderly Bichon Frise Tucker with us and were happy to sit outside.) When we first walked in, an elderly customer and her dog greeted us warmly and the dogs were happy to sniff one another and wag their tails. After we ordered our lunch, another couple came up the staircase and their aggressive pit bull attacked our dog. Thankfully, Tucker and the other dog were NOT injured. As a lifelong reporter and news anchor, I have covered many stories about the severe injuries and deaths that untrained pit bulls can cause. As we awaited our lunch, the manager came out and falsely claimed that our dog "got off his leash twice," which is a complete lie. He then asked us to LEAVE the restaurant. This experience ruined my birthday and I would never recommend Tortuga's to anyone. We are guests at Cinnamon Shores condos and we were warmly welcomed to Doc's restaurant last night and other restaurants like Trout Street, the Roosevelt and Snoopy's for fun, safe dining experiences. We were shocked by the Tortuga manager's false claims about our dog (and even the native of Port A with the friendly dog) told me how shocked she was to see us kicked out of the restaurant when it was the pit bull that caused all the chaos and dissension. We are from San Antonio and will let everyone know about this VERY disturbing dining experience.

So after the restaurants from absolute hell we made our 3rd and last attempt at dinner. Its turned out awesome. Brian our waiter was amazing. We were hangry and he handled us amazingly. The food was good the service was great. If your waiters and hostesses take care of your customers, your customers will post fabulous reviews.

9/04/2025: The 2 stars is for the manager's give a sxxx attitude about the servers cleaning the Resturant at 4:00PM before the Friday crowd comes in. We have been to Tortuga's many times in the past and have enjoyed it, but never again. Who wants to have a late lunch when EVERYTHING from ceiling fans, to windows, to light fixtures are being cleaned? No thanks. On the other hand, our server Christina, as always, was terrific. Too bad the manager doesn't observe and follow her lead.

Probably some of the best oysters I've ever had! I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!