LAZY TURTLE RIVERFRONT

Is LAZY TURTLE RIVERFRONT a safe place to eat? No — an F, 55/100, at its most recent inspection on June 16, 2026. That visit logged 2 high-priority, 6 intermediate, and 11 basic violations.

Inspectors cited 2 high-priority, 6 intermediate, and 11 basic violations. That leaves it safer than 3% of Brevard County restaurants we grade. On the upside, the trend has been improving. Safer, higher-graded options nearby are listed below.

F grade · 55/100 · safer than 3% of Brevard County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (321) 455-5299

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to LAZY TURTLE RIVERFRONT, by Florida DBPR grade:

  • COUNTRY BINGO DELI

    4.5★ 0.1 mi away

  • GETTIN CRABBYS

    4.3★ 0.1 mi away

  • PALM PUB

    4.3★ 0.7 mi away

Restaurant details

Health grade
F (55/100)
Violations
19 total — 2 high-priority, 6 intermediate, 11 basic
Address
4445 DIXIE HWY, Palm Bay, FL
Cuisine
Other
Categories
Restaurant, Tiki bar
Price
$20–30
Rating
4.2 stars (1841 reviews)
Seats
150
Phone
(321) 455-5299
Website
Official website
Photo of LAZY TURTLE RIVERFRONT
Photo: Lazy Turtle RiverFront Grill & Tiki Bar

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.2 Community-sourced rating 1,841 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

Recent diners are rating this place better than the back catalogue suggests. Where how guests are treated comes up, the rating that follows averages 4.1, so it reads as a strength. Value for money is the next most common subject, in 23% of reviews (averaging 2.8).

The split is 20 positive to 5 negative across 26 rated reviews, with 1 in the middle. 5 stars is the modal score, given by 14 of the 26 reviewers who rated. Behind those, wait times is raised in 23% of reviews (3.7 average).

Set against that, the state's own inspection graded the kitchen an F (55/100), with 2 high-priority, 6 intermediate, and 11 basic violations recorded. Reviews describe the meal; the grade describes the conditions it was made in. That inspection was on June 16, 2026. Across its inspection history the kitchen is improving, which argues for giving it the benefit of the doubt. On health score it sits safer than 3% of the Brevard County restaurants we grade. Among the items recorded were handwashing.

The practical read: people enjoy eating here, and the kitchen still failed its last inspection. Those are separate claims, and only the second one gets checked by anybody. Everything above is computed from the 26 reviews reproduced below.

Our own analysis of 26 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 28, 2026

    Amazing place, staff and food! Matt was great! Took real good care of us.

  • June 28, 2026

    Matt was awesome, some of the best service I’ve ever had

  • June 28, 2026

    It was a great conclusion to our little vacation out here in Palm Bay. Robyn and Abby were fantastic, manager was very accommodating. Food was good and adequately priced, views were great and such beautiful tunes from the live performance.

  • June 28, 2026

    My husband and I had an amazing time! The food and live music was great! Our servers Robin and Abby were amazing! 10/10 Thank you guys!

  • June 27, 2026

    Friendly and inviting staff, good food, wonderful waterfront views. Our waitress Robyn was awesome! And the live music was great. We always enjoy dining here.

  • June 27, 2026

    The team did an incredible job hosting my family and me. Our server Robyn was attentive, hilarious, and overall, excellent. The food was delicious, and when my sister received the wrong plate, the kitchen whipped up her correct meal within a few short minutes. The attention to detail is clear here. I highly recommend coming by for lunch at this beautiful restaurant!

  • June 24, 2026

    I went with three of my good friends for dinner after a day at the beach. Robyn, our server, was awesome! She was helpful, friendly and super fun. The food was amazing! We had the roasted cauliflower first and OMG!!! SOOO good! The volcano sauce..not sure what's in it but it made the dish! My friends had shrimp...which I tried and it was amazing. I had fish and chips and I swear, they gave me half of the fish! Delicious! The atmosphere is great...lots to look at. Wish we would've gone on a night they had a band playing! The view was the topper to a great experience. I will go there every time I'm in palm bay...hands down! Thanks Robyn for making our meal special!

  • June 21, 2026

    Beside the food; our waiter Matthew was excellent. We had a excellent Father's Day lunch/dinner. I'm looking forward to enjoy this place again!!!

  • June 14, 2026

    Abby provided great service at dinner the seafood is fresh and the fish and chips will not disappoint. We sat outside on the Patio the water view is all you could want. Drop by sister.

  • June 13, 2026

    This was our second visit to Lazy Turtle Riverfront, and somehow it was even better than the first! The atmosphere here is absolutely unbeatable—relaxed, welcoming, and with some of the most beautiful and soothing views of the Intracoastal you’ll find anywhere. Whether you choose indoor or outdoor seating, the waterfront scenery alone is worth the trip. Our server, Matthew, provided excellent service and made another great experience even better. Friendly, attentive, and personable without being overbearing—exactly what you hope for when dining out. The food continues to impress. We have yet to order a single thing that wasn’t delicious. The ahi tuna tacos are an absolute must-order, packed with flavor and consistently outstanding. And if you’re an oyster lover, do yourself a favor and try the East Coast oysters. They’re some of the best we’ve had and are offered at a fantastic price. Between the incredible views, great vibes, excellent service, and consistently amazing food, Lazy Turtle Riverfront has quickly become one of our favorite spots. We will definitely be back again and again!

  • June 13, 2026

    First time having dinner here tonight with my family and we had such a great experience at the Lazy Turtle! SERVICE: The staff was friendly, and our waitress was on point the entire time, especially with keeping our drinks filled and checking in on us. FOOD: The food was excellent. We tried the lobster bisque, blackened mahi mahi Reuben, soft shell crab sushi roll, and island creamy rigatoni. Everything was delicious and well seasoned. ATMOSPHERE: The clear view of the water was stunningly beautiful, and we even saw dolphins jumping in the distance, which made the visit extra special. We didn’t sit outside, but we could see there was live music, which added to the fun atmosphere. If you haven’t been to Lazy Turtle in a while, definitely give them another try. We really enjoyed it and would absolutely come back!

  • June 9, 2026

    Horrible service. It was not busy and took hours to get our food.

  • June 4, 2026

    Good views and friendly waitress

  • May 31, 2026

    More expensive than online suggested. Good server, polite and attentive. Shrimp was ok. Cheese fries ok. Margarita less than ok. View out of restaurant windows was fabulous! The river looked great.

  • May 29, 2026

    My husband and daughter ordered the fish fry. Large portion, wonderful filet of haddock. Unfortunately I ordered the "lump crab cake". Mushy, bready, and some shredded crab. Worst I've ever had.

  • May 22, 2026

    Quick stop for lunch as we were purchasing a new RV Staff was very friendly

  • May 21, 2026

    Very dirty. Waited 45 minutes for food just to be told one of our kids food needed to be changed because they didn't have the ingredients. Meanwhile our food was served cold, like cold cold and onions on my food after telling them I had an allergy to onions. Our drinks that cost 20+ had no flavor. Our server was great but would never recommend this place to anyone

  • May 20, 2026

    Overpriced, and average at best. They don't even serve your food on a plate...

  • May 19, 2026

    Beautiful views! Excellent food! Better than neighboring venues. Nice island music! Happy Hour menu!!! ❤️ Music on weekend afternoons.

  • May 18, 2026

    Food was absolutely delicious! Very nice riverfront dining! Friendly staff! I recommend!

  • May 18, 2026

    The chef could’ve done better, The crab was a boy with any seasoning. The chef was at the bar looking at me more than he’s looking at his meal that he’s making steak wasn’t made right overall in order for a waitress to get a tip that relies on the chef and the chef of this restaurant is trash sucks

  • May 10, 2026

    The food was just ok. Service was good. However, they are way overpriced. Most entrees are in the high 30's which suggests fine dining. It was more like elevated bar food.

  • April 30, 2026

    Our family and I love it here. It is such a relaxing atmosphere in the food is amazing. We live nearby so we enjoy the food, the proximity, and the 🥑

  • April 30, 2026

    Went for Happy hour. Didn't have any food . Sat at the bar. The 2 for 1 drinks were great. Drink came in 16oz glasses. Nothing worse than a little drink.

  • April 28, 2026

    We could find anything that sounded good it was fairly pricey as well. We ended up getting drinks and leaving. It was a very beautiful place.

  • April 28, 2026

    A nice menu selection. Seems like they have something for everyone. I had the Snapper Hemingway. Nice portion and delicious. Service was very upbeat and friendly. Not extremely busy, but a nice environment. Music was a Caribbean vibe music and very much enjoyed. Highly recommend going here. You won’t be disappointed.

Overall Score

43 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 0/40
    Grade F
  • Dietary transparency 20/20
    7 options listed
  • Community rating 17/20
    4.2★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 6/10
    Improving, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
11 AM to 9 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 9 PM
Friday
11 AM to 10 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 10 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 9 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. June 16, 2026 · Complaint Full

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    2 high-priority · 6 intermediate · 11 basic

    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
    • 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges (×3)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 27 — Water source safe; hot and cold water under pressure
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×2)
    • 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests (×2)
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×3)
    • 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
  2. May 18, 2026 · Complaint Partial

    Call Back - Complied

    1 high-priority · 4 intermediate · 7 basic

    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods (×2)
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 27 — Water source safe; hot and cold water under pressure
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
  3. March 18, 2026 · Complaint Partial

    Administrative complaint recommended

    3 high-priority · 7 intermediate · 14 basic

    • 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition
    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods (×2)
    • 06 — Potentially hazardous foods properly thawed (×2)
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored (×2)
    • 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
    • 27 — Water source safe; hot and cold water under pressure
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×2)
    • 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×3)
    • 52 — Misrepresentation / misbranding (×2)
  4. January 29, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    1 high-priority · 4 intermediate · 7 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
    • 06 — Potentially hazardous foods properly thawed
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored (×2)
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 27 — Water source safe; hot and cold water under pressure
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
  5. September 19, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Call Back - Complied

    1 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 7 basic

    • 05 — Food & equipment thermometers provided and accurate
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean (×2)
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
    • 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
  6. September 17, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Administrative complaint recommended

    7 high-priority · 6 intermediate · 16 basic

    • 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition (×3)
    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods (×2)
    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 05 — Food & equipment thermometers provided and accurate
    • 06 — Potentially hazardous foods properly thawed
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean (×2)
    • 28 — Sewage and waste water disposed properly
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention (×4)
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×3)
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
    • 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
    • 50 — Current license, properly displayed
    • 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: June 16, 2026