Foodie Mob Gets an Inside Look at The Bearded Turtle’s Two Dining Experiences
One Restaurant. Two Menus. Two Completely Different Experiences.
Editor’s Note: The Bearded Turtle invited Foodie Mob to sample a selection of dishes from both the Bearded Turtle and ARISTURTLE menus. The dishes were specially selected to introduce guests to the restaurant’s two dining experiences. As always, this article reflects our honest opinions and personal dining experience.
When most people think of The Bearded Turtle, they picture a casual waterfront restaurant where friends gather for good food, cold drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere. What many don’t realize is that the restaurant now offers two distinct dining experiences under one roof.
During our visit, Foodie Mob was invited to sample a selection of dishes from both the traditional Bearded Turtle menu and the restaurant’s newer ARISTURTLE menu. Rather than focusing on one side of the restaurant, the evening highlighted the different culinary styles available to guests.
While the sample selection of dishes is not available to the public, every dish featured below can be found on either the Bearded Turtle or ARISTURTLE menu.
The result was a unique opportunity to experience the full range of what the kitchen is creating.
The Bearded Turtle
The downstairs Bearded Turtle menu offers the relaxed waterfront dining experience that many locals already know and enjoy. The menu focuses on approachable favorites served in a casual atmosphere perfect for lunch, dinner, or drinks by the pool.
Featured Dish
Tuna Tostada
Cocktail Pairing: Hibiscus Marg
The Tuna Tostada immediately impressed me.
The crisp tostada provided the perfect foundation for melt-in-your-mouth tuna, silky avocado, and a sesame-sweet chili sauce that added just the right amount of heat without overpowering the fish’s freshness.
Every bite offered a balance of crunch, freshness, and flavor.
The Hibiscus Marg, made with tequila, hibiscus, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur, complemented the dish beautifully with bright citrus and floral notes.
Featured Dish
Grouper Taco
Cocktail Pairing: The Clear Rita
Fresh grouper, crisp jicama slaw, avocado-mango pico, and shredded cheese made a taco that was both fresh and flavorful.
I chose the flour tortilla, though the taco is also available with a crispy hard shell. The combination of fresh grouper, crisp jicama and cilantro slaw, avocado mango pico, and shredded cheese made this one of the highlights of the evening.
This finished as my second-favorite dish of everything I sampled.
The Clear Rita, a clarified Don Julio Margarita, paired perfectly with the fresh seafood.
ARISTURTLE
Moving upstairs, the atmosphere changes.
The ARISTURTLE menu offers a more refined dining experience with elevated dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and chef-driven presentation. It feels like a completely different experience, yet it remains part of The Bearded Turtle.
Featured Dish
Warm House-Made Brioche
Cocktail Pairing: Basil Drop
The evening began with warm house-made brioche served alongside house-made butter.
Simple dishes often reveal the most about a kitchen, and this one delivered. The bread was warm, soft, and freshly baked, while the house-made butter complemented every bite.
The Basil Drop, featuring vodka, basil, lemon, and simple syrup, provided a bright, refreshing beginning to the evening.
⭐ Foodie Mob Favorite
Parisian Gnocchi
Cocktail Pairing: Rasp Reef
Without question, this was the standout dish of the evening.
The pillowy texture of the Parisian gnocchi combined with creamy stracciatella, fresh Florida tomato sauce, and vibrant pistachio pesto created a dish that was rich without ever feeling heavy.
Every ingredient worked together beautifully.
If I returned specifically to order one dish from the ARISTURTLE menu, this would be it.
The Rasp Reef, made with gin, raspberry, and lime soda, provided a refreshing contrast that complemented the dish’s richness.
Featured Dish
Dry-Aged Steak
Cocktail Pairing: Honey Thyme Sour
The evening concluded with a beautifully prepared dry-aged steak served alongside the chef’s take on Southern dirty rice, pickled raisins finished with chimichurri.
The steak delivered the rich flavor expected from a dry-aged cut, while the chef’s interpretation of Southern dirty rice added a unique Southern-inspired touch to the plate.
For my personal taste, the steak leaned a little saltier than I prefer. While still enjoyable, I would have preferred a lighter hand with the seasoning.
The Honey Thyme Sour, made with Woodford Reserve, thyme honey, and lemon, paired exceptionally well with the beef’s richness.
Foodie Mob Final Bite
What impressed me most wasn’t simply the individual dishes—it was discovering that The Bearded Turtle now offers two very different dining experiences.
The downstairs Bearded Turtle menu continues to offer the casual waterfront atmosphere locals have come to enjoy, while the upstairs ARISTURTLE menu introduces a more refined, chef-driven dining experience with elevated dishes and handcrafted cocktails.
Whether you’re looking for a laid-back lunch by the water or a more upscale evening out, there’s now an experience designed for both.
Foodie Mob’s visit offered a unique opportunity to sample dishes from both menus, and after experiencing the creativity coming from the kitchen, one thing became clear:
The Bearded Turtle isn’t just expanding its menu—it’s expanding the dining experience.
Restaurant: The Bearded Turtle
Location: Tarpon Springs, Florida
Keep It Local. Keep It Mob.
To learn more about the ARISTURTLE menu or make a reservation, visit The Bearded Turtle’s official website.
Want to learn more about The Bearded Turtle? Read our original Foodie Mob review here.
