Waterfront setting
The Madinat water view, outdoor seating and nearby scenery make the setting a major part of the meal.
Tortuga
Umm Suqeim
Tortuga is a Mexican restaurant in Umm Suqeim, set within the Madinat Jumeirah resort with a water-facing atmosphere. Reviews point to handmade guacamole, fajitas, tacos and standout desserts such as churros and tres leches cake.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
897 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Fresh guacamole
Several reviews single out the guacamole, including a table-prepared version and generous servings with chips.
Taco choices
Prawn and chicken tacos are especially well regarded, while Taco Tuesday has offered unlimited tacos.
Celebration touches
Birthday and anniversary diners have received thoughtful surprises, including mini cakes, a birthday show and tres leches.
Family friendly
A kids’ menu, child-friendly service and staff who entertained children with Spanish vocabulary make it workable for family meals.
Drinks and dessert
The tamarind margarita, churros and tres leches cake receive particularly vivid praise from diners.
What to Eat at Tortuga How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Tortuga, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Tortuga, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 2
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Churros Net +4
“Also I recommend churros for dessert.”
Positive 4Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Also I recommend churros for dessert.”August 2024
“Perfect place with authentic Mexican cousin. Life music and attentive staff. My strong recommendations to try churros.”February 2019
-
Tuna ceviche Net +2
“Great starters, ok mains. Service was lacking compared to the other resort restaurants. Shrimp Tacos and tuna ceviche are highly recommended”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great starters, ok mains. Service was lacking compared to the other resort restaurants. Shrimp Tacos and tuna ceviche are highly recommended”December 2017
“We tries the seabass truffle ceviche and the tuna ceviche. The seabass ceviche lacked a bit of tast but the tuna one was delicious.”November 2021
Honorable mentions (31)
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Avocado nachos Net +1
“The avocado nachos is also must order.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The avocado nachos is also must order.”December 2023
-
Beef asada tacos Net +1
“The beef Asada tacos was tender, soft and very tasteful.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The beef Asada tacos was tender, soft and very tasteful.”September 2017
-
Build your own taco Net +1
“We loved the ‘build your own taco’ experience at the taco station in the restaurant.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We loved the ‘build your own taco’ experience at the taco station in the restaurant.”May 2023
-
Cancun inspired prawns Net +1
“We started off with Cancun inspired prawns which were delicious and have a after taste which is just perfect .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We started off with Cancun inspired prawns which were delicious and have a after taste which is just perfect .”May 2021
-
Chicken quesadilla Net +1
“Chicken Quesadilla was good too, but to be fair, couldn't enjoy it after the Asada as I was full.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chicken Quesadilla was good too, but to be fair, couldn't enjoy it after the Asada as I was full.”March 2019
-
Chicken tinga Net +1
“Then the chicken Tinga and waygu Carne Asada for mains as well as pollo adabo a la parrilla. All of which were so well presented and the meat and chicken so fresh they were way above any expectations that I had absolutely.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Then the chicken Tinga and waygu Carne Asada for mains as well as pollo adabo a la parrilla. All of which were so well presented and the meat and chicken so fresh they were way above any expectations that I had absolutely.”May 2021
-
Chips and salsa Net +1
“To help you get started, there are chips and salsa. The accompanying salsa is incredibly well-suited for both children and most elderly people.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“To help you get started, there are chips and salsa. The accompanying salsa is incredibly well-suited for both children and most elderly people.”February 2024
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Gaucamole Net +1
“Food was pretty good. Nachos with chilli con carne were yummy , tasty gaucamole and salsa , very fresh and crisp with super yummy toppings .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was pretty good. Nachos with chilli con carne were yummy , tasty gaucamole and salsa , very fresh and crisp with super yummy toppings .”December 2023
-
Guacamole and chips Net +1
“The guacamole and chips were great though.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The guacamole and chips were great though.”January 2022
-
Guacamole prepared at the table Net +1
“The guacamole prepared at the table is excellent and the fajitas are served with home made tortillas.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The guacamole prepared at the table is excellent and the fajitas are served with home made tortillas.”February 2021
-
La ollita Net +1
“Regarding dessert, La Ollita was excellent and definitely worth trying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Regarding dessert, La Ollita was excellent and definitely worth trying.”February 2024
-
Mole chicken Net +1
“From freshly, handmade guacamole to tasty street style tacos and other famous Mexican home style foods such as mole chicken, one can be spoiled for choice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“From freshly, handmade guacamole to tasty street style tacos and other famous Mexican home style foods such as mole chicken, one can be spoiled for choice.”July 2018
-
Nachos with chilli con carne Net +1
“Food was pretty good. Nachos with chilli con carne were yummy , tasty gaucamole and salsa , very fresh and crisp with super yummy toppings .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was pretty good. Nachos with chilli con carne were yummy , tasty gaucamole and salsa , very fresh and crisp with super yummy toppings .”December 2023
-
Octopus Net +1
“Also, the Octopus was fantastic.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Also, the Octopus was fantastic.”February 2018
-
Oven baked prawns Net +1
“Their oven baked prawns were also amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their oven baked prawns were also amazing.”November 2021
-
Pollo adabo a la parrilla Net +1
“Then the chicken Tinga and waygu Carne Asada for mains as well as pollo adabo a la parrilla. All of which were so well presented and the meat and chicken so fresh they were way above any expectations that I had absolutely.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Then the chicken Tinga and waygu Carne Asada for mains as well as pollo adabo a la parrilla. All of which were so well presented and the meat and chicken so fresh they were way above any expectations that I had absolutely.”May 2021
-
Quesadilla "chihuahua" Net +1
“I never tasted a quesadilla "chihuahua" so original like what they have.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I never tasted a quesadilla "chihuahua" so original like what they have.”September 2017
-
Sea bass Net +1
“The food here was really delicious, the sea bass especially was incredibly well cooked and full of flavour.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food here was really delicious, the sea bass especially was incredibly well cooked and full of flavour.”July 2022
-
Shrimp burrito Net +1
“Amazing shrimp burrito (The best in Dubai) served with authentic Mexican rice and black beans”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing shrimp burrito (The best in Dubai) served with authentic Mexican rice and black beans”February 2020
-
Shrimp tacos Net +1
“Great starters, ok mains. Service was lacking compared to the other resort restaurants. Shrimp Tacos and tuna ceviche are highly recommended”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great starters, ok mains. Service was lacking compared to the other resort restaurants. Shrimp Tacos and tuna ceviche are highly recommended”December 2017
-
Spicy margaritas Net +1
“Great mexican in Dubai, the food is very tasty, the spicy margaritas are amazing if you like spicy, and the kids just loved the live band.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great mexican in Dubai, the food is very tasty, the spicy margaritas are amazing if you like spicy, and the kids just loved the live band.”December 2019
-
Taco Net +1
“Taco no doubt is nice, I recommend the one with prawn.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Taco no doubt is nice, I recommend the one with prawn.”December 2023
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Taco prawn Net +1
“Taco no doubt is nice, I recommend the one with prawn.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Taco no doubt is nice, I recommend the one with prawn.”December 2023
-
Taco tuesday Net +1
“Turtuga has an amazing all-you-can-eat buffet called Taco Tuesday, where you can pick from 6 different types of tacos. There’s a live band as well singing a Latin version of all the classics. It was at first a delicious option to go to satisfy the craving for tacos, but they recently removed the Guacamole from the buffet, so you end up ordering as an add on and it just defeats the purpose of being a great deal.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Turtuga has an amazing all-you-can-eat buffet called Taco Tuesday, where you can pick from 6 different types of tacos. There’s a live band as well singing a Latin version of all the classics. It was at first a delicious option to go to satisfy the craving for tacos, but they recently removed the Guacamole from the buffet, so you end up ordering as an add on and it just defeats the purpose of being a great deal.”April 2019
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Tre letche Net +1
“Then we ordered dessert churros, tre letche and warm chocolate cake with ice cream. Every thing was fantastic.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Then we ordered dessert churros, tre letche and warm chocolate cake with ice cream. Every thing was fantastic.”January 2023
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Tres leches cake Net +1
“Also - the tres leches cake - EXCEPTIONAL! Probably the best I’ve tasted 👍🏼”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Also - the tres leches cake - EXCEPTIONAL! Probably the best I’ve tasted 👍🏼”December 2023
-
Warm chocolate cake with ice cream Net +1
“Then we ordered dessert churros, tre letche and warm chocolate cake with ice cream. Every thing was fantastic.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Then we ordered dessert churros, tre letche and warm chocolate cake with ice cream. Every thing was fantastic.”January 2023
-
Beef tacos Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“We had the tacos which were great - especially the prawn and chicken ones.the beef tacos was ok-ok.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Camaron fajitas Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Tried the carne asada fajitas, carne asada burrito, and Camaron fajitas - all of which were average.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Carne asada burrito Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Tried the carne asada fajitas, carne asada burrito, and Camaron fajitas - all of which were average.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Carne asada fajitas Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Tried the carne asada fajitas, carne asada burrito, and Camaron fajitas - all of which were average.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 1
-
Tamarind margarita Net +1
“The tamarind margarita was amazing- very delicious, refreshing and perfect amount of alcohol 👍🏼”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The tamarind margarita was amazing- very delicious, refreshing and perfect amount of alcohol 👍🏼”December 2023
What to Avoid (4)
Food 3
-
Chicken in the fajita Net −1
“The chicken in the fajita was missing any mexican touch and the margarita should have been accompanied with heartburn medication.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The chicken in the fajita was missing any mexican touch and the margarita should have been accompanied with heartburn medication.”January 2022
-
Nachos Net −1
“However, the nachos were disappointing, not because they weren't fresh enough, but because they were made with a disappointing cheese sauce that reminded me of fake cheese - not what I would have expected from a restaurant of this caliber.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“However, the nachos were disappointing, not because they weren't fresh enough, but because they were made with a disappointing cheese sauce that reminded me of fake cheese - not what I would have expected from a restaurant of this caliber.”February 2018
-
Seabass truffle ceviche Net −1
“We tries the seabass truffle ceviche and the tuna ceviche. The seabass ceviche lacked a bit of tast but the tuna one was delicious.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We tries the seabass truffle ceviche and the tuna ceviche. The seabass ceviche lacked a bit of tast but the tuna one was delicious.”November 2021
Drinks 1
-
Margarita Net −1
“The chicken in the fajita was missing any mexican touch and the margarita should have been accompanied with heartburn medication.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The chicken in the fajita was missing any mexican touch and the margarita should have been accompanied with heartburn medication.”January 2022
Tips for a Better Visit
Book ahead. Reserve in advance if you can; one diner said Tortuga is always busy.
Check discounts. Ask about Visa or Mastercard discounts before paying; a diner missed the discount by asking afterwards.
Ask salsa price. Check whether extra sauces cost more: one diner was charged AED 4 for a spoonful of habanero salsa.
Try churros. Churros are one of the clearest dessert recommendations in the reviews, alongside tres leches cake.
Choose outdoors. Request outdoor seating if you want the water setting; reviews also mention parking for diners who are not staying at the property.
Try Taco Tuesday. Check whether the unlimited Taco Tuesday offer is running; one review reported it at AED 100.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Jumeirah Mina Al Salam - Jumeirah St
Madinat Jumeirah - Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai
Common Concerns
Slow service
Multiple reviews describe service as slow or hard to attract, especially when the restaurant is busy or courses finish.
Uneven dishes
Quesadillas, some fajitas and certain mains receive mixed feedback, so the menu is not uniformly reliable.
Pricey portions
One diner found the portions small for the price, while another described the restaurant as expensive for the area.
Loud music
Live entertainment adds atmosphere, but one review found the music too loud and another criticised the microphone.
Limited drinks
A review specifically described the drink selection as limited, despite other diners praising the margaritas.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Tortuga is a Mexican restaurant in Umm Suqeim within the Madinat Jumeirah resort, where the canals, outdoor seating and Mexican music are a big part of the appeal. It suits a relaxed dinner, a family meal or a celebration, particularly if you enjoy margaritas and a lively setting rather than a quiet, minimalist restaurant. The menu has several dependable starting points.
Reviews repeatedly mention freshly prepared guacamole, prawn and chicken tacos, fajitas served with homemade tortillas, and desserts including churros and tres leches cake. The tamarind margarita also gets a specific thumbs-up. Taco Tuesday has previously featured unlimited tacos for AED 100, so it is worth checking whether that offer is still available.
There are a few practical caveats. Service can be slow, and live music may feel loud depending on your table. Feedback on quesadillas, fajitas and some mains is mixed, while one diner found portions small for the prices.
Ask about Visa or Mastercard discounts before settling the bill, and check the cost of extra salsa after one guest was charged AED 4 for habanero salsa. Book ahead when possible; parking is available for diners not staying at the property.
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