Ormond Beach's restaurant scene has new places to eat as seven new eateries welcome food enthusiasts through their doors. The Thirsty Turtle Seagrill and Good Vibes Scratch Kitchen lead this culinary wave with their coastal-inspired homestyle cooking. These new establishments range from custom soda shops to upscale seafood restaurants and add exciting flavors to the local food scene.
Want to find your next favorite restaurant? Let's take a closer look at seven new Ormond Beach dining spots that locals already love for their unique menus and creative twists on familiar dishes.
New in 2025: The Thirsty Turtle Seagrill
The Thirsty Turtle Seagrill brings fresh seafood and sports bar vibes to 254 North Nova Road in Ormond Beach. This family-owned restaurant has made its home in the former Burntwood Tavern location since December 2024.
The Thirsty Turtle Menu Features
Fresh-never-frozen ingredients and handmade preparations define the kitchen's philosophy. The restaurant takes pride in preparing more than 30 items from scratch without using microwaves. Their scratch-made items include dips, sauces, and soups. The menu showcases:
Fresh fish filleted daily
Award-winning honey garlic wings
Caribbean specialties like conch fritters
House-made fish dip
Fresh-trimmed chicken dishes
The signature honey garlic wings have become a crowd favorite, with the restaurant group serving over 200,000 pounds of wings each year. Guests can even bring their own fresh catch for the kitchen's expert preparation.
Sports fans will love the impressive TV wall featuring over a dozen 60-inch screens and a massive 110-inch display for game nights. Local musicians fill the venue with country, rock, jazz, and blues every Friday and Saturday night.
Location and Hours
The Thirsty Turtle welcomes guests at Suite 250, 254 North Nova Road with convenient hours:
Monday through Thursday: 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 AM to 11 PM
Sunday: 12 PM to 10 PM
Also new in 2025 is Good Vibes Scratch Kitchen has opened its doors at 165 N. Yonge St., taking over the former Flapjack Johnny's spot in Ormond Beach. The family-style breakfast and lunch spot with a coastal touch comes from husband and wife Albert and Deanna Cisson, who partnered with Roger Labrie.
Good Vibes Scratch Kitchen Specialties
Quality ingredients and reasonable prices are at the heart of this kitchen. The team crafts everything from scratch, serving up favorites like:
Hand-breaded chicken tenders
House-ground coffee
Tender brisket
Fresh smoked salmon
Chicken and waffles
Good Vibes Scratch Kitchen Ambiance
Bright and beachy describes the newly renovated space perfectly. The walls showcase beautiful coastal artwork by internationally published artist Sherry Waldman, who brings 40 years of artistic excellence to the space. Old-school tunes fill the air, creating that perfect vibe to enjoy your meal.
The kitchen opens from 7 AM to 2:30 PM, and it's more than just a place to eat - it's where the community comes together over great food. The menu will evolve over the first six months as the team fine-tunes their offerings based on customer feedback.
Soda Waves stands at 1425 W. Granada Blvd., Suite 2, bringing a fresh take on beverages to Ormond Beach as the area's first custom all-soda shop. This family-owned business opened its doors in November with a creative spin on traditional soft drinks.
Soda Waves Signature Drinks
Jamie Kerlin and her father John co-own the shop where she created 24 unique signature drinks that showcase her creative combinations. Their menu features some amazing creations:
The Tiki Island - Dr. Pepper base with vanilla syrup and coconut cream
The Sunset - Root beer made better with half-and-half and toasted marshmallow
The Hangover - Ginger ale that goes together with fresh lime and raspberry puree
Custom Beverage Options
The shop lets you mix and match from 20 drink bases and 48 syrup flavors to create your perfect drink. Drinks cost between $1.79 and $2.99, and you can choose from five sizes starting at kid-size up to 44 ounces. Their advanced tap system keeps drinks perfectly chilled at 33-34 degrees, just like in draft beer systems.
Customers can pick from dark and light soda bases - everything from Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper to Sprite and Mountain Dew. Each drink can be customized with various syrups including sugar-free options. Popular flavors include blue raspberry, pineapple, white chocolate, cheesecake, and butterscotch.
Mobile Ordering Experience
Soda Waves' free mobile app makes ordering simple. You can create custom drinks, order for pickup, and watch your order's progress. The app works for both in-store and curbside pickup, so you can get your drinks your way.
Family-Friendly Environment
The shop welcomes guests seven days a week - Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and Sundays from noon to 6 PM. They use special nugget ice with tiny cavities that keeps your drink's flavor strong until the last sip without watering it down.
Jamie's signature drinks came from months of family taste-testing. She tried hundreds of combinations over six months and even got her 5- and 7-year-old kids to help as taste testers. This family focus shows in their community involvement, making Soda Waves a perfect spot for people of all ages.
Mama Foo Foo brings sophisticated New American dining to Halifax Harbor Marina's waterfront scene. This stylish spot pairs marina views with innovative cuisine to create an exceptional dining experience. This restaurant opened in 2021 and is sure to be a mainstay in the area!
Mama Foo Foo's New American Cuisine
Chef Jeff Barney brings his French Culinary Institute of Manhattan training to craft an eclectic menu. His creations blend European techniques with global influences. The kitchen's best dishes include:
Saffron Arancini and Burrata & Fig appetizers
Mussel Frites with house-made sauces
Curried risotto
Wagyu smash burger
Shrimp and grits
The menu stays approachable while delivering rich flavors. Quality ingredients are the foundations of each dish.
Breakfast and Brunch Offerings
Weekend brunch has become a crowd favorite at Mama Foo Foo. The restaurant started with dinner service only. Now the brunch menu offers creative takes on morning classics with the same care found in their dinner dishes.
Cocktail Program
The bar program is the life-blood of the Mama Foo Foo experience, with two distinct bar areas - indoor and outdoor. The cocktail menu features creative concoctions with names like:
Night Tripper
Midnight Hustle
The bar buzzes throughout service hours. Skilled bartenders mix signature drinks that complement your meal perfectly.
Restaurant Atmosphere
The vibe at Mama Foo Foo creates an immersive experience. Beautiful foliage fills the space, with plants hanging from the ceiling under soft lighting. Guests can choose from several spaces:
Main dining rooms
Private party areas
Indoor bar section
Dockside Lounge with marina views
Doors open Thursday through Saturday from 4 PM to 12 AM, and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday from 4 PM to 10 PM. The venue comes alive after dinner hours as a sophisticated nightspot with live music and dancing.Stunning views of luxury yachts add to your dining experience. Families are welcome, but the space caters to adults who want an upscale dining experience in a sophisticated setting.The service team excels at keeping drinks flowing and tables cleared while staying friendly and attentive. Mama Foo Foo goes beyond just serving food - it's a complete evening out where you can eat, mingle, and enjoy entertainment.
Next Door Beach Bistro brings an exciting Modern American concept with French influences to the beachfront dining scene. This sophisticated spot has quickly made a name for itself with its outstanding coastal cuisine and creative menu.
Next Door Beach Bistro Menu
The kitchen team creates dishes that blend casual coastal fare with refined techniques. Fresh ingredients and innovative preparations are at the heart of their signature items. Duck Confit with truffle fries, Bouillabaisse, and an impressive Seafood Tower stand out as menu highlights.
The kitchen really shines with these popular dishes:
Thai coconut mussels with aromatic broth
Filet mignon sandwich with house-made frites
Bourbon raisin bread pudding
Crispy duck lettuce wraps
Roasted beet and goat cheese salad
Seafood Specialties
Fresh seafood is the lifeblood of their culinary identity. Their fresh oysters and mussels match the quality you'd find at top seafood spots. Locals love the Seafood Pot Pie with its generous portions and delicate flavors. The Lobster Bisque and Lobster Buerre Blanc show just how skilled the kitchen is with premium seafood.
The Bouillabaisse deserves special praise. The kitchen uses traditional French techniques and local seafood to create something special. If you want something more casual but equally tasty, try the blackened grouper or fresh fettuccine with seafood.
Beachside Dining Experience
The bistro blends sophistication with coastal charm. You can eat inside in comfort or enjoy stunning ocean views from the outdoor patio. A large center bar serves as the heart of the space, perfect for casual drinks or full meals.
You can visit during these hours:
Monday through Thursday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
The staff knows their stuff and takes great care of guests. This attention to detail shows in their craft cocktails too. The bartenders make some amazing drinks - locals say their Espresso Martinis are among the best around.
Prices run on the higher end for the area. But the quality ingredients, generous portions, and overall experience make it worth every penny. You'll find smaller plates for casual dining and bigger dishes for special occasions.
The place hits the sweet spot between upscale and beachside casual. Quiet conversations mix with ocean waves to create the perfect mood for both special occasions and casual meals. Want the best seat in the house? Grab a spot on the outdoor patio with its comfy seating and ocean views.
Conclusion
Culinary dreams bloom across Ormond Beach, where seven new dining treasures paint flavors for every palate and pocket. Fresh energy flows through kitchen doors, bringing award-winning wings at The Thirsty Turtle, morning comfort at Good Vibes, and sophisticated evenings at 63 Sovereign.
Sweet family stories unfold at Soda Waves, where creative sips bring smiles to young and old alike. Ocean breezes carry tempting aromas from Mama Foo Foo and Next Door Beach Bistro, while Ichi Ni San's Asian fusion artistry completes this perfect feast of possibilities.
These golden years shine brighter as each new kitchen adds its special magic to our community. From scratch-made specialties to warm welcomes, these seven gems sparkle as beloved additions to Ormond Beach's dining tapestry.
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