Turtle Bay Bournemouth | Caribbean Restaurant & Cocktails

Turtle Bay trades on jerk smoke, reggae and two-for-one cocktails, and the Bournemouth branch does all three on Madeira Road, a couple of minutes from Horseshoe Common. It is a chain, and it does not pretend otherwise — the menu and the fit-out match the other branches around the country. What you get in return is dependable Caribbean food and a bar that stays busy well into the evening, which counts for a lot when you are staying in the centre and want somewhere with a bit of noise and colour to it.

The food

The kitchen is built around the jerk pit: flame-grilled jerk chicken is the signature, alongside Caribbean curries, roti and a long list of small sharing plates. Vegans are well looked after here, with a proper spread of plant-based dishes rather than an afterthought. The drinks matter as much as the food — rum-forward tropical cocktails run two-for-one every day, and the bottomless brunch pairs Caribbean brunch plates with two hours of unlimited drinks. It is food to share over several rounds rather than a quiet dinner for two.

The setting

The room is dressed like a rum shack, all colour and salvaged wood, and it gets loud — on a Saturday night a DJ plays from around nine and the place leans closer to a bar than a restaurant. There is outdoor seating out on Madeira Road for warmer evenings, and dogs are welcome, which makes the terrace an easier bet if you have one with you. It suits groups, birthdays and anyone in the mood for a lively night; it is less suited to a hushed catch-up.

Where it is

Turtle Bay is at The Citrus Building, 24 Madeira Road, BH1 1NL, in the centre of Bournemouth next to Horseshoe Common. It is a short walk from Bournemouth beach and about ten minutes on foot from the Pavilion, so it slots into an evening in town — dinner before a show, or drinks after a day on the sand. If you are staying centrally you can almost certainly walk.

Good to know

The two-for-one cocktail offer runs daily, though the hours can shift, so check on the day rather than assuming. Walk-ins are usually fine midweek, but weekend evenings, Saturday DJ nights and bottomless brunch fill up and are worth booking ahead. Delivery is available if you would rather eat where you are staying. For more places to eat within walking distance, see our restaurants guide.

Turtle Bay — good to know

Where is Turtle Bay in Bournemouth?

At The Citrus Building, 24 Madeira Road, BH1 1NL, in the town centre next to Horseshoe Common. It is a short walk from the beach and roughly ten minutes on foot from the Pavilion, so it is easy to reach if you are staying centrally.

What food does Turtle Bay serve?

Caribbean cooking from the jerk pit: flame-grilled jerk chicken, curries, roti and a long list of small sharing plates, with plenty of vegan choices. It is a cocktail-led menu too, built around rum and tropical drinks.

Does Turtle Bay do bottomless brunch?

Yes. Its bottomless brunch pairs Caribbean brunch dishes and mains with two hours of unlimited cocktails, beers, soft or hot drinks. Book ahead, especially at weekends, as the brunch sittings are popular.

Are the two-for-one cocktails available every day?

Turtle Bay runs two-for-one cocktails daily. The offer hours can change, so check on the day rather than assuming, particularly for later sittings and busy weekend evenings.

Is Turtle Bay dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome, and there is outdoor seating on Madeira Road if you would rather sit outside. The room itself gets loud and lively, so the terrace can be the calmer choice with a dog.

Do you need to book at Turtle Bay?

Walk-ins are welcome and often fine midweek. For weekend evenings, Saturday nights with the DJ and bottomless brunch it is worth booking, as the restaurant fills quickly. Delivery is available if you would rather eat in.

Turtle Bay