Turtle Bay Southampton sits in the cultural quarter next to East Park, Southampton art gallery and the Seacity Museum; not only is this a restaurant that is positioned perfectly as a refuel stop when soaking in the culture around but it itself is a chain reeking of cultural influence. The colourful exterior of the space gives a hint of the energy that can be found inside in which you find multi coloured furniture, lively wall art, a loud and very much operational bar and a kitchen from which the flames of the jerk pit can be both smelt and heard. Yes, this might be a good space for a breakfast or lunch that is bound to satisfy but it is also a perfect spot for a night out with friends or family when you want some lively vibes, good food and tasty drinks.
The all day menu offers some breakfast classics like avocado and poached eggs as well as some overly Caribbean steeped choices like the big Kingston grill down, a challenge to any good full English - featuring jerk bacon and sausages. The main menu offers some familiar-style choices, burgers and roti wraps that can be filled with jerk chicken, as well as clean eating choices like Buddha bowls. Aside from this, the rest of the menu offers some more heavily inspired options: jerk pit dishes include baby back ribs, West Indian offerings such as curried salmon take residency and the soul food section of the menu includes everything from mac and cheese to coconut fried chicken.
The drinks list offers everything you might want: beers, wine and soft drinks, but also includes long lists of both cocktails and rums. The rums encompass a range of styles and can be enjoyed neat or with appropriate mixers whilst the cocktails can best be enjoyed during the daily happy hours, two for one cocktails, as well as the daily bottomless brunch offering which sees the whole table enjoying selected dishes from the menu and a choice of either bottomless cocktails, mocktails, beer or Prosecco.