Caribbean food and cocktails at Turtle Bay Southampton

If you fancy Caribbean food without leaving the centre, Turtle Bay sits right in Guildhall Square at 1 Guildhall Square, SO14 7FP, directly across from the Council Building and a short walk from Palmerston Park. It's handy for the historic docks, the 02 Guildhall and the Mayflower Theatres, and about nine minutes from Southampton station, so it works as well for a quick bite as it does for a proper night out. The doors open from 11:00 and run late every day, with the 2026 hours stretching to 23:00 on weekdays and 01:00 at the weekend, so there's plenty of room to fit it in.

The menu is built around authentic Caribbean flavours, and there's a lot to pick from. Among the starters and sides, the okra comes coated in spiced panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried, served with mango mole and a fresh lime and coriander mayo, while the garlic and chilli pit prawns are whole-shell king prawns grilled on the jerk pit, coated in herb and chilli garlic butter and served with roti flatbread. For something heartier, the Bajan beef cheeks are slowly braised for six hours in Caribbean spices, okra, potato, garlic and toasted coconut, served with steamed rice and roti flatbread. The jerk sirloin steak is charred and coated in tangy jerk seasoning, and the slow braised beef rib is marinated, slowly cooked and finished on the jerk pit grill, served with sweet onion chutney, green seasoning, sweet potato fries, fresh watermelon, a lime and coriander chow salad and coconut jerk glaze. Lighter options include battered hake fish tacos with tangy slaw and hot sauce at £7.90, Trini cod with mashed potatoes and a mild garlic butter sauce at £17.50, and a brown chicken stew with chicken thighs on rice and peas and fried plantain at £14.70. Trini doubles are £6.80, and the ginger pudding, topped with pineapple, rum compote and coconut ice cream, is £6. There are vegan and vegetarian options throughout, and the kitchen caters to all allergies.

Drinks are a big part of the place. The cocktails are 2-for-4 all day, every day, and most can be made vegan if you check the prosecco or wine. The Koko Kolada is a tropical take on the Pina Colada with coconut-flavoured rum, white or dark rum, pineapple juice and coconut milk; the Side Chick Martini mixes vodka, passion fruit, vanilla and orange juice with a prosecco side; the Ghetto Girl combines vodka, passion fruit liqueur, watermelon and apple juice; the Goombay Smash pairs Cockspur and Koko Kanu rums with apricot liqueur, bitters, orange and pineapple juice; and the Roots Culture uses Uncle Wray overproof rum, strawberry liqueur, raspberry, lime and lemonade. If you're after a longer session, the bottomless brunch gives you two hours of unlimited cocktails, zero-proof cocktails, draft beers, soft drinks or hot drinks alongside Caribbean-inspired brunch dishes, sharing plates and mains, with an Early Bird version that runs for 90 minutes and can be upgraded to two. There's also an express menu for when you're squeezed in before a show at the Mayflower Theatres.

A few practical notes before you go: the place is dog-friendly, wheelchair accessible, has free WiFi and outdoor space, and does home delivery through Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats. You can book a table through the website, which is recommended for dinner, weekends and larger groups, though walk-ins are welcome when there's room. If you're planning a party or a get-together, the venue hosts them with no hire fee, though there are no live performances scheduled at the moment.