Reggae music in the background, a lively and warm atmosphere and a restaurant that makes you feel like you have landed in Jamaica. Where are we? We are much closer to home, Leeds in fact in the busy Turtle Bay restaurant situated in The Light in the city centre.
Turtle Bay is a Caribbean themed restaurant that is part of a chain with branches across Yorkshire. Walking into the restaurant feels like you have entered another world as the bright and colourful decor felt like we were still back in summer after the autumn chill outside reminded us that the seasons were definitely on the change.
The restaurant prides itself on the range of cocktails and has ramped up its island-style beach bar vibes to keep the heatwave mood going right through to autumn with an expertly curated new cocktail collection, all designed to make the magic of the “Caribbean social” part of the everyday.
Liquid sunshine at Turtle Bay
With a mix of classics given a signature Turtle Bay twist to brand new creations and the launch of a Caribbean favourite, Steel Bottom Beers, an escape awaits.
The brand-new cocktail creations include the Caribbean Candy Sour with Kingston 62 Gold Rum, amaretto and falernum, green melon liqueur, apple, grapefruit and fresh lime… A wicked sweet and sour blend that transported us to sunnier climes in an instant.
Turtle Bay have also added their trademark island vibes to a stone cold classic as they launch their own new take on the espresso martini, with the aptly named Dessert Island cocktail. This salted caramel martini is the perfect after dinner drink, consisting of dark rum, Tia Maria, cold brew coffee, salted caramel sauce and vanilla. It was a dreamy and decadent dessert in a glass, a perfect start to our meal.
The team have also re-worked a classic long island to bring guests the Tobago Tea which includes Duppy White rum, vodka, tequila, gin & triple sec, grapefruit, mango and fresh lime.
As well as the brand-new creations they have brought back old favourites with a fresh twist, such as the refreshing Jamrock Punch with gin, passionfruit, strawberry, apple, grapefruit and fresh lime, adding another deliciously fresh new gin cocktail to the tropical mix.
The brand new cocktails, as well as many of the Turtle Bay favourites, are included in the Caribbean Social’s famed Happy Hour. Happy Hour runs all day until 7pm, and again with the Late Happy Hour from 9:30pm Sunday-Thursday and from 10pm Friday and Saturday.
From the food menu
We found though that most people seemed to come not just for the cocktails and drinks but to have something to eat as well. The menu is a copious one concentrating on Jerk Pit dishes, West Indian Curries and Burgers – all cooked in a Caribbean style.
Prices are on the reasonable side and in line with what you would pay elsewhere in Leeds city centre with Jerk Pit mains and curries starting at £12.50 and burgers from £8.20 with sides from £3.60.
Service was friendly with the food arriving very quickly after we had ordered which made me suspicious that maybe some of the food had already been cooked in the open kitchen and was ready and waiting to be served. My Hot Chick Burger came with golden and crispy fried chicken that had a kick with the hot fiery sauce, something I would recommend if you decided to visit.
My partner decided upon the Mo’ Bay chicken breast which came chargrilled served with the addition of white rice on the side. Served piping hot the flavours of the dish were described as very addictive.
And for the sweet tooth
They do puddings too though with only three choices along with four varieties of ice cream your choice is limited. Priced at £5.00 my Banana Toffee Cheesecake was a sweet and creamy guilty pleasure oozing with temptingly flavours. My partner went for the Chilli Chocolate Brownie – an indulgent rich chocolate cake that has a hint of natural spice.
Within an hour of arriving we had finished our meal and drinks, so you can see how speedy the service was. In this time we had probably heard the best of Bob Marley along with other reggae covers of popular songs, the music might be too loud if you are not a fan of this particular type of music which also made conversation difficult, however a polite request to turn the music down was soon acted upon.
The restaurant did feel different from the norm and the experience was a unique one as it felt like you had ventured into a totally different world. In the words of the Bob Marley song, the Sun was Shining, at least for us at Turtle Bay and hopefully it will be for you too if you decide to escape the ordinary world.
Turtle Bay,14 The Light, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8TL
Other branches in Yorkshire at:
Sheffield – Unit 2, NUM Building, Holly Street, S1 2GT
York – 11, Stonegate, YO1 8AX https://turtlebay.co.uk/
