Turtle Bay Cheltenham — Restaurant in Cheltenham

Restaurant Review: Turtle Bay

Rating: ★★★★★

My dining experience at Turtle Bay was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we walked in, the vibrant atmosphere and welcoming ambiance set the tone for a memorable evening. The decor, a perfect blend of tropical and modern elements, immediately transported us to a Caribbean paradise.

The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the outstanding service provided by our waitress, Jess. Her warm and friendly demeanor made us feel right at home. Jess's extensive knowledge of the menu and her impeccable recommendations showcased her passion for both the cuisine and her role. She was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our glasses were never empty and our needs were met promptly.

The food at Turtle Bay was a culinary delight. We started with the Jerk Pit Wings, which were perfectly spiced and cooked to perfection. For the main course, I opted for the Curry Goat, which was tender, flavorful, and accompanied by a deliciously aromatic rice and peas. My partner had the Jerk Salmon, which was beautifully presented and equally delectable. Each dish was a testament to the skill and creativity of the chefs, capturing the vibrant and bold flavors of the Caribbean.

To top off the evening, we indulged in the Rum Cake for dessert. It was the perfect balance of sweetness and rich, moist texture, leaving us thoroughly satisfied yet eager for our next visit.

Jess's exceptional service and the exquisite cuisine made our dinner at Turtle Bay an unforgettable experience. We can't wait to return and explore more of their fantastic menu. If you're looking for a dining experience that combines excellent food, top-notch service, and a lively atmosphere, Turtle Bay is the...

Great food, great staff. Portions are really small which is a shame, but the menu is really different. Loads of non spicy stuff as well as the usual jerk recipes.

Really uncomfortable tables though. I get that it's the style they are going for, but it feels like stepping into a shanty town, and everything wobbles, so good luck not annoying whoever sits opposite.

Toilets are a total disgrace, like nightclub toilets, dingy, unclean and smelling foul. Toilets are also up a flight of stairs but there is a disabled one on the ground floor.

Music way too loud, so it's impossible to have a conversation unless someone is right next to you. Again, part of the vibe, but something to bear in mind because it's not classy or refined, but it's not trying to be.

Drinks menu is really good, with 2 for 1 cocktails at certain times, and the alcohol free cocktails are pretty inventive too.

I've got a pet peeve with places that serve burgers that are impossible to eat, and this is one of them. Way too tall, not wide enough, and as soon as you take out the wooden skewer the whole thing collapses into a pile of ingredients. Bit of a giveaway if the only way your burger stays together on the plate is if it's treated like a vampire.

The food and the staff are probably the main things though and they're...

Awful experience. Diabolical service! I DO NOT recommend!!

We were there for Father's Day and they didn't have the Curry Goat (apparently one of their most popular meals and the reason we chose Turtle Bay). Service was very slow and staff seemed to be very disorganised. No-one took a drinks order from us and when we did ask for drinks, there was no milk for coffee and someone was sent to the shop. 15 minutes later - still no coffee. Meals came out staggered (our first 2 dishes took 45 minutes to arrive) so some of our party ate while others waited for food. Burgers were presented without the fries - the fries came out some time later (one portion of fries didn't arrive at all after repeatedly letting staff know we were one portion short). Hot sauce on burger when I had requested no hot sauce. Our visit took over an hour and a half (table of 4) and most of that time was spent waiting. The restaurant wasn't even that busy. Terrible service, badly run establishment, staff chatting when tables needed clearing and foul language could be heard coming from kitchen area - very unprofessional. I very much grudged paying my slightly discounted bill of £75+. Ruined...