Turtle Bay Huddersfield


Last week I was kindly invited to the new Turtle Bay restaurant in my hometown Huddersfield to learn more about Caribbean food and take a first glance at the restaurant before it opens to the public next week.The building was previously occupied by the restaurant Cotton Factory and before it shut down late last year, the place was looking a little bit worse for wear (even though it did do great pizzas). That particular side of town needed something more modern, upbeat and something with a bit of character to attract new customers and to keep up with other neighbouring cities. Although Huddersfield does have some great restaurants, many of them are quite out of town if you're looking to sample alternative cuisines and not head to the nearest chain bar. Turtle Bay may be a chain bar, but it has already added some much character to that small part of town before even opening and after the food I tasted a few days ago, I'm pretty sure it's going to be a hit with locals and visitors alike.


Turtle Bay is a restaurant that prides itself on individuality and authentic, hearty Caribbean food. The chain has 25 restaurants and all of which have been uniquely designed so that every restaurant has a different aesthetic. The Huddersfield restaurant features two rooms - a restaurant and a bar, both which are decorated in traditional Caribbean design with wooden beams, steel can lighting, bright and bold colours and an open kitchen so that all the aromas can whet your appetite as soon as you enter the building. One of my favourite parts of the Huddersfield design is the painting of the Afro-Caribbean woman on the left side of the building as soon as you walk in. It is highly detailed, instantly grabs your attention and looks really trendy. Rumour has it that Turtle Bay commissioned a local artist to paint this piece, but the rest is unknown.


After a grand tour of the building, we were sat down in the restaurant area and told the history of Caribbean food and the secret ingredients that go into a few of the dishes whilst drinking one too many Rum Punches - a drink I would highly recommend if you intend on visiting anytime soon. The Turtle Bay menu is quite diverse and caters for many dietary requirements, although if you're afraid of heat, you'll have to be cautious when eating here.


One of the main ingredients in most of the dishes is the infamous Scotch Bonnet pepper. If you haven't heard of a scotch bonnet, the scotch bonnet is possibly one of the hottest peppers around and if you ate one of the seeds, you would know about it. Thankfully Turtle Bay use this ingredient discreetly in their dishes and none of them are that hot that they would blow your head off, but a few dishes may have the more heat-intolerant diners in a sweaty disposition.


As a vegetarian I'm always intrigued by new restaurants and the dishes they have to offer. I'm always on the lookout for restaurants that offer something that I may not have tried before and that doesn't contain the words 'goats cheese' pr 'spicy bean burger'. Don't get me wrong, I love both of them but when that's the only thing you get offered nearly every time you step into a restaurant, it makes eating out a bit boring. Especially when your dining partners are raving about their new and exciting dishes.
A lot of restaurants can be quite unimaginative when it comes to vegetarians, but not Turtle Bay.


One of the dishes I was lucky to sample was the Rastafari Rundown. A traditional Caribbean dish for Rastafarians who's diets prohibit meat and fish and very occasionally, diary. This dish consists of butter beans, sweetcorn, sweet potato, herbs and root vegetables all in a coconut broth. It is served with rice'n' peas and dumplings. There's also a vegan version available on request.

The Turtle Bay restaurant in Huddersfield is open from next Friday and is definitely worth a visit. If you're looking for somewhere a bit quirky and that serves flavoursome food at relatively affordable prices, this place is for you. I cannot wait to go back with my husband.

Have you been to Turtle Bay before?





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20 comments

  1. The restaurant looks great. A scotch bonnet is way too hot for me - I only like a little heat!

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  2. This place looks great! I have a friend in Huddersfield too so next time I visit him I think we'll be paying a visit.

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  3. I have never tried Caribbean food, but think I'd love it. I totally love hot and spicey food!

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  4. what a great place ! I am not familiar with Caribbean food but why not :)

    http://allornothing-blog.blogspot.co.uk/
    http://msadventuresinlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

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  5. Turtle bay is one of my favourite chains, I love the starter platter they do with the corn cakes, yum!

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  6. Ohh I've never been to Turtle Bay before - what a great looking place and the food looks delicious. x

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  7. Love the different look of this restaurant and the food looks fab too:-)

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  8. Looks like such a fab night out! I love carribian food but have only ever cooked it at home!

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  9. It sounds great, I love spice. The interior looks really cool too x

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  10. Wow, what a stunning wall art! I would love to have it on our TV room.

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  11. This place looks super cool! My friend is the assistant manager at the York one so I'm dying to go see what it has to offer. So many people seem to be loving the Caribbean vibe if has to offer!
    Bee | QueenBeady.com

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  12. This place look so good just "wow" will have to take a trip to it for sure.

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  13. Wow this looks great, from the decor to the delicious looking food. I'd love to go here! xxx

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  14. I have never heard of Turtle Bay before so I'm very happy I've spotted it on your blog.

    The interior looks fantastic and the food sounds it too. We love Caribbean food so I'll be having a look to see where our nearest Turtle Bay restaurant is.

    Laura x

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  15. I've been to Turtle Bay in Birimingham and absolutely loved it, the cocktails are to die for!
    Megan x
    London Callings

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  16. I absolutely adore Caribbean food, so this would be right up my street x

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  17. I have never heard of Turtle Bay - but goodness this place looks amazing! I love it! The food looks yummy too! Kaz x

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  18. Have yet to try Turtle bay, there's one in London I think. The food looks tasty.

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  19. I hear ya with the veggie options!! I love the look of the decor of this place and my husband would love the use of chilli's!!

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  20. I am not a big fan of spicy food so I don't think this is the place for me. x

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