Turtle Bay Durham

Turtle Bay Durham brings authentic Caribbean flavours and vibrant island atmosphere to the heart of Durham City. Located on The Riverwalk by Framwellgate Bridge, this Caribbean restaurant and bar offers spectacular views overlooking the River Wear and Durham Cathedral, making it one of the most scenic dining destinations in the city. The restaurant features a distinctive two-level layout with a bespoke central island bar taking centre stage on the ground floor, paying homage to the beach shacks of the Caribbean with their friendly, feel-good spirit.

The open kitchen showcases a flaming jerk pit and grill where diners can catch glimpses of the culinary team at work behind red shipping container-style walls. Upstairs, the exclusive D’Rum Room provides a completely private seating area for up to thirty guests with its own dedicated bar and a private heated terrace offering stunning views of Durham Cathedral. The restaurant atmosphere combines colourful murals, upbeat reggae music, and subtly lit dining spaces to create an authentic Caribbean vibe.

Turtle Bay Durham opened in October 2021 and is part of a family of over forty Turtle Bay restaurants across the United Kingdom. The venue welcomes everyone from families and students to couples and groups celebrating special occasions, maintaining a relaxed, casual dress code throughout. Walk-ins are welcome alongside reservations, and the restaurant is conveniently located just two doors down from the Odeon Luxe cinema and an eight-minute walk from Durham railway station.

Prices

Turtle Bay Durham offers moderately priced Caribbean dining with an average spend of thirty to forty pounds per person. Small plates and starters range from seven pounds fifty to eight pounds ninety, including popular options like chilli squid, salt fish fritters, sweetcorn fritters, and grilled wings available in Bajan hot mango, jerk gravy, or sweet and hot tamarind sauces. Main courses are priced between nine pounds seventy and eighteen pounds forty, featuring signature dishes such as curry goat at eleven pounds eighty, Jamaican brown chicken at eleven pounds, half chicken options at ten pounds sixty, whole chicken at eighteen pounds forty, and Bajan pork at sixteen pounds thirty.

The restaurant offers excellent value through its famous two-for-one cocktail happy hour, available daily from opening until seven o’clock in the evening, then again from nine thirty in the evening until close on Sundays to Thursdays, and from ten o’clock in the evening until close on Fridays and Saturdays. The current promotion features two cocktails for thirteen pounds all day, every day. The renowned Bottomless Brunch includes two hours of unlimited cocktails, Prosecco, draft beers, and mocktails, plus any dish from the brunch menu, with the last sitting at five o’clock in the evening Sunday to Friday and three o’clock in the afternoon on Saturdays.

Breakfast and brunch dishes are served from ten o’clock in the morning until three o’clock in the afternoon Monday to Saturday, and until five o’clock in the evening on Sundays. Payment is accepted by credit card, and the restaurant offers delivery through Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats, as well as click and collect options.

Facilities and Features

Turtle Bay Durham provides comprehensive facilities to enhance the dining experience. The restaurant features wheelchair accessible ramps and level access throughout, with dedicated toilets for disabled visitors, ensuring full accessibility. Free WiFi is available throughout the venue for all guests. The restaurant welcomes dogs, making it a pet-friendly dining destination. Outdoor seating is available on a terrace overlooking the River Wear, providing al fresco dining with spectacular views of Durham Castle and Cathedral.

The upstairs D’Rum Room serves as a private events space accommodating up to thirty guests with its own dedicated bar, heated private terrace, projector facilities, and the ability to choose your own music, making it ideal for celebrations, parties, and special occasions. During weekdays, a meeting room and co-working space is available for hire by calling the restaurant directly. The restaurant offers multiple service options, including dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and collection services. Reservations can be made online through the website or by telephone.

The venue features an extensive cocktail and mocktail menu with classics like strawberry daiquiris, mojitos, and spiced juleps, alongside unique creations including the Zombie, Jamaican wake up, and Kingston solero. The restaurant serves a Little Turtles children’s menu catering to families. Special dietary requirements are accommodated, with clearly marked vegan and vegetarian options throughout the menu. The restaurant provides on-site café and restaurant facilities with full refreshment services available throughout operating hours.

Accessibility Information

Turtle Bay Durham is fully committed to accessibility and inclusive dining. The restaurant provides ramp and level access from street level, ensuring wheelchair users can enter without barriers. All dining areas are accessible to disabled visitors, including both the ground-floor main dining room and facilities throughout the venue. Dedicated toilets for disabled visitors are available on-site. Guide dogs are permitted throughout the restaurant. The location on The Riverwalk features accessible routes from nearby car parks, with the venue positioned at the top of stairs from Millburngate parking, though accessible alternatives are available.

The restaurant’s open layout and spacious design accommodate mobility aids comfortably. Staff members are trained to assist guests with accessibility requirements, and the restaurant welcomes advance contact to discuss specific needs. The menu is available in clear, readable formats, and staff can provide assistance with menu selections and dietary requirements. The outdoor terrace area is accessible, allowing all guests to enjoy the scenic riverside views. Booking in advance is recommended for guests requiring specific accessibility arrangements to ensure the best possible experience.

Parking or Transport Notes

Turtle Bay Durham benefits from excellent transport links and parking options. The restaurant is located on The Riverwalk at 1 Framwellgate Bridge, easily accessible from Durham city centre by foot via Framwellgate Bridge. For visitors arriving by car, parking is available at the nearby Prince Bishops Car Park and Walkergate Car Park, both approximately five minutes’ walk from the restaurant. Parking at Millburngate provides convenient access, with the restaurant a short walk up the stairs from this car park. All nearby parking facilities operate on a pay-and-display basis with charges applying.

The restaurant is exceptionally well-connected by public transport, situated just an eight-minute walk from Durham railway station, which serves the East Coast Main Line with regular services to major cities. Multiple bus routes serve the area, with stops at North Road temporary stops, Market Place, Millburngate, Leazes Road, Millburngate Bridge, and Claypath Millennium Place all within one hundred to two hundred metres of the restaurant.

For visitors travelling from further afield, Durham is easily accessible via the A690, which crosses the nearby Milburngate Bridge. The central location makes the restaurant ideal for combining with other Durham attractions, being within walking distance of Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle, the Odeon Luxe cinema, and other Riverwalk establishments. Taxi services are readily available in Durham city centre for convenient door-to-door transport.

Additional Information

Turtle Bay Durham has established itself as Durham’s first and only Caribbean restaurant since opening in October 2021, bringing unique island-inspired cuisine to the historic city. The restaurant holds a Food Hygiene Rating Scheme score of five, the highest rating available, demonstrating excellent food safety standards. Customer reviews consistently praise the restaurant, with a four point nine rating on Google based on over four thousand six hundred reviews, and similar high ratings across TripAdvisor and other platforms.

Popular dishes receiving particular acclaim include the curry goat, described as tender and juicy with a lovely kick, jerk chicken, Mo’Bay chicken, and the banana and toffee cheesecake dessert. The restaurant’s signature jerk pit barbecue creates distinctive smoky aromas that welcome visitors. The extensive rum selection reflects authentic Caribbean drinking culture, with knowledgeable staff able to recommend pairings. The restaurant regularly hosts special events and promotions, including the Sunday Sharer menu offering family-style dining with a selection of dishes perfect for sharing and tasting together.

The venue is particularly popular with Durham University students, families, and tourists exploring the city’s heritage sites. Staff members, including frequently mentioned servers like Sophie, Natalie, Chloe, Carly, Zina, and Nat, receive consistent praise for attentive, enthusiastic, and friendly service. The restaurant’s position overlooking the River Wear provides what many describe as the best view of Durham Cathedral in the city, making it an ideal spot for scenic lunches, romantic dinners, or pre-cinema meals before visiting the adjacent Odeon. Social media presence is maintained through Facebook and Instagram under the handle @turtlebayuk.

The restaurant welcomes group bookings, celebrations, and can accommodate various party sizes from intimate couples to larger gatherings in the private D’Rum Room.