Turtle Bay Northern Quarter

Chris Patrick
Ian Jones

I waved seriously to my co-reviewer as he appeared in the distance. I was standing outside Turtle Bay, having a particular type of cigarette: the one you have just before a huge feast.

We settled in with our cocktails, like ladies after work, except we were two blokes. It doesn’t matter: cocktails are blind to gender and only want to entertain, which these carried off to a tee. In some places there are only cocktails because someone thinks there should be, but here the cocktails are a key part of the dining event. With Turtle Bay, if you’re going in, you’re going all in. Readers should adopt this attitude. It’s a clashing, flashing, living space.

Seafood sharing platter

Along came the generous sharing platter. There was a tasty flatbread accompanied by some nice crispy fritters, but the double-act here is the tender squid, in breadcrumbs and a lime sauce, and the whitebait, you know, those little fish fried whole and eaten whole. Have no qualms here: they are delicious and must be tried.

The goat came apart like it was saying hello

For mains we had the curry goat and the jerk beef. These dishes are so earthy and rich. Even the rice has those extra beans in it. A fat dumpling sat on the curry goat and soaked up that strong green curry sauce. The jerk beef had plantain fries. Everything oozes spice and flavour. The goat came apart like it was saying hello.

Curried goat, rice & peas

We got up a map of the Caribbean on one of our phones and had a look at the lines of culinary contact that pass into the region. In our righteous spicy haze, we decided that Caribbean cooking is essentially the pursuit of the most satisfying dishes possible, and a kind of stand for life and colour against the miseries inflicted on the peoples by history and power. No miserable food would stand a chance on those islands.

Caribbean cooking is essentially the pursuit of the most satisfying dishes possible

The staff are also commendably keen and informative, and it tells you something when people seem happy to be on their feet all day helping, for example, two sweaty men to choose which huge plates of joy they’re going to have.

Jerk ribs, sweet potato fries
46-50 Oldham StManchesterM4 1LE View map
Telephone: 01612358411 Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Monday11:30am - 11:30pm
  • Tuesday11:30am - 11:30pm
  • Wednesday11:30am - 11:30pm
  • Thursday11:30am - 12:30am
  • Friday11:30am - 1:30am
  • Saturday11:30am - 1:30am
  • Sunday11:30am - 11:30pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Turtle Bay Northern Quarter

Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry
Stalker: 'Tom' 2024, oil pencil on acid-free card 186 x 186mm
ExhibitionsManchester
Memoria et Locus at Saan1

Saan1 presents a pop-up group exhibition from MMU students, exploring place as a whether literal, symbolic or metaphorical subject.

free entry

Where to go near Turtle Bay Northern Quarter

The Corner Boy
Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Corner Boy

Back in action for spring/summer 2021, Corner Boy is a welcoming, dimly-lit bar on the edge of Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter.

UNITOM bookshop
Manchester
Shop
UNITOM

UNITOM is home to a wide array of publications on contemporary art, design, fashion, photography and counterculture, alongside an extensive range of independent magazines.

Image of Soup Kitchen in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Manchester
Music venue
Soup

Soup Kitchen is a superb communal cafe by day and an excellent live music venue by night. The perfect choice for lunch or a great night out.

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Manchester
Selina NQ1

Selina NQ1 is a creative and charming yet sophisticated hotel in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

City Centre
Restaurant
Rewind NQ

A quirky bar, paying homage to the unfortunately deceased Blockbusters video rental stores, with aptly named cocktails and a great atmosphere.

Bakerie, Manchester. Courtesy Bakerie
Manchester
Restaurant
Bakerie

Bakerie in Manchester’s Northern Quarter is an open-plan restaurant which features comfy booths, ordinary tables and communal-style benches.

Northern Quarter
Restaurant
Flok

A much-needed addition to the fast-growing Stevenson Square area of the Northern Quarter. Flok offers sophistication, superb tapas-style food and an impressively well-stocked bar.

Behind Closed Doors Booth
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Behind Closed Doors

A hidden den of debauchery and indulgence. A fresh take on a basement cocktail bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Castle Hotel pub in Manchester
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Castle Hotel

A pub with a 200 year-long history on Oldham Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, the Castle Hotel has a musical past.

Manchester
Shop
Barbarella

Barbarella is a barber shop and part of the long-standing Pop Boutique vintage shop.

Culture Guides

the artist
Music in the North

The outsiders, the oddities and the outrageous – we’re keeping it weird with a hot new batch of underground gigs about to hit Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.

A woman with black curly hair sings on stage in front of a red curtain
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

A large sphere floats in a dark room with an ornate wall pattern, flanked by two arched windows and a checkered floor.
Exhibitions in the North

From precarious ceramics to photography festivals, spring is here and brings with it a breath of fresh air in visual art and exhibitions.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.