Turtle Bean
Quick info
About Turtle Bean
Turtle Bean is a cafe in the Charminster area of Bournemouth, on Charminster Road, serving breakfast through the daytime and opening every day. Mornings run to a big breakfast with sausage, and gluten-free bread is available as a swap for anyone avoiding wheat. Later, chicken burgers arrive with chips, and there is an off-menu Venezuelan Crazy Chicken Burger that regulars ask for by name, so it is worth requesting at the counter rather than looking for it on the board. Tables are walk-in only, with no reservations taken, and Saturdays tend to be the busiest stretch. A step-free entrance means visitors with mobility needs can get in without help, high chairs make it workable for families with young children, and dogs are welcome alongside their owners. Seating outside gives the option of eating in the open air. The owners work front of house and know their regulars by sight.
Good to know
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Menu & Prices
55 dishes · mains £1–10- Small Breakfast£5.00
- Regular Breakfast£6.50
- Big Breakfast£8.50
- The Full English£10.00
- Small Veggie Breakfast£5.00
- Regular Veggie Breakfast£6.50
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention venezuelan chicken burger, full english breakfast, big breakfast and crispy golden chips.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention venezuelan chicken burger, full english breakfast, big breakfast and crispy golden chips.
Customer Review Summary
Breakfast draws most reviewers, with the big breakfast and the full English singled out for good quality and portions. Close behind is the Venezuelan chicken burger, described as a special item that has to be requested, with one reviewer calling it super filling and fresh. Another diner praises chicken burgers and golden, crispy chips. Reviewers repeatedly describe friendly, welcoming staff, an owner who says hello to their children, and food arriving quickly even when the cafe is busy, mostly on a Saturday. Prices are called reasonable, and the place is described as clean and tidy. The main criticism comes from one former regular who now visits less because the recipes taste bland and a lot of the food seems frozen and hard to eat. Another reviewer found the service could have been friendlier, though they were glad they came. Several reviews close on the chef and a second team member being thanked by name for a lovely experience, and one returning visitor says it is great every time.
Customer Review Summary
Breakfast draws most reviewers, with the big breakfast and the full English singled out for good quality and portions. Close behind is the Venezuelan chicken burger, described as a special item that has to be requested, with one reviewer calling it super filling and fresh. Another diner praises chicken burgers and golden, crispy chips. Reviewers repeatedly describe friendly, welcoming staff, an owner who says hello to their children, and food arriving quickly even when the cafe is busy, mostly on a Saturday. Prices are called reasonable, and the place is described as clean and tidy. The main criticism comes from one former regular who now visits less because the recipes taste bland and a lot of the food seems frozen and hard to eat. Another reviewer found the service could have been friendlier, though they were glad they came. Several reviews close on the chef and a second team member being thanked by name for a lovely experience, and one returning visitor says it is great every time.
Featured reviews
- Meditateminds Music
“I used to visit them a lot, however reduced it due to the less favourful food these days. The recipes taste very bland and they serve lots of frozen food, which is very hard to consume.”
- Mitalee Kale
“Great food and very good service! Had the Venezuelan Crazy Chicken Burger and it was absolutely amazing, super filling and tasted fresh! The full English breakfast is great quality and good portions. The cafe is well priced, clean and managed by honest individuals!”
- Ola Elamin
“The food and the service was amazing! A huge thank you to Jonathan and Ivan for the lovely experience.”
- Tavinder New
“The breakfast is lovely gluten bread and sausage and enough of selection. The service could have been friendlier and more pleasant yet it is a nice place and glad that I came.”
- Claire Ellement
“Turtle Bean has to be the best cafe I've been to. The staff are genuinely lovely, the food is fantastic. The owner always takes time to say hello to my children. The prices are very reasonable. We came once as we were passing and now come regularly due to the nice food and nice atmosphere”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Free of charge street parking
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Vegan options
- Casual
- On-site services
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Dining options· 6
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Offerings· 4
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for· 2
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Parking· 1
- Free parking lot
Location
Cafes near Turtle Bean
- The Bay Tree4.72080.7 miVegetarian optionsVegan optionsReservations
traditional/mammoth breakfast, chunky chips, chicken club sandwich
- Binnies Cafe4.75090.9 mi£1–15Reservations
billy bunter special, fat boy slim breakfast, tea or juice included
- 1.2 miVegetarian optionsWi-Fi
breakfast with sausages, coffee, cheeseburger with chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle BeanOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.8184 | — | £1–15 | venezuelan chicken burger, full english breakfast, big breakfast |
| The Bay TreeVegetarian options · Vegan options · Reservations | 4.7208 | 0.7 mi | — | traditional/mammoth breakfast, chunky chips, chicken club sandwich |
| Binnies CafeReservations | 4.7509 | 0.9 mi | £1–15 | billy bunter special, fat boy slim breakfast, tea or juice included |
| The Cafe at Bournemouth KawasakiVegetarian options · Wi-Fi | 4.864 | 1.2 mi | — | breakfast with sausages, coffee, cheeseburger with chips |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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