Natty's Jerk

Natty’s was a Caribbean gem in the heart of Bournemouth town that brought more than just good food to people’s tables, it also brought heart, vibes and a sense of something wonderful. The small business and growing chain inject soul into the ethos of their brand and this comes across in every layer of who they are and it is something that touched the community of followers in our little seaside town.

Natty was a black cab driver, and one day, during a visit to Peppa Pig World with his family, sporting a very special pair of black boat shoes from Selfridges (name drop), he slipped and broke his ankle, meaning he could no longer drive. But from disaster comes newness.

Natty had to take time off work for nearly eight weeks and spent his time visiting festivals with his wife. As part of this, he noticed all the different food vendors at the events and an obsession began.

He spent his days cabbing people around when he was once again able and daydreaming about opening his own street food business and spreading the love for Jamaican flavours.

Now they have grown, from cooking up delicious food from the comfort of their own home in Portsmouth, with masses of hungry customers lining up for their food. To opening stores across the country (including aforementioned Selfridges), as well as continuing with stalls at events. All of Natty’s menu is based on family recipes, which are made by the family themselves and we got to experience a slice of this story in Bournemouth.

Natty’s were on a mission to takeover the South Coast. Having started their business just down the road in Portsmouth, when the opportunity arose to open a restaurant in Bournemouth, they couldn’t say no.

What started as a few pop-ups and residencies at the previously run ‘Tonic Social’ later became Natty’s first bricks-and-mortar restaurant and the second permanent location in the UK, opening early 2024.

Natty’s always had one thing driving them as a business and that was bringing to life what Jamaican food has to offer; community. One of the best things about the food is the sense of sharing you get with it and the culture that comes through with that.

“We wanted to share our food and culture with the people around us. We really started going during lockdown - it was definitely a time where connection was needed, and food did that for us.”

The vibe of Natty’s isn’t just about coming and trying some delicious food, it’s about an experience, one that comes across through all of their channels as well as their restaurants. From the music that plays, to the interior design, and the food that is served by a community of staff that believe in what they are selling.

“For a lot of our customers, it’s their first time trying Caribbean inspired cuisine. We’re more than a restaurant. We’re an experience. We want to take you on a journey.”

Natty’s have moved on from Bournemouth, a move that was tough for the team but has allowed them to expand operations and enter other cities. But the vibes live on in all the regulars and community of people Natty’s created in spreading the joy of their food and the memories made.

“Bournemouth was an integral part of our journey for many reasons, and we miss it terribly. We’ve been receiving lots of messages from our regulars, and it's nice to know that we've made an impact.”

"Bournemouth is not forgotten for Natty’s, just on pause. If we can make it happen, we will.”