Where to Eat in Bournemouth – a food and dining guide

With miles of golden coastline and sapphire blue seas, Bournemouth specialises in morning-fresh seafood and top quality produce from the Dorset countryside. Whether you're after a cheap and simple eat or a regal banquet, there's a wide variety of eateries that cater to all budgets and tastes. As a local speciality, be sure to try a Dorset cream tea at one of the many quaint cafés - the perfect way to inject your afternoon with a dash of English decadence.Typical dishes

 

 

From fruits de mer and steamed mussels, to the quintessentially British fish and chips, fresh seafood abounds in Bournemouth. You can also find a variety of hearty meat dishes, made from Dorset beef, pork, and lamb.  

Pier Approach

 

Some of Bournemouth’s best seafood scoffing spots can be found dotted around the beachfront on Pier Approach. West Beach is a particular highlight, and goes as far as fishing the local waters with their own fleet of boats to guarantee freshness. With typical dishes including classic fish pie along with posher treats like roasted monkfish fillet with a red wine shallot jus, the food is elegantly modern and proudly local. The nearby Aruba Restaurant and Bar is also a popular choice. The menu is stocked with hearty dishes like chicken and asparagus pasta with Madeira sauce, as well as home-smoked brisket of beef with slaw and fries.

 

• West Beach, Pier Approach, Bournemouth BH2 5AA; • Aruba Restaurant and Bar, Pier Approach, Bournemouth BH2 5AA;  

Exeter Road

 

Exeter Road runs adjacent to the Lower Gardens and has a glut of opulent, higher-end eateries. The smart and sophisticated Crab at Bournemouth fuses the bounty of the local seas with international influences and cooking techniques. Dishes such as seared king scallops with squid ink and majestic whole lobster adorn the menu, offering an exclusive and deluxe dining experience. Just down the road is the 1812 Lounge Bar. With temptations like shoulder of lamb and smoked garlic jus, the food is both stylish and delicious.

 

• The Crab at Bournemouth, Exeter Road, Bournemouth BH2 5AJ; • 1812 Lounge Bar, Royal Exeter Hotel, Exeter Road, Bournemouth BH2 5AG;  

Alum Chime

 

Alum Chine is a river valley towards the eastern end of Bournemouth beach, a quieter and no less picturesque place to spend the day. With panoramic views of the coastline from a cliff top location, Edge is a stylish restaurant typically serving bouillabaisse, roast saddle of rabbit, and roast sirloin of beef on Sundays. If you want something a little more laid back, then head to Vesuvio, a rustic Italian right on the seafront. From freshly made pizzas to fillet steak with truffles, the menu has a range of dishes, and there's that glorious beach location to relish.

 

• Edge Restaurant, 4th Floor, 2 Studland Road, Bournemouth BH4 8JA; • Vesuvio, Seafront, Alum Chine, Bournemouth BH4 8AN;  

Westbourne

 

Known locally as “the village”, Westbourne is a peaceful borough dense with boutique shops and quaint streets. Chez Fred is also the place to source classic fish and chips. With an array of chip shop favourites including battered cod, haddock, and of course crispy golden chips, it's definitely worth the short trip inland. Westbourne also caters for vegetarians with the Asian-inspired Zoukinis. From a bubbling mushroom rarebit to a fragrant panang curry, you can savour filling and delicious meat-free dishes in addition to a range of dairy and gluten free dishes as well.

 

• Chez Fred, 10 Seamoor Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth BH4 9AN; • Zoukinis, 18 Seamoor Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth BH4 9AR; Tel: +44 (0) 120 276 6797