Where to eat: the 50 best restaurants in Poole

Amazing seafood and steak at the Guildhall Tavern tonight. We’ve been coming for years and it’s one of the best restaurants in Bournemouth/Poole in our opinion. Ingredients are always fresh, great taste, wonderful service, welcoming ambience with nice decor. We will be back again soon!

What a delightful evening. We were searching for a place for a special celebration and the reviews looked great so we booked a table. The food was DELICIOUS and the service from Dom and Apple was also delightful. I had the days Special - which was Massamon curry with huge pieces of meaty fish and an amazing sauce which was like lobster bisque meets Thailand - absolutely fabulous. My husband had the platter with catch of the day - also stunning. We even squeezed in a chocolate fondant to round it all off! I only wish we had found it sooner!!

Simply the best restaurant I’ve eaten at in Poole and the best Sunday Roast I’ve had in 10 years. The staff were superb, the Chefs are artists as far as I’m concerned and I had a great pleasure talking to Alan who’s the owner who was eating at the table next to me and chatting to guests and the pride in his restaurant and love for his staff and customers was so apparent. I’ve never felt so welcomed, looked after and enjoyed a leisurely Sunday meal like it

Everything was at a high level. The dishes were delicious, and I personally liked the scallops. The service was excellent. The main dishes were not served quickly, although the restaurant was not fully loaded. A nice bonus from the restaurant for my birthday. Overall, I recommend it.

Wow, what a fantastic find, we went here today, and i am seriously impressed with the quality of the food, in particular the fish cookery, I've eaten seafood around the world, and this comes out on top of all the seafood I've eaten, top marks to the chef, and all the great staff, we will definitely be back, and I have no hesitation in recommending this fantastic restaurant 💜 And it's dog friendly too, massive bonus points there too

The food was superb and the service was great. Really liked that they sell a locally made Prosecco. Only small downside was the beer choices—not the best, but the bottled IPA was actually really good.

Great food well presented, well cooked and well served - good knowledge - Restaurant high standard in the area, be prepared for decent food with a cost attached - # Ensure to check fixed priced menu is actually accurately available as advertised on website #

I expected more from a Rick Stein restaurant. The one in Padstow was excellent, this was not. For the price paid and level of food expected it was severely disappointing to say the least. We were a bit disappointed with the starters..my Mrs coconut prawns had no taste of coconut whatsoever. My mackerel salad was mediocre. We had the goan lobster and herb lobster for main , and whilst it seemed good value with a glass of champagne thrown in with the deal; they were both under seasoned and under spiced, and were bland at best. The accompanying sides were worse than I’d expect at a 1 star restaurant though…presentation was severely lacking for the quality of restaurant this was advertising.The cucumber and lime salad was literally cucumber and some lime juice ( I take more care slicing cucumber evenly at home !) and the buttered potatoes were bland to say the least ( I put parsley or chives on at home). There seemed to be no love in the food preparation. This may be because we sat at 8.30 and it was late in the day , but this not excusable for a restaurant that sells itself as higher end. On the plus side, our service from Luke was impeccable. Really good. The atmosphere is great and the setting amazing. Still, it didn’t detract from the bland food.

Great location, nice and cosy inside. Could use a few less pillows on the seating so you can actually sit down. The food was amazing. I had the crab burger, I always live seeing crab as a choice on menus because it isn't very common. Stunning burger and desserts. Highly recommend.

Superb restaurant, impeccable staff - warm, down to earth but super good. Amazing views and the food was top notch. We had the Fancy fish and chips and were blown away by how good it was, Best Ever! The octopus and halloumi small plates were delicious too. Definitely a special occasion venue or just a really nice treat.

The menu/food selection is great. I ordered the coconut prawns starter, which were very crispy and seasoned beautifully and tasted great. My main course was the wonderful crab linguine. Again, very tasty. We had a centrally located table for the 7 of us with a fantastic harbour view.

Wow 😋 I was speechless. From food to staff customer service( many thanks to Paul, Emanuel and Elena who served me today; you were 10 out of 10 👍) skills to ambiance - everything went flawless. I am looking forward to my next visit. This is the place to visit if you love shellfish as much as I do 🦞🦪🍤

Treated myself daughter to a lunch here to celebrate her pregnancy. I said in my reservation that she had been through ivf and not been successful but now actually pregnant naturally, when we arrived we had the best table overlooking the harbour, with a congratulations balloon, the food was exceptional, the wine was fantastic, the fresh juice was so tasty and the service was impeccable.

We went for mother's 80th birthday. We asked for a table bt the window. The view from the table was fantastic. The food was exceptional and so was the service. They piped in chocolate on her plate Happy birthday. Nice touch.

Da Vinci’s has a great location and a lovely atmosphere, and I really appreciated the use of fresh ingredients in the dishes — you can tell the produce is good quality. Unfortunately, the positives stopped there for me. The service was the biggest letdown. On arrival, we were greeted (if you can call it that) by a young man who I believe is the owner’s son — his selfie is in the menu. His attitude was rude and sarcastic from the outset, which immediately put us off. The other waiters didn’t seem to know what they were doing and couldn’t even name the dish when serving it to me. It felt like the staff were more focused on payment than actually providing good service. Also no women working, only very young men which is strange to me.. Food was slightly overcooked, which was disappointing given how fresh the ingredients seemed. Also, the outdoor seating could use an upgrade — some nicer chairs would really elevate the space and match the otherwise charming vibe. A place with potential, but sadly the service and attention to detail really missed the mark.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Me and my bestie went to Da Vinci’s for their Set Three Course Motown Event, and it was absolutely amazing from start to finish! We started with the bruschetta and prawn cocktail, followed by the famous Da Vinci’s fish pie and pork steak — both cooked to perfection. For dessert, we had the tiramisu and the cheese board which was such a fun touch! The atmosphere was incredible — great music, people up dancing, and nothing but good vibes all night. The staff were fantastic, so friendly and attentive. Honestly, we enjoyed every single moment. Can’t wait to come back for the next event! 🎶🍷✨

Just had a fabulous meal sitting outside at Da Vinci's. I had a locally caught skate wing with a lovely sauce and it was cooked perfectly which is not easy to do. My wife had a very tasty sourdough pizza. The service was overall very good and attentive. Rounded off with sharing home made profiteroles. Good food well cooked in a great setting for a reasonable price. I'll be back.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Honestly one of the best meals I’ve had in ages! Came here with a group of five and we all left absolutely obsessed. The place has such a lovely vibe — cosy but lively. We came on a very wet and rainy day and looked fully booked! The food was bloody amazing. Every single dish looked incredible and tasted even better — starters, mains, desserts — all the plates were spotless by the end! You can tell everything’s made fresh and with proper care. The staff were just as good — super friendly, chatty, and actually knew what they were talking about when it came to the menu. It makes such a difference when people genuinely love where they work. It was my birthday, and the waiter told me my main was on the house if I took a photo with the owner for their socials — such a nice, funny little moment that honestly made the night even better. Overall, can’t fault a single thing. Great food, great people, great atmosphere. 100% would come back — already planning the next visit!

Not a local—just visiting the area—but really glad I stumbled across Da Vinci’s down in the port of Poole. It’s in a great spot with the option to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air or tuck into your meal inside in a cosy, welcoming setting. I went for the Linguine Scallops and King Prawns (£30) from the specials board, and it was absolutely spot on. The seafood was fresh and generous, and the pasta was packed with flavour—garlic, chilli, cherry tomatoes, anchovies and a splash of white wine. Rich, delicious and not too heavy. It’s also really child-friendly, especially for earlier diners—there were families around but it still felt relaxed and well-paced. Staff were lovely, friendly without being over the top. Not the cheapest dish on the menu, but for the quality, I’d say it was well worth it. Would definitely come back if I’m in Poole again.

Awful experience starting by being moved from the table we were seated at, only to be verbally abused by the people moved into our table when we complained. They seemed to be friends with the owners hence the special treatment. The waiter didn't seem bothered we were getting abused by their mates simply for complaining. Asked for chilli oil for my pizza and got a bottle with 1cm of flavourless oil in it. Salad was served without onions and salad tongs. How difficult is it to do a green salad? My friends lasagna was very poor and we were never offered Parmesan. Cocky waiter didn't seem interested in us and I had to walk up to the bar twice to get their attention.

I went for an impromptu dinner with a good friend. The waiters were wonderful! We were greeted with a smile and a great sense of humour. The waiters were attentive and lovely to speak with; nothing was too much trouble for them. The food was delicious, and my friend and I wanted to share each other's food. So, the waiters kindly provided extra plates for us, again, with no trouble at all. The prices are good for the quantity and quality of the meal. We had the Margherita pizza and the seafood linguini. YUM! We will definitely visit again, and soon! Thank you for having us!

This was our first time here as recommended by my mums friend. Super tasty and fresh seafood, and fabulous service. The owner and chef came out to greet us which made it an even more enjoyable experience. The garlic scallops, oysters and grilled Dover sole was my favourite!

What a lovely gem of a restaurant we found by accident on our holiday last week. We were welcomed with our dog (it was lunchtime) - superb service and wonderful food. Next time we are that end of the country we will be back. Even the iced water was infused with Lemon, Lime and Mint. Much needed as it was a hot day. Thank you to the lovely staff - it was lovely.

We were staying down in Poole, and wanted some breakfast, we had spotted this restaurant the evening before and picked it for our breakfast. Breakfast was delicious and staff were super friendly. Would definitely recommend!

Our meal was exceptionally delicious. All of the dishes were exquisite. The muscles were so fresh and perfectly. The staff are friendly and efficient. We will definitely return soon.

We had been recommended to this restaurant by friends and relations. It did not disappoint. Very French but with a sense of humour, the staff were lovely and attentive and it had a light and fun atmosphere. They clearly took the food very seriously though, and the food and the wine were both outstanding. I thought it placed the sea but it doesn’t, or at least the section we sat in did not, however it did look out onto the quay side.

Amazing lunch menu, great location on Poole quay for people watching and chilling in the sunshine. The duck confit was superb as was the mixed salad and Tartiflette. Service is excellent. Great value highly recommend!

We came to St Tropez for lunch after getting married and i couldn't have asked for a nicer experience, they go above and beyond for you and make you feel so special, it was everything i wanted. The food was spectacular, absolute perfection! Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience xxxxx

WestBeach offers a truly fabulous dining experience! While their vegan options are a bit limited, the aubergine dish I tried was absolutely delicious easily the best I’ve had there. The service was professional, friendly, and attentive, making the meal even more enjoyable. Plus, the beautiful seaside atmosphere with stunning views creates the perfect setting for a relaxed and memorable meal. I’d love to see more vegan dishes added to the menu in the future, but overall, a fantastic spot that I highly recommend!

Firstly, the food was really delicious, secondly it was quick, and most importantly, we came with four little kids who were sandy, restless and noisy, yet everyone was very friendly and calm about it — thank you for that! They serve fresh fish and freshly squeezed juices. The toilets were a bit dirty, but overall everything was great.

Fresh, delicious seafood right by the beach. Prices are a bit high for Bournemouth, but worth it for the quality. Great service from Kamil – attentive and helpful with menu suggestions. Highly recommend.

We went in for just a drink and ended up staying for dinner. Thai is the second time myself and my colleague have been to this place while in the area for work. Right on the front so you can see the sea and the pier, while watching the world go by. The food is so good always hot, cooked perfectly and served perfectly, the staff are always helpful and chatty. Will definitely be going in there again, highly recommended.

This place used to be good about 10 years ago, went there again to try it as we stopped going after it went downhill. Well, it just continues to drop in quality and service. They have maybe one staff member to serve us and the food was beyond bad, especially for the price. My bacon was barely cooked to the point it just made me heave. Takes ages for the server to come take your order and to take the bill or come to you if you need another drink. Won’t come again.

We had oysters -really good and calmares -chewy and tasteless so its difficult to judge overall. Atmoshere and staff nice, on the beach

Great spot but the food was a bit of a cheat. Got the seafood salad. Absolutely dreadful. So small it was served in the middle of a clam shell. Not so much salad with tortilla but tortilla with a spoon of salad. Like all dishes it was swimming with oil. Straight out of a packet. I don't understand how so many good restaurants go bust but they can charge £14 for this nonsense. The £16 Tuna Capaccio also tiny. No wonder there was no table check. The waiter was probably embarrassed. The sides were generous. Other half enjoyed his trout so added a * but this was also greasy. Excellent spot on the beach. It overlooks a party bar with good vibes but still get sea view

Staying in Poole for a few days, 30 seconds away from this gorgeous pub. It has set the standard for all food we will eat, and service going forward. The freshest oysters we've ever eaten. 10/10 recommend and would return.

The food at Poole arms was so delicious. The portions are huge and you can tell that everything is freshly made. The menu is also really well priced, we had starters, mains and alcoholic drinks for two at around £80. As the pub is so small I would definitely recommend booking. We booked on the day and only had the choice of first or last table as they’re quite popular! It’s very quaint inside but is very old school pub style and not very modern. All of the staff were really friendly so if you are looking for a lovely old pub experience I would thoroughly recommend.

Absolutely fantastic food and great service. I would advise to book in advance though, we went for dinner and was fully booked, so we booked for next day lunch. The fish and seafood casserole was just amazing, I loved it!

Delicious, fresh and well-cooked food superbly presented with great and honest service. Really good ambience in the pub as well. We were accommodated even if we didn't have reservations, we just waited a few minutes by the bar and a table got free for us. It's a small but popular place so booking highly recommended.

We had been wanting to visit Poole Arms for quite some time and, yesterday, we finally made the journey. It was well worth the wait and the travel. The place itself is located on Poole Quay. A charming, and quirky little place and with such a welcoming atmosphere. The seafood was our reason for going and Poole Arms did not disappoint!! It was exquisite!! I had the Gambas Pil Pil to start and the Poole Arms Seafood Casserole for my main. Both were cooked to perfection and were absolutely delicious. The menu offers seafood lovers a great selection of well-cooked, and delicious starters and mains, and there is also a great selection of ploughman's and sandwiches. All in all, I would highly recommend a visit to Poole Arms. Book well in advance as it is a very popular venue, and with good reason!! We went back today for lunch. Delicious food and excellent service. I can't recommend this place highly enough.

Dropped in Thursday 5pm for drinks, Tia and Lexi acknowledged us straight away. So we reserved a table for 6pm whilst we sat outside with drinks and quayside views. The fish menu is very extensive. 1 x fish pie, 1 x chicken with stilton and parma ham. Both really good and would recommend for the quality, service and ambiance. Thank you👌

This is my favourite pub in Poole. It's so genuine and the food, beer and service every time I have been is faultless. I had the smoked haddock pot, which was lovely with a pint. Real gem.

Just happened to stop by after a visit to Wareham market....and glad we did. I've not been here for 20 plus years, so it was a pleasant surprise. It certainly has improved greatly to what I remember. Every staff member we encountered was friendly and helpful, which was lovely, as was the pub and its surroundings. The beer was lovely, and the scotch egg and fries were simply divine! We will endeavour to make sure we stop by more often!!

Cozy beautiful place,great service and delicious food. We didn't book the table,the place was busy on Saturday,but they still found a table for us. The service was fast the staff very polite and the food was excellent! I ordered sea bass and my partner odered fish amd chips. The fish was cooked perfectly- crispy outside and nice and succulent inside.We definitely recommend this place and if we will be in the area we would go to eat there again.

Who doesn't love a Sunday Roast in a beautiful country pub 😀 The Bakers Arms has had a recent refurbishment and WOW, it's stunning ! We had a Roast and Pie options - food was exceptional, unlimited gravy for roasts 👌 and it was great gravy! Lovely outdoor seating and plenty of it. We had great weather, it was just beautiful. Now this may be controversial - ** I don't advocate drink driving by any stretch ** I wasn't driving my sister was , it was a warm afternoon so she decided on one shandy with her dinner. She asked the barman what was the lowest alcohol options so she could have a shandy , she mentioned she was driving (you have to drive to the location, it's in the middle of nowhere ) The barman refused to serve her ! Which is fine that's his perogative as a responsible seller of alcohol. It was the way he presented himself, almost telling her off for her choice of drink. He didn't offer her any alcohol free options. So she settled on a soft drink, and it wasn't a big deal . It just felt very judgmental. Looking around the car park was packed, and there was plenty of wine on most tables ! My point is don't judge people, we are responsible drivers . If the drink drive policy was ZERO tolerance then I'd expect it ! Just put a sour taste on the experience 😔

Came in for Valentine’s Day dinner and it was absolutely lovely would have tiped If I had remembered the cash but I didn’t so a review it is honestly steak was cooked to perfection and very accommodating to my tag for alcohol free best food for a lovely Valentine’s Day

Who doesn't enjoy a fantastic Sunday Roast at a cosy pub? The food was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. The pub itself is spacious, yet its thoughtful layout makes you feel like you're in your own little corner, creating a truly special experience. And they also had a soft refurbishment. What really stood out, though, was the warmth, friendliness, and professionalism of the staff. Hats off to the management for clearly making great service a top priority. We had a lovely time enjoying our lunch in the garden, basking in the sun. I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m in Dorset!

What a fantastic pub. The service was incredible, there wasn’t any issue the staff couldn’t accommodate. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The children’s food selection was also really good too. My kids loved the food. The food was great and to a very good standard. I would throughly recommend this pub to everyone.

I came in yesterday with my family and was greeted by Ellie who took us to the table, told us the soup and pie of the day and let us know about the weekend treat menu. Ellie took our drinks order and then our waitress chrissie did a great job taking our food order and looking after us during our visit. The team looked like they all enjoyed working their as it was a busy Friday night. The two young men on the bar were very busy and making cocktails all evening. I thought why not as it’s a Friday night I’d treat myself to a few strawberry daiquiri’s. Food was brilliant so well done to all the team during our visit. Will be returning very soon.

Absolutely loved all the dishes we chose. Very good portion sizes and delicious freshly cooked food. Staff were very helpful and accommodating of our coeliac and other specific requirements. Needed to book, even on a Monday evening, although we were lucky as a walk in couple. Highly recommended. Jennifer, Staffordshire

We had an amazing visit to Lola’s Spanish Tapas! The food was absolutely delicious, the staff were incredibly friendly, and the atmosphere felt truly authentic. We were hungry, so we ordered five plates (plus desserts!) and loved every bite. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in Bournemouth. Thank you so much! 🙏😁

Can't fault it. Good food. Good atmosphere. Friendly people. Would recommend. Edit: Noooooo it was all going so well but I had to dock a star, to be true to my values, for including gratuity on the bill. I would have tipped anyway, now I'm tipping with a bitter taste.

Such a lovely little gem in Bournemouth. Some of the best tapas I’ve had outside of Spain. The staff really went above and beyond for the birthday in our group and were generally very attentive. Food was hot and fresh and quick. Really would recommend!

Lola's is a family run and friendly Spanish restaurant specialising in tapas. Comparison with food served in mainland Spain is inevitable, but those comparison and prejudices should be left at the door. Lola's do their tapas dishes in their own style and some will be hit or miss. On our first visit in July 2021 we ordered a mixture of dishes including patas bravas, prawn pil-pil, grilled prawns, jamon croquettes, squid rings, and chocolate fondue which we greatly enjoyed. Highly recommended. Our second visit in June 2022 was just as good as the visit, highlights were the garlic prawns, patatas bravas and extra spicy pil-pil prawns. And the service was once again very friendly. Another visit to Lolas with the family in November 2024 and once again great tapas. The star being the garlic prawns. The most recent visit to Lolas was in July 2025 when my wife and I had sangria, pil-pil prawns, ham croquettes, squid rings, deep fried aubergines with honey, bread with alioli, and patatas bravas. Followed by creme catalan and Almond Tart for dessert. Muy buena.

We arrived quite late, the kitchen was just closing. Ordered half a dozen tapas, all very fresh and tasty, the croquettes were most delicious as were the meat balls!

We went to Lolas to celebrate our anniversary and it was such a wonderful experience. Magdalena was so friendly and kind. They put heart shaped candles and napkins on the table which was such a lovely touch. The food was also delicious! The music was fun but not too noisy. It was a great experience and would definitely recommend it!

We came on a Sunday and there's some sort of family deal to be able to try as much food as you want on the menu for a certain price. The food we tried was very good and the staff were helpful to show us tips on how to eat some of the food. They did seem a little understaffed at times when we wanted extra drinks etc. but good experience overall!

Been before and loved it, it lived up to my memory today. Great cocktails and vibe. Very friendly staff, we appreciated the recommendations. Food was absolutely amazing. Curries all unique and full of flavour. Goat curry perfectly spiced. Love the style of eating - great to share with someone. Wish I could have tried more - will definitely be back!!

Excellent dining option for families to try authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Lots of food and drink choices. Good variety for kids too.

We were as a family in the coconut tree. The restaurant offers a tapas concept. Small sized portions of typical food. They are coming sequentially when ready and designated to be shared. We had different meals from the vegan and meat category. Some of them seem a little bit pricy for the portion size e.g the parotta rotti. The service explained the tapas concept very nicely but seems sometimes a little bit uncoordinated as they tried to explain this two times and also we had to request for the bill two times. The restaurant looks very nice and delivers together with the nice music an overall very good ambiente. On the other hand the design is unfortunately not kept for the way to the toilets which feel with its grey design completely different and a little bit sad. The overall concept of the coconut seems on the right track with some possible points to improve. The meals will definitively be great if you enjoy very hot food for all others the two chilly icon on the menu here really is very hot.

Amazing authentic sri lankan food for a great suitable price! We had the calamari, chicken kottu and egg hopper, all bursting with flavour. The restaurant was gorgeously decorated, and the servers were attentive and lovely. Thank you to our server Vindiv for a great service!

The food was amazing! Excellent explanation of each dish and fabulous recommendations on what to get (definitely get the prawns and the mango curry!). The service was good, Alfie took great care of us! However, it would have been great if all the dishes could come out at the same time/closer together but aside from that we had a great time!

Sri Lankan food is now my favourite kind of food thanks to this place. I just had a taste sensation in my mouth. And amazing cocktails, if youlike an old fashioned, try one here

Amazing seafood and spectacular location. Portions are generous and the service first class. Even waiter service for our doggy. Prices are steep but you get what you pay for and the quality of food and cooking could not be faulted. However, the only comment which I mean constructively is that the wonderful seafood just needs some good plain sides. I felt the rather fussy sides were competing with the main dish and we would have liked a choice of simple sides to go with the fish.

The Shell Bay Restaurant is now one of my favourites in Dorset! We went there for my birthday yesterday and I cannot fault it. The menu is extensive, but in no way overwhelming. We opted for a selection of nibbles, rather than two starters, and I am glad we did, as it gives you the opportunity to sample a wider range. All the food was outrageously tasty and beautifully presented. The service was utterly impeccable - one of our waiters has worked there for 11 years! - and the views/location are definitely some of the best in the UK. Dogs are very welcome, and all the staff made such a fuss of our two little Pugs. Would I go back? The biggest YES ever! This restaurant scores a perfect 10/10 from me in every respect. Simply stunning!

Booked here for a birthday meal for a dear friend. Have wanted to go there for a while and we weren't disappointed. Great to see an open kitchen. The staff were young but very efficient and friendly, and didn't rush. All our starters and main meals arrived to our table on hot plates and the servings were plentiful. The location is amazing, looking towards Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island. Would highly recommend, booking advisable.

Celebrating with my partner and what a place to have found! The staff were wonderful and very helpful with recommendations and lovely to just have a chat with Our dinner was fantastic! Would highly recommend the scallops and chicken butter. The sunset was just the picture perfect to add to the whole experience Reasonable priced and sensational Would highly recommend to anyone and cant wait to visit again!

If you’re a well-travelled food lover, this restaurant is unlikely to impress. Aside from the stunning views over Poole Harbour, both the setting and the food felt underwhelming. The atmosphere lacked warmth, character, and flavour. On arrival, there was no welcoming greeting—just a blunt “have you booked?” To make matters worse, the restaurant allows pets inside. Watching dogs drool on tables while being fed by their owners is far from acceptable, and we certainly did not appreciate having to look at a dog’s backside for the duration of our meal. Guests should at least be asked if they’re comfortable sitting near pets, especially given that allergies are common. As someone with a dog allergy, I was shocked to be seated between two dogs with no consideration. If restaurants ask about food allergies, why not pet allergies too? When we raised a concern about the skate wings—which were left unfinished because they didn’t seem properly cooked—the waitress merely replied, “hopefully dessert will be better,” which hardly inspires confidence. At nearly £200 for two, the experience felt disappointing and overpriced. Even the oysters, though nicely presented, were so small they resembled cockles rather than the delicacy you’d expect. Overall, the restaurant feels overrated and overpriced, and I would not recommend it. There are plenty of restaurants in and around Swanage offering far more flavoursome food, better value, and a much more enjoyable dining experience. 👎👎👎👎👎

Wow – Stunning Food with a View This fabulous fish restaurant has stunning view across the water to Brownsea Island. However, be aware that there is no parking at the site, but, there is a 200 metre walk from a National Trust car park that charges £5 for non-members. There is an excellent choice of fresh fish that is cooked on a grill. We had the langoustine and anchovies as starters then both elected to go for the grilled palace as main course. Great, friendly service, the restaurant is pricey, but good value for money. We went there for lunch, but have to have to go back for dinner to catch the sunset over Poole Harbour.

Always a great experience. Fantastic service. Beautiful views and amazing sunsets. Fresh fish cooked to perfection.

What stunning restaurant, so beautifully decorated and styled, it really causes you to stop and stare as you enter the doors! My husband and I had booked the Valentine’s set meal and had arrived a little early, we were the first to enter but were greeted warmly and shown to our table. We enjoyed sipping some Valentines Cocktails whilst we waited on our food… Nibbles - EBI Senbei (prawn crackers) - huge crackers with a spicy mayonnaise type dip to go with them. To Start - Aigamo Gyozas (crispy duck dumplings with hoisin) & Heart-Shaped California Roll (Dorset crab meat, avocado and cucumber topped with tobiko, spicy may and tempura crumb). - Both were very tasty, the gyozas really crisp on the outside and the hoisin had a deep, strong flavour which was great. The California roll was really good, however they did fall apart really easily so you ended up with a good chunk of it in your soy dipping dish. To Follow - Tori Katsu Curry (chicken katsu with Japanese curry sauce) & Yakisoba (chicken, king prawns and vegetables stir-fried with ramen noodles). Now these 2 dishes were absolutely fantastic! The chicken katsu was SO crisp, we’ve not experienced such a crisp coating ever in chicken, whilst the chicken stayed succulent and the sauce was really flavoursome. The yakisoba had plenty of chicken and prawns and the vegetables were very fresh. To Finish - Matcha Platter For 2 (Two mini matcha brûlée, matcha mochi and matcha chocolate truffles). The brûlée was really creamy, although cold, the truffles smooth and intense and the mochi were incredibly cold (the centre was still a little frozen) and was so-so. Some improvement was needed here. After the Valentine’s cocktails we had a couple of pints of Drgnfly pilsner which was a very decent pilsner, with great taste and a smooth finish. Throughout the meal all servers were friendly, attention and smiling throughout the meal. Our main server was Karly and she was truly wonderful, so full of joy, nothing was too much trouble and she was enthusiastic about making sure you had everything to enjoy a great evening. Thank you Karly! Some feedback - for such an amazingly styled restaurant full out authentic charm, the music was a rather odd choice, it was standard music you would hear in the car, rather than some traditional Asian instrumental work that we were expecting.

What a fantastic lunch today at Drgnfly. Hosted by the unflappable Lauren who was not only a wonderful floor manager and server. She simply navigated the day sublimely. Joshua on the bar gave us a wonderful glimpse of the homemade syrups and bases for the cocktails and we were delighted with the Champane Mojitos. The food was beautifully plated and delicious. We had the Aidan Gyoza (Crispy duck dumpling's), Shio Kosho (salt and pepper squid), Dynamite Shrimp, Firecracker Sushi, the Sushi platter for 2, and Sake Teriyaki. Dessert platter for two… berry cheesecake, brownie, Matcha bites and Matcha pancakes…

I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday treat. Amazing food. Lovely and kind ice cream gesture at the end when staff knew it was my birthday! 😊 Highly recommend

Really aesthetically pleasing as soon as you walk in it really gives you the oh wow !!!! We went on a Sunday evening so it wasn’t busy and by the end we were in our own . Food was ok , the sushi was delicious , but the steak for the price of it was a little lack lustre . Service is good and friendly .

One of the best restaurants around, if not the best! The food is exquisite, the hospitality is brilliant and friendly! I really enjoyed the evening. Every dish was cooked to perfection along with the most beautiful, mouth watering flavours! Its a real treat to come here! You won't be disappointed

Avoid at All Costs – A Complete Disaster from Start to Finish I rarely leave reviews, but this place was so appalling it deserves a public warning. From the moment we walked in, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a pleasant experience. The staff looked like they’d rather be anywhere else, and we were ignored for a good 15 minutes before anyone even acknowledged our presence — and when they did, the service was indifferent at best, bordering on rude. As for the food? Absolutely shocking. What was advertised as “authentic pan-Asian cuisine” was little more than reheated slop that wouldn’t pass in a motorway service station. The sushi was warm (yes, warm), the noodles were overcooked and drowning in oil, and the supposedly “crispy” duck tasted like it had been fried last week and microwaved to death. Bland, greasy, and completely uninspired. Drinks took forever, the wrong dishes were brought out more than once, and no one ever came to check on our table. When we raised polite concerns, we were met with blank stares and a shrug. Overpriced, underwhelming, and frankly embarrassing. If this is what they consider “premium Asian fusion,” then they need to go back to the basics — starting with edible food and basic hospitality. Do yourself a favour and eat literally anywhere else.

I went on date recently with my girlfriend recently and I had a fantastic time. The food was delicious and the staff were lovely. We were the last people in the restaurant but there was no pressure in rushing us out the door and encouraged us to get dessert too, staying open longer than they needed to just for us. Fantastic place will continue to come back!

We hosted our Wedding Reception in the beautiful upstairs space of The Oriel. I cant thank the Oriel team enough for their hard work on the day, especially Maria who worked her socks off preparing the upstairs space with all our decorations and ensuring our day ran smoothly. The food was fabulous and highly complimented by our guests. We highly recommend The Oriel if you’re needing a venue to host a reception or party because they will go above and beyond for you. Thank you guys so much for creating a very special day.

Popped in on the off chance while on holiday and we were served by the wonderful Ellie who is clearly a firm favourite with the regular locals - which in my book says a lot 🥰 Delicious food, fabulous options, peaceful environment, lovely big customer toilet.

Another fantastic meal. We love the fact we can nip here, mid-week, and have fabulous food with such friendly, attentive service. We both had the Scallop starter of the specials board - the 4th time I've had scallops here, and the 3rd different way they've been accompanied. All delicious in their own right, tonight's was more traditional with bacon and pea puree. Yum - Plates were scraped clean! My husband had the Hake special next, which was a lovely balanced dish, and such a perfectly cooked sizable piece of hake, not dry at all, and deservedly, the star on the plate. The veloute and the veg that came with this dish were delicious, too. I had a second starter for my main; the special's chicken satay with an oriental salad. The (very obviously) freshly made satay sauce was superb and not shy of that spicy kiss that makes your lips tingle slightly. I ate every scrap! Really delicious food tonight, and once again, left us knowing we'd return. Thanks, Team Oriel ☆☆☆☆☆

The ladies running the front of house today pulled out all the stops to make sure my wife, my spaniel and myself were looked after for lunch today. Exceptionally dog-friendly and the coeliac-friendly menu was huge and made me feel so safe. Separate fryer for chips and hashbrowns, and the Oriel Special gluten-free pizza was unreal. We'll be back!

Food was well cooked, staff were excellent. Located in a great position on the Quay.

Popped there for breakfast as it was local to our hotel. The food and service was amazing. Popped back at lunch for a beer (weather was great) then came back for evening meal (we did go to other places too) and the food and service was outstanding. Hats off to the team and chefs. Maria was super chatty and very pleasant.

We had a table for two adults at the Oriel on the Quay on July 26, 2025. The staff were very welcoming, attentive, and polite, providing quick service even during a busy time. The starters and mains, were all well presented. I must say, I was thoroughly impressed with my meal. The food selection was excellent, and the staff were incredibly accommodating and friendly Overall, I highly recommend Oriel on the Quay for their delicious food and lovely atmosphere. The price range was also very reasonable for the quality. I would definitely recommend this place and will return when I’m in the area Maria our waitress was just amazing, as were all the staff For us, it was a perfect 10 out of 10!

We booked a table for a meal on Valentine's day. On arrival we were greeted promptly and as it was very quiet (only a handful of diners) we could choose the table. We received very good service from our waiter. Food arrived within 15 min of ordering. Like with any food it's down to personal preference and taste so here's our opinion on our dishes... My partner had a beef shin which he didn't actually enjoy much. The meat was tender, he just didn't like the sauce. We both agreed it reminded us of the tinned meat meals we took camping when we were younger. The veg is described as "maple roast carrots and roast mushrooms" but they tasted and looked like they were steamed or boiled. I had a duck, which was really, tender, moist and tasty. I didn't use the gravy served as I didn't like it (a bit bland for my liking). The dish was moist enough so I didn't miss it. I would prefer the duck to have crispy skin but I understand it's a bit of a challenge when slow cooking it. Both our desserts, sticky toffee and apple pie were exceptional.

Small country pub, in a lovely village setting. Booked a table online, service was quick and efficient on a Sunday early evening. Roast dinner has plenty of beef but the vegetables looked like they had been left under a heat lamp for an hour. Also gravy looked like it wasn’t meant for a beef dish. Ended meal with nice dessert. Good local Badger beer served.

Great find , beautiful location . Stunning outside seating. Beautifully decorated inside - great country pub. Food was great and quick service. We ordered lunch , I would recommend the fish finger sandwich 👌 comes with a side of chips.

Easily one of the best meals we’ve had! We ate the minute steak and beef cheeks which were both incredible and the camembert starter was also delicious. We wanted to order it again immediately after we’d finished😅 Friendly and welcoming staff too!

Plenty of space and parking. Food was spot on. We had fish and chips, garlic bread, mac n cheese. All the food was quality. I'd come back just for the food. Not sure if the fish was fresh, but was crumbly, smelt like fish, but not salty.

Phenomenal dining experience. Lana was incredible and wonderful with our two children. She was so friendly and made the whole experience so warm and welcoming. The food was incredible and the staff were so friendly. The decor is beautiful and really is a wonderful find- we will be back very soon. We would highly recommend!

Great little pub, amazing food with lots of choice, friendly staff, good selection of drinks. Dog friendly too! It has become a regular holiday visit, we’ll be back again for a third time next year!

Small and busy restaurant with good views of the Quay. Food was lovely and authentic (see photos). I had the melanzane parmigiana and it was the best I've had in a long while (and aubergine/eggplant is easy to get wrong!). We all cleaned our plates! Good choice of drinks and I appreciated the fact my Aperol Spritz came with different fruit in it....lemon, lime, blueberry and strawberry. Extra refreshing on a warm day. Decor is simple but pretty and it is dominated by large windows (the only snag being low lying sun!). What really made this restaurant was the staff though. They were good with communication and explained they were a little behind, asked if that was OK etc. They were very warm, friendly and polite. Definitely felt like eating at Nonna's with true Italian hospitality! Recommend and will definitely go back if in the area again.

We had a fantastic family evening at Rosso’s Italiano on Poole Quay. The food was absolutely delicious — from the perfectly crafted pizzas to the incredibly tasty desserts that were simply unforgettable. The cocktails were spot on, refreshing and well-balanced. The location is amazing — right on the waterfront with a beautiful view of the quay and yachts. It’s the perfect setting for a relaxed meal with a great atmosphere. Special mention to the friendly and attentive staff — they really took the time to understand what we were looking for and gave great recommendations, both for food and drinks. They were also very kind and attentive to our children, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable for the family. Highly recommended — we’ll definitely be coming back!

View across Poole Harbour and service awesome. For me the pizza I'd like a little bit more authentic, hence 4 star for me. 4.5 Stars if I could. Everyone else loved the food. Looking forward to trying something else next time. Bill was for 9 people, pizzas are cheaper than the major retailers.

We were a group of four people, we celebrated our birthday, it's the best cuisine, very tasty, I recommend everyone. The staff is excellent, the service is excellent, I generally put 10+. We were specially travelling from London to taste this wonderful Italian cuisine. Thank you so much

Went here for lunch on Sunday whilst the sun was shining, Christian was very helpful and made us very welcome. We had an amazing table outside on the terrace over looking Poole harbour/ Quay. The food was very good, I had the lamb which was a decent sized piece of meat and my wife had chicken pasta and the price was excellent value for money. Wine was reasonably priced and so was the food, total bill £60 per person including a good quality bottle of wine, we will definitely return to this restaurant.

Visited today was welcomed with the door being opened for us. We was placed in the window with a great view over the harbour. We had pizza and pasta and couldn’t fault either, would recommend this place.

Had a lovely dinner there with the family. The food was amazing & the staff were too, lovely people. A great location with lovely views too, will definitely be back again 👍

Unfortunately Valentines Night was a disaster for this company. Over booked, couldn't cope with demand. Although we persevered, lots of people walked out. Service was apologetically slow, which you could accept on a busy night however the food was lukewarm once received. Starters were good however can't really mess up a nachos and seafood cocktail. Mains were tasty but cold - I did take a photo of the corn on the cob for illustration, as the butter hadnt even melted! To be honest, everyone was lovely and very apologetic. We were given a discount and a free pudding "to go". I don't know whether it's a proper reflection of the business as a whole, but I personally won't be returning again.

We had a fantastic dining experience at Ranco. The sirloin steak was cooked to perfection, juicy and full of flavor. The BBQ ribs and chicken wings were equally impressive, with tender meat and a rich, smoky flavor that really hit the spot. To top it all off, the desserts were absolutely incredible—decadent and beautifully presented. The friendly atmosphere and attentive service made it even better. Definitely a place we’ll be returning to!

Fantastic meal! Staff were friendly and very helpful. Even brought a surprise pudding out for my partner's birthday! Would highly recommend!

Had a great meal with my partner, crayfish cocktail was delicious and fresh and the nachos are just brilliant. We both had fillet which was cooked to perfection. Sides were great and service from Ryan was outstanding good on the young lad.

Really like the menu here. Great selection of cuts and flavours. I normally have the trio with a few sides (french beans with spicy seasoning are delicious). It's always been properly cooked and tasty. Staff are really nice. Great views from the window tables. Reasonable prices. Plenty of parking nearby.

Simply amazing. Thank you Martin Thomas and team Rancho for a lovely experience. Great staff, amazing service and excellent food. Couldn't recommend it more. See you soon 😁

Absolutely spot on, I had the 21oz rump steak and it was cooked perfectly, my wife chose the ribs and chicken combo and said that the flavours were the best she's ever had, the side dishes made the mouth water just looking at them. The staff were amazing and couldn't do enough for us making sure that we were happy the whole time we were there. If we lived in the area we would definitely eat here once a month. Thanks to everyone for an amazing meal and your hospitality.

Every time we went there, the food was excellent, the desert as well. The staff is welcoming and attentive to all the details. It's a place where you feel spoiled, I highly recommend it!

This place is absolutely incredible! The food was really delicious, very well presented and the service was great. The atmosphere at the restaurant is really authentic and I will be certainly back again! I also love the rich history of the place. It’s no wonder they well packed when we got there for dinner. A real jewel 💎 of Italian cuisine in Poole.

Treated my husband on his 60th Birthday tonight (Monday 18th August 2025) and to celebrate our 8th Wedding Anniversary - what a gem of a place! Wow what a traditional Italian restaurant - not had a meal like this in years! The staff are genuinely friendly and give first class service - the atmosphere is warm and vibrant - the food is exceptional - can’t recommend this restaurant highly enough -

Booked this lovely little restaurant on the quay for me and my partners anniversary. Friendly and inviting service and atmosphere. I had the crab linguine which is to die for, incredible food at good price.

Again and again and again! This place never disappoints... Getting better and better..! 🔝🌏🚀 Lalupa Poole LaLupa-Poole What a lavish and festive evening! I can not thank enough, showing my respect and full gratitude to everything this family run business does… A truth asset of Poole area, part of Poole Quay heritage. The oldest , authentic Italian 🇮🇹 restaurant in Poole Quay, with almost 50 years of trade! THE OLDEST AND MOST AUTHENTIC ITALIAN 🇮🇹 RESTAURANT IN B.C.P. WITH ALMOST 50 YEARS AS PART OF THE POOLE QUAY HERITAGE, THE START UP POINT OF MANY ITALIANS OWNERS IN THE AREA STILL STADING , UP 🔝 🌍 AT THE VERY TOP! 1️⃣ GENUINELY FAMILY RUN, WITH AUNTIES, UNCLES , COUSINS AND-BROTHERS WORKING AS ONE, BEST HOMEMADE FOOD , COOKED FROM SCRATCH , NOT FROZEN MICROWAVED, INCLUDING PIZZA 🍕 DOUGHS , USING THE ARTISAN TRUTH AUTHENTIC CLASSIC ITALIAN STYLE, EXCEPTIONAL CHARMING,WARM YET PROFESSIONAL SERVICE WITH GREAT ATTENTION TO DETAILS , IN A COZY, CLEAN , FRESH AND RELAXED ATMOSPHERE ! MUST TRY AND SEE IT FOR YOURSELF! 🔝🌍1️⃣🇮🇹🍕❤️🙏😘🍾🥂 Thank you Family Team -La Lupa, for all your hard work, dedication, passion and commitment to be the one , giving us , local community a sense of pride and being, uplifting our lifestyle! 🙏❤️🔝🌏🌅🇮🇹1️⃣🍾🥂♾️🇬🇧

What a great experience once again, it's been an amazing afternoon in this restaurant where we always get swept away by the friendly atmosphere and great food, for us it's not just a good restaurant it's a place like no other! A big thank you to Cozo and the whole team!

We had such a wonderful time at this beautiful Italian restaurant! From the very first moment, we felt truly welcome — the atmosphere was warm and full of charm. Every dish was bursting with flavour and made with so much love and care. The homemade focaccia was heavenly — soft, fragrant, and fresh from the oven — and the homemade gelato was pure perfection! You can really taste the passion for real Italian food in every bite. Grazie mille for such an unforgettable experience — we’ll definitely be back soon! 🇮🇹❤️🍷🍝

Me and my girlfriend came here Thursday for Dinner and we opted for the Ploughman’s board and the Cheesecake of the day. Martyn’s service was phenomenal and the food from Tom (chef) was superb🙌🏻. Will be coming back here again

We have a tradition of going out for a family meal on the first Sunday of the month and decided that a return visit to the Rope & Anchor was in order. It's a Wadworth pub so a good selection of real ales available and the cellarman is doing a great job. The food is very much standard pub choices plus Sunday roasts and a few specials. Excellent value for money, well cooked, crackling cruncy and good yorkshire. I did find the cauliflower cheese a bit disappointing. The cauliflower was well cooked, suitably aldente, but the cheese sauce lt it down, a bit waterery which saw it pooling at the bottom of the dish, rather than coating the cauliflower. Conversely the Dorset Cheese Board at theend of the meal was a real highlight, rich in flavours and with a really good chutney. Atmosphere waqs relaxed, staff attentive, good value.

Very nice pub! The waiter was super friendly and helpful. The burgers were exceptional and the fries very crispy and delicious. The price was also good! They did have a little service charge, but told us about it when we wanted to leave a tip.

Good service in a traditional pub, unfortunately the fish in batter was really not good.

Came here for the first time for the Sunday roast dinner and all 3 of us are presently surprised at how good the food was; the portions are generous, even the meat, and everything tasted really good and fresh. The left overs from nan's roast (as stayed, very generous) was wrapped really well to take home. This is one of the only places my Notoriously fussy Nan has actually liked! The staff are friendly and the place is clean, stylish with a shipshape feel to it. Booking is recommended.

Excellent "dog friendly" jewel! Really enjoyed our fish and chips. My partner has swordfish and said it was very nice. Drinks selection lovely and staff very friendly. Will be back next time we visit Poole.

Brilliant meal. Had an absolutely stunning gnocchi.

Excellent service and what a beautiful pub. Food was incredible. Lunch deal £8. Loved the burger and will come back for the brunch soon. Decor was lovely in here, very comfortable.

Just popped in with my sister, she had something to eat, I just had a beer. First time i have been in this pub and got to say I'm impressed. The staff are polite and friendly. The premises are spotlessly clean, and the food excellent. The menu has a wonderful choice of various meals. I will definitely be back with friends and family. Obviously good management lovely to see compared to some pubs in Poole. Highly recommend 👌

I booked the afternoon tea for two and was blown away by the whole experience. The range of food we received was far more generous than expected. The sandwiches were fresh and flavourful – the focaccia one in particular was a standout. We were then treated to a beautifully presented selection of sweet treats, including warm scones with clotted cream and jam, Eton Mess, indulgent brownie bites and a salted caramel cheesecake bite that was absolutely divine. 🤤 What made the experience even better was being able to pair it all with a cocktail of our choice. I went for the Purple Disco Machine and would highly recommend it – fun, vibrant and delicious! A special mention must go to the wonderful staff, Rosie, Marcus and Tom, who were so warm and attentive throughout. They couldn’t do enough for us and really ensured we had a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon. Overall, a fantastic experience – I’d highly recommend this afternoon tea and can’t wait to return!

Phenomenal experience. Paige was the star of the show... Diolch yn fawr Paige ❤️

Had a bottomless brunch and I could not have had a better time. The staff member Lucy was so lovely and ensured we were never without a drink! The food was also amazing. 100% recommend coming here

Just got back from a lovely lunch. I had bacon cheese burger and my partner had a chicken burger both were cooked to perfection by Adam and the drinks served by Rosie washed them down perfectly! Looking forward to coming again soon...

Kyle was fantastic, never a moment I went without a drink and the food was very quick and tasty. Certainly better than other bottomless experiences that delay orders or water down. Loved Kyle.

My Brother chose The Grasshopper as it was his 50th! Large open space ... fairly quiet maybe because it was Bank Holiday Monday lunchtime ?? I ordered Chicken Roast last dinner which wasn't available so had Beef - stated "pink" on menu but far too uncooked for me - the rest of the dinner was delicious. All 6 of us had desserts - my Nephew chose waffles, was asked 1 or 2, decided on 2 but was then told they only had 1 left. Apart from the "not available's" we all enjoyed the meal and the venue :) A

Service here was appalling & slow staff didn’t seem happy & the food was lukewarm, the chips tasted slightly frozen & not hot in the middle.. my partner came expecting a chicken roast on this Sunday & turns out they told us there was no chicken in the kitchen! So decided to order something else. Coke was completely flat & then they said they gave me a bottle replacement in a glass however that seems a lie as that was completely flat as-well. It was very dead atmosphere & I can now see why! I do Not recommend.

Good service, was served by bartender called Peter, who was friendly and efficient. Bonus points for him dropping our lemon on the floor making my friend and I chuckle quite a bit, but he gave us a new one so all was good 👌

Wow, I had such an amazing experience and I'm still thinking about it! The food was absolutely delicious; every single bite was a burst of flavour 😋. Also, the service was truly top-notch, with the staff being super attentive and friendly especially Mary Lou who I felt like she really went the extra mile to make sure we were happy and satisfied. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good time with great food. I can't wait to go back again soon!

Clean and tidy Great service Food was really tastey tasty, a little pricy but worth it Recommend

Went today for a late lunch. This is my local so I have to be loyal... but that's not difficult because it's a great pub. Lovely staff, excellent food. Restaurant if you fancy formal or the bar which is cosy and has a fire. Lots of outdoor tables with heating. Pub quiz Monday and DJ on Saturday. Dogs welcome. I've posted a range of food from the different menus they offer, their Christmas dinner was really good

A few months ago this would have been a 5 star review, but sadly no longer. My friend and I have been having coffee at the Grasshopper for several years now. We arrive at 11 when it opens. Until a couple of months ago the staff were friendly and efficient. Now there is one person serving who also seems to be overseeing building work. This week we ordered our usual coffees, sat outside and waited, and waited and waited. Customers arriving after us had their drinks so my friend investigated. Our coffees were on a filthy tray waiting on the counter. The staff member confirmed they were ours and said he'd forgotten to bring them out. The same thing happened the previous week too. I know it's not a busy time of day but the service needs be better. Other regular coffee goers have commented to us that they have noticed a downturn in service and they, like us, are looking for alternative places to go. I would have thought that some money from coffee drinkers was better than no money at all.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a wine tasting with two close friends at Hotel du Vin in Poole — three busy mums of small children, all very much in need of a little indulgence and grown-up conversation! It turned out to be an utterly delightful experience from start to finish. The setting was both elegant and inviting, perfectly balancing sophistication with warmth. Our host was exceptionally knowledgeable, guiding us through each wine with genuine passion and a touch of humour that made the evening both educational and entertaining. The wine selection was superb — beautifully curated, offering a journey through diverse regions and flavour profiles. Paired with the hotel’s charming ambiance and attentive service, the evening felt truly special — a beautiful reminder of how restorative it can be to take time out for ourselves. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking a refined yet relaxed introduction to the world of wine. Thank you!

Very stylish and comfortable hotel. The location is ideal close to the Quay. The staff are pleasant and attentive. Outside there is a large attractive garden area with seating. Inside a comfortable bar area and lounges and an air cooled dining room where breakfast is served. The breakfast is excellent. Brilliantly cooked and with a vast choice of cereals, cakes etc. Our room was spacious, brightly decorated and spotlessly clean. I have slightly meanly taken one star off because, as with other Hotels du Vin the cold tap doesn't run cold. Not really the greatest problem but I don't like cleaning my teeth in warm water. Also like other Hotels du Vin there is no lift but the helpful receptionist took our case up to our room so no problem. All in all a very pleasant stay in a wonderful hotel.

Two of us spent 2 night weekend in Oct . Excellent experience, helpful check in, great deluxe room (definitely worth the upgrade, large well furnished and quiet) Great position, just off the quayside, so flat walk to everything that Poole has to offer. Didn’t use the hotel restaurant (found some great restaurants nearby) but it looks and felt good! Limited parking at Hotel (though we were fitted) but plenty of public parking nearby

If you are taking the Brittany Ferry, this hotel works for the location. We stayed in a deluxe room, which had everything you would need. However, the hotel is a hidden gem with an excellent front of house and restaurant team working hard to ensure you have a wonderful overnight stay. The bistro has an extensive food and wine menu and don't forget your night cap from the whisky list. Thank you so much for an excellent stay.

Absolutely Disgraceful Treatment – Avoid at All Costs I am appalled at how I was treated by this hotel. I booked a room in advance for myself (heavily pregnant) and my young child, only to receive a voicemail—not even a proper phone call—saying the hotel had double-booked and had no room for us. This message came while my phone battery was dead, so we only found out upon arrival that we had nowhere to stay. We were three hours from home, exhausted, and I was already dealing with the challenges of being heavily pregnant with a young child in tow. The hotel staff were shockingly unhelpful and rude. They offered no support, no apology, and no effort to help resolve the situation, despite the urgency and seriousness. All hotels in the area were fully booked, and the only available room we could find was over £650—which they outright refused to contribute to, even though the mistake was entirely theirs. The lack of empathy, responsibility, and basic human decency shown was disgusting. I habe no choice but to drive back three hours home, heavily pregnant, with a small child, late at night—completely stranded by their incompetence and lack of care. I would strongly warn anyone considering staying here: do not trust this hotel. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be left on your own, no matter how vulnerable or urgent your situation is. Shame on them for treating paying customers this way.

After being a regular customer for a couple of years at the hotels restaurant. We were extremely disappointed with the attitude of the restaurant manager, when he refused for us to pay in cash for our overpriced £165 meal. We have used the restaurant for business and leisure spending a good amount of the money with the company over the last couple of years. We will not be returning or recommending the hotel anymore.

The hotel is beautiful, and the staff are fantastic, couldn't do enough for me. Definitely include breakfast with your room, it's exceptional. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for somewhere nice for a couple to stay.

Came here for the Badness tribute band. Had drinks and dinner first. Service is great and the staff quick and friendly. Food was good... We went for 3 light Bites to share, so we could have a pudding. Chicken goujons were delicious, as we're onion rings and cheesy chips! Puddings were a let down... Ice cream was good but the pancakes were very hard, and shop bought and cold... All in all enjoyable. Great atmosphere when the band came on with lots of dancing and singing going on! The staff were excellent!

Hello to the staff of this restaurant, thank you for allowing me to have a nice meal and time. Location wise, it is situated towards the end of the classic Bournemouth pier, accompanied by the sea. Has both indoor and outdoor seating, and both have nice atmospheres. I ordered a pepperoni pizza with a side of cheesy chips. In terms of price, it was decent. The chips were amazing. Perfectly cooked, the cheese was good quality too and also perfectly melted. Pizza was huge, almost couldn't finish it. It was quite nice though. Would think about a return in the future.

We used this venue to host a function and awards ceremony at the end of the summer season and it was amazing! The staff were excellent with helping me through setting up the event and always available and happy to answer any questions. Peter was quick to confirm dates with my enquiry and Katie was a great point of contact and was there from start to finish and was lovely to work with. The staff on the night were great and always on hand for anything that I needed or easy with any updates/ changes to the running order. The venue itself was beautiful and it was played out exactly how it was described during planning meetings and the group loved the location and venue!

We only came for drinks, but £7 for a pint is crazy. Service was nice though and I did enjoy my beer.

Stepping inside, we were welcomed by staff straight away. We had not booked anything, though there was no fuss. They calmly directed us to a free table for our family of four. As soon as we were ready to order, we used their handy table service method of placing the ordering flag on top of the waitress service pole. It brought their attention immediately. In the blink of an eye, we were greeted by a member of staff. We placed our order; two Portettis, one king prawn ciab and chips, a ploughman’s ciab, kids goujions and beans, and an adults chicken goujons and an extra side of chips. The total came to exactly £72.65. Quite pricey, although the food came fairly quick. It was just worth the price, and all was eaten! All in all, would definitely recommend if you’re looking for somewhere to eat as a family, though is a little expensive! Great experience.

Such a lovely place our server Tom was wonderful, friendly and helpful. I had the fish and chips, and it was the best I have ever had. It was a half price Friday special but I would happily pay the full price for it. The restaurant is clean and offers great views across the bay

I was originally quite apprehensive when we were asked to pay for the meal upfront. But when the food arrived I was very surprised, it looked really good and according to everyone the taste was great. I had the all day brunch while my partner had the posh fish fingers. The food is a bit overpriced but I suppose you pay slightly over the odds because of the location, key west is situated at the end of the pier. The place looks a bit run down and Definitely will sooner than later need to be redecorated. The staff did a great job, the service was spot on. Overall our time here was good.

The food was actually amazing and getting to watch the chefs make the food was great. The atmosphere was lovely and as it was my birthday they also gave me a complimentary prosecco. Only downsize was the windows needed a wash.

The food was absolutely delicious! The flavors were amazing and the presentation was perfect. Thank you for such a wonderful experience! 😋🌟”

We had a table for six for lunch on Mother’s Day weekend. The food was tasty and everyone enjoyed their meals. It seems that perhaps the restaurant was understaffed at the time as some non-waiting staff were covering tables, with the sous-chef showing clear signs of disdain/anger at this staff during service. A waiter also forgot to bring a few things ordered by the table.

Staff is very kind and friendly, Clean atmosphere with bar near by. THE FOOD? BLOODY AWFUL. WE paid $90 for dinner to eat few bites, bland wet cardboard no flavors. We went to a 2nd dinner to enjoy our meal instead around the corner. AVOID THIS FOOD, beer is basic if you like flavored water......

The ambience of the restaurant is great as well as lovely design and layout. The food and drinks are quite pricey, but the taste is excellent. The staff managing the restaurant are quite polite and quick on service, they are on their toes.

Staff and Chef team were super friendly. Delicious vegan options, and loved the South East Asian sambal flavours to the Buddha bowl. Would highly recommend!

The Schpoons & Forx restaurant is located inside the Hilton Hotel Bournemouth and is worth a visit. The food is great and well presented. On our first visit in July 2021 I ordered a sourdough pepperoni pizza and it was very good. The staff were friendly and attentive. Highly recommended. Our 2nd visit to Schpoons & Forx in June 2022 was also very good. The pint of cold Peroni went down a treat. Our party had tandoori prawns for starters. Then for mains we had a mix of ribeye steak, hake and grilled chicken. Finally for dessert we had creme brulee, strawberry meringue and afogato. Our 3rd visit also in June 2022 was once again very good. Our party had tandoori prawns for starters. Then for mains we had a mix of ribeye steak with chips and fillet steak chips.

We popped in on the off chance of a place being available. We were offered a bar table. The gent who advised us (wearing a Hawaiian style top) was polite, professional and an asset to the company. We had to do self-service and order at the bar. The young bar man that served us was polite, professional and funny and made us feel welcomed. The food was good as! usual. Whilst eating our food we could hear the 'front of house' man doing his thing with waiting customers. His bedside manor is excellent and made all feel valued and important.

We came to eat as a rather large group ( 24) For our annual slimming world Christmas lunch. The staff were amazing. The gentleman who orginal took our booking was very helpful and happily added a couple more people on. The lady who took our order and served our food was brilliant even with people changing their mind from the two course to the three course lunch!! And then smiling even when another two people wanted to order starters! We had a really fantastic meal. All food served at the same time. Not too long await at the carvery. Vegetarian food was well received, and the desserts looked pretty yummy! Great atmosphere and a lovely time was had by us all. I was volunteered to book the meal this year but with the fantastic organisation of the restaurant staff I feel happy to take on the role next year. That said, i will be in before then,as a family we love to eat at the toby Northbourne 😋

A mix-up over table size( my mistake) on a very busy night, was quickly and very politely dealt with by the manager, and our server, Martin was very friendly. Queues for food were very long and food only just warm. The meats were well_cooked but vegetables were uninspiring, either very hard or claggy. It was a Christmas outing, so probably queues may not usually be that long.

This is nowhere near as good as the Cooper Dean one. We walked up to the bar, and the manager saw us but walked away. When I said aloud that we are being ignored, someone else came to help us. We were then told that the manager was actually the one who needed to help us. We had to stand & wait till he came back to assist us. There is a sign stating to check in at the bar. We did that. We were told to wait at the other counter. We've never had a good experience yet. It's always been an issue. One waiter had to serve the whole restaurant, he was very good, but we had to wait a while to pay. We would definitely rather go to Cooper Dean. The only issue we had there was not knowing we had to register our vehicle & received a fine. I contested & didn't have to pay in the end. They now have a sign at the entrance to warn you, so no one should get caught out now.

The Yachtsman is a warm and inviting spot, perfect for a relaxed pint and good conversation. The interior blends classic pub charm with a touch of nautical character — wooden beams, soft lighting from vintage-style lamps, and maritime details create a cosy, welcoming feel. The seating is a mix of sturdy wooden tables, comfortable leather armchairs, and higher bar stools, offering plenty of choice depending on your mood. Large windows bring in natural light, and the gentle hum of friendly chatter adds to the laid-back atmosphere. It’s the sort of place where you instantly feel at ease, whether you’re catching up with friends or simply soaking in the ambience with a drink in hand.

A really fine pub. We went with Dorset car club for breakfast. And what a breakfast it was. Lots of it and reasonably priced. Thanks and we will be back.

We went for Quiz Night. Enjoyable and sociable evening. Great to be in a pub with Anna as landlady.

Close to Rockley Park so definitely worth checking out if you’re staying there. Food was amazing, all fresh and hot. Staff were super friendly and accommodating. Couldn’t fault anything!

We had a really nice meal at the Yachtsman this evening. We ordered roast dinners, and the food was very tasty and there was lots of it. Good value for money. There was live music happening which was a great addition. The two staff members that served us were very friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Really enjoyed this place, looking forward to going back.

We found the dining room very cold compared to the pub. We actually ate with our coats on. The food was good but not big portions, I could have eaten more. Great service & dog friendly. It's a nice place & plenty of parking.

Visited when on holiday at Rockley Park Wife had the steak and ale pie and said it was delicious, I had the chilli. Again, delicious and the beef was so tender. If you are visiting Poole and staying at Rockley then worth a visit. Added bonus of having a fast car charger on site.

Stayed the weekend for my sister’s birthday. Couldn’t thank the staff enough, excellent service and hospitality. Food was great, the location was perfect and walking distance to so many different pubs and restaurants. Special shoutout to Tracy - she always welcomed us back in with a massive smile and went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and happy. We will definitely be back!

Our two night stay was bought for us through Red Letter Day Experiences however, we are so glad we found this little gem to book. After battling cancer this place and the people is just what we needed. The place was great, the room was clean and surprisingly large, food was just beautiful but mostly the staff were exceptionally welcoming and accommodating. We were so close to Poole Quay which was great to explore, the sunshine was an added bonus. I would certainly stay again and encourage anyone venturing to Poole to give the Antelope a go. We are glad we did 😊

I'm up in Poole again to deliver some training.. So, I was looking somewhere to eat some food. After a good walk around the town I found myself stumbling upon this little pub. I was greeted by a really friendly member of staff and was advised to go and pick a seat out the back. I ordered myself the salt and pepper squid, a chicken and ham pie with mashed potato vegetables and onions rings and to finish off, I had Apple crumble with ice cream and custard. I'm not exaggerating here but the food was incredible, from the squid that was really fresh and cooked perfectly. Moving onto the pie it had a really nice thick crispy pastry with thick gravy and I'm not normally a fan of gravy but it was very nice. The mash potato was soft and you could tell it was fresh. The crumble was really nice although a smaller portion than I would normally have. It was just perfect as I am a bit greedy . There was a lovely atmosphere nice and cozy. If I come back to Poole, I would love to come back here again.

Food and service here was amazing tonight. The staff Toby and Lilly were very friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Toby recommended the chocolate fondue dessert and it did not disappoint. Melting chocolate from the centre of the cake it was heaven. The pesto and halloumi salad was great and husband was very happy with his lamb shank. Great atmosphere and beautiful restaurant that has blended modern decor with the beams and arches of the original building.

Stayed for 2 nights. Room 12 on top floor which was billed as small double but plenty of room. The shower was awesome!!. Breakfast was cooked fresh and plenty of choice. Bar quite lively during the afternoons. Will certainly use it again in the future.

We stumbled upon the Antelopes Smugglers restaurant on our visit to Poole while on holiday in Dorset. And what a gem of a find. The setting has an old world meets modern decor, with the old brick work and wooden beams. It has clean modern bar and furniture. We were tired and hungry after our walk and I had the fish and chips and my partner had the beef rib bourgoignon. He said this was delicious, and my fish was fresh and so tasty. I can't comment on the hotel, as we didn't stay but the service in the restaurant was top rated. Our server Toby was helpful and attentive. Thank you

We found the Antelope by chance after receiving poor service from The Lord Nelson on the quay. We had meals and drinks there and the staff were so happy, friendly and welcoming. The pub had a great atmosphere with a DJ playing music for all tastes. The burgers were delicious and my husband said the sticky toffee pudding was the best he's ever had. We will definitely be returning.

We popped in for a coffee and the team was lovely but I was a bit disappointed when I ordered a cortado and was given an espresso with some hot milk on the side... I expected my drink to be poured for me and for it to actually be a cortado, and was a bit confused why a short drink like this was more expensive than a cappuccino or latte? That being said, I would still come back as the food and cakes all look lovely but might just stick to Riptide round the corner for a proper coffee.

Lovely cafe right on the quay. Great range of food. Breakfast was interesting with really good quality ingredients and novel extras... ham hock bubble and squeak... Lots of deli meats, jars and things to buy inside. Staff were lovely. Was busy but plenty of seating. Local's tip... don't sit where the seagulls can get you.

Great little cafe with a good atmosphere but only downside is that it is quite a small cafe! We are a family of 4 and struggled to get our double pram in. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, would definitely recommend!! Only reason for 4 stars was due to the size other a really good place for lunch!

Great cafe in such a lovely location overlooking Poole Harbour! If you manage to get a seat outside at the right time of day, this can be quite a great little sun trap! My family and I had coffees and cakes and personally the coffee was spot on and the blondie was one of the nicest I’ve ever had! The staff are also very friendly and are accepting of your four legged friends! Would recommend giving this cafe a try even for a cake & coffee or perhaps even a bite to eat for lunch! Very nice!

Really lovely home made and local sourced foods. Reasonably priced also considering the location. Recommend Med Salad. Although havent tried yet, the Quiche looks amazing. Super busy (good sign).

The start of kids holiday, eggs Boudin and laVazza Coffee. It doesn't really matter where you sit, all good. Fresh eggs,meat, polite staff. Back again in Poole for Dr Feelgood, early lunch here. Coffee with fresh bread, or panini, if your posh, lol

Had breakfast here twice. The first time I had poached eggs on the ham hock bubble and squeak. The eggs were barely larger than a quails egg and the bubble and squeak was revolting. I believe it was made with kale, which I detest and the ham was over cooked and dry. On another occasion, my wife had an English breakfast which included the bubble and squeak, which she said was lovely. As she dislikes kale as much as I do, I can only conclude the second portion was made with cabbage. Better breakfasts elsewhere.

Very warm welcome, staff are fantastic. We asked for a room overlooking the town square and the staff member was great and fulfilled our request. The room was very big and on first impression looked fabulous. We loved the decor but unfortunately some areas need attention. The furniture is tired and needs either updating or repairs. The bathroom was roomy but again needs attention. The room was fully functional and clean.

Return visit to this lovely friendly and well run hotel. We love the whole thing. T staff are just so welcoming, nothing too much trouble. Rooms was lovely and clean and the food we had in the evening was very delicious. Will definitely be back again

A pleasant surprise, far better than I expected. Rooms were a good size and had everything you need for a one night stay. Staff were very helpful and friendly, particularly Zoe at Breakfast. Free parking is a real bonus as this is right in the middle of the town. Would come back again without hesitation

I had lunch with 2 friends yesterday. We were warmly greeted by Zoe who showed us to our table and came back for our drinks order. Zoe also took our lunch order. We were served by Tom who was attentive and very smiley . Two of us had the King Prawn , chorizo and rocket risotto which was very good. Although we were the last to leave the restaurant we weren't hurried at all. Well done Zoe and Tom.

I have just enjoyed a freshly cooked lunch, with two of my friends. Our meals were served by Zoe and Lola who were very friendly and acknowledged us as regulars. Two of us had the special meal deal which is excellent value. Two main meals and two drinks for £27.50. We will certainly be returning when next in Wimborne.

Stayed 2 nights on front, surprisingly no noise when we went to bed, being next to road beds v comfy & lovely bathroom with bath! Breakfast very tasty & quick, staff very friendly & lovely welcome. Great to have free parking too, very central for local shops & travelling . Would definitely stay again

We stay for 3 nights and thought it was great value for money. Room was very clean. Breakfast was very good and the waiting staff were very friendly and extremely attentive. Thank you

Myself and two friends visited for their cocktail masterclass and 2-course lunch and it was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. The food is out of this world, presented beautifully and tastes delicious. The cocktail making was by far better than others I’d done in the past as you are able to make all the cocktails yourself with the guidance of an excellent bartender (we loved his sense of humour!) The service is also excellent, we were still laughing and drinking 5 hours later! Honestly the best girls afternoon, we will be back for another event soon I’m sure. I should also mention I’ve had dinner here a few times and it’s always been top quality!

What an exceptional restaurant! We came down from London for the weekend and some dorset foodies recommended we came to Isabel's. My father said it was amongst the best meals he had had in years (and we eat out a lot), and generally from the service, to the drinks, to the food...all was exquiste. I tip my hat to you all and wish you the very best. If you are looking for the best restaurant in bournemouth or poole, you can not go wrong with Isabel's Brasserie. Exceptional all round. Thank you!

Fabulous restaurant, lovely atmosphere, very friendly and polite attentive staff. The food was amazing! A great experience from cocktail’s at the bar through to the end of the meal. Would highly recommended Isabel’s Brasserie.

⸻ We had a fantastic lunch at Isabel’s Brasserie. The food was absolutely delicious, with a great choice of fresh and nutritious dishes that were beautifully cooked and presented. The service was excellent – friendly, attentive, and welcoming – and the whole place has a lovely ambiance that makes you feel instantly relaxed. We went on a Sunday and were treated to a marvellous live performance from a wonderful singer, whose voice and song choices created the perfect backdrop to our meal. It really added something special to the experience. Overall, a truly delightful lunch – highly recommended, and we’re already looking forward to our next visit!

Delicious food, amazing service and a wide array of side dishes. Made for an amazing birthday meal. :)

We had a brilliant evening at Isabel’s on Saturday we arrived and had cocktails and canapés in the bar. Chatted through the menu with the lovely waitress. Food was amazing, we all had three courses. Each course was delicious. 100% recommend Isabel’s

Excellent family meal with great portions and quality. Lovely staff who when the extra mile to help us enjoy our evening. Very relaxed atmosphere good cocktails before dinner. Will be coming back for sure.

Hands down the best food in town! The curries were absolutely phenomenal flavourful, rich, and perfectly cooked. The customer service was second to none, making the whole experience even better. I’ll definitely be coming back with my whole family. Highly recommend!

The food is all amazing and fantastic and the staff Mahmoud is absolutely nice, friendly and kind.I love the service and the food there which gives a great experience to me.

We had a great dinner, absolutely amazing food and friendly staff 🤍🤍 we definitely coming back again.

"We had a wonderful dining experience at the Indian restaurant last night. The food was excellent, and the staff were incredibly friendly, making our evening enjoyable. We had our kids with us, and they accommodated our little ones perfectly with their food choices. Overall, it was a fantastic night!"

The food looks better then it tastes. The burgers were too salty and meat overcooked. French fries were really nice. Drinks quite expensive. Card payments only which can be inconvenient.

Enjoyed a Southern Sunrise Croissant. Lots of great looking food to choose from on the menu. Great coffee, friendly efficient service.

We had a great time on our date night last night, brilliant vibrant establishment serving a great array of drinks! Heard great things about the food so will definitely be back!

Fantastic Sunday toast for five people l cannot fault it and we are fussy ! Food was outstanding, fresh and served hot and the staff were great ! We will be back thank you !!

Great food and one server who looked after us was great, no engagement from any others and had to find our own table. But food made up for it hence the 4 stars!

We came here for bottomless brunch for my friends hen do, food was great and the service was amazing - thank you saskia !! Would definitely recommend for a big group

Incredible service from Darcy and Louise today. Food was great and so were Darcy and Louise, we love them

A Lovely Atmosphere, but Room for Improvement on the Food My team and I recently visited the Avocet, and I must say, the atmosphere was delightful. The pub itself is beautiful, with a cosy and welcoming interior that made for a pleasant evening. However, we were a bit disappointed with the food. The hamburger arrived cold, the fish in the fish and chips was lacking in flavor, and the mashed peas were unfortunately quite watery. Additionally, the serviettes were only brought to the table halfway through our meal, which felt a little unorganized. While we enjoyed the setting and had a great evening together, we hope to see some improvements in the food and service, as the Avocet has so much potential to be truly exceptional. We’d love to come back and experience it at its best.

Enjoyed a great Sunday roast at their intro price of £15 (on till mid October I think!) which was superb value. Everything was hot and nicely cooked, chicken was huge! (Yorkie the only thing a bit ‘meh’) Lots of gravy and veg. Service was really good too. Such an improvement from past experiences here, well done to all! Deffo recommend.

Quite a nice pub. Sports competitions of various categories are broadcast on large screens. Fast and pleasant service. The condition of the men's toilet was quite unpleasant at the end of the day. Also, parking is only for 6 cars, so you have to pay for separate parking.

A massive thank you to Jack and the team at the Cow for accommodating my daughter’s baby shower in the Atrium! We had lots of advice along the way with regards to numbers, logistics and buffet food choices/ numbers etc. It was absolutely perfect, the staff were so helpful, the buffet food was incredible (those sausage rolls received lots of praise!!!). Thank you so much! ☺️

Absolutely fantastic experience! From the moment we walked in, the staff were warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive. You can tell they care about creating a great atmosphere and making sure everyone has a good time. They were fantastic. The pizzas? Next level. Easily some of the best I’ve had. Whether you’re just popping in for a drink or having for a meal, this place delivers top-notch service and great vibes. Can’t wait to come back!

The Cow is a proper gem. Always a warm welcome when you walk through the door and the staff are lovely especially Jack. The food’s spot on — good portions, tasty, and just what you want from a pub. Feels like the kind of place you can relax, have a laugh, and enjoy a pint with some great grub. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!

A great pub in the very nice Ashley Cross area. I hired a room for an event at very short notice and Jack very kindly let me use the room for free which was much appreciated and it was perfect for my needs. However, the pub itself is great - a really good atmosphere, a great selection of beers, high and low tables, an interesting layout, great service and very friendly staff. Would thoroughly recommend.

Really enjoyed dinner here. All the dishes come in tapas sizes so we mixed it up and shared lots of food. Fab happy hour. Lovely staff who really looked after us. Live music was on in the bar and by the time we left it was packed with people having fun. Best expresso martini I've had for ages. Party atmosphere. Great place.

Absolutely fantastic experience! The food was delicious, and the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and taken care of. Their kindness and attention to detail really took our evening to the next level. The music added the perfect vibe, and we had such a fun, memorable time. Highly recommend!

Simply impeccable! The atmosphere is welcoming, the service was friendly from start to finish and the food… absolutely exceptional. Each dish has flavor, care and comfort. A true Italian experience. I will definitely be back and highly recommend it.

Food was fantastic, a solid 8/10, the calzone pizza was incredible. Highly recommend their tiramisu, 9.5/10, only wish there was more 🙂‍↕️ Service was good and restaurant was empty, quite surprised to see very few people around. Went with family, but it would be a great location for a date, as there’s a small park opposite for a nice walk after as well. Very lovely lighting too, romantic.

I went to this incredible Italian restaurant last Friday, and it was nothing short of amazing. The moment I walked in, I was welcomed by the mouthwatering aroma of authentic Italian food—it instantly transported me to the heart of Italy. I ordered the carbonara, and let me tell you: it was the best I’ve had in Bournemouth, hands down. Creamy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, just like they serve it in Rome. No shortcuts, no heavy cream—just the real deal. The atmosphere, the smell, the flavors—everything felt genuinely Italian. It’s rare to find a place that gets it so right. If you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, this is the place. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Great evening celebrating a friend's birthday. Carla and Nanda were really lovely and helpful, always with a smile on their faces. The cocktail happy hour deal were very nice. The Carbonara was delicious, really recommended and my friend's Torteline Sofia was beautiful as well. Highly recommended Italian restaurant.

Went here for the first time this evening and it was absolutely lovely. The food is sensational, service was excellent and atmosphere is great too. A really lovely authentic Italian! We will definitely be visiting again.

We had a fantastic stay at The Connacht. The location is ideal, just a short walk to the beach and the vibrant nightlife. On-site parking was a bonus, and the spa facilities were excellent. The staff were incredibly friendly and went out of their way to make my friend’s birthday feel special. Thank you Tomas for your hospitality! The hotel itself looks stunning after the refurbishment, especially the dining area. While the rooms could use a little updating, it didn’t take away from the overall experience. We’d happily stay again next time we’re in Bournemouth. Thank you to the entire team for a memorable stay!

Before we arrived we were informed that the resteraunt would be closed Monday and Tuesday. So we booked the resteraunt for 7:15. I ordered a chicken berger. It took an hour and the waiter apologised for the delay even though they were not busy. When it arrived I found the chicken brest to be the smallest I'd very seen. Told the waiter who said he'd Inform the kitchen. The following evening we went into the town for dinner. Couldn't help but notice the resteraunt was totally empty the following evening. So it wasn't just us who were disappointed.

It's fine but a bit shabby, and the wifi was flaky. Staff were great thought! My room was pretty noisy but clean, although I wish they hadn't provided the bare minimum of towels (and no face towels at all).

I wouldn’t say it was worth the money. It wasn’t a warm welcome by the receptionist, our room wasn’t ready and the beds are very hard! We stayed in the tulip suite, terrible nights sleep. However it’s in a good location, walking distance to everything that’s around. Very close to the beach and about a 10 minute walk to the centre.

My daughter gave me a gift voucher for tea at the Connaught Hotel in Bournemouth. Initially I thought parking would be a problem, but noticed there was additional parking adjacent to the main building's parking area. The service was welcoming & friendly & the table was close to an exit to a pretty, sheltered patio area. Most people were on Bournemouth beach, so I enjoyed being in a cooler, relaxed environment on what would have been an uncomfortably hot day. The "tea for one" consisted of two scones of my choice, a couple of sandwich fingers & a selection of tasty savoury & sweet treats. I particularly enjoyed the small cheese scone with cream cheese & chutney & fruit scone with Rasberry jam & clotted cream! These were served warm, just the way I like them! The pot of tea, rather than coffee, was also my choice. I left the hotel carrying my little box with the few miniature cakes to take home. This gift voucher was a great idea!

Great Staff The Manager had a fantastic excellent attitude. Pool Gym Sauna. Steam Room absolutely 5 star the swimming pool is absolutely fantastic. Our two rooms were fantastic Room maids do a fantastic Job. The staff in the breakfast area were very nice especially the asian lady with the glasses. She was so polite. Reception staff on arrival and throughout the 2 night stay were excellent. The parking was great and one less stress.

Location was good. Service was mixed. Generally overpriced in our opinion. The rooms are very dated. One of our rooms had a mouldy shower curtain and the other had a sewage smell when the sink was used. Front desk seemed constantly understaffed. Buffet breakfast was £17.50 a head and anything from the kitchen was over £20 per dish. If you stay id recommend going to Olive cafe down the road for breakfast as the same food is half the price. A lager was over £7. Charged £10 a day to use the car park. On a positive note the pool area was clean and seemed relatively new. Location is very good with the sea front only a short walk away. But overall it's not worth the price and wouldn't use again.

Stopped here for dinner. Delicious home-made pizzas, great size with generous toppings. One of the best pizzas we've had, staff were welcoming too.

I visited once on our staff Christmas meal in early December, and since then it has become a mainstay for whenever my partner and I are looking to get pizza. Cosy atmosphere, warm, welcoming staff, brilliant food, and the tiramisu is to die for.

Food was amazing!! Had one of the best pizzas I have ever had in my life! Meatballs were very good, they tasted home made. The ambience and the music were perfect, made us feel very cosy. People were very friendly as well. Overall, best pizza place in Dorset :) Grazie.

It was simply fantastic! Excellent bruschetta, one of the best pizzas I have ever eaten and a delicious salad for my companion - followed by homemade tiramisu and tartufo of the finest quality! Thank you for the very attentive and extremely friendly service and for letting me buy a bottle of the phenomenal balsamic vinegar. It was a very successful evening!

First time in the area and decided to come try the pizza here, was really delicious and cooked well and also a good price, would definitely come again!

We dined here at 5pm last Sunday evening with our disabled foster child. The staff were very welcoming and accommodating for his wheelchair considering the layout. The chef is from Sardinia. Ambience was very relaxing - our foster child was calmer than usual. My wife said her coffee was very nice. My gluten free pizza was the best I've ever eaten. I just wish they also did sourdough pizza which my stomache also tolerates. Will definitely be back.

Absolutely amazing experience! The pizzas here are out of this world — honestly, even better than the ones I had in Italy. The crust is perfectly crisp, the ingredients are incredibly fresh, and the flavors are just divine. On top of that, the service was flawless. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made us feel truly welcome from the moment we walked in. It’s rare to find such a perfect balance of quality food and warm hospitality. The atmosphere is cozy yet modern, and you can tell there's real passion behind everything they do. I’ll definitely be coming back!

We had the most incredible evening at the family run Thirteen restaurant. The food was absolutely amazing, every dish was created with attention to detail and flavour pairings that wowed us each time. The service was warm and attentive, and the atmosphere was intimate and beautifully curated. A perfect place for a celebratory dinner.

HIGH END QUALITY!! If I could give 6 stars I would!!! From moment we arrived we were greeted with a warm smile 😊 exceptional food that is stunningly put together … each course looks like a piece of art! Truely delicious & the flavour bombs you get from each mouthful is out of this world. Amazing Fresh & New cocktails!!!! Front of house service was impeccable ♥️ and the knowledgeable father regarding wine pairings …. WOW! It was beautiful to see such a well oiled machine/resturant ! Which is run by their family♥️ we truely had a lovely experience at your restaurant and can’t compliment you ALL enough! Your hard work & dedication shows. We thank you 🙏 ♥️

Our second visit to this amazing restaurant and where do I start with the feedback?. The food & wine (and cocktails) were obviously outstanding as always. The wonderful family team of Alex, Frances, Hem and Elisabeth plus the new fab addition of Gee made us feel so welcome and relaxed. I honestly don't have anything apart from 'simply perfect' from start to finish to say about Thirteen. If you haven't been yet then make sure you book as this is a culinary experience not to be missed!. Thank you Thirteen for a fantastic night - we will be back!

A fantastic dinner celebrating our wedding anniversary. Alex and the team couldn’t have done more to make it special. Great food, atmosphere, service and fun. Best restaurant in Bournemouth area.

From the outside, the location and entrance are modest and unassuming. But once inside, you are warmly greeted by the father, who introduces you to his daughter, son, and the rest of the team. Even as the restaurant fills up, you feel as though their sole focus is on you. This is far more than simply having food placed in front of you — each dish comes with a story. The chef personally delivers the plates, explaining the inspiration behind each creation. Presentation is impeccable, with every course served on a beautifully unique plate. While every dish we tried deserved five stars, three standouts must be mentioned. I’m not usually a fan of anchovies, but the lamb with anchovy was nothing short of extraordinary. The beef with chanterelle mushrooms will stay in my memory forever. And the blackberry and nectarine dessert stopped me in my tracks with its incredible freshness and depth of flavour — so much so that I had to shake the chef’s hand. We left the restaurant walking home talking about the food, the service, and the unforgettable experience. Thank you.

This was posted by our son, Alex on Facebook. Suffice to say Thirteen more than delivered. Mum and dad concur. “This was absolutely extraordinary. This is Thirteen, a relatively new restaurant that's open near us and is PHENOMENAL in every way. My parents and I checked this out yesterday night to celebrate my 23rd birthday, and were absolutely blown away by it. I couldn't possibly have asked for a better birthday dinner. The whole experience was flawless from the incredible welcome on entry, to the service throughout, to the birthday card I received just before the dessert, signed by the whole team. That latter one especially blew me away - it was truly above and beyond, and deserves a special "thank you". Head chef Alex, along with his parents Elizabeth and Hem are absolute gems, and their passion was wonderful to see. But that goes for all the chefs, who took it in turns to introduce some of the courses, who I didn't quite catch the names of. It's rare you see such passion these days. And this doesn't even cover the immaculate, even spellbinding, 13 course degustation menu. To be honest I'm really struggling to name a favourite course, as they were all out of this world levels of brilliant, but I think the "herbs, cabbage", "mushroom, mushroom", and "brill, lardo" come out on top, roughly in that order as top. This was an absolutely brilliant experience that is fully deserving of a 5/5 rating on any review platform, and one that I really hope gets a Michelin Star soon - it could compete with (and probably exceed) any restaurant that already holds one any day. Absolutely tremendous, and I cannot wait to return.”

A beautiful experience from the service to the wonderful food. We really loved the interaction and time to talk about the food, the ingredients and the wine. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. The food was spectacular!

Really nice restaurant. The inside was lovely, felt italian in the way it was done. The service was very good and we were well looked after. Food was lovely - the mussels were very fresh and very delicious. The sauce that they were cooked in was delicious, only downside was it needed parsley or a lemon slice with it and it would of been perfect. We had the burgers and they were OK, it was a 'naked' burger- only bun, meat and cheese ... it definitely needed something else inside it - like a relish or a sauce... the chips that were served with it were lush.

Thoroughly enjoyed the food here although the menu is a bit mixed. We opted for the French inspired dishes and hope that next time we visit there is more of this type of food. I also hear they serve a great breakfast but I’ve yet to try.

We arrived at around 10.30 am today - it took around 10/15 minutes for someone to seat us , even though the restaurant was half empty. There are 5 staff working on front of house and when we were eating there were 7 tables occupied ... there is a very busy lady behind the counter making all the drinks , and there are some young ladies who look to have just started working and require some direction. There is a french chap with long hair , who as far as we can see is actively leaving people at the front of the cafe and not seating them so that they get annoyed and leave - which means the back Of the cafe is empty and reduces his workload. He was at the customer side of the bar having a quick drink as a family with young children who were visibly annoyed walked off after waiting to be seated for so long ... We saw around 15-20 people walk away with disgust at not being seated while we were there ... The food was ok - service was probably the worst I have encountered - I could not imagine how it could be worse ... I think self service would have been better If the owners of this place get to read this review and were not on site this morning , I hope it might help them understand why their takings aren’t higher in such a busy period ..

Amazing food! Portion size was perfect! The staff were lovely and friendly and will definitely be going back

A lovely place to stop and eat with a rain storm outside! Really friendly waiters, great food and a lovely location. Would definitely come again.

We've been to the Oriel restaurant on Poole quay before. The food and the service is good and it's one of our favourite eateries. Turn that up a couple of notches and you now have Oriel Sandbanks. What a pleasant experience. The nicest food, the friendliest of waiting staff and a homely environment. We all had the tiger prawns with chorizo. A bit of a kick and very very tasty served with crispy bread. 2 of us then had the pork belly with scallops and 2 of us ate the seafood risotto. Both dishes were exceptional. Brilliant night with great friends, and in a warm and inviting restaurant. My Wife (who doesn't often praise eateries) says that this was one of the best meals she has had in years. Prices are reasonable compared to Rick Stein next door and the food is very comparable. If you're not sure and read this review. Please take my word for it. You will not regret it. Thanks Oriel.

Great place for breakfast or just an evening drink . Staff are really friendly and great location

We stay at the Royal Bath Hotel regularly because of it’s Victorian splendour but also because we love being able to choose our salad / vegetables / meat / fish from their delicious brasserie restaurant. Buffet restaurants are very popular abroad but very rare in England! Long may it continue!

It was disappointing to see only one vegetarian dish (cauliflower and chickpea roulade-gf&v) on the buffet menu which was made on request only, but it was so delicious!! Would definitely come back for more

Only had a bacon bap in the evening but it was very yummy 😋

Nice food but poor choice for vegetarian

Awesome service.

Gone extremely downhill

(Translated by Google) Eat comfortably and sit comfortably (Original) 吃得自在，坐得舒服

Perfect artisan bakery with the best almond croissants you'll ever have. Located opposite the green, it's a great place to eat in our outside.

I made a complaint the day before yesterday and was assured somebody would call me back. Nobody has. I ordered New York Deli bagels along with some other sandwiches for myself and some friends. I tried to bite into the pastrami which appeared to be made of plastic (see pic) and was totally inedible and a very unpleasant experience. Very bad quality for such expensive food. No, I don't want a voucher, I want my money back! I will not be returning. I'm sure the Royals were not served such low quality rubbish. Please have the courtesy to contact me as I was promised you would.

Wow!! We stopped last week and had the most Perfect coffee and cake, the most scrumptious cakes we’ve had in a long time. Your staff were attentive and really went the extra mile in particular a younger lady (lizzie??) hats off indeed. We’ll be back very soon!!

Lovely little cafe in a great location. Shame they do not do any Gluten free food when so many others do nowadays. Sat outside and was already cups and plate from previous customer on our table. Our drinks were brought out and these were not removed. Would possibly return as coffee was good but a shame the finer details aren't focused on

This cafe is EXCELLENT! The staff are always friendly. The food is always so yummy! My favourite cake is the Bakewell Tart - it is the BEST I have ever tasted - and I have tasted a great many! A joy to go to this cafe ! Thank you!

Always a great selection of food, they aren't tight on fillings in the sandwiches and the service is always positive. One of my favourite cafes.

A bit of an unusual review here! My grandad (Dai) passed in August, and he was a passionate devotee of Mark Bennett’s until the very end, he loved a Cornish pasty, a strawberry tart, and a good loaf of bread - accompanied by a chat with the staff of course. He executed many escapes from his flat to get a Bennets strawberry tart, terrifying my mother and all of his carers. 10/10 service for many many years, you brought my grandad and our family a great deal of joy, and I imagine we’ll all be very loyal patrons for a long time.

Amazing lunch here . Amazing service . Lovely place for a special occasion . Excellent menu . Beautiful food . Highly recommended . The restaurant itself and the decor is stunning . Our new fave spot on the quay . They also do great takeaway service too .

Absolutely amazing experience! The food was top-class ,the fish was fresh and so good, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. Drinks were excellent too, with a great selection of wines and cocktails. Highly recommended for anyone looking for great food, excellent service, and a relaxing atmosphere. I’ll definitely be back!

First visit good service with a smile. Food average a bit disappointed with some of the food, ..Found the lamb dish a bit dry and didn’t like the potato which had been previously cooked and reheated which can leave a slight bitter taste when this is done. Prawn starter great the sharpening starter platter looked great. Did a very nice birthday sharing sweet platter for the birthday girl. Would o go back yes.

Exceptional service with complementary Greek hooch served with olives and fresh bread. We chose the Sunday roast and it was beautifully served and excellently cooked. Will return definitely.

The food was really good, a bit pricey though. We had 3 special of the restaurant ( a starter with prawn, a musakas and a fish stew). I highly recommend musacas - very tasty one.

Immaculate service! One of the nicest welcoming places we’ve ever eaten at. Lots of conversation with the staff and they also went out of their way to make a special dish for our 8month old that suited his needs. Will definitely be returning! Thanks so much Yithen! Food was amazing.

This was an amazing place from beginning to end. We had excellent service, the people were so lovely and made it so special. Food was so good and the portions were huge! Thank you so much.

My partner and I had a truly lovely weekend stay at The Haven Hotel in Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, celebrating my birthday this May. The weather was perfect, and our room was comfortable, clean, and offered a wonderful balcony overlooking the harbour. I especially loved the convenience of the chain ferry right outside, making trips to the beautiful beach incredibly easy. Both the indoor and outdoor pools were great, and the sauna and steam rooms were a good size. Every member of staff we encountered was super friendly and genuinely helpful. The hotel boasts so many inviting lounge areas and outdoor seating options with direct, breathtaking sea views. While our stay was fantastic, there were a few minor areas for improvement. Service in the restaurant was notably slow; we had to remind a staff member four times about our drinks, which took 45 minutes to arrive after we were seated. Although the food was nice, the portions felt small for the price, and we ended up ordering extra to feel satisfied. The same disorganisation seemed present at breakfast, even though the restaurant wasn't particularly busy (despite that being the reason given for the slow service). However, the breakfast itself was delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed eating it outside overlooking the sea. Overall, we can't wait to visit again! Next time, we're hoping to upgrade to a bigger sea view room and extend our stay for a few more nights.

Great location on the Sandbanks peninsula. Food was good though limited dinner menu. Sunday lunch menu was very limited even though it stated that the items shown were "every day" we were told that the food wasn't available on a Sunday! Weird! We ended up having a bowl of chips.

Hotel charming. Staff polite and efficient on check in. Shower overall hotel for its price is poor. Hotel room poor in quality needs a refurbish. So does public areas corridor and reception area. We paid around £450 for two nights it feels it should be priced at £300. We booked deluxe room door is bashed, room tired. In the health center sauna not working and pools look quite old and tired. Service good hotel infrastructure facilities look battered, tired and underwhelming. Question how this is four star hotel. Needs reasssing immediately. Needs urgent investment to meet customer expectations. Feel ripped off.

Fabulous location although our deluxe Harbour view room with balcony actually had a view over the car park and was very close to another building. The hotel itself is a little bit tired but the bar and Terrace have amazing views. The outdoor swimming pool is fantastic and the small pool inside with sauna and steam room were a great space to relax. Breakfast was all self service and pre cooked.

When we drove up to The Haven,Sandbanks we couldn't believe how beautiful the view is. Across to the sandy beach and Old Harry Rocks. Fascinating to watch all the boats, especially the huge ferries going into Poole Harbour. Relaxing atmosphere and staff great. George was our waiter and he was polite and seemed happy in his work. Thank you The Haven for a great 2 nights.

The rooms are fantastic - we had a family room that actually had a separate bunk bed area for the kids with an internal door. There was a coffee machine and our dog was made to feel extra special with a lovely sleeping area and doggie welcome pack! we loved the outdoor pool (the weather was great!) and indoor spa facilities. The location is fantastic, right on the beach - beautiful views and a short stroll down to some great restaurants (we ate at Rick Stein’s which was was a real treat) The staff were friendly and efficient The only criticism is that The reception and corridors etc are all in need of TLC - very musty/stale smoke smelling. Also the breakfast area and actual breakfast was not great. Felt very old fashioned and not great quality food or coffee Overall though, a pleasant stay and we would definitely go again if in the area and if we got the same reduced rate (we were there on a last minute booking!)

Staff were completely disinterested and disengaged for us as residents of the hotel. The rooms have no air conditioning and a fan was provided which was useless. The breakfast was so bad we had to laugh about it. We have had better experiences at a premier Inn. Very disappointed. There was no water pressure in the bathroom and for the majority of our stay we had no cold water from the tap. The location is very nice, but myself and my partner felt that the hotel was just riding on this and I didn’t feel from any staff member that they had to put any effort in simply because of the good location. We have previously stayed at the Harbour Heights and have always been very pleased, but I wanted something extra special for my partner‘s birthday and felt that the Haven would have provided this. Thoroughly disappointing.

My wife and I went here for afternoon tea. The staff were very friendly. We were shown to our table very quickly. The views from the restaurant that overlook the harbour are stunning. The service was okay. However, there were a few things that I marked the service down on. We had to ask for an additional coffee cup (only one on the table). When the tea and coffee arrived, we had to ask for the sugar. When the afternoon tea arrived, we weren't told what the sandwiches were, so we had to call the waitress back to tell us (we got the impression that she wasn't sure herself !). The quality was good. We had four big scones between the two of us ! There is free parking at the hotel. You have to register your car at reception. So, if it wasn't for the service, I would have scored this experience 5/5. Having said that, I would recommend the afternoon tea experience here.

Overall a nice hotel. Very nice terrace area to sit and eat and drink on a good day. Lovely views. Our room was a bit tired and would have been nice to have had a safe. Very clean, great shower and very comfy bed. Lovely view across the water. Service generally good, friendly staff. Just one older guy at breakfast had an abrupt manner on the two times he served us. He wanted to get our toast for us as he wanted to switch off the toaster. It was 9.45am and breakfast didn't finish until 10am. So we felt a little rushed. Dinner was nice but maybe a slightly updated menu would be worthwhile. Generally though...a decent hotel. Would do a short stay again.

We went to book Christmas Day Lunch today & had excellent & special service from Lucy the receptionist - she went out of her way to check menu questions with the chef & when head chef returned he informed her for us re: 3 festive meats on the main...turkey* duck* pigeon* & we gave our choice adding a cheese board for an extra £10. When we entered the beautiful lounge we were approached by the charming bar (manager?) to take our drinks order- we settled & i took (requested) pics of the view, fish tank, beautifully furnished interior- which i shared.,online..we settled down to peruse the unusual but festive #Christmas menus & awaited our drinks..pint of cider, tequila shot, half a pint of lime/lemonade. We waited & waited till I was so dry & thirsty I had to approach bar where's our drinks we ordered 45 mins ago? & noted new staff members & not the guy who took our drink orders. The bar staff didn't have our order & I was asked by the bar manageress to check the menu behind me & re-order- fair enough. I did after searching for the menu she kept pointing to..laid flat on furniture. Returned to my seat & waited & waited & waited...I got up & returned to bar where a tray of our drinks were being prepared..I took the ice/lime/lemonade from tray back to table..said I'll come back for the tray. No not problem I'll get someone to bring to your table. OK no problem but my mouth started to water seeing my lovely pint of cider looking lonely next to my enticingly salted & limed tequila shot nestled on the tray, on the (beautiful) bar. Returning to our table i waited (& waited) pinching a few sips of lime & lemonade from the person sat opposite me, but I'd gone into a catatonic trance state, after taking deep breaths to stay calm..think i went to Barbados & i was on a white sandy beach with a cocktail of beautiful fruits & servers .popping out from behind every palm tree. Aghhhhh I looked & there was a server headed our way, with my drinks on our tray..he was very charming & making appropriate small talk, he whispered (we're very short of staff)..No problemo i whispered back with a Spanish accent (to make him feel loved & at home). He presented an insert debit card machine & I promptly paid. He gave me the receipt. After an hour or so, perhaps a bit longer we decided we needed a wee & to pay for Christmas lunch & hand our menus in to lovely Lucy at reception. As we were sorting card payment in popped the bar Manageress looking fierce (dont think she liked me, she was a bit fierce at the bar) & apparently she came into the loo- to keep an eye on me?..(i was in the cubicle). She waited by Reception Desk in a lurking fashion while Lucy dealt with us she kept lifting her "Unpaid Drinks " receipt & staring at me, in case i made a run for it? "YOU HAVENT PAID your bar bill!! "But YES we paid!!!!!" 'RECEIPT!!!' 'those eyes that menacing voice. She stared at our receipt- gave a different price to actual receipt..an extra £1..couldn't believe her eyes we'd paid & said some sort of mantra none of us understood & kind of hobbled off like a Morris Dancer who forgot the clogs & dangly bells. What was that all about i asked in slight shock..don't fret she's from Barcelona. It was quite funny if a little fretful. I hope she's off duty Christmas Day because I want to negotiate more turkey with chef..instead of the pigeonno & duck & I think she'd get me in the kitchen washing up for daring to ask- shiver tremble🥶🥶🥶 If I were you i'd pop along & have some fun at HHH.

Lovely setting overlooking Poole Harbour with views towards Brownsea Island. Food was good, but varied with some dishes standing out such as the lamb. Serving staff were very friendly and engaging with children.

This hotel is probably one of the best all round hotels my family and I have ever stayed in. The location is to die for, overlooking the harbour and Sandbanks. The service and food were excellent, parking was easy and the nearby beach a short walk away. A true gem of a find. On top of all that the weather was perfect. Can’t guarantee the weather, but can guarantee you’ll enjoy every moment as we did. Can’t wait to go back !

Very nice hotel with great views over the quay from the terrace, bar and restaurant. We enjoyed a drink on the terrace but the wind moved us inside where we enjoyed fine dinner of king prawns and scallops. I ordered grilled sirloin over a Niçoise salad from the BBQ outside all very nice. Unfortunately the service didn’t match the food in the strange British catch as catch can style when servers have no dedicated section, things get missed and repeated unnecessarily. In this case the server that moved us inside failed to let the other servers know and thus my dinner sat, until I inquired. A small glitch in an otherwise enjoyable evening.

The hotel was great very clean and made up room with a stunning view of the waterfront. The restaurant served us a lovely breakfast with great coffee too. Seoul and Amir provided excellent service 👏🏼

Ordered a large fish and chips for myself and partner we spent over £15! The portion was so small, we were still hungry!!

Ordered chicken chunks as we did last week but something had changed completely. What was advertised on the website was usually what we receive but I’ve included what was provided… You can clearly see why I was disappointed. When I asked if something had gone wrong the answer was no nothing’s different and we have the same supplier. I won’t be going back sadly.

Ordered by phone and showed up 5 minutes early to pick up. Paid and was told the ordered ready, just needed boxing up. Some people came in and collected their orders straight away. Some were ordering as walk-ins. After waiting 10-15 minutes, having seen other orders be completed and put in the warmer while mine just sat there I asked how long it would be - I had my partner driving around as he couldn't get a parking space so wanted to give him an update. I was told 'I'm doing it now'. Finally, 20 minutes after it was promised for pickup, I got my food. Got home and the food was just OK - not great for the price. Large chips previously was more than enough for two - this time a much smaller portion - not very consistent. Wouldn't come here again with such a long wait beyond the time given for pick up.

Paid £30 for a 2 person meal. This is a chippy not the Ritz. Food was also dry, bland and tasteless. Batter on the fish was like supermarket bought. Will never return.

Well I definitely won't be coming back. After placing order was left nearly 45 minutes for sausage and chips 3 times. Big order was being done. Big order all boxed and girl asked where to put it. Guy cooking said in the warmer as not being collected until 8pm. This was at 7.25pm. I would not want to be receiving that food after being in a cardboard box in a warmer. 16 plus boxes of cod and chips plus other items. Counter where Food wrapped was dirty and staff had no care at all. When I commented regarding the hygiene and service I just got a sarcastic reply of yeah okay. A public health lady was in the shop waiting for her order. She stated she will be putting a report through on Monday when back at work. Food okay but very overpriced for what you get.

If you're feeling flush but have a small appetite then this is the place for you. Get charged full wack for a dismal portion that's a large apparently. Outrageous. Won't be coming here again.

Best fish and chips I've eaten in a very long time. Crispy batter and crispy but fluffy inside chips, not at all greasy

Myself and my partner had food here . Was extremely busy however the staff were very quick to notice we were here for food . Seated very quickly and drinks and food order took promptly. The starter ( hot honey chicken ) was insanely good , the right amount of spice to sweet , the main was a slight let down as the chicken itself seemed to have a bizarre flavour that off put the nice sauce it had , however rice was cooked perfectly and the staff just made the evening so much better . Always looking over and making sure we were okay, and water was replenished frequently and consistently. Despite the place being rammed the service was perfect and the food was good . Will definitely be coming back

We often drink and dine at Whittles and we love the atmosphere and the food is great. We held our company summer party- Carol arranged all we needed and we all had an amazing time! Thank you five stars all the way!

Visited here recently for a Sunday roast, lovely decor and atmosphere, friendly and welcoming staff. The roast was nearly as good as what you would make at cook home.The pork was tender, crackling, roast potatoes, vegetables and cauliflower cheese were delicious, the Yorkshire pudding and apple sauce were homemade, which is rare these days, dessert was blueberry and apple crumble with custard, it was lovely, would definitely recommend

We chose to come to whittles for their special Valentine's menu. Wow we chose the right place. From the second we were welcomed in, we felt like royalty. The team at whittles really went to town on the decor for Valentine's, it was really appreciated the place looked amazing! We started off with two beautiful cocktails made by Amanda downstairs in the lounge area, before being taken upstairs to the stunning restaurant. Connor was so attentive all night constantly topping our wine up. The food was unbelievable. The cheese souffle is the greatest souffle I've ever eaten, better than the jetty's. The beef wellington cut like butter, and the pastry was still crispy, perfect. Dessert was stunning too. 5* isn't enough, give this place a try, there really isn't anywhere else around that compares. Thank you for a wonderful evening whittles, we'll be back!

Stunning, stylish and just a little bit glam, why not! Lunch menu plenty to choose from, different evening menu. Food delicious and nicely presented. Staff attentive and knowledgeable with good service. Some might say a little pricey, I say you pay for quality and you’re certainly guaranteed of that here. An enjoyable eating experience. Fine dining at its best.

I was asked tricked by my work colleague Sally where I would most like to eat and locally, and I mentioned whittles as a must go to place... Then for my birthday I was treated to £80 worth of gift vouchers. We visited on Friday March 4th booking a table for 2. As you will see from the interior pics, on entry, you knew it was going to be amazing. Mia, our hostess, server and awesome bar tender, looked after us meticulously from the outset, and is an absolute credit to whittles. The meal from the beginning was awesome :I chose the black pudding scotch egg (check out the pics to see how perfect it was), my partner chose the soufflé and was NOT disappointed. We both opted for the sea bass - sublime!!! The acidity of the salad cutting through the brown crabmeat emulsion and rosemary butter 👌👌. We also decided on the tarragon carrots and shallot crisp which didn't detract from the flavours of the bass. As much as we would have loved dessert, the table next to us, and the one lady's incessant whining forced us retire to the lounge. Mia was there to rescue our ears with THE MOST AWESOME NESPRESSO MARTINI'S. (IF you ever go to whittles just for cocktails... Make sure Mia makes them 🍸🍸👌👌 I was lucky enough to chat with Steve Goswell the executive chef at whittles, and was completely absorbed by his passion of how he wants to take whittles. It was unfortunate that when we went, there were only 2 other tables (one with the whining lady), yet evenings are way busier with much more atmosphere, and we will be going back for sure

Great night, food was really good and the cocktails were tasty and well presented. Our waitress Abbie was amazing and looked after us the whole evening.