Best Restaurants in Bournemouth

Where to eat in Bournemouth for a sea view

Overlooking Bournemouth Beach, the sea view is spectacular from WestBeach. And their story is pretty incredible: the brothers who own WestBeach used to sell melons to tourists along the promenade when they were children. Fast-forward to adulthood and the restaurant unit on the beachfront came up for tender, so they jumped at the chance. Their instinct was right, because they created a hugely successful restaurant from humble beginnings. And in 2007, their restaurant was awarded by Seafresh best Seafood restaurant in England. WestBeach is the perfect setting to eat fresh fish. And it’s all caught from the local waters around Bournemouth and Poole. If you fancy an early morning walk on the beach, finish it with WestBeach crab benedict and avocado on toast and soak in that view!

Where to eat in Bournemouth if you‘re vegetarian or vegan

Although The Coconut Tree is not specifically a vegetarian or vegan restaurant, there are so many delectable vegan options on the menu that you will find it hard to choose! The mango curry Amba Maluwa is a taste sensation: tangy, sweet and sour. The striking flavour comes from using unripe mango which is softened in the coconut sauce. Or how about the kale and radish sambol: fresh kale tossed with onion, grated coconut, tomatoes and lime. The puddings are just as exciting. Try the vegan stracciatella (hand-crafted chocolate-chip ice cream) or creamy raspberry ripple mousse with a fresh compote base, topped with a dusting of chilli. 

Where to eat in Bournemouth for an all you can eat buffet

For those times when you have different food cravings and dietary requirements within your dining party (pretty much every time!) then head to COSMO, a world buffet restaurant offering a variety of different cuisines on an ‘all you can eat’ basis. The restaurant interior is stylish with a bronze colour scheme and ambient lighting. Whether you fancy a roast, Chinese, Indian, Japanese or Italian — it’s all here. Plus, the live cooking stations make the experience theatrical; the COSMO chefs will wow you with their skills. Dessert is also a very personal choice — have you ever felt obliged not to order a dessert as your fellow diners aren’t ‘pudding people’? Well at COSMO, it won’t feel strange to all choose different food or drinks to end the meal. Cheesecake, profiteroles, a dip in the chocolate fountain, some fresh fruit or jasmine tea, whatever you fancy. And the drinks are plentiful: cocktails, beer, wine, champagne, soft drinks… They’ll be something for everyone. 

Where to eat in Bournemouth for fish and chips

Once voted Britain’s best fish and chip shop, Chez Fred maintains its excellent reputation. Since opening in 1989, the well-loved chippie has been run by three generations of the Capel family who offer their customers the nation’s best fish and chips along with a warm welcome. The sustainable fish is covered with an inimitable batter (Fred’s recipe remains top secret!) And the chips are done to perfection. In fact, if you are eating in, the chips are ‘bottomless’ so you can eat as many as you like! 

Where to eat in Bournemouth with kids

El Murrino, you had us at ‘iPad bar’! Yes, there is such a thing, and it’s here at El Murrino. An iPad bar that has been purposefully created for entertaining your kids. Along with iPads, they have plenty of mouth-watering pizza. So essentially, El Murrino is kid (and adult) heaven. The pizza isn’t just any pizza either, it’s hand-stretched using slow-rising dough and authentic Italian ingredients. There are also some delicious pasta and risotto dishes on the menu. And this family-run gem has an open kitchen so you can see your order being skillfully created. They even have a bambino menu, which your children’s faves are sure to be on. And with a pudding on offer like Nutella pizza served with strawberries to finish…this will probably become a regular haunt!