Eat out like a local

There’s certainly no shortage of places to eat out in and around Poole. Whatever your favourite, be it traditional good ‘pub grub’, freshly caught fish, or something more international such as Thai, Indian or Italian, you’ll find it here!

But what about those places to eat and drink that are really recommended by a local – the ones you head back to time and time again? Here are some suggestions to explore…

Something fishy

Think of Poole harbour and the Dorset coast, and you think of fishing. The traditional fishing boats bring in their catch daily, sone selling it straight from the boat. So, it’s no surprise that there’s a great choice of fish restaurants in and around Poole. One of the best (and an all year round favourite of locals) is the ‘Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant’. Set in one of the most stunning locations on the edge of Studland, with views across Poole Harbour and to Brownsea Island, it rivals the best views in the Mediterranean and offers a fantastic selection of locally sourced seafood. Book a table next to the terrace for an unrivalled sunset view!

Shell Bay The stunning location of the Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant

Fish lovers should also check out relative newcomer ‘Rockfish’, on Poole Quay. Delicious fish, a few surprises (curried mushy peas!) and great service makes this a recommendation. In stylish Sandbanks, check out ‘Rick Stein’s’. Again, fabulous views across Poole are on offer, together with a mouth-watering menu.

Family-friendly fare

Fancy brunch by the beach? Check out the ‘Jazz Café at Sandbanks’. A local institution for many years, its casual ‘shabby surf chic’, with a touch of style, great location by the beach, and delicious food too. It offers family-friendly location, with a large outdoor seating area minutes from the beach.

A recommendation that many will drive past without noticing is the ‘Bakers Arms’, on the Upton by-pass in Lytchett Minster, just a couple of miles outside Poole. A stylish and spacious pub restaurant, with lots of outdoor space and reliably good food all year round. The menu is varied enough to cater for all tastes and budgets, from oven baked pizza to steak, veggie and vegan options, and a lighter lunch menu too. Great for group gatherings too!

‘The Kitchen’ in Poole Park is another recommendation. Great for a family lunch, it is set in the heart of Poole Park overlooking the lakes. It’s only open until 8pm, so for a long lunch or a pre-performance bite before visiting the Lighthouse, it’s ideal.

The Kitchen in Poole Park offers great views and tasty food

Off the beaten track…

As a long-time local, I like to head a couple of miles west out of Poole to Wareham to eat at a couple of ‘hidden gems.’ Try the ‘Black Bear’, a cosy bistro in a hotel in Wareham High Street. The menu is based on locally sourced produce, and there’s a café selling homemade cakes and local produce too.

Also in Wareham High Street, ‘The Salt Pig’ is a no-frills small and cosy café with tempting home made food, and a deli offering local take-out fish, meat, and many other Dorset-sourced tasty treats (try Purbeck ice cream – it’s delicious!). Time it right, and you can take a boat cruise from Poole Harbour to Wareham and back to make a day of it.

And finally, back in Poole, amongst the many traditional pubs around the Old Town, the Antelope in the High Street is a reliable choice for a tasty meal and a wide choice of drinks in a traditional setting. Enjoy the ambience of the area, just a few minutes from Poole Quay.

Hopefully this has given you some ‘food for thought’ – explore and enjoy!

This blog has been written by Geraldine Cetin.