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The Best Restaurants in Bournemouth, England

Bournemouth Pier in the sun
Bournemouth Pier in the sun | © Dami Akinbode

This charming British seaside town has been attracting visitors for years with its panoramic sea views, buzzing atmosphere, delicious local cuisine and fascinating wildlife. The regional delights on offer here truly do display the best of Dorset. Come and get a taste of this coastal gem by sampling the fresh seafood, regional vegetables and locally reared meats that have earned this European summer getaway its reputation as a haven for foodies.

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Urban Reef

The beachfront terrace at Urban Reef

Urban Reef offers a unique opportunity to enjoy some of the best in Dorset cuisine, right on the seafront. This idyllic setting offers a breathtaking panorama of both Bournemouth Bay and Boscombe Promenade – some of the most spectacular sights in the county. The menu aims to showcase the best of Dorset cuisine, and diners can enjoy regional delicacies such as Dorset rock oysters and Cornish mussels as they gaze out onto the natural landscape from which their meal has been sourced. An impressive range of cocktails, wines, beers and spirits make Urban Reef a superb location for meeting and enjoying a drink with friends.

Bournemouth Pizza Co

Love and attention to detail simply burst from each delicious mouthful here at the Bournemouth Pizza Co thanks to the pizza dough, which is made fresh each morning and left to rise for the optimal time. Another secret behind the fantastic flavours of the pizza here? The wood-fired oven that cooks each pizza in true, authentic Italian style. This pizzeria has quickly become one of Bournemouth’s hottest hipster hang-outs due to its stylishly minimalist decor, funky art displays and excellent choice of retro music.

Tiien Thai

Since is launch in 2011, this Thai restaurant on West Cliff has earned itself much respect within Bournemouth’s food scene and was the winner of the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award 2015. The excellent bar menu and delightful summer terrace make Tiien a great place to relax and enjoy a cocktail with friends. The interior is elegant and contemporary with sleek wooden panelling and ambient lighting. Considering the superb quality of the food, the menu at Tiien offers great value for money.

Café Boscanova

Serving up the best coffee in the whole of the town, this Bournemouth landmark is a local favourite. The lattes are deliciously creamy, the atmosphere lively and buzzing, and the staff welcoming. Boscanova’s outdoor seating offers a wonderful space for sitting and soaking up the Bournemouth atmosphere while watching the world go by over a generous plateful of tasty treats. As well as the traditional English breakfast, Boscanova’s menu also features personalised American pancakes, a dish for which the café is famous. Come to Boscanova to try the best pancakes in Bournemouth.

Flirt

Kitsch interiors and fascinating furnishings have made Flirt into the favourite watering hole of Bournemouth’s artsy crowd. Retro decor, the unique menu and ambient lighting from vintage lamps create an interesting and trendy atmosphere. The seats at Flirt is largely recycled, with some aeroplane chairs in a past life. The menu is just as quirk and includes delights such as Creme Egg hot chocolate, Asian bubble tea, hearty butternut squash pie and tasty Jamaican jambalaya. The waffles here, smothered in toppings and dripping with sauces, are another must-try, rivalling even the heavenly creations of Café Boscanova. Flirt also plays host to photography exhibitions and live music.

The Crab

The town’s lush and abundant surroundings mean that Bournemouth benefits from some of the best local produce in the UK. The fish and chips at The Crab puts a gourmet twist on this traditional British favourite and is just one of many fantastic seafood dishes on the restaurant’s menu. The fish is bought from local Dorset markets and the menu changes with the seasons to only include the highest quality of produce.

Sixty Million Postcards

Hearty English pub food

Retro furnishings and interesting takes on traditional pub grub make for a winning combination here at Sixty Million Postcards. The vegetarian Shroomaloomi burger, made with halloumi cheese and mushrooms, is a perfect example of the creativity that suffuses every aspect of Sixty Million Postcards. The pulled pork and smoked chipotle jam burger is another particular favourite. For those seeking something a little less experimental, the excellent traditional Sunday roasts here are famous throughout Bournemouth.

About the author

Marianna is a language enthusiast, Oxford University student, Bake Off fanatic, and general sucker for a pun. Catch her in caf?s reading Pushkin and sipping on chai lattes, in the kitchen armed with a spatula, on the dance floor getting her groove on to traditional Russian folk tunes, or precariously (and not very successfully) attempting to cycle on the streets of Oxford.

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