Eating Out and Takeaways in Poole
Being a seaside town, trying a dish or two of the local seafood is a must when visiting Poole. There are many restaurants, pubs and cafés whose menus feature fish, shellfish, crab and lobster caught from local waters – you can’t get fresher than that!
Look out for menus with local produce grown in Dorset. From free-range chickens to organic vegetables and grass-fed beef – it’s the best of the county’s food and drink, from farm to fork.
You can’t visit the seaside without having fish and chips. Eat them on the quayside, down on the beach or at a viewpoint looking over Poole Harbour while watching the sun set on another beautiful day in Poole.
Poole Quay
Sit back and enjoy the waterside views at Poole Quay and marina. Whether you’re just having a morning coffee and a pastry watching the world go by, or you’ve stopped for lunch or dinner, soak up the bustling atmosphere of the Quay.
You’ll find a mixture of traditional pubs as well as modern restaurants and cafés all along the quayside. Some offer takeaways so that you enjoy something to eat or drink sat on the quayside or at nearby Harbourside Park.
If the weather is nice, you might like to choose one with outside seating or a terrace overlooking the water. If you’re visiting during one of the annual events such as the summer fireworks or Quay For My Car, be sure to book yourself a table or get there early to get a prime spot with views of the water.
Sandbanks
The exclusive Sandbanks peninsula is great for people watching. Soak up the café culture as you grab a bite to eat and watch the sports cars of the rich and famous drive by.
There is everything in Sandbanks from low-cost beachside kiosks to high-end hotel restaurants. Rick Stein opened a restaurant here in 2015 – informal dining matched with stunning views of Poole Harbour and amazing food is the recipe for success.
And this beach resort is not just for summer – even in winter, the eateries are filled with people seeking fresh air and beautiful views.
Cosmopolitan Poole
You may think of Poole as a place for lunch or dinner, but what about breakfast, brunch, elevenses and supper! And don’t forget the all-important after dinner cocktails.
Catering for all tastes and times of day, the areas of Canford Cliffs, Ashley Cross and Penn Hill have clusters of patisseries, bistros and bars perfect for visitors looking for somewhere hip and happening. And if you’re visiting after dark, you’ll find these are the most popular areas for sampling a tipple or two of your favourite drink.