The Best Places to Eat in Poole, Tested by a Local

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Living in Poole for over 5 years, I consider myself to be a local who pretty much knows all the corners of this town. During this time, I discovered many great places to eat in Poole, from small family owned restaurants to delightful coffee shops along the Quay.

If you are visiting the town and wondering where to eat in Poole, then this guide is just what you need.

There are many great restaurants in Poole, and this list combines my suggestions based on my own preferences. You can use Bookatable to make a reservation at your desired restaurant in Poole, as the most popular ones tend to be very busy, especially during weekends.  You can also use their Restaurants near me option to check out what other cuisines are available nearby if you fancy a particular type of food such as Chinese or Indian. I wanted to recommend you my favorite Indian restaurant in Poole actually but unfortunately, it closed down. They used to make the most delicious butter chicken I have ever had outside of India. If you do fancy an exceptional Indian restaurant, however, I can recommend you Indi’s, which is in Westbourne, 20 minutes from Poole.

Let’s see now which are the best restaurants in Poole, in my opinion.

The Guildhall Tavern

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This restaurant deserves its highly ratings from Tripadvisor. Open only a few days a week, the Guildhaull Tavern is a French fish restaurant that serves amazing dishes and it is always busy. I had dinner here for my birthday (I barely managed to get a reservation on that particular day) and enjoyed every second of it. I ordered the garlic Escargots as a starter, the monkfish, which was perfectly cooked and full of flavour, as a main, and the crepe suzette for dessert, which was lit on fire at the table.

This is a very popular restaurant for which you do need to book ahead to guarantee a table.

Isan Thai

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This restaurant is family run by a Thai-British couple and offers authentic Thai food. I was introduced to this restaurant by one of my gym colleagues and since then I come here every time I crave Pad Thai. The food is outstanding and the service very attentive, you are treated more like a friend rather than a customer. The food is very affordable, with plenty of specialities from the Isan area of Thailand under £10. At Isan Thai I had the best Masaman Curry ever.

The restaurant also offers take away services.

Brewhouse & Kitchen

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When I first moved to Poole, this restaurant used to be my place to go for a gourmet dinner. Back then it was called The Rising Sun. A couple of years after it got sold to the Brewhouse and Kitchen chain, but they have kept the chefs, so the food remained at the same high quality.

This is the place to go in summer for a refreshing drink in their beer garden, or when you want to delight yourself with a good burger. The pub is now a micro-brewery, producing their own beer, besides the numerous ones that they are selling at the bar. They also have an international selection of beer and cider. They also sell brewing masterclasses, so if you want to learn how to make your own beer, this is the perfect opportunity.

Deli on The Quay

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This is by far my favourite coffee shop in Poole. I have eaten at the Deli on the Quay so many times and, in summer, I tend to have brunch here at least once a week. What I love most about the Deli on the Quay is the quality of the food, which is all made in house. There are many deli options to choose from: salads, pies, quiches (my favourite) and freshly baked pastries and cakes. During the years I think I have tasted their entire menu.

They also sell different gourmet products from around the world, the interior of the café serving as a display for them.

What I also love about the Deli on the Quay is the location, right on the Poole Quay. If you come here a little bit earlier you can get a table outside, overlooking the harbour. The Deli on the Quay is also a dog friendly establishment, so you can bring along your four-legged friend. It is a venue among the locals, especially when the weather is good.

Harlees Fish and Chips

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Without a doubt, Harlees has the best fish and chips in Poole. They do have a restaurant, but I love buying my small portion of fish and chips (which is plenty and I barely finish it), and take it with me across the street, to eat whilst sitting on the Quay, looking towards Brownsea Island.

In summer there is always a queue to buy fish and chips from Harlees. I recommend the haddock with the chunky cheeps drenched in vinegar on the side. They also make their own tartar sauce.

The Poole Stable

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For good pizza, head over to the Poole Stable, located on the Quay as well. Homed by a very pretty old house, with exposed wooden beams and wooden furniture, this restaurant is part of the Stable chain. Their menu offers mostly pizzas and pies, made with locally sourced ingredients on a sourdough base. They also have over 50 varieties of cider on sale and they are always happy to help you choose the best one for your taste. Who doesn’t love a free tasting before deciding on what cider to buy? 🙂

All Things Nice

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Located on the High Street, this modest café might not look like much from the outside, but it is a great place to come for breakfast and lunch. They make deli classics such as salads, coleslaw, jacket potatoes, delicious English breakfasts, but they are also the home of the giant Dorset Apple Pie. The size of this apple pie is insane, and it is a must when you visit Poole!

The Shah of Persia

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There was a time when I used to go to the Shah of Persia with my friends every Wednesday. Not only that on that day they had the quiz night but also their curries for all two for one. As a very competitive team, we did win a few times the quiz. But let’s get to the food, the curry was always good, mild as I liked it, served with rice, fries or both.

Now they have extended their 2 for 1 offer to all their main meals, so it’s always a great deal to come and eat here if you are on a budget. I have tried their burgers and their desserts as well, and all were very good.

Sprinkles Gelato

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If you have a sweet tooth, head over to Sprinkles Gelato. I remember how everyone used to go to Bournemouth for their favourite treat, before Sprinkles opened a restaurant in Poole. They serve ice cream treats in various combinations and flavours (Cheeky Cherry is my usually choice) but also waffles, crepes and cookie dough. Their hot chocolates are worth mentioning as well, the velvety one is so good, perfect for when you feel a bit cold, in winter.

What do you think? Have you visited Poole before? Did you eat at any of these restaurants before? Do you know other Poole local restaurants worth mentioning in this guide? I would love to hear your opinions in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: This post has been written in collaboration with Bookatable.

Some of the links one this website are “affiliate links.” This means that if you click on the link and do a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. This helps me keep my website running and continue to share my traveling knowledge with you. I thank you for booking your flights or hotels using the links on my website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

11 thoughts on “The Best Places to Eat in Poole, Tested by a Local

  1. Pingback: 10+ of the Best Weekend Breaks in Dorset | The Silver Nomad

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