Restaurants in Poole

We couldn’t write a guide to the best restaurants in Poole without starting at Guildhall Tavern on Market Street. You don’t need to get a ferry to Cherbourg to eat stunning French cuisine, as this Michelin guide restaurant serves up some of the best French seafood you will ever try. If you enjoy a glass of wine to accompany your meal, then let the knowledgeable staff recommend one from their extensive list to complement your chosen dish.

An alternative fine dining establishment is Isabel’s Restaurant in the Parkstone area of Poole. It’s another Michelin guide eatery, which serves a mixture of beautiful French and British dishes. The decor at Isabel’s is what sets it apart, especially if you are a couple looking for a romantic meal in one of their booths. If you want to visit either of the above listed restaurants, you will need to book ahead as they are extremely popular.

There are plenty of options for a more moderately priced meal in Poole, with restaurants covering cuisines from every corner of the globe. Bingley’s Bistro is an intimate 20-seater restaurant housed in a 16th-century building on High Street, just a short walk from the quay. It serves a cosmopolitan range of superb homemade dishes, ranging from British classics to Mediterranean masterpieces. Booking in advance is required, but it’s well worth it.

If the thought of Mediterranean food has piqued your interest, then Karma Mediterranean Grill & Bistro will be right up your street. It too is located on High Street, and it’s warm and inviting interior adds to the relaxed charm that this place offers. For dishes like moussaka, kleftiko and mixed grills, this is the place to go.

Italian food lovers are spoilt for choice in Poole. We have picked out two restaurants that we recommend you try during your visit. The first is Italian Diva located on – you guessed it – High Street. This restaurant sources some ingredients locally, but the chef patron insists that certain ingredients are sourced in Italy. For example, the olive oil comes from Rome and the ricotta is brought in from Naples. This ensures that guests are given a truly authentic experience when they choose to eat here. Just down the road from Italian Diva is Ginali’s, a lovely little Italian which serves delicious food in a relaxed setting. If you have a sweet tooth, then the desserts here will be one of the highlights of your visit to Poole.

Poole is also home to some excellent Thai restaurants. Sakuna Khrua, tucked in between the aforementioned Bingley’s Bistro and Karma, is a bustling eatery which brings the fresh flavours of Thailand to the coastal town of Poole. It also makes use of its surroundings by offering delicious seafood in some of its dishes. Try their famous jungle curry; you won’t regret it. Head east past the boating lake and you’ll find Isan Thai on Parkstone Road. The meals here taste as good as they look, and they look fantastic! For lovely authentic Thai food at a reasonable price, you really can’t go wrong here.

If it’s an Indian you are craving, we recommend The Himachol. Residing on Ashley Road, it is slightly further away from the town centre than our other recommended restaurants, but you can still drive there in around 12 minutes if you are staying at our Poole North hotel. With a variety of dishes taking inspiration from the food landmarks of India, such as Madras, Calcutta and Goa, this is a food experience that is not to be missed if subcontinental food is your thing.

Rounding off our guide to Poole restaurants is Bamboo Leaf. If you are fancying a feast, then this all you can eat Chinese is the perfect place to satisfy your hunger. Don’t let the unlimited food aspect fool you though, as the dishes here are genuinely tasty. It is also welcoming to families, which makes it a great place to bring the kids.