Food & Drink HIGHLIGHTS in Poole

The Salt Pig is opening its largest café and restaurant yet at Lighthouse Poole, serving locally sourced Dorset food from 1 September.

Sushi, pizza and Middle Eastern flavours have arrived at The Dolphin Poole, as three independent food spots open in its Street Food area.

Acclaimed seafood chef Nathan Outlaw is behind Outlaw House, a new coastal restaurant, bar and boutique stay opening in Canford Cliffs, Poole, in September 2026.

Discover The Dough Box, a family run mobile pizzeria serving authentic Neapolitan pizzas at Café Riva, Conker Spirit Distillery and events across Dorset, bringing communities together through great food.

Discover five fish and chip shops to try in Poole, from waterfront restaurants on Poole Quay and Lifeboat Quay to traditional neighbourhood takeaways in Parkstone and Hamworthy. Enjoy harbour views at Harlees, a broader seafood menu at Lakeside, an extensive choice of fish at Parkway, locally prepared cruise-night food from All-Ways Fryday and a classic chippy tea from Kings Fish and Chips.

Discover five of the best fish and seafood restaurants in Poole, from fresh daily catches at Rockfish and traditional dishes at The Poole Arms to elegant dining at Guildhall Tavern and harbour views at Rick Stein Sandbanks. This guide also includes the historic Custom House for groups seeking seafood alongside meat and vegetarian choices. Explore relaxed fish and chips, oysters, shellfish and special-occasion restaurants around Poole Harbour.

Discover five farm shops near Poole where we can stock up on seasonal fruit and vegetables, locally reared meat, artisan bread, cheeses, homemade cakes and Dorset produce. From a welcoming shop and deli in Lytchett Matravers to farm cafés near Wimborne, Wareham and West Moors, these countryside destinations offer a more personal alternative to the weekly supermarket shop. Several also include gardens, children’s play spaces or cafés, turning a grocery trip into an enjoyable local day out.

Discover some of the best dog-friendly cafés, pubs and walks in Poole, from lakeside coffee at The Kitchen in Poole Park to coastal outings near The Canford and The Yachtsman. Explore Upton Country Park’s enclosed dog areas, follow the waterfront from Poole Quay to Baiter or enjoy the harbour views at Hamworthy. This guide combines welcoming places to eat with varied walks for dogs of different ages and energy levels.

Searching for pubs showing live sport in Poole? From the lively Jolly Sailor on Poole Quay to welcoming neighbourhood pubs in Parkstone and Canford Heath, we have selected five places where supporters can watch football, rugby, cricket, Formula 1, darts and more. Discover waterside beer gardens, match-day food, Sky Sports and TNT Sports coverage, convenient transport links and the best Poole pubs for enjoying the next major sporting fixture with friends.

Discover five Poole nightlife spots for cocktails, live bands, DJs and evenings that continue beyond dinner. From late-night drinks in Ashley Cross and energetic weekends at Dancing Moose to country music, line dancing and live performances near Poole Quay, these venues each offer a different kind of night out. Poole may have fewer traditional nightclubs than nearby Bournemouth, but its sociable bars and music venues provide plenty of options for drinks, dancing and memorable evenings with friends.

Discover five Poole bakeries worth visiting for artisan sourdough, flaky pastries, handmade cakes, traditional savouries and beautifully designed celebration bakes. From Patisserie Mark Bennett’s established shops across Poole to an Italian bakery in Broadstone and a small home-based cake business in Wallisdown, these local bakers each offer something distinctive. Whether we are collecting fresh bread, meeting a friend for coffee or ordering a cake for a special occasion, this guide covers a varied selection.

Discover five Indian restaurants in Poole worth trying, from contemporary small plates and cocktails in Ashley Cross to Nepalese dumplings, tandoori dishes and traditional curries near Poole Quay. Whether we are planning a sociable sharing meal, searching for something beyond the familiar curry-house menu or arranging a relaxed family dinner, these Poole restaurants offer different settings, regional influences and approaches to Indian cooking without placing them in a strict ranking.

Discover five Italian restaurants in Poole worth booking, from long-established family-run dining rooms near the Quay to contemporary restaurants in Ashley Cross and a Sicilian pizzeria in Penn Hill. Whether we are looking for handmade pasta, seafood linguine, a crisp sourdough pizza or somewhere atmospheric for a family celebration, these Poole restaurants each offer a different interpretation of Italian dining without placing them in a strict ranking.

Discover five Poole pubs worth visiting, from historic inns overlooking the harbour to stylish gastropubs, neighbourhood favourites and relaxed venues close to the beach. Rather than ranking them from “best” to worst, this guide highlights what makes each pub different, whether we are searching for fresh seafood on Poole Quay, a generous Sunday roast, a sunny garden, live entertainment or somewhere welcoming for the whole family.

Discover five of the best brunch spots in Poole, from Sicilian-inspired breakfasts and colourful sharing boards to classic cooked dishes served beside the harbour. Whether we are planning a relaxed weekend catch-up, breakfast before exploring Poole Quay or a coastal brunch near Sandbanks, these independent cafés and restaurants offer some of the most distinctive brunch experiences in Poole.