Searching for the best restaurants in Southbourne, Bournemouth? Discover five standout places to eat on and around Southbourne Grove, from European brasserie dishes and wood-fired cooking to Spanish tapas, Moroccan mezze and relaxed all-day dining. Whether we are planning a date night, sharing dinner with friends or looking for a family-friendly restaurant near Southbourne Beach, these popular Southbourne restaurants offer something for every occasion.
28th July 2026
Best Southbourne Restaurants | Places to Eat on Southbourne Grove | Dorset Lifestyle
Southbourne Grove has developed into one of Bournemouth’s most interesting places to eat. Independent restaurants, neighbourhood bars and international kitchens sit within walking distance of one another, allowing us to choose between modern European cooking, Spanish tapas, Moroccan mezze and relaxed all-day dining.
The variety is part of the appeal. We can dress up for a special dinner, share several plates over cocktails or stop for something informal after a walk along the beach. These five Southbourne restaurants each offer a different reason to visit the Grove.
Dicky’s brings the atmosphere of a welcoming European neighbourhood brasserie to the heart of Southbourne Grove.
The independent, family-led restaurant opened in 2019 and serves a seasonally changing menu with European and Dutch influences. Founder Dick’s Netherlands heritage can be seen in dishes such as bitterballen - small croquettes traditionally filled with rich beef ragout - and Dutch biefstuk served with fries, bread and gravy.
The wider menu combines familiar brasserie favourites with more contemporary dishes. Current choices include mussels, seafood linguine, chicken schnitzel, steaks, fish and chips, risotto and a changing catch of the day. There are also smaller plates that work well when we want drinks and something to share rather than a full three-course meal.
Dicky’s is especially well suited to a date night, celebratory lunch or relaxed dinner accompanied by wine. The setting feels polished without becoming excessively formal, although its smart-casual approach and minimum age policy make it more suited to adult dining than a meal with young children.
Best for: European brasserie dining
Location: 54 - 56 Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth, BH6 3RB
Try: Dutch bitterballen followed by the signature Dutch steak
Good to know: The restaurant currently welcomes children aged ten and over, and only guide dogs are permitted inside.
The Larder House is one of Southbourne Grove’s most distinctive dining destinations.
Its cooking is built around fire, with a wood-fired oven and charcoal grill forming the heart of the kitchen. The restaurant describes its approach as a celebration of ingredients and their origins, drawing inspiration from Dorset and further afield rather than limiting itself to one particular cuisine.
That makes a meal here feel less predictable than a visit to a conventional neighbourhood restaurant. Smoke, fire and seasonal produce influence the menu, while the atmospheric interior gives us plenty to discover beyond the plate.
Hidden within the venue is The Library, an intimate cocktail space filled with spirits and curiosities. Its seasonal drinks have included combinations of bourbon and mulled-wine syrup, tequila with strawberry vermouth, and an alcohol-free mix of pine-honey shrub, apple and lemon. Booking dinner followed by a drink in The Library can turn an ordinary evening into a complete Southbourne night out.
Best for: Creative cooking and a memorable evening
Location: 4 Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth, BH6 3QZ
Try: A dish prepared over fire, followed by a seasonal cocktail in The Library
Good to know: The restaurant is currently closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Sunday food orders finishing earlier than on other opening days.
Bodega gives us the chance to experience Spanish-style dining without leaving Southbourne Grove.
Rather than ordering a traditional starter and main course, we can build the meal from tapas and pintxos, ordering several small plates for the table and allowing them to arrive as they are prepared. The restaurant recommends approximately two or three dishes per person for a full meal, although the sharing format lets us order as much or as little as we like.
The menu balances familiar favourites with dishes we may not see everywhere else. Current options include pil pil prawns cooked with garlic, parsley and chilli oil, fried squid, Spanish tortilla, pan con tomate, patatas bravas, blistered padrón peppers and dates baked with blue cheese. Vegetarian and vegan choices are clearly represented throughout the menu.
Bodega works particularly well for groups and couples who enjoy choosing food together. A few plates can accompany an informal drink, while a larger selection creates a sociable dinner that encourages us to slow down and keep exploring the menu.
Best for: Spanish tapas and sharing plates
Location: 81 Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth
Try: Pil pil prawns, tortilla Española and patatas bravas
Good to know: Dishes arrive when they are ready rather than in a fixed order.
Makla brings the flavours and sociable dining traditions of Morocco and the wider Mediterranean to Southbourne.
The independent, family-run restaurant began as Aladdin’s Street Food, appearing at festivals and events including Camp Bestival, the Isle of Wight Festival and Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival. Its journey eventually led to a permanent restaurant close to Southbourne Grove. The name Makla means “food” in Darija, the Moroccan Arabic language.
Meals are designed around a mezze-style experience rather than conventional starters and main courses. Food arrives from the kitchen when it is ready, allowing us to fill the table with dips, breads, salads, vegetables, grilled dishes and aromatic specialities to share.
This format makes Makla particularly enjoyable when we are dining with friends or introducing somebody to Moroccan food for the first time. We can taste several contrasting dishes rather than committing to a single plate, while the spices, colours and presentation make the experience feel very different from a standard high-street meal.
Best for: Moroccan flavours and mezze dining
Location: 217 Seabourne Road, Bournemouth, BH5 2HL
Try: A mixed selection of dips, warm bread and sharing dishes
Good to know: Makla is located on Seabourne Road at the eastern end of Southbourne’s main shopping and dining area.
Ludo Lounge earns its place for versatility.
Situated directly on Southbourne Grove, the large café-bar serves food and drinks throughout the day. We can visit for breakfast, lunch, dinner or cocktails without having to plan the occasion too carefully. Separate vegan and gluten-free menus also make it a practical choice when a group has several dietary requirements.
The venue is much larger than it initially appears. Full-width windows at the front open towards the high street, while the light-filled interior leads through to a sizeable roof terrace at the back. This makes Ludo particularly appealing for summer drinks, an informal family meal or a spontaneous catch-up with friends.
It does not offer the intimate independent feel of some of the other restaurants in this guide, but its broad menu and relaxed atmosphere make it one of Southbourne’s most convenient all-round choices. Children, dogs and groups with different tastes can all be accommodated more easily than at a smaller specialist restaurant.
Best for: Informal all-day dining and groups
Location: Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth
Try: Brunch during the day or dinner followed by drinks on the roof terrace
Good to know: Children’s, vegan and gluten-free menus are available.
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