Best Restaurants on Sandbanks
Dining Out on the Golden Mile
Known as “Britain’s Palm Beach”, Sandbanks is one of the most exclusive postcodes in the world. With its sparkling views across Poole Harbour from Studland Bay to the Isle of Wight, it’s plain to see why this dreamy setting on the Dorset coast has become so desirable. And it’s not just the views – the local food and drink scene ranks highly too, Sandbanks is home to several award-winning restaurants.
If you’re planning a stay in one of Rumsey’s Sandbanks holiday homes, you’ll be keen to see what’s on the local menu. Here’s the low down on the best restaurants on the golden mile…
Rich Stein – Sandbanks
Let’s start with one of the UK’s most celebrated chefs, a household name who regularly appears on our television screens. Rich Stein – Sandbanks is a stylish, shoreside restaurant where the views are as good on the plate as they are of the ocean horizon. Sink your fish knives into perfectly cooked Dover sole, pick your way through a pink and succulent lobster thermidor, or your dance your oyster forks through a freshly shucked seafood appetiser. Complemented by a world-class wine menu, enjoy authentic dining experiences in a stylish setting where the food takes centre stage. Seafood is sourced from up and down the West Country coast, from the kitchen gardens of its Padstow sister restaurant to local Dorset rock oysters. The ideal venue for a special occasion or that long, overdue date night, just make sure your make time for a moonlit stroll along the beach post-crumb down.
Lazy Jacks
On a mission to bring the region’s most outstanding flavours and textures to your plate, Lazy Jacks is anything but the name. The classic menu is laden with big grill classics, add to that the sizzling pizzeria and you’ve got an irresistible beachside eatery. Number one on the menu is one of the nation’s favourites, fish ‘n’ chips, wrapped in golden batter and fried to perfection. By day a lively breakfast and lunch venue, by night a snazzy bistro with an “out out” vibe and a seductive cocktail menu to match. Takeaways are also a big hit here too. If it’s that lazy but moreish Sunday vibe you’re seeking, a Jack’s roast dinner is the hottest ticket on the Sandbanks mile. One of the best eats on the peninsula.
The Anchorage
A chic bistro tucked away in Canford Cliffs, The Anchorage is only a stone’s throw from the seafront. Recently refurbished and rebranded, this swish gastropub is proving a real hit with diners who can indulge in a wholesome seasonal menu which includes signature dishes from renowned Highlands butcher, John Gilmour, and includes the world-famous Colchester Rock oysters. The fully laden bar, complete with a sophisticated wine larder, also serves delicious cocktails.
The Tandy
All day dining is very much at the heart of The Tandy, which can seat 70 guests in one sitting, spread over three dining areas, each with its own style – elegant to beach chic. On the menu, you can expect to find a tableau of seasonal dishes, a ‘bistronomic’ a la carte du jour, a selection of artisan pizzas cooked to order, and a devotion to the best local ingredients. The Tandy has a busy lineup of events, regular Thursday ‘ladies’ nights full of floor filling tunes and plenty of Prosecco, while resident DJs spin some chilled house to accompany your Friday sundowners and bring big, party beats to your Saturday night celebrations.
Shell Bay Seafood
With its stunning location just off the Isle of Purbeck, Shell Bay Seafood boasts incredible views towards Brownsea Island Nature Reserve and beyond Poole Harbour to the sparkling shores of Sandbanks. You can journey to the restaurant by ferry from Sandbanks or enjoy a pleasure drive taking in the historic ruins of Corfe Castle. As well as an accomplished a la carte menu, you can also enjoy light bites and gourmet snacks from the bistro. On a sunny day, the restaurant terrace garden is the place to go to savour these fabulous views from the water’s edge. Having started life as a beach shack, the restaurant has managed to keep alive that rustic charm, championing local seafood and showcasing a variety of contemporary and classic dishes, served twice daily. Make sure you leave room for a stroll along the beach.
The Point
Only a champagne cork pop from the water’s edge, The Point Restaurant is a chic establishment headed by award-winning chef, Jason Hornbuckle, whose menu encapsulates the stunning surroundings and the tastes and textures of Dorset. Inspired by the home cooking of his grandparents’ farm kitchen, Jason’s career behind the hot plate includes French culinary training and Michelin-star hotels, his Asian travels also proving an inspiration. Recently refurbished, guests can also enjoy breakfast at sunrise and an imrpessive lunch menu.
Caff
Head back along the iconic Banks Road to find our next Sandbanks eaterie, a busy café known to Sandbankers as “Caff”. Going by the name, you’d be forgiven for harbouring visions of a truck stop. No offence to truckers, but this is anything but…unless you’re partial to barista-style coffees and dainty patisseries. Two doors down from Rick Stein Sandbanks, Caff captures beachgoers with its tempting menu full of light bites and well-presented café classics. You’ll find lots of vegan and vegetarian options to choose from, plus there’s a big sign out front welcoming your doggy chums. This popular breakfast kitchen is the ideal beginning or end to your shoreside walks or paddleboard adventures.
Rockwater
Located on the sparkling shores of Branksome, with spectacular views that stretch from Studland’s Old Harry Rocks all the way to Bournemouth Bay, Rockwater offers bespoke dining and events experiences ideal for large groups and parties. If you’ve travelled to Sandbanks for a family reunion or a gathering of friends, this could be the venue of choice for your special date or memorable occasions. The front of house team can arrange every detail to suit your gathering, from the food and drinks to the décor and entertainment. The roof terrace and lounge are available for private hire throughout the year, with exclusive and semi-exclusive options available.
Jazz Café
Set alongside the county’s most-celebrated Blue Flag beach, the Jazz Café is laid-back venue with a penchant for antiques. The café-cum-bistro has a team of chefs on a mission to serve exquisitely presented dishes full of local flavours, taking full advantage of the region’s top growers and artisans. Serving breakfasts, lunches and dinners, along with an array of cakes and nibbles, as the name would suggest this popular Shore Road outlet also hosts a thriving live music scene. The café very much rolls with the seasons, a busy sun terrace for those lazy summer days, and a cosy wood burner with log piled nooks ready for Autumn on the bay. It’s even got its own library!
The Haven Ferry Café
Let’s give a shout out for Sandbanks’ smaller food outlets such as the Haven Ferry Café on the iconic Banks Road. This busy venue is open seven days of the week and run by a friendly family team. The sit-down menu is a hearty collection of sizzling pub-style classics with plenty of seafood bites and traditional and speciality breakfast options to choose from. Add to that a freshly-ground, barista-style coffee menu and some delectable cakes and pastries, and you’ve got a thriving beachside cafe for eat-ins and takeaways. Friendly welcome guaranteed.
Aside from all the fantastic places to eat, there’s often nothing better than a relaxed family barbecue or homecooked meal in the comfort of your self-catering holiday home. Rumsey of Sandbanks has got an exciting collection of holiday properties perched along this famous, golden mile – take your pick!