Upper Deck Bar & Restaurant

Mudeford may not be as glamorous or as chic as Sandbanks, but it’s a great location – quieter and away from the traffic of Bournemouth and Poole. Located in the Christchurch Harbour Hotel, the Upper Deck operates as an informal, good-value brasserie alongside the more formal Jetty restaurant – both overseen by one-time Michelin-starred chef Alex Aitken (a well-known name in these parts). Come here for morning coffee and sandwiches or plump for something more ambitious such as scallops with sticky pork belly and cauliflower mash followed by slow-cooked shoulder of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes and ratatouille. The venue really does feel like the top-deck dining room on an ocean liner, complete with huge arched windows framing the views of the harbour, while a stool-lined bar and direct access to the decked terrace help to create a lively buzz.