Glass-fronted WestBeach restaurant is a gorgeous space which benefits from an ideal location, just yards from the beach, sea and pier.
The restaurant does a brilliant job of bringing the outside in, with its glass frontage opening out onto Bournemouth’s famously pretty beach. On warmer days, the outside tables are the place to be thanks to wooden decking to keep the sand away and retractable awnings that offer shade from the sun.
Inside, WestBeach’s dining room is an open-plan space with a laid-back, beach-style vibe that allows those stunning views to do most of the talking. Sanded down wooden tables and chairs and sky blue walls add to the serene feel, while daily-changing specials written up on blackboards and chefs beavering away in full view thanks to an open kitchen show diners that WestBeach is far from a case of style over substance.
When it comes to the food served here, you won’t be surprised to discover that fresh fish dominates, sourced from local waters as well as Brixham and Billingsgate. Expect to tuck into the likes of Thai monkfish curry, pan-fried halibut or poached cod. There is still sufficient choice to please meat lovers though, with carnivorous options including the likes of 8oz fillet steak that can be enjoyed alongside chips or rocket and parmesan salad.
Once you have polished off your mains, pick from the range of traditional desserts. There is chocolate fondant with clotted cream ice cream and citrus tart for those with a sweet tooth, while lovers of all things savoury can instead opt for a local cheeseboard accompanied by chutneys and biscuits.
WestBeach is also open for breakfast and lunch. Begin your day with eggs benedict or crushed avocado on sourdough toast, while the quick lunch menu brings a selection of inexpensive, popular dishes – think beer-battered cod, a fish finger sandwich or a WestBeach fish pie.