Poole's restaurants fall into three rough groups, and knowing which you want saves a wasted evening.
On the water
The Quay is the postcard version: terraces, masts, the lifting bridge, and seafood that has not travelled far. It is busy, it is seasonal, and the view is genuinely worth it on a clear evening.
In the villages
Ashley Cross is the one locals name first, a green ringed with independent kitchens covering most of the obvious cuisines and several less obvious ones. Canford Cliffs is quieter and smarter, handy if you are staying near the beaches.
In the Old Town
The lanes behind the Quay hold the smaller rooms, where the menu is short because one person is cooking it.
Use the filters below to narrow by cuisine, area and what matters to you, or see pubs and bars, cafes and delis and vegetarian and vegan.