Poole eats well for a town its size, and the reason is partly geographical: this is a working fishing port, so the shellfish and the day boat catch do not travel far before they reach a kitchen.
The Quay
Poole Quay is where the boats land and where most visitors eat, on terraces looking at the water. It is busiest in summer and the view is part of what you are paying for. The Old Town immediately behind it has smaller rooms and shorter menus.
The villages
Ashley Cross is where Poole eats when the visitors have gone home: a green with restaurants, pubs and bars and cafes round all four sides of it. Canford Cliffs is smaller, smarter and closer to the beaches.
Coffee, cake and everything else
Poole's independent coffee scene is good, and there are delis worth a detour. For something slower, see afternoon tea; for cookery classes, tastings and tours, see food and drink experiences.