Best Places and Services in Christchurch, Dorset (2025)

Rating: 5 / 5

This place has a great look inside. It is part of a chain as I recognise the menu from elsewhere. It is a lovely environment to be in. This one has lots of families on a sauturday, so has a real family feel. For some reason I wasn't allowed to photograph our drinks on the tray, but the coffee here is good

Rating: 5 / 5

What a gem of an eatery this is. A wonderful atmosphere. It's both big and cosy. Pictures adorn the dark wood walls making it feel like an exclusive club. The food we had was interesting: tasty, colourful but needed a bit more bread. The service was on point and the coffee very nice. Definitely recommend.

Rating: 4 / 5

We came here for brunch because the menu looked delicious. We had the shakshuka, poached eggs with Chorizo, and pancakes with berries. Great flavours, but a couple of small disappointments: poached eggs were over cooked and the flatbread was rock hard. But we enjoyed our meal overall. No kids options, so quite pricey as had to order adult portions. The atmosphere was chilled and staff were friendly.

Rating: 5 / 5

We fell upon the pub in the middle of Christchurch high street looking for some lunch. The frontage, although very nice, didn't really do the inside justice. The service, from the moment we entered until we left was excellent and was only trumped by the delicious food, wine and shipyard ale. An excellent experience 👏

Rating: 5 / 5

First time visit 24/02/24 and we had a great evening. The food was the best we have all had in a long time. Food was super tasty and so much of it, i did suggest maybe they could do a smaller appetite plate. Between us we had the sharing platter for 4, panang lamb shank curry, chicken katsu curry and chicken pad thai. The waitress was lovely and looked after us well, making sure everything was ok, drinks etc..... i didnt catch her name apologies !! All in all food, atmosphere and service thoroughly deserves 5 stars, would give more if it allowed, and the manageress even organised us a taxi home. Thankyou again, we will be back soon

Rating: 5 / 5

We absolutely love The Ship. The Thai food is top quality and authentic. And absolutely delicious. Decent sized portions too. The staff are lovely and always warm, friendly and efficient. We always eat here when we visit Christchurch. Oh, they are dog friendly too. Absolutely love this place and cannot say enough nice things!!

Rating: 4 / 5

Decent range of beers, albeit at a quite high price. Had the seafood sharing platter for two which was very good, and also very good value. It's easily enough for two people with healthy appetites.

Rating: 5 / 5

Loved our meal. In particular, I am a small eater and ordered a kids portion. No quizzing or refusal, totally accepted unlike other establishments that say you can only have a child's portion if you are under a certain age. My husband had normal chicken burger and fries. This was a very good size. It was a very tasty meal and glad we discovered this little gem. Especially great if you are a music lover of a certain age as the place took me back to my younger years. A great vibe!

Rating: 5 / 5

I have been in this lovely pub for the first time. We had a warm fish platter and fish n chips... Haven't enjoyed food like this for looong time. Everything was absolutely divine! Charming staff and beautiful ambiance! Definitely coming back soon! Oh, did I mention the FOOD 😉🙂 Highly recommended!

Rating: 5 / 5

Amazing, we have been here several times, and today the food was divine. we ordered the same dish as the costumo (we thought was the same) but in the end they changed the dish which is now even better, Before everything was fried, now is grilled what is better. we really enjoyed it and will come back again. the atmosphere and music very nice. Plus is dog friendly what is a good point as well 👌🏻

Rating: 4 / 5

Loved the outdoor trailer style coffee shop, lovely service and tasty cakes and coffee at a reasonable price. Inside the restaurant looks like it would be a great place for an evening meal and I shall return to try. Also a fantastic location with public toilets nearby and parking nearby.

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely restaurant in beautiful Christchurch. We had brunch here, and it was lovely. The staff were all accommodating and friendly. We had avocado on toast, eggs benedict, and breakfast bap and it was gorgeous. Prices were also very good and reasonable. Highly recommended and would go again.

Rating: 5 / 5

5 Stars Popped into The Boathouse on a Saturday afternoon with my mother and father for a spontaneous meal. We received a warm welcome and were seated straight away, which was a lovely start to our visit. We opted for the set menu, which included French onion soup, Christmas turkey, and dessert. Every dish was delicious, and the flavors really stood out. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. A wonderful experience overall—we’ll definitely be back. Thank you!

Rating: 5 / 5

Went with my wife and two young kids for a Sunday lunch. The food was tasty with really generous portions. Service was efficient and all the staff were friendly. Special shout out to Claire, the waitress who was lovely and very interactive with the kids. Reasonably priced, too! We'll be back soon

Rating: 5 / 5

This is the best Toby Carvery I have been to. It is frequented regularly by us and we love it. Staff are hard working, never turn you away. Food is always good quality and hot. Never had a bad one here. I would highly recommend it if you are in Hinton or Christchurch.

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely little place in centre of Christchurch. Decent food selection and the price is very fair for the portions. Had salmon avocado toast for a light brunch and left feeling quite full! Staff were very friendly. Service, while a bit slow, was plenty satisfactory.

Rating: 5 / 5

Update: Even better than before! Staff very helpful and the food was good. This is a quaint little coffee shop, and although small, there are a few different seating options. The coffee is good and it's a very relaxed place. I hear that they are dog friendly and that they can get really busy on a Saturday. The wall decorations are painted by a local artist and the place has a feel of quality. The only strange thing was that they don't try and serve you unless you are standing at the till...I had to ask where to go to be served!

Rating: 4 / 5

We love this place but just wish there was more seating as clearly every one else in xchurch agrees. One thing I would like is wholemeal/granary bread, they do sourdough or white sadly. Prices can be a bit steep but mostly worth it

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely place with super friendly staff! Will always come here in future. Had a coronation chicken sandwich and so pleased it wasn't drowning in sauce as I like to taste the chicken too, some places you wonder if the mountains of dressing are to cover something up!

Rating: 4 / 5

Great service and coffee was good also . Lovely views of the sea . Just missed out on a top rating because the toilets were dirty

Rating: 4 / 5

Chai latte with views of the sea. We weren't rushed but politely informed that our table was reserved for later (we still had over an hour before the reservation so did not feel pressured at all). Staff were very friendly and the drink was well made. Good atmosphere and they had gone to efforts with their tasteful Christmas decorations. Looking forward to returning and trying more out.

Rating: 5 / 5

The food is excellent, especially the pizza. Our family sits in a round table and sofa, which is just perfect for us. We also enjoy the live-singing there. Thank you for all the service.

Rating: 4 / 5

Good food in Christchurch. The baguette was really good. The place is fairly big and we could be seated without a reservation on a Saturday. Prices are ok.

Rating: 5 / 5

Absolutely incredible food!! To quote my mum; 'best pizza I've ever had'. It was a really great atmosphere, great tunes played throughout the entire night, cocktails/mocktails available. We pre ordered food as there were 20 of us, and it all came out at the same time. Would definitely recommend, especially for birthday celebrations.

Rating: 5 / 5

Excellent food..... brilliant price...but is always busy and food takes ages to come out....but is definitely worth the wait. But if you are in a hurry it's frustrating. But you can not fault the quality or the waitress..it's probably because it is so popular

Rating: 4 / 5

Quite difficult to evaluate this venue. A couple of really friendly, helpful staff, a couple less so. Some fantastic food some very average. The drinks were good, the atmosphere was fine. The chicken wings and pizza were perfectly fine. The nachos were awful. That's a dish that needs re working from scratch, and at 15 pounds just no! We would happily return for the excellent beers mostly great service and fun atmosphere

Rating: 5 / 5

Went for dinner and drinks last night and found a hidden little gem in Christchurch. Lovely atmosphere, nice food and great value for money. They have an offer on currently which made it even better.

Rating: 4 / 5

Good pub, a former coaching inn, about 15 minutes walk from Christchurch Railway Station. Three cask beers on handpump when I visited. Lots of outdoor seating at the rear some of it covered. The pub is Grade-II listed.