Ludo Lounge sits on Southbourne Grove, the parade of independent shops and cafés that runs through the middle of Southbourne, a short stroll back from the beach and chine. The building itself was once a Woolworths, and the conversion keeps a nod to that history in its interior, mixing reclaimed furniture and an intentionally eclectic, “pick and mix” style of decor rather than a single uniform theme. Like other branches in the Lounges group, it works as an all-day café-bar: somewhere to drop in for a coffee mid-morning, a full lunch, or an evening round of cocktails, without needing to change tables or menus along the way.
The pub
The layout takes advantage of the old shop unit’s proportions, with full-width windows opening onto a front terrace on Southbourne Grove and a light, double-height space inside that leads through to a roof terrace at the back. That combination of a street-facing terrace and a more sheltered rooftop area gives it two distinct outdoor options depending on the weather and time of day, which is unusual for a site on this stretch of the Grove.
Drinks and food
The menu runs through brunch dishes, burgers, mains and salads, with standout items such as a hot honey fried chicken burger and a Byron Bay-style brunch of sweetcorn fritters with poached eggs. Vegan and gluten-free menus sit alongside the standard offering, and there’s a separate kids’ menu for families. On the drinks side there’s the usual café-bar range of coffee, wine, beer and cocktails, with a daily Cocktail Club deal running from 5pm. Other weekly offers include a Tuesday tapas deal and a weekday lunchtime soup-and-toastie special, which suit a quick, informal visit rather than a full sit-down meal.
Where it is
Southbourne Grove is the main shopping street for this part of Bournemouth, and Ludo Lounge’s position among the other cafés and shops makes it an easy stop before or after a visit to Southbourne Beach or a walk along the clifftop. It’s worth reading more about the wider neighbourhood in the Southbourne guide if you’re planning a longer stay in the area.
Good to know
The venue is dog-friendly and has a wheelchair-accessible restroom and seating, and walk-ins are generally fine for smaller groups, though larger parties are advised to book ahead. It’s open every day from 9am to 11pm, covering everything from breakfast through to last orders in the evening.
