West Beach stands right on the promenade at Pier Approach, close enough to the water that the folding glass front opens the dining room straight onto the sand. It is a seafood restaurant first, and a serious one — daily catches, an open kitchen you can watch, and a decked terrace that fills the moment the sun is out. Of all the places to eat by Bournemouth’s pier, this is the one that treats the fish as the point rather than the backdrop.
The food
The kitchen works around what has come in that day, so the specials are worth reading before the printed menu. Expect fresh local fish and shellfish, cooked simply, alongside a handful of meat and vegetarian plates for anyone at the table who does not want seafood. There is a proper wine list and a cocktail menu, and breakfast is served earlier in the day before lunch begins. The restaurant has drawn a run of national recognition over the years — a Good Food Guide entry, and a place on The Times’ list of the best spots to eat seafood by the sea.
The setting
The room is contemporary and light, built around the view: glass doors along the front, the terrace beyond, and the beach and Poole Bay filling the horizon. On a still evening the terrace is the best seat on this stretch of seafront. Inside, the open kitchen keeps the room warm and busy. It is smart without being formal — you can come straight off the beach, though it rewards a slightly better table than the kiosks either side.
Where it is
It could not be more central to the seafront: it sits between Bournemouth Pier and the Oceanarium, with the length of Bournemouth Beach in front. Key West, out on the pier itself, is the nearest comparison. See more in the restaurants guide or on our map.
Good to know
Booking is wise, especially for a terrace table on a fine weekend, and can be done by phone or online. Opening days vary with the season — the restaurant closes on some weekdays out of summer — so check current times before you set out. Earlier in the week it runs two-for-one cocktails through the afternoon, which makes the terrace a fair spot for a drink even if you are not staying to eat. Access is step-free from the promenade.
