Cafe Boscanova is a well-established speciality coffee café on Christchurch Road in Boscombe, close to the beach and the heart of Boscombe's shops. It's built a reputation locally as one of the go-to spots in Bournemouth for a proper cup of coffee, alongside a relaxed brunch menu.
Coffee and food
The café pours beans from Bad Hand Coffee, a relationship that's given it a name among Bournemouth's speciality coffee crowd. On the food side, it's best known for its pancake stacks and brunch dishes, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available, it's been picked out by several gluten-free and coeliac-focused guides for catering well to those needs. A kids menu is also on offer, and there's a click & collect service for takeaway orders placed online.
Atmosphere
The interior leans bohemian and a little eclectic, mismatched furniture, coffee-themed decor and a generally laid-back feel that suits a slow breakfast or a coffee break as much as a full brunch. It's a walk-in venue rather than one for booking ahead: there's no table reservation system, just a waitlist if things are busy, which is common for popular independent cafés at weekends.
Good to know
Cafe Boscanova is open daily from 8:00am to 3:30pm, with the kitchen closing at 3:00pm, hours worth double-checking on the café's own website or social channels before a visit, as independent venues can adjust them seasonally. Dogs are welcome, making it a handy stop on a walk around Boscombe or down to the seafront.
For more independent cafés, restaurants and bars nearby, browse our food & drink guide, or see what else is worth doing in the area in our things to do guide.