El Murrino is a family-run Italian restaurant on Old Christchurch Road, in the heart of Bournemouth town centre. It has built a strong local following for its wood-fired pizzas and traditional Italian cooking — the sort of place people come back to for a relaxed dinner, a quick lunch between shops, or a long table with friends.
The food
The kitchen’s calling card is its pizza. The dough is left to prove slowly, then hand-stretched and fired in a wood-burning oven at fierce heat for barely a minute or two — long enough to blister the crust while keeping the centre soft. Many of the ingredients are brought in from Italy, and the menu leans on that authenticity rather than piling on gimmicks.
Beyond pizza, you’ll find a familiar spread of Italian classics: fresh pasta and risotto, salads and antipasti, and desserts to finish — tiramisu among them. It’s a menu that suits both a light bite and a proper sit-down meal. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options appear throughout, with allergen information marked, so most groups should find something to suit. Dishes change over time, so it’s worth checking the current menu on the restaurant’s website before you go.
The setting
Inside, El Murrino keeps things bright and modern, with an open kitchen so you can watch the pizzaiolo at work and the oven doing its thing. The mood is casual and unfussy — background music, easy service and a steady buzz rather than hushed formality. Handy touches like USB charging points at some tables hint at how it’s set up for everyday, drop-in dining, and there’s some outdoor seating for warmer days.
It’s a comfortable choice whether you’re eating solo, bringing the family — highchairs are available — or gathering a larger group. The atmosphere works just as well for a casual weekday lunch as it does for a livelier weekend evening.
Where it is
The restaurant sits on Old Christchurch Road, one of the town centre’s main dining and shopping streets, close to Horseshoe Common. That puts it within an easy walk of the Square, the Lower Gardens and the pier, so it’s simple to fold a meal into a wider day out. Being so central, it’s well served by buses and a short distance from the train station, though you’ll want one of the nearby public car parks if you’re driving. For more places to eat close by, browse our restaurants guide.
Good to know
El Murrino is popular and can fill up, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings, so booking ahead is sensible if you want a specific time or a table for a group. The restaurant is geared up for eating in but also offers takeaway and delivery, which is handy if you’d rather enjoy that wood-fired pizza at home. For the latest menu, opening hours, prices and to reserve a table, contact El Murrino directly or check their website — and for more ideas across town, see our food & drink guide.