Gossip Cicchetti brings a taste of Venice to Westbourne’s Poole Road — an Italian kitchen built around cicchetti, the small sharing plates that fill the bacari, or wine bars, of northern Italy. Alongside them come wood-fired pizza and fresh pasta, so there’s something here whether you’re after a proper sit-down meal or a relaxed graze over a glass of wine.
The food
The heart of the menu is cicchetti: little dishes meant to be ordered several at a time and shared across the table — the kitchen suggests five or six between two. You’ll find antipasti such as cured meats, olives and burrata, crostini and bruschetta, and fritti like calamari and arancini. Pasta comes in both cicchetti and main sizes, and seafood features strongly, from mussels and prawns to richer plates such as crab and lobster linguini. Dough and bread are made fresh, San Marzano tomatoes and truffle oil crop up across the menu, and the pizzas come out of the wood-fired oven. Dishes and specials change, so it’s worth checking the restaurant’s current menu before you go.
Atmosphere
This is a compact, characterful spot with an open kitchen and pizza oven at its heart, which gives it an easy, buzzy energy on a busy night. The small-plates format lends itself to a sociable, unhurried meal — the kind of place where dishes arrive as they’re ready and the table gradually fills up. It’s a warm, inclusive venue that works as well for a couple as it does for a group catching up over shared plates and a bottle of something.
Where it is
Gossip sits on Poole Road in the heart of Westbourne, one of Bournemouth’s most appealing corners. This leafy village between the town centre and Poole is known for its Grade II-listed Victorian shopping arcade, independent delis and relaxed café culture, so a meal here pairs naturally with a browse around the shops. For more on the neighbourhood, see our guide to Westbourne, and for other places to eat nearby, our food & drink guide.
Good to know
Gossip opens across most of the week from around midday, though hours can change seasonally — check the restaurant’s website for current times. Booking is a good idea, especially at weekends, as the room is small and fills quickly. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are marked on the menu, and kids’ portions are available, so it caters for a mixed table. There’s no car park of its own, but Westbourne has on-street parking and public car parks within a short walk. For the latest menu, opening hours and to reserve a table, it’s always best to contact Gossip directly.