The Crab at Bournemouth is a seafood restaurant with a serious local following, tucked into Exeter Road in the heart of town. It holds two AA Rosettes and has built a reputation — locally and further afield — as one of Dorset’s go-to addresses for fresh fish and shellfish, cooked simply and done well.
The food
As the name suggests, seafood is the whole point here. The kitchen leans on fresh fish and shellfish, with crab and lobster taking centre stage — the celebrated seafood platter brings together lobster, crab, scallops, mussels and squid for a proper coastal feast. Lighter options run to oysters and, at lunch, crab and lemon sandwiches served with hand-cut chips and a dressed salad. Even the fish and chips are a cut above, built around the freshest local fish. There’s a lunch menu, a fuller à la carte in the evening and a Sunday roast for anyone fancying a change from the sea. Because so much depends on the day’s catch, dishes come and go — it’s always worth checking the current menu on the restaurant’s website before you visit.
The setting
The dining room is light, airy and neatly turned out, with comfortable seating and an easy, unfussy atmosphere that regulars and reviewers both single out. When the weather plays along, a large patio opens up for outside dining — a pleasant spot to linger over a platter and a glass of something cold. It reads as smart without being stiff: there’s a smart-casual dress code in the evenings, but the mood stays relaxed and the service is warm and professional.
Where it is
The Crab sits on Exeter Road in central Bournemouth, directly opposite the Bournemouth International Centre and just a couple of minutes’ stroll from Bournemouth Pier and the beach. That central position makes it an easy choice before or after a show at the BIC, or as a reward at the end of a day on the sand. The Lower Gardens and the main shopping streets are all within a short, level walk.
Good to know
Booking is a good idea, particularly at weekends and over lunch, and you can reserve through the restaurant’s website. Larger groups and families should plan ahead, as younger children dine on earlier evening sittings and a children’s menu is available. There’s no car park of its own, but plenty of public parking sits nearby in the town centre. For the latest opening hours, menus and prices — and any booking or deposit conditions — check The Crab directly. For more places to eat around town, browse our food & drink guide and our roundup of Bournemouth restaurants.