Tucked along the independent high street of Southbourne Grove, The Larderhouse has built a devoted local following as a restaurant and bar where fire does the heavy lifting. Cooking here is centred on a wood-fired oven and a charcoal grill, and that emphasis on flame and smoke runs through almost everything that reaches the table.
The food
The kitchen leans modern European, with clear Spanish and Mediterranean influences, and the format has shifted towards small plates and sharing dishes chalked up on daily-changing boards. Menus follow the seasons and local suppliers, so exactly what’s on offer varies from visit to visit — but you can expect the likes of whole fish such as black bream, slow-cooked pork belly and lamb, fresh oysters, and generous charcuterie and cheese selections. Sunday is a fixture in its own right: the Sunday roast has long been one of the restaurant’s calling cards on this stretch of coast. Prices sit in the mid-to-upper bracket for the area, and because the boards change so often, it’s worth checking the current menu before you go.
Atmosphere
The mood is relaxed but characterful, with quirky, thoughtfully designed interiors and the warmth of the oven at the heart of the room. There’s a rear courtyard dining area that’s enclosed and heated, making it usable well beyond the summer, and upstairs you’ll find a speakeasy-style cocktail bar known for carefully made drinks and a genuinely good wine list. It can get lively and a little noisy when full — part of the buzz rather than a fault — so it suits a sociable evening or a leisurely weekend lunch more than a hushed, formal dinner.
Where it is
The Larderhouse is at 4 Southbourne Grove, in the heart of Southbourne, a village-feel clifftop suburb a few miles east of Bournemouth town centre. The Grove is a leafy, independent high street of bakeries, delis and cafés, while the overcliff promenade and sandy Southbourne Beach are only a short stroll away — easy to pair a meal with a walk along the sea front. For more places to eat across the bay, browse our food & drink guide.
Good to know
Booking is a good idea, particularly for weekends and Sunday lunch, and larger groups may be asked for a deposit. Vegetarian options do appear on the boards, but the focus is firmly on fire-cooked meat and fish, so call ahead if you have specific dietary requirements. There’s no dedicated car park, though on-street parking is usually possible around the Grove — check local restrictions. As ever with a kitchen that cooks to the season, confirm the latest menu, opening hours and details directly with the restaurant before you visit.