A foodie's guide to Bournemouth — where to eat (and where to start)

Bournemouth has quietly become one of the south coast''s best food towns. Independent kitchens have taken over the high street, the seafront is dotted with brilliant little beach cafés, and there are tasting menus on the cliff with a view of the Isle of Wight. Here is where we send our guests when they ask "where should we eat tonight?" BREAKFAST Start here, with us. The Café Kitchen at The Chocolate Box is hosted by Chef Kayleigh, a BBC MasterChef finalist. Order the Bournemouth Sunshine Breakfast — it''s become a bit of a thing. LUNCH ON THE BEACH Walk down to the seafront and pick a beach café. Urban Reef on Boscombe Pier is a perennial favourite for fresh fish and a glass of something cold. Aruba on Bournemouth Pier does a lovely lunch with the best view in town. A PROPER DINNER OUT Roots in Southbourne is a tiny, tasting-menu spot run by ex-Hibiscus chefs — book weeks ahead. West Beach, right on the sand, is the Bournemouth classic for seafood. Koh Thai, a few minutes from us, does some of the best Thai food on the south coast. CASUAL AND BUZZY The Print Room (a converted art-deco newspaper hall in the Echo Building) is full of original detail and serves brunch, lunch and dinner. Westbourne, a five-minute drive, is the prettiest local neighbourhood for pottering between independent cafés and bistros. DINING WITH KAYLEIGH On selected evenings, Chef Kayleigh hosts themed Dining Evenings here at the hotel — small, intimate, and a brilliant way to spend an evening if you''re staying with us. Ask at reception or drop us a line at office@thechocolateboxhotel.com. ICE CREAM You cannot leave Bournemouth without one. Joe''s on the seafront — that''s the one. Hungry yet? Come and stay; we''ll book your table.