
The Schooner
Quick info
About The Schooner
The Schooner is a husband-and-wife-run daytime cafe and restaurant on St Catherine's Rd in Bournemouth, sitting right by the sea in a less touristy part of town. Cooked breakfasts anchor the menu, including a big version built around butcher's sausage and a free-range egg, and home-made cakes and puddings pair with the coffee, from mochas to double espressos. The couple run the place themselves, with the woman front of house. It opens Wednesday to Sunday during the daytime and closes on Mondays and Tuesdays. Dogs are welcome, so walkers coming off the beach can bring them in, and tables can be reserved, with booking ahead advised. Free street parking sits outside when a space is available.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention excellent coffee and espresso, large cooked breakfast value, homemade cakes and puddings and roast dinner and fish.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention excellent coffee and espresso, large cooked breakfast value, homemade cakes and puddings and roast dinner and fish.
Customer Review Summary
The warm welcome from the husband and wife team running the place threads through nearly every account, with several describing the woman front of house as a mum figure and crediting her friendly, unhurried service. Close behind is the coffee: one traveller calls it the best they had anywhere in England, and others single out flavoursome double espressos and mochas alongside home made tea cakes. The cooked breakfast draws repeat visitors, one praising the large version for its butcher's sausage and free range egg, while others mention a full roast dinner, a tasty fish served with a sauce, and a range of puddings. Portion sizes divide opinion, described as too big by one diner and on the smaller side by another, and one review notes the veg needed something. A more serious complaint comes from a group who found a large step and no ramp and left for elsewhere. One reviewer recalls being brought water unasked, just in case.
Customer Review Summary
The warm welcome from the husband and wife team running the place threads through nearly every account, with several describing the woman front of house as a mum figure and crediting her friendly, unhurried service. Close behind is the coffee: one traveller calls it the best they had anywhere in England, and others single out flavoursome double espressos and mochas alongside home made tea cakes. The cooked breakfast draws repeat visitors, one praising the large version for its butcher's sausage and free range egg, while others mention a full roast dinner, a tasty fish served with a sauce, and a range of puddings. Portion sizes divide opinion, described as too big by one diner and on the smaller side by another, and one review notes the veg needed something. A more serious complaint comes from a group who found a large step and no ramp and left for elsewhere. One reviewer recalls being brought water unasked, just in case.
Featured reviews
- Jason Chalk
“Firstly - dog friendly so big bonus there. The staff were absolutely lovely. You can reserve tables, it is right by the sea, nice menu. Reasonable prices, the portions were not the largest but then it is much better to have a smaller nice portion..... There is a slope and a step in but there is a rail and we found it fine, nice and clean, wish then all the success.”
- Ben Smith
“Large step to get in and no ramp for wheelchair access so not accessible at all. No attempt to provide access. Our group went somewhere else. Food maybe good who knows. Was empty so maybe needs a rethink.”
- Anthony Francis
“All I can say is what a great place to eat. The hostess was so nice and welcoming. The large breakfast was lovely!”
- Lucienne Jensen
“I had the best coffee I've had in the whole of England here whilst I've been travelling. The woman that works there is lovely and has great, organic service. There is free street parking there (if you can get a spot!) and is in a cute, less touristy part of Bournemouth. I would highly recommend!”
- L Thornton
“Came here as part of a Christmas lunch with my mum's writers' club. Haven't been before and didn't know what to expect. The husband and wife team were lovely, warm and welcoming. Thankfully this place is licensed and shared a locally produced bottled beer with my mother. Menu was pre-ordered and it was good, home-cooked food (the veg could've done with a bit of something). I had the fish and it was really tasty served with a lovely sauce, everyone else enjoyed their meals too. Portion sizes were a bit too big for me and hated having to leave food on my plate. Coffee was excellent. The prices were extremely reasonable. Nothing was too much for this lovely duo. Unsure what they normally serve during the week but if you're passing then call in. You'll have an amazing welcome.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dine-in
- Alcohol
Show more amenities
- Casual
- Beer
- Coffee
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Dessert
- Dining options· 5
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Table service
- Offerings· 1
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside
Location
Restaurants near The Schooner
- Restaurant Roots4.93460 mi£100+Vegan optionsVegetarian optionsWheelchair accessible
tasting menu, wine pairings, seared scallop
- The Fry Inn4.71740.6 mi£1–15Good for kids
cod and chips, light crispy batter, chicken bites
- Villa Toscana Ristorante4.63781 mi£20–60Outdoor seatingWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
pepperoni pizza, generous portion sizes, pizza diavola
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The SchoonerReservations | 4.879 | — | — | excellent coffee and espresso, large cooked breakfast value, homemade cakes and puddings |
| Restaurant RootsVegan options · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.9346 | 0 mi | £100+ | tasting menu, wine pairings, seared scallop |
| The Fry InnGood for kids | 4.7174 | 0.6 mi | £1–15 | cod and chips, light crispy batter, chicken bites |
| Villa Toscana RistoranteOutdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.6378 | 1 mi | £20–60 | pepperoni pizza, generous portion sizes, pizza diavola |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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