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The Schooner — Restaurants in Bournemouth

The Schooner

CafeBournemouth

4.8 out of 5 stars4.8(79 reviews)

Quick info

+44 1202 431609
4 St Catherine's Rd, Southbourne, Bournemouth BH6 4AA, United Kingdom

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

  • Reservations
    Accepts reservations
  • Parking
    Free of charge street parking
  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating

Menu & Prices

3 dishes
  • Roast Dinner
  • Roast Beef Roast Beef
  • English Breakfast
See full menu & prices →

Reviews

4.8/5
79 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.

5★
67
4★
8
3★
2
2★
1
1★
1

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

The Schooner
Reservations
4.879
  • 0 mi£100+Vegan optionsVegetarian optionsWheelchair accessible

    tasting menu, wine pairings, seared scallop

  • 0.6 mi£1–15Good for kids

    cod and chips, light crispy batter, chicken bites

  • 1 mi£20–60Outdoor seatingWheelchair accessibleGood for kids

    pepperoni pizza, generous portion sizes, pizza diavola

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