
Harvester Sea Horse Poole
Quick info
About Harvester Sea Horse Poole
On Alder Rd in Poole, Harvester Sea Horse serves grilled meat, salads, pasta and seafood with a free unlimited self-serve salad bar included alongside main meals. Waitstaff take orders at the table, and diners can watch the open kitchen from the seating area. Rotisserie chicken appears on the menu, though it can sell out during service. Lunch sets run at midday, and a children's menu covers smaller appetites. Dogs are welcome in the restaurant, and free parking is available for those driving in.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · On-site parking
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Has changing table(s) · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention salad bar, rotisserie chicken, burger and chips and food served cold or lukewarm.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention salad bar, rotisserie chicken, burger and chips and food served cold or lukewarm.
Customer Review Summary
The self serve salad bar emerges as the clearest draw, praised by several diners as fresh and unlimited with every main, and in one case remade entirely from the kitchen after a manager caught a cross contamination risk for a customer with a pepper allergy. Chargrilled chicken and a customized burger on garlic bread also earn specific praise, along with a chicken rice bowl. Service is repeatedly singled out by name in reviewer accounts of servers who were attentive, quick with children's menus, and helpful picking desserts, with one visitor noting a lukewarm dish was promptly corrected. But the experience is uneven: one reviewer describes a family meal where dishes arrived cold, greasy and undercooked, and raises concern about kitchen staff hygiene. Another recounts a return visit marred by an empty salad bar, small flies on the dressings and oil bottles, and dust on the shelving, plus a brusque wait for salad bowls. Breakfast eggs arriving fully cooked instead of runny was also noted.
Customer Review Summary
The self serve salad bar emerges as the clearest draw, praised by several diners as fresh and unlimited with every main, and in one case remade entirely from the kitchen after a manager caught a cross contamination risk for a customer with a pepper allergy. Chargrilled chicken and a customized burger on garlic bread also earn specific praise, along with a chicken rice bowl. Service is repeatedly singled out by name in reviewer accounts of servers who were attentive, quick with children's menus, and helpful picking desserts, with one visitor noting a lukewarm dish was promptly corrected. But the experience is uneven: one reviewer describes a family meal where dishes arrived cold, greasy and undercooked, and raises concern about kitchen staff hygiene. Another recounts a return visit marred by an empty salad bar, small flies on the dressings and oil bottles, and dust on the shelving, plus a brusque wait for salad bowls. Breakfast eggs arriving fully cooked instead of runny was also noted.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Title: Exceptional service! Chef and Manageress went above and beyond for allergens and custom requests!What can I say? The management and staff here were absolutely amazing.I went last night (Sunday evening around 8:30 PM) with my brother, who has a severe pepper allergy. After he ordered, they initially told him he could head to the salad bar, but the manageress quickly stopped him. She explained that someone could have easily cross-contaminated the salad cart by using a spoon that had touched peppers, so she had a completely fresh salad prepared for him in the kitchen instead. I have never seen a restaurant team so incredibly attentive to allergen needs—my brother hadn't even realized that cross-contamination was a risk there. It was amazing, so well done to them and especially the manageress!When it came to my order, they were out of the Blue Ribeye Steak, as well as a few other items. At 8:30 PM on a Sunday, I half-expected some shortages, so I decided to go for a burger instead. I really dislike brioche buns, so I asked if I could just have ordinary bread. The server mentioned they only had toast, which I was perfectly happy with. However, while at the salad cart, I overheard the chef say, "No, I'll do it on garlic bread for him and make it all nice." Again, the thoughtfulness and service just shone through!When my burger arrived, it looked so appetizing and was beautifully presented, especially for a custom, made-up order. The flavors were incredible. There were no annoyed glances or sighs from the staff; they genuinely went out of their way to satisfy us above and beyond what they had to do.To care so much about my brother's safety and to be so creative with my order made it a real delight to eat here. We will definitely be going back. A massive thank you to the chef, the staff, and the manageress!”
- Google user
“Great service, lovely waitress Ruby. Didn't rush us even after we'd finished eating. She was polite and friendly and took photos for us before we left. Food was good and came out in a timely manner even though it must have been so hot in the kitchens. Thank you all round”
- Google user
“Our Server Ruby was very quick & helpful when i asked for a children's menu as i have a small appetite. She was attentive but not in your face which was nice. The food was good. It came to me lukewarm and when i brought it to her attention she took it to Niall who sorted it out. All in all get food & sevice”
- Google user
“We had a meal with our children last Wednesday was served by a young lady I believe was called Jodie. She was very happy and professional and engaged with our children really well making them feel very grown up when ordering. The food was exceptional and the service was quick. Lovely restaurant.”
- Google user
“My partner surprised me with booking a fantastic Father's Day meal here. Our waitress, Jasmine, was just the best. She was super polite, quick on her feet, and really looked after us the whole time. She had a great smile, made my family feel right at home, and even helped us pick out some yummy desserts. Honestly, I really want to give Jasmine a shout-out because she's a perfect example of how a little bit of care and attention makes a huge difference to customers. It seriously goes a long way and means we'll definitely be coming back! She's a true star and credit to her team.”
Highlights
“Simple, child-friendly chain restaurant serving grilled meat, salads, pasta & seafood.”
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- No-contact delivery
Show more amenities
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Casual
- Offerings· 12
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Salad bar
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Family-friendly· 2
- Has changing table(s)
- Kids' menu
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed inside
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Service options· 2
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Highlights· 4
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 3
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Location
Restaurants near Harvester Sea Horse Poole
- More Than Sushi - Poole4.91880.4 mi£10–20Good for kids
fresh salmon, mixed platters, cheesecake mochi
- JB's Fish & Chips4.35070.4 mi£10–20Good for kids
fish and chips, vegan fish and chips, battered sausage
- 1.1 miOutdoor seatingVegetarian optionsGood for kids
breakfast bap, burgers, bacon and egg bap
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvester Sea Horse PooleOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.24,308 | — | £20–30 | salad bar, rotisserie chicken, burger and chips |
| More Than Sushi - PooleGood for kids | 4.9188 | 0.4 mi | £10–20 | fresh salmon, mixed platters, cheesecake mochi |
| JB's Fish & ChipsGood for kids | 4.3507 | 0.4 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, vegan fish and chips, battered sausage |
| Davy's Catering (Breakfast and Burger Bar)Outdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Good for kids | 4.953 | 1.1 mi | — | breakfast bap, burgers, bacon and egg bap |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Restaurants nearby
Browse more
Explore more of Poole, or find Restaurants in other cities.



