Rick Stein, Sandbanks Restaurant and Bar

Featured reviews

• A

  Andrea Hornby

  ·2 months ago

  “Unfortunately this review is a little negative, not because of the food or service but because when we had returned home and were looking at our reciepts ( we were out with a wheelchair user and all paid separately) we had been charged 12.5% service charge without being told about this. You should give people the option of whether we give a tip or not, at the very least warn us of this. Especially for my friend in the wheelchair who doesn’t have a lot of money to spare😔 Bad form really…”

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• P

  Paul

  ·2 months ago

  “The market fish Dover Seoul was delightful. Succulent and beautiful. The mint marinade on the new potatoes was also delicious but they were horribly soggy and overcooked. I asked for another and same again. Horrible.. How can such a restaurant not know how to cook a new potato? To be fair the waitress offered me chips instead which were better but not fitting with the flsh.... the maitre d was a bit snotty too when I tried to book in person in shorts in the afternoon. Obviously thinking he's more important than a customer. I'd come back but only for the fish.”

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• J

  Jon Seddon

  ·3 months ago

  “High end service and high end food. Well situated on the sandbanks front with harbour views. Lunch offers for 2/3 courses for 35/40 are an option. Large venue which is pristine on the inside with a calm but very proffessional feel. Food itself was excellently fresh (you'd expect so!) albeit a tad on the oily side for my liking. Mackerel starter and sea bass main pictured.”

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• J

  Jessica Alborzpour

  ·3 months ago

  “Wow what an indulgence on my birthday! First time coming here for lunch, I enjoyed the ambience. Our first waiter was very friendly and recommended a great white wine to complement our fish mains. I loved the harbourside view and the breeze coming through the back doors on such a hot day. For a Friday afternoon it was not too busy and plenty of tables. The food was delicious in every bite. Thank you to the staff for making me a little suprise happy birthday plate! Highly recommend”

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• A

  Alice Newton

  ·4 months ago

  “My BFF invited me to celebrate my birthday. What a treat! The restaurant hides it's glorious views from the street access, but it is spectacular. The staff were also excellent and efficient, their service elevated the experience. The most difficult aspect was choosing... so many delicious options! We finally setlled on bouillabaisse, soft shell crab and crab soufflé. We had an Godello wine from Galicia that was delicious with the seafood. As it was a birthday, we also had dessert, a deconstructed cheesecake, delightfully light, and a chocolate fondant...delighfully rich! A fabulous place to celebrate!”

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• D

  Dan Barnes

  ·4 months ago

  “I was ready to be down about this place pre judging as we do, but I can happily report it’s fantastic. I have the tuna tata and the fish and chips it was outstanding 10/10 what ever it cost I would of paid £50 for the fish and chips it’s was incredible simple food cooked to a amazing level the chips crunchy and soft, the fish again soft clacking with a crack on the batter , I would marry the peas they were like a transcending experience. And then to top it off a curry sauce like you mum gave you when you were 8. Thank you and well done 👏🏻”

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• T

  Thomas Briggs (Tommy)

  ·5 months ago

  “What a lovely experience. Beautiful view over sandbanks and beautiful food except for the chantenay carrots that tasted bland but they took off the bill. Indonesian fish curry is a must for anyone to try and service was top notch.”

• J

  Julie Norton-Scott

  ·5 months ago

  “Amazing food, amazing service…. £430 for two?! Would be ok apart from……. Oysters should always be shucked (opened) and the adductor muscle should be cut to detach the meat from the shell before they are served to you. If the oysters were still attached to the shell, it means they were not fully prepared for consumption according to their standard service - None of our ‘raw’ oysters were detached and we lost all the liquor. £20 (per pair)……………..We had all four pairs so £80!!!! The Lobster Thermidor was amazing but was let down with the most basic, cheap and awful cafe tomato sauce (like the type you get on seaside cafe tables) fries were lovely. For that price I would have expected much more (Heinz at least!) I know my sauce and this was vinegary and not nice. 🤮 I suppose when no one is looking, standards slip. Rick you need to sort this. Just the other week I was at the Savoy, no way would oysters not be prepared properly and high end sauce would have been given. Their attention to detail is second to none.”

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• M

  Martin

  ·5 months ago

  “One of the best non-Michelin starred restaurants we’ve been too. Everything was very tasty. Only two minor criticisms: one the skin on my sea bass wasn’t as crispy as it is supposed to be and two; the raspberry tart was made with strawberries. Plus for one of the best espresso martinis and seeing Harry Redknapp having dinner a couple of tables over (I didn’t interrupt him)”

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• E

  Emily - Its Noteworthy

  ·7 months ago

  “We have had the pleasure of dining at Rick Stein Sandbanks several times, and each visit reminds us why it remains one of the most reliable and enjoyable dining experiences on the south coast. This particular visit was to celebrate my partner’s birthday, and the team made the occasion feel wonderfully special from start to finish. The booking process was smooth and efficient, and the warm welcome on arrival immediately set the tone for the evening. The level of service throughout the meal was outstanding — attentive without ever feeling intrusive. It’s genuinely refreshing to dine somewhere where the team are so professional, immaculately presented and clearly take pride in the experience they are delivering. The food, as expected, was exceptional. Beautifully prepared seafood, thoughtfully presented dishes and excellent wine to accompany it all. Every element of the evening felt carefully considered and executed. In a time when the finer details of hospitality can sometimes be overlooked, it’s a pleasure to experience a restaurant where service, atmosphere and food all come together so effortlessly. Thank you to the wonderful team at Rick Stein Sandbanks for making the birthday celebration so memorable. We look forward to returning again soon.”

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