Poole eats well, and the places that prove it are mostly not on the seafront.
Ashley Cross: where Poole actually eats
A small green in Lower Parkstone with independent kitchens, pubs and bars and cafes on all four sides of it. The key thing about Ashley Cross is that it does not depend on the weather or the season, which on this coast is rarer than it should be.
The Quay: the view, and the seafood
Waterside terraces, shellfish landed a few metres away, and a summer evening that justifies the premium. See Poole’s seafood scene.
The Old Town: the small rooms
The lanes behind the Quay hold the kitchens where the menu is short because one person is cooking it. Also some very old pubs, in a town whose smuggling past is not far below the surface.
Canford Cliffs: the smart village
A short run of independent shops, cafes and restaurants above the chines. Handy if you are staying near the beaches. See Canford Cliffs.
The coffee
Better than a seaside town is obliged to provide, concentrated in the Old Town, Ashley Cross and Canford Cliffs rather than the high street. See cafes and delis.
The delis
Worth a detour if you are self-catering. Dorset produces a great deal of what Poole eats, and the farm shops out towards Wimborne are where to find it.
Slower options: afternoon tea and food and drink experiences.