What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than enjoying a candlelit meal with your loved one?

It may be a cliché but treating yourselves to some delicious food and taking the time to appreciate one another’s company for a few hours really is the ideal way to spend the most romantic evening of the year.

To make the best impression, choose a fine dining restaurant for fabulous flavours and attentive service.

These sought-after establishments will get booked up quickly though so to avoid disappointment, get your reservation in early.

So, whether you’re celebrating with your other half, the family, your best friend or simply offering yourself some love, here are Tripadvisor’s hottest tables for February 14, in and around Bournemouth.


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Top 5 fine dining restaurants near Bournemouth

The Guildhall Tavern

Bournemouth Echo: The Guildhall Tavern, Poole. Picture: TripadvisorThe Guildhall Tavern, Poole. Picture: Tripadvisor

Where: 15 Market Street, Poole BH15 1NB
Rating: 5/5
Number of 'excellent' ratings: 1,633
Customer Review: Fabulous night out
"We were lucky enough to book Christmas Eve at the Guildhall Tavern for my wife and daughter. The service was attentive but relaxed, the atmosphere was perfect and every dish was cooked to perfection.
"Lemon sole, Monkfish, Turbet and local oysters all prepared beautifully. This will not be our last visit to the Guildhall whether just for fine food or a special occasion."
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Rick Stein

Bournemouth Echo: Rick Stein, Sandbanks. Picture: TripadvisorRick Stein, Sandbanks. Picture: Tripadvisor

Where: 10-14 Banks Road, Sandbanks, Poole BH13 7QB
Rating: 4/5
Number of 'excellent' ratings: 1,778
Customer Review: Superb
"First time at Sandbanks restaurant and from the start to finish our lunch was 10/10.
"Service was very attentive, food beautifully presented and restaurant itself was clean and light with great views.
"Our food was amazing!"
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The Jetty

Bournemouth Echo: The Jetty, Christchurch. TripadvisorThe Jetty, Christchurch. Tripadvisor

Where: 95 Mudeford Christchurch Harbour, Christchurch BH23 3NT
Rating: 4.5/5
Number of 'excellent' ratings: 2,164
Customer Review: An outstanding night
"We had a great night in The Jetty. We went for the tasting menu. This was 7 courses, very much Michelin star quality. Courses were a great mix between seafood and meat.
"We also went for the wine pairing, which was very well chosen and featured wine from all over the world.
"One key factor for this being a good night was Luca, who - other than providing incredible professional and friendly service - is a trained sommelier and explained in a very entertaining way why the wines paired to each course were picked and how they would interact with the food.
"Overall an outstanding night, celebrating a big anniversary!"
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THE PIG-on the beach

Bournemouth Echo: THE PIG-on the beach, Swanage. Picture: TripadvisorTHE PIG-on the beach, Swanage. Picture: Tripadvisor

Where: Manor Road, Studland, Swanage BH19 3AU
Rating: 4/5
Number of 'excellent' ratings: 601
Customer Review: A place for a uniquely special experience
"We lunch in early November after a one-hour drive and ferry crossing to get here. It was our first visit and the location was spectacular.
"The buildings are full of character and we eat in a conservatory with views out to sea.
"The choice of food from the 25-mile menu was unusual and interesting. The portions were generous and I have to say even the Hampshire Sparkling Wine and Lagers were very palatable. Thank goodness the wine list includes global choices.
"I enjoyed artisan breads, pork nibbles, crab bake and sea bass and all were delicious.
"The service was very friendly but professional and all of the staff that we met really knew the menu and all the dishes. Our carafe of house wine was served by a proper sommelier who without prompting gave us an impromptu description of the wine we were about to enjoy."
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The Point

Bournemouth Echo: The Point, Poole. Picture: TripadvisorThe Point, Poole. Picture: Tripadvisor

Where: 161 Banks Road Haven Hotel, Poole BH13 7QL
Rating: 3.5/5
Number of 'excellent' ratings: 19
Customer Review: Outstanding food and service.
"We stayed at the Haven and dined here the first evening as we had booked lots of local restaurants to try whilst there, but I think this was our favourite.
"The food is exceptional, the staff courteous and professional, and the setting beautiful, making full use of the wonderful views of the harbour. I would definitely recommend."
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