Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant Reviews Summary

Location & View

Pros:

• "The restaurant provides excellent views across Bramble Bush Bay, Poole Harbour and Sandbanks."
• "The view is almost unbeatable with the changing weather making it different every time you go."
• "All at a hard to beat location for dining on the terrace."
• "Beautiful setting once you're in, overlooking the sea with the boats, just beautiful!"
• "Great location overlooking Brownsea island and activities on the water especially with a table by the window."
• "What an incredible place! The entire restaurant has a great view of the sea."
• "Absolutely stunning location with fantastic views across Poole Harbour to Brownsea island, you could almost imagine you're somewhere on the Med."

Cons:

• "Parking is a bit of a nightmare as it’s over the road from a very popular beach."
• "So close to a 5* however being by the crossing makes driving here an absolute mare - such a shame!"
• "The only problem is that the closest parking is owned by the National Trust and they know how to charge like a wounded bull."
• "Restaurant looks like a parking lot."
• "We were also unaware of where we would be seated and our view was quite obstructed."
• "However, booked a table for two - 3 months in advance and was disappointed to not be seated overlooking the sea (in the canopy), next to the loo and a noisy family - come on shell bay! you can do better."
• "Unfortunately there is no parking on site."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "Nice food, the fish was prepared well and cooked perfectly."
• "Lovely fresh seafood as well as various meat dishes."
• "Shell Bay's food was always great but it's improved."
• "The starter of oysters and prawns was to die for."
• "The salt and pepper squid and fish and chips were to die for."
• "The quality of ingredients is absolutely first class as is the cooking."
• "The food is simply delicious and although not cheap, the portions are generous, everything is fresh and perfectly cooked."

Cons:

• "Rubbish food with a view!"
• "Scallops £7.50 each and tasteless."
• "I had the Kerala fish curry but could not taste any fish just a few hard prawns."
• "The sole was boiled, no taste, no dressing, looking angry, the sea bass was grilled and dried up."
• "Overcooked salmon in a tasteless broth with under cooked noodles, like eating straw."
• "Our scallops were dry and the main dish greasy and overcooked with little taste!!"
• "Instead we were given a plate of Cold couscous and a few bits of Halloumi. Could only be described as awful and really disappointing."

Service

Pros:

• "The food is delicious and the service is quick and friendly."
• "Great and quick service, food is delicious and beautifully presented."
• "The staff were very friendly and the setting is stunning."
• "Staff were all speedy and attentive - we took our dog and he got loads of attention which he loves."
• "The staff are attentive and very helpful."
• "We were served by Stella who stood out as she remembered everything we had asked for and went above and beyond."
• "Staff were all friendly and service was good."

Cons:

• "So disappointed with the service, ordered sea bass and when it came out and we asked for it to be filleted we were told the chef was too busy."
• "Sadly this time service was lacking (plates not cleared away / no follow on drinks or dessert offered)."
• "Very disappointed with the customer service."
• "4 different waiters in less than an hour and a half, that's not the way to make you feel welcome!"
• "However.....the service was really disappointing from the get go, given the standard of food and the higher end prices."
• "The only thing that stops this being a 5 star review is the less than adequate service, which inattentive and slow."
• "Not the first time we have visited, and previously we have had no issues, but we had a difficult evening, something went wrong with all the service, it was very slow."

Price & Value

Pros:

• "Of course the prices are higher than other restaurants but your really paying for the great service and the view."
• "Granted its a bit expensive to dine here, but worth every penny for the combination of gorgeous food, beautifully presented, the stunning view and the friendly, helpful staff."
• "OK it's a bit on the expensive side but the views are fabulous and the staff are great."
• "It isn't cheap, but the quality makes it very reasonable."
• "Expensive, but worth every penny."
• "Brilliant seafood restaurant. Amazing, friendly staff. Extremely reasonable prices for exceptionally fresh produce."
• "It is a little bit pricey but well worth it for special occasion."

Cons:

• "It is not particularly cheap."
• "We felt completely over charged and exploited."
• "The menu was a bit limited and not very adventurous."
• "Rediculously overpriced, mediocre food."
• "Fantastic location, but the food was very expensive."
• "Prices exorbitant."
• "The food was nice but extremely overpriced."