Agora is a Turkish and Greek restaurant run by a family on Old Christchurch Road, within easy walking distance of Bournemouth town centre. Its name has been made on Mediterranean hospitality and food prepared the traditional way over a real charcoal fire, and it's now one of the better-known places in town for kebabs and mezze, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating from more than 350 Tripadvisor reviews.
On the menu
Turkish and Greek cooking get equal billing: sharing plates of hot and cold mezze, casseroles cooked slowly, and the charcoal-grilled specials the restaurant is best known for. Dishes worth seeking out include the lamb shish kebab, kleftiko (lamb shank slow-cooked with vegetables), chicken kebab, charcoal-grilled kalamari and sea bream. Expect mains to cost roughly £17 to £23. Dishes and prices change at any restaurant, so look at Agora's current menu before visiting.
The atmosphere
The room is set up for groups of friends and family, and the warm, hospitable welcome is what brings regulars back. On some evenings there's live music and dancing, which gives the usual sit-down meal a livelier, more festive feel; it isn't on every night, though, so ask in advance if it matters to you.
Practical details
Opening hours are 5pm to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and 5pm to 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday, with Mondays closed. Because the restaurant is so well regarded, reserving ahead makes sense, especially at weekends: phone 01202 311525 or use the website. Agora is on Old Christchurch Road, a straightforward walk from the town centre.
Our food & drink guide has more Bournemouth restaurants, and our things to do guide suggests how to fill the rest of a day out.