Al Madina is a small, unpretentious Middle Eastern café and restaurant on Charminster Road, the most cosmopolitan run of independent kitchens in Bournemouth and a short walk or bus ride north of the town centre. Mandi is what it's known for: the Yemeni dish of fragrant spiced rice topped with lamb or chicken cooked slowly until the meat falls from the bone. It's a dish that rewards time and care, and it's why regulars keep returning.
What to order
The menu is intentionally short: a handful of meat-and-rice dishes done properly, all of them halal, instead of an attempt to cover every cuisine going. Reviewers repeatedly praise the smoked meat and the size of the portions, and the venue's most recent council inspection gave it the full 5-out-of-5 food hygiene rating, a genuinely good result. You can eat in, take away, or order delivery via Uber Eats and Just Eat.
The setting
The dining area is compact and informal, closer to a canteen than a restaurant, and it sits within Charminster's dense strip of independent cafés and takeaways from all over the world. There's a solid local following, plenty of students from the surrounding area included, so evenings can be busy; turn up a little earlier and finding a table is easier.
Practical details
Al Madina is usually open Monday to Saturday from early afternoon into the evening and closed on Sundays, but as with any independent kitchen, confirm current hours before you head over. Charminster Road has on-street parking, and the café is a short walk or bus ride from the town centre. To explore more of the street's international mix and other places to eat nearby, see our food & drink guide and the full list of Bournemouth restaurants.