Bates Restaurant is an established, family-run restaurant on Charminster Road, a short way north of Bournemouth town centre. John and Cheryl Bates run it, and its reputation has been earned the traditional way: home-cooked food, big portions and warm, personal service. It is now a familiar part of eating out in Charminster.
The food
Traditional British home cooking is the kitchen's business, with nothing fussy or fashionable about it. Meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes all appear on the à la carte menu, and a daily specials board changes with what is fresh. Count on comforting classics: soups and starters, filling mains and the kind of homemade desserts that bring regulars back. A wine list accompanies the food, and prices sit at the reasonable end rather than special-occasion levels.
John has been a professional cook since his youth, and those years of experience come through in the from-scratch cooking. Dishes and specials evolve over time, as in any kitchen, so look at the current menu directly and let staff know about any dietary needs or allergies when booking or on arrival.
The setting
Expect informal dining in homely surroundings: a warm, unpretentious room where the cooking and the welcome matter far more than elaborate decor. It is the sort of neighbourhood restaurant that fits a leisurely lunch, an easy dinner or a family celebration, with room for larger groups on special occasions. Service is friendly and hands-on, in keeping with the independent, family-run character of the place.
Where it is
Bates Restaurant stands on Charminster Road, the busy high street running through the middle of Charminster, a district that Bournemouth knows for its density of independent restaurants, cafés and international food shops. The town centre and the Lansdowne are a short distance to the south, and buses run regularly along the road. This stretch is among the better parts of town for informal eating out, so making an evening of it is easy. Our food & drink guide and the complete list of Bournemouth restaurants have more places to eat.
Good to know
Bates is a true local favourite, and its reviews are consistently warm about the cooking, the portion sizes and the friendly service. Because it is small and popular, booking ahead is wise, especially for evenings, weekends and bigger groups. Drivers can use on-street parking on Charminster Road and nearby. Opening days and hours can change, as does the menu over time, so confirm the latest details and reserve directly with the restaurant before you set out.