China Lounge is a compact, family-run Chinese restaurant on Woodside Road in Southbourne, a few minutes' walk from the shops and cafés of this part of the Bournemouth coast. Locals treat it as a dependable local for a takeaway or an unhurried meal at a table, not as a destination restaurant.
What's on the menu
Rather than following trends, the menu keeps to the classics: chow mein, sweet & sour dishes, curries and a series of set menus designed so two people can share several plates. The cooking is simple, hearty and generous, prepared in an open-plan kitchen that the restaurant describes as "maintained to the highest standards." Like any Chinese kitchen, the dishes include a range of allergens, among them gluten, crustaceans, egg and fish, so mention any dietary requirements to the staff.
Dining in, collecting or delivery
With a full licence, China Lounge lets you sit down with a beer or a glass of wine and table service, or you can order to take away. Home delivery operates during the same hours as the restaurant, with a small charge that increases a little the further you live from Woodside Road, and on weekdays there is a separate lunchtime collection slot for anyone keen to avoid the evening rush. Regular customers benefit from a simple points scheme that takes money off future orders.
Practical details
The restaurant opens every evening, bank holidays included, closing only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, which is handy whether you want a curry on a quiet Tuesday or a Sunday evening at home. Phone ahead to confirm current hours and reserve a table, particularly at the weekend.
Our food & drink guide lists more Chinese restaurants and other places to eat in the area, and our things to do guide has ideas for the rest of a day in Southbourne.