The Coconut Tree carries the flavours of Sri Lanka onto Old Christchurch Road, offering bold, affordable street food inside a room charged with island energy. As the Bournemouth branch of a small UK group that began life above a Cheltenham pub in 2016, founded by a group of friends wanting to share the food of their upbringing, it keeps that same homely, generous spirit running through everything on offer.
What to eat
Small, tapas-style plates meant for sharing form the backbone of the menu, so a satisfying meal generally means ordering a handful of dishes and passing them around. Hoppers appear on the list, bowl-shaped, lacy pancakes made from fermented coconut milk and served with sambols, alongside kotthu, that moreish jumble of chopped roti stir-fried with egg, vegetables and a choice of meat. Curries rank among the highlights, ranging from Jaffna goat with potato to a slow-cooked "black pork" coated in a blend of roasted spices. Snacks and sides pack plenty of flavour too: hot battered cuttlefish, cashew nuts cooked in coconut cream, and cheesy Colombo-style bites. Meat and fish get no more attention than vegetables here, and vegan and gluten-free options run throughout, useful if your group has different eating needs. Prices stay on the accessible side for this style of food; check the restaurant's website for the current menu before visiting.
The mood
Hushed, white-tablecloth dining isn't what's on offer here. The Coconut Tree goes for a relaxed, playful island feel instead, candles set into half coconuts, paper towels in place of starched napkins, and a mood that builds as the evening wears on. As the room fills and the volume rises, a round of the house "Cocotails", the bar's coconut-leaning cocktails, feels right at home. This easy, sociable character suits groups, birthdays and catch-ups particularly well, though couples and smaller tables settle in just as comfortably.
Location
Old Christchurch Road, the pedestrian-friendly route connecting Bournemouth's central Square with the Lansdowne, is where the restaurant sits. That places it within an easy walk of the Lower Gardens, the pier and the beach, letting it fit neatly into a day in town, shopping or the seafront beforehand, dinner here afterwards. Good bus connections serve the location, and plenty more places to eat and drink sit nearby if you're extending the evening; our food & drink guide lists further options across the town.
Practical details
Weekend evenings see the heaviest footfall, so booking ahead by phone or online pays off, particularly for larger groups; quieter weekday lunchtimes tend to be easier for walking in without one. No car park belongs to the restaurant, though central Bournemouth's public car parks sit within a short walk. As opening hours and the menu can shift with the seasons, confirming the latest details directly with the restaurant before visiting is worthwhile. First-time visitors to Sri Lankan food can rely on staff to guide them through the menu, a couple of curries, a hopper or two and some cuttlefish makes for a dependable starting point.