On the eastern edge of Bournemouth, where the River Stour bends its way towards Christchurch Harbour, stands The Riverside, a country pub and restaurant beside Tuckton Bridge. Belonging to the local Eat Drink Meet group, it succeeds through a straightforward combination: a spacious garden right by the water and a wide-ranging, crowd-pleasing menu spanning stone-baked pizzas through to aged-steak grills.
The food
Comfort and familiarity define the cooking, which combines traditional British pub food with the occasional Mediterranean flourish. Grills feature heavily, with a 30-day-aged rib-eye among the standout steaks, plus gourmet burgers, hand-battered fish and chips, steak and ale pie and stone-baked pizzas. Seafood also gets a decent showing, past menus have included king prawn, crab and chorizo linguine, and the offering changes through the seasons. Proper roasts take over on Sundays, ranging from sirloin of beef to slow-cooked pork belly with all the trimmings. Both vegetarians and vegans are catered for, and a dedicated children's menu is available, though since recipes do change, checking the current menu and mentioning any allergies to staff is worthwhile.
The setting
Water is the main attraction. A courtyard, garden and decked terrace all overlook the River Stour, offering a relaxed spot for al fresco dining in the warmer months, or a place to enjoy a drink from a bar well stocked with real ales, wines, beers and premium spirits. The interior sticks to a relaxed, homely country-pub character, warm, informal and built for long, leisurely meals rather than anything stiff. Dogs are welcome outdoors, families throughout, and the pub copes just as well with a quiet lunch as a bigger celebration, helped by private dining and function space.
Where it is
220 Belle Vue Road (BH6 3BA) is the address, right beside Tuckton Bridge on the Bournemouth side of the Stour. The location proves genuinely convenient, close to Southbourne and Wick, a short distance from the calm greenery of Tuckton Gardens, and directly across the water from Christchurch, with its priory, quay and harbour. A roughly fifteen-minute drive covers the distance to central Bournemouth, and ample on-site parking, rare so close to the coast, is available.
Good to know
Think reliable, good-value all-rounder rather than special-occasion splurge; a steady, loyal local crowd keeps the pub busy through the week. Walking in for a casual meal usually works, though weekends, sunny days and Sunday lunch get crowded, so it makes sense to book ahead, particularly for a garden table or a larger party. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all on offer, plus takeaway. The restaurant's website remains the best place to check current opening hours, the full menu and table reservations.
Browse the rest of our food & drink guide for further options along this stretch of coast, and consider pairing a meal here with a riverside walk or a trip over to Christchurch Quay if you're making a full day of it. Contact The Riverside directly for the latest menu, opening times and bookings.