Celebrated for its award-winning Blue Flag beaches and known as having Europe’s largest natural harbour, Poole is a historic old town with a plethora of amazing places to discover. From glorious golden sands to wildlife spotting opportunities, thrilling watersports to the picturesque Jurassic Coast, Poole has earned its reputation as being a fun holiday destination.
Luckily there’s excellent dining options here too, including many choices for vegans and vegetarians!
Since we know this town well, we’ve picked out what we believe are the eight best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Poole for food and dining experiences.
Some restaurants on our list serve meat as well, but because they also have a superb selection of vegetarian, gluten free and plant-based dishes, we just had to include them.
The Eight Best Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Poole
1. V. Dorset Delivery
Since you’re in such a scenic town with gorgeous sandy beaches, we thought an award-winning vegan takeaway spot in Poole should be top of our list.
Who wants to sit inside when you can enjoy a delicious dinner right by the sea anyway? From juicy vegan burgers, Combo Box Meals, Loaded Roast Potatoes to Pitta Boxes and gluten free options, V. Dorset Delivery has loads on offer
Some of our top picks are their Falafel & Spinach Burger, gluten free Nachos and their Steak & Bacon Mac and Cheese prepared with delicious vegan steak and smoky meat-free bacon – plus you can also choose dairy or vegan cheese. The burger that stood out the most was their Southern Fried Seitan Burger – the crispiness from the well-seasoned seitan patty, the fresh toppings of tomatoes, onions and lettuce is combination that wins over regulars again and again. As for dessert, we recommend their Salted Caramel Cheesecake and Churros.
Kids will enjoy their ‘Little V. Meals’ which comprise of a veggie burger, a choice of carrot sticks with hummus or hash browns, and a juice.
This takeaway joint doesn’t just stop at producing excellent quality food, but it also offers eco-friendly packaging (who doesn’t love that?). You can either pickup your order at the address below or even choose to watch the sunset and let the food come to you by opting for their delivery service.
Although they only do takeaway, this is still easily one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Poole. V. Dorset is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 9pm, but is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Address: 121 Ashley Road, Poole BH14 9DL
2. Miiko Everyday Nourishment
Fancy some nutritious, wholesome and tasty food that you can just grab and go if you’re in a rush, or savour and enjoy on a lovely outdoor patio when you’ve got time to kill?
Well, Miiko Everyday Nourishment offers you both of those options! The contemporary décor with wicker baskets at the door and minimal seating indoors gives this restaurant a modern look, but we’re always drawn to the great outdoor patio where you can soak in the rays – all of which adds to a sort of laid-back Bali-like vibe.
While it’s always nice to sit and enjoy the patio, if you’re in a rush they have ready-to-go takeaway containers making this place ideal to pop in and grab breakfast or lunch.
What should you try? We recommend trying their French Toast-style Banana Bread, Turmeric Hummus & Falafel Toast, Miso Broth or their Focus Bowl which is rich in antioxidants and superfoods like acai, strawberry, blueberry, goji berries, maca powder and chia seeds.
With ingredients like that, you won’t be surprised to hear this place also has an extensive list of smoothies, elixirs and tea blends. Those each serve a specific purpose such as for detox or giving you energy – picking the correct one is a great way to ward off fatigue and start your day on the right note.
Miiko is one of the few solely vegetarian restaurants in Poole, and is open everyday from 9am to 3pm.
Address: 33 Salterns Road, Poole BH14 8BL
3. Delfino Lounge
Conveniently located in Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre, Delfino Lounge is the perfect stop to refuel during your shopping spree – whether that be for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
There aren’t many vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Poole, but luckily places like Delfino – that also serve meat – have made sure to include extensive plant-based options.
We’ll get to those options soon, but there’s another reason (or should we say reasons!) that this place stands out. They have meal deals on Mondays and Tuesdays, a happy hour from Monday to Friday from 5pm to 7pm, as well as a quiz night on Monday at 7pm. Did we mention that this is also one of the best spots for late night bites too?
With all of that going on you may have already guessed that this is a fun and laid back place. Well as soon as you walk in and see the funky multi-coloured wallpaper and mis-matched picture frames you’ll know you guessed right!
The menu changes twice yearly, and when we say the food is good you don’t just have to take our word for it. This restaurant has been awarded ‘Best Vegan Menu’ at the PETA Vegan Food Awards. So you know when ordering the vegetarian options that you will still be enjoying some of the best brunch, mains, tapas, soups and dessert that Poole has to offer.
If you visit and struggle to decide what to have, we recommend trying Delfino Lounge’s Big Vegan Breakfast for brunch. Or for lunch and dinner you can’t go wrong with mains like the Vegan Mexican Superbowl, Vegan Roasted Aubergine Massaman Curry with Flatbread or their Tapas Board Deal where you can chose any three tapas. And if you’re gluten intolerant, they have a full menu of gluten free options.
This vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Poole is open from Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 11pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 9am to 12am.
Address: 8-9 Falkland Square, Poole BH15 1ER
4. Oriel on the Quay
Looking to enjoy some great vegan and vegetarian Mediterranean cuisine with a gorgeous view?
Overlooking the picturesque Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island, this family run restaurant featuring hand painted murals and loads of indoor seating space, as well as a relaxed outdoor patio with sea views, is the perfect stop.
From delicious breakfast items such as their Smashed Avocado or the Vegan Breakfast which is a twist on the traditional British breakfast, to stir fries and stonebaked pizzas, Oriel is going to be a real treat during your Poole adventures. On top of those, we would also recommend trying their Homemade Hummus, Olives and Falafel Artisan Baguette, Vegan Oriel Pizza or their Mediterranean Penne Pasta.
If you’re lucky, you can even experience one of their special themed evenings like their Soirée Française where they feature French cuisine, or their Caribbean night with Caribbean food and live reggae!
This vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Poole is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm, and on Sunday from 9am to 8pm.
So if you’re looking for vegetarian restaurants in Poole with fantastic views and food, this veg-friendly spot is well worth a try.
Address: Seaway House, The Quay, Poole BH15 1HJ
5. Drgnfly Pan Asian Restaurant
This fine dining vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Poole serves exquisite modern Pan-Asian cuisine, as well as creative cocktails. You’ll get the ultimate fusion of Eastern and Western dishes here, plated up in a way that have you grabbing your phone to get those all-important Instagram pictures.
This sophisticated and formal dining spot offers you a unique experience. And from the moment you walk in you will notice the warm red lights, oriental style and decor including the Karuta on display; the Samurai warriors’ armour.
The extensive vegan menu here will give you the opportunity to try out some of the best dishes in Asia but without any animal product in sight!
We highly recommend their Nasu Dengaku – that’s comprised of aubergine in sweet miso – or their Buddah Salad Bowl which is prepared with plant-based salmon, avocado, mango, edamame beans, wakame and other delicious ingredients.
Some other great picks are their Yasai Curry prepared with mixed seasonal vegetables served with Japanese curry sauce & steamed rice, and the Drgnfly Yasai Sushi Platter which is made up of plant based salmon, yasai maki, avocado maki, and plant based tuna.
This vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Poole is open from Monday to Wednesday from 4pm to 10pm, and from Thursday to Sunday from noon to 10pm.
Address: 1 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 0EF
6. Custom House Cafe, Bar & Bistro
Located right on Poole Quay with views of the water, this elegant yet relaxed café is situated in a quaint and beautiful Georgian building.
If you’re looking for a spot to grab a drink and enjoy dishes prepared with some of the freshest local ingredients, then Custom House will be right up your street. The homely vibe they’ve created, thanks in part to the tasteful flowery wallpaper and lovely little outdoor patio with views of the sea, makes this a place you want to settle in for hours.
And with an extensive seasonal menu where you can easily get three plant-based courses, you may end up staying a while too! That menu features some incredible international dishes, as well as classic British favourites. As the dishes change we can’t guarantee what will be on the menu when you visit, but their vegan bruschettas, burgers, curries and baked camembert – a locals’ favourite – are always worth ordering.
If you’re still feeling peckish after digging into these delicious dishes, we recommend trying their season-inspired Crème Brûlée or brownies.
To top it all off, the friendly and very helpful staff are always happy to recommend dishes, and if you’re lucky you may even get to groove to some live music which is held outdoors on sunny days! Expect stripped down Jazz to Blues when there is live music, but even when there’s not this café still has so much to offer!
This vegan-friendly and vegetarian restaurant in Poole is open from Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 10pm, Saturday from 9am to 10pm and on Sunday from 9am to 5:30pm.
Address: The Old Custom House, The Quay, Poole BH15 1HJ
7. Da Vinci’s Italian Restaurant
If you’re on the hunt for a fun and indulgent Italian dining experience to be enjoyed with your family or friends, Da Vinci’s Italian Restaurant is an opportunity not to be missed!
After all, who doesn’t love delightful pizza and a refreshing cocktail right by the water? This restaurant serving Italian cuisine has beautiful exposed brick walls, wooden floors and large windows overlooking the harbour. If that doesn’t sound photogenic enough, if you head outdoors to their patio area you can sometimes enjoy live music with a cheesy pizza in hand!
So you’re probably thinking, what about if you’re vegan? Pizza is a no-go…..
Well Da Vinci’s have a fantastic little vegan menu which includes starters, pastas, and even a pizza! If you’re looking for recommendations, why not try their Funghi al aglio e pepperoncino which is prepared with wild mushrooms, garlic and fresh chilli and served with sourdough bread. As for the pizza, the Pizza 4 stagioni Vegana is full of delicious toppings like artichokes, olives, asparagus, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and vegan cheese.
This vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Poole is open everyday from 10am to 10pm.
Address: 7 The Quay, Poole BH15 1HJ
8. Lakeside Fish & Chips
We know that Fish & Chips and being vegetarian doesn’t go hand-in-hand. But you don’t want to feel left out when your family and friends are enjoying this British classic.
So we’ve found the perfect restaurant for you to dig into some vegetarian food while your family enjoy fish and chips – and even better you’ll all be eating while looking out on sweeping views of the water at Poole’s Upton Lake.
Admittedly, there aren’t many plant-based options at Lakeside, but we think the ones on offer make up for it.
We love their Cheesy Garlic Bread, Garlic Mushrooms and Vegetable Burger. Their Seasonal Salad and Homemade Coleslaw are always a must if you’re looking for moreish sides. For dessert, why not indulge in their Homemade Bread & Butter Pudding or Deep Filled Apple Pie?
This restaurant is open from Monday to Wednesday from 11:30am to 10pm, Thursday to Saturday from 11am to 10pm and on Sunday from noon to 9pm.
Address: Lifeboat Quay, Poole BH15 1LS
