Slipway Cafe Bar in Poole

Superb afternoon tea. Highly recommend. Awesome views. Excellent service. Really faultless. Food very high quality.

This restaurant and bar is situated in the heart of the RNLI training college. Good views over the water and a good selection of food.

The worst place I have ever been too….. it was a booking for over 15 people to celebrate my Mums 70th birthday. Booked over 6 months ago. Great views & lovely looking restaurant but….. 1) Rude manageress as we arrived when you tried to talk to her she just stared at you with an attitude. 2) eventually sat down and asked for menus the waitress said she had to check if the kitchen was open. Bearing in mind this was a sit down meal we had booked. 3) The waiter pushed passed us cussing under his breath as he had a few drinking waiting for our meals. 4) FROZEN PRAWNS 🦐…….. talk about give us food poisoning ⚠️⚠️⚠️ 5) The waited when confronted about his rudeness and the frozen prawns gave us an excuse that there was a big wedding going on (well employ more staff when you know you have big booking happening) The frozen prawns was the final straw and we asked for a refund. The guy at the end (one of the managers I guess) was very apologetic. But at the end of the day that was my Mums 70th Birthday meal ruined………

Group of 8 went here for food on a quiet weekend. No bitter on tap - they did not offer bottled beer even tho by the end of my meal some bottles had appeared behind the bar. Over 1 1/4 hours from when we had starters to when the main courses were brought out. Food was mediocre. Desserts - we asked what the "Ice cream selection" on the menu included - were told with shrugged shoulders "the usual, mint choc chip, vanilla, stuff like that", with no effort or offer to find out more. Won't bother going there to eat again, which is a shame as it is a lovely setting.

I met 2 friends for lunch having never visited before. It was not too busy and service was quick. Unfortunately, the food was mixed. My friend had the avocado and poached eggs starter which she said was great and very good value. My other friend had the salmon main course but the portion wasn’t great and although ok she said it was quite bland. I went for fish and chips.. the chips had clearly been cooked previously then re heated and they were very close to being burnt and also much too greasy. The fish was ok but a really small portion so overall not value for money.

Nice relaxed drink in a well stocked bar run by helpful staff. Great views from the bar and especially from the terrace. A real and happy, contrast to the sardine like restaurant below (Riggers).

Excellent venue, great view, good selection of drinks, fantastic staff. What's not to like about this place?

Came here based on the good reviews, but left disappointed. As it was mid afternoon I fancied some tea and cake, so was pleased to see on the web site that they did afternoon tea. Unfortunately, when asking for it, we were told you have to book 2 weeks in advance (no mention of this on the web site), with a somewhat cryptic comment from the waitress that the chef was a bit Gordon Ramsey - based on the subsequent food this was not because of the quality of what was available. Instead we opted for a plate of chicken wings with BBQ sauce. However, when they arrived they were so spicy that it was like eating a plate of chillies. On querying with the manager he said that is how the chef buys them in! In hindsight we should have just sent them back as there was no mention on the menu that they were spicy wings. Instead, we foolishly perceived, losing all sensation in our lips. Questioning the food again when paying there was no real apology, just a bland comment that the RNLI was a charity. The only saving grace was the view and the friendly waitress. Give this place a miss.

A great place to have a drink before dinner. sit outside and take in the views, very helpful staff and the bar area was very clean.

Casual cafe bar that is open to 11pm with views over Holes Bay and the bridge lights. Try Lifeboat Ale. Great cake and coffee too.

We met friends here for tea and coffee. Lovely views across the harbour. Excellent service, very enjoyable time.

I called in here for a coffee after a walk at Holes Bay. It’s part of the RNLI complex but open to the public so it has a bit of a college campus vibe but the views over the bay from the first floor are wonderful from very comfortable surroundings. The coffee was good and much cheaper than elsewhere. For free parking use the Asda car park and walk through

Horrible Meal, Tasteless!! Way too much oil used. Wouldn’t go again! Such a shame we had a horrible meal, as the view from the Bar was good, despite hardly being able to see through the large windows as they were that dirty! Staff didn’t seen to know what they were doing. Seemed Miserable in their job and everything seemed too much trouble for them. Had to stand waiting at a empty bar while the Server was occupied with a another task, for 10 minutes. None of the workers in the bar area seemed to want to be there at all! Attitude was poor! £2 for a cup of luck warm, cheap nasty tea!! (machine water that’s not hot enough!) Overall a very poor experience! Had stomach pain all night, and upset stomach due to eating there!! Hygiene standards didn’t seem good at all! Salmon meal – Whole meal bland and tasteless, just tasted of oil. No flavour at all. Could do with putting a sauce with the salmon dish, or at least a wedge of lemon, or just add some flavour, other that oil! Large Salad – On the menu, said A Crisp salad with tofu and olives. Far from crisp!!, absolutely drowning in oil!! Hardly any tofu!! Bet there was your daily allowance in calories just in the oil in the salad! Worst Salad I have had in my life!! I asked to see the Manager but the blonde lady behind the bar said he was not abailable for a hour, and we had to leave as the car park was up, so wouldn't wait. If the Manager is going to leave for hours then he should leave someone charge to issue refunds! Not fobb customers off!

Good value for money, nice food. A bit canteen like at lunchtime, more upmarket in evening. Parking is a problem onsite.

Best kept secret in Poole, go find out for yourself really friendly a hotel as well all monies goes to the saving of people like your lives. Need I say more

Good food, lovely bar with great views over Holes Bay Poole. Great choice and would Thoroughly recommend

We had done the cream tea here twice before with just the two of us, but this time we went mob-handed, so booked a table for six. Having arrived about an hour early we found that our table was ready for us, with a fantastic view over Holes Bay, our early arrival being no problem despite their being busy . Having bigged up the cream tea to the others there's always a chance it may not be as good as previous visits but we needn't have worried it was just as good as before. Sandwiches, cakes, macaroons and scones, jam and cream, with an endless supply of tea and coffee. The staff as always were attentive and nothing was too much trouble. Overall we couldn't fault our visit and all at a very reasonable price.

Loved eating here. Great views and nice food and beverages. The waiting team are excellent and look after you. Easy to find. Places to park. Well worth a visit.

This is part of the RNLI Training School and hotel, along with the downstairs Riggers Restaurant. The bar has a wide variety of drinks, at very reasonable prices, including locally brewed beers and interesting foreign lagers. The bar offers a good selection of meals, for more substantial dining there is always Riggers Restaurant down a wide spiral staircase. The bar is very light and airy with an outside terrace and very attractive and relaxing views. A great place to sit down and relax over a drink either on your own or with friends.

It is a very historic bar where there is a rope tower made by hand by some life guards!! it is beautifully constructed and it has a nice bar

Lovely relaxing cafe with a harbour view. Only had a coffee but hopefully have a lunch next time. I've been here at weekends and it does get extremely busy. A nice midweek treat if you can get some time to relax.

Great place to enjoy a drink overlooking Holes Bay and watch the boats sail by. Staff very friendly and courteous.

We ate at the riggers restaurant on the floor below which was fine. We then went to the slipway cafe after for a coffee etc and i was dissapointed with the bar man who was miserable, unwelcoming and barely spoke. After ordering 3 different drinks he seemed annoyer to have to make them and I was then told the price, handed him the money and he didn't say a word, not even a thank you. I didn't catch his name but for the reference was the one with ginger hair and beard. It would have been 5 star if it wasn't for this member of staff.

This place is different. It feels relaxing as it seems so open with all the windows. The prices are low. Shame the tables are not cleared more quickly though.

The bar is up stairs from the restaurant. Not sure if there is a lift to this level.

Nice cafe bar, utilised quite extensively during our weekend away as the weather was a bit inclement. Beer was good (according to Hubby), reasonably priced. Nice cup of coffee.

We enjoyed a few hours Sat enjoying a few drinks whilst taking in the lovely view of the harbour. My husband recommended the Lifeboat beer, very good. Coffees very reasonably priced as well ?

We came here after a 4 hour drive to get to Poole and were staying at the RNLI College. The restaurant closes at 3pm and didn't have much available so we came up to the 1st floor bar area instead. They don't have an extensive menu ( 6 options, 2 of them veggie and 5 pizza choices) and I wouldn't say its cheap but it was convenient and we were hungry. We had the crew beef burger and margherita pizza. Service was good, you order your food at the bar and they bring it to your table. The food was ok, the pizza was a little bit over-done for my liking but the burger was good with all the trimmings and you do have a wonderful view to take in as you dine.

If you want to watch the sunsets whilst have a drink or a drink and some food. This is a perfect place. Sit inside or outside for those who brave the weather, on the balcony overlooking the Training Lifeboats. It is great when the sail bridge goes up and to watch the slow stream of craft heading in and out.

Fabulous quiet haunt this place is, hardly anyone knows it's there and the views are beautiful. Fantastic burgers, pizza and moules. Very reasonable bar prices without the constant smell of cigarettes that you get outside on the quay. Also glorious view of twin sails bridge operating every hour. Such a lovely place to stop and spend an afternoon...

Not as great a visit as I had hoped. My friend and I had shop bought scones and toasted teacakes. You could tell they weren't home made. The service was very slow and they weren't even busy...............again not very impressed with the time taken for the order to be bought over to us. The only redeeming feature of this coffee shop was the view of Poole Harbour. Wouldn't go back again................shame but wasn't worth the money we paid for the food and the drinks.

We visited the Slipway Cafe for afternoon tea, and it was delicious! Plenty of sandwiches, with brownies, cakes, macaroons, and of course scones with lashings of jam and cream.

Well worth seeing this place.. loved seeing where boats were built Book a tour, check the shop, good selection.. lamb shank and Italian wine were excellent!

After a 3 day visit we used the bar with friends each evening very good staff/range of real ales and wines at very good prices well worth a visit.

Very good food and staff are very friendly. I will be going back. You can see the latest Rni boats in the marina and see the new bridge and the sunseekers next door

Only just found this, great facility, great views and good value for money, staff friendly and welcoming. Only thing is there is not a lot of parking ....

Nice bar food, friendly service. Lovely views over the estuary. Good for bird watching or just watching the marine traffic go by. Has a nice balcony but can be a bit breezy.

I like this venue and have been going there just about since it opened. Just one recent thing bothers me a little and that is the relatively new practice of putting fresh sandwiches for guests to buy on the bar as the temp of the bar was quite warm. When I mentioned it to the barman he told me that the fridge was broken and so they put them instead. This cannot be good practice as they could go off if left in even moderate temperatures for 2 or 3 hours. The 'keep refrigerated' instruction on the packet is there for a reason. Suggest avoid them until the management fix the fridge !

A great day out despite the rain.Many local businesses plus live music.Plenty of stalls inside plus food & drinks in both Riggers restaurant & Slipway Cafe

The views of the RNLI training, and the many boaty activities in the lagoon are great from up high. The staff are lovely and friendly, and it was clean, so good marks for all of that. However, the food was really bland. It was well presented, and had good portions, but no taste. Something is very wrong there, as one can cook the same food in one's own oven - from a packet - and have better tasting food. We were very disappointed with this factor, and as there is no other reason to go there, we shan't be back. There are many other very good food outlets. Oh, there are no high-chairs either...

Views over pretty part of Poole Harbour. Excellent sunsets. Profits go to the RNLI. Reasonable prices and a good new menu.

I guess that having a whole load of lifeboats parked outside the window helps give this bar the edge over many others. Sharing it with trainee lifeboat crews gives it a really unique atmosphere. Oh and the beer's good too.

Managed to cope with 19 of us appearing all at once before our tour of the College! Very good prices.

Open to the general public this should be a must for any visitor to Poole. Just to sit with a coffee or a glass of wine and look across the bay, it is an idyllic setting. Décor is very stylish and the place spotlessly clean. Food is good & well presented. Staff are welcoming and helpful. You may even have the bonus of seeing the RLNI on a training exercise. Gift shop on the ground floor. Big Asda car Park next door if RLNI is full. Last visit was marred by a very noisy group of women having a meeting but not usually like that.

My wife and I try to pop in here as much as we can as we are members of the RNLI and love coming here for brunch or coffee when we go shopping in town as its not that far from town.

Amazing venue over looking Holes Bay in Poole. Great menu and reasonable prices in Riggers Restaurant.

A very nice place to drop in for a welcome drink or other beverage. Staff are always very welcoming, and the great thing about the RNLI is that you do not have to be a member to participate.

Spent a few nights using the bar as I was on a course for the week. Nice view from balcony and beer pretty good with 2 fine ales to choose from.

Been in this bar many times for lunch and late afternoon drinks. Super views over holes bay. Very comfortable.

great place to relax with great food on offer or just with a drink afternoon or evening nice atmosphere, great staff, lovely view.

This bar is excellent to have drinks, but also afternoon tea. Staff very helpfull and the view is fantastic.

After a business meeting we went up to the bar to have a look around and get some drinks.

Stunning views accross the harbour. The staff are very friendly staff. There is an outdoor area with seating which was beautiful as the sun went down. Very relaxing. Drink prices were reasonable and the coffee was delicious.

This must have some of the best views in Poole, especially over the RNLI Training College, and over to the Twin Sails Bridge. You will also see a lot of Sunseeker Yachts around.

a nice bar, quiet, a great view over poole bay. A nautical theme - all for a good cause the RNLI. Bump into a few crew whilst you are there.

Large bar with a good ale on tap. Range of snacks. Outside terrace overlooks harbour. Friendly staff.

This is a great find - we were resident but I believe this is open to the public. Prices are reasonable for coffees and drinks - there is a bar meal type of service available. We enjoyed watching the sailing world go by.

This is a good place for lunch, an evening meal or an afternoon tea. The view is excellent and you can watch the new Poole bridge going up and down. Staff are very pleasant and the Sundary crvery both lunch and evening are good. Note, no lunch served on Saturday, but light bites available at the bar. You are also donating to the RNLI every time you eat here.

Good local ales and Cider, very comfortable with lovely views and nice atmosphere. Go down stairs directly to riggers restaurant.

This restaurant is part of the RNLI college, as such the profits go to the RNLI which in my mind is enough reason to eat there!

Part of the RNLI College and Hotel. Good selection of drinks and eats with great harbour views. the Games compendium was missing the pack of cards and a poker dice. Oh well you cannot have everything. Regards Gary Saunders

We had a lovely afternoon tea with a great view. The staff were very friendly and the food was excellent. The prices were very reasonable and there was a lot of choice.

We tried the sharing platters as a quick treat before heading to a concert in town and weren't disappointed. Lovely service and a great price. As it was a Saturday night we were told there might be a wait for the food but we were fine with that, the view soon passed the time! The food was very pretty and just enough. Really tasty and washed down with a very tasty local ale. We would definitely recommend to others.

Nice bar upstairs in the RNLI College building. Good selection of food and drink and lovely views. Definitely worth a visit. I'd rather a charity took the profit from my coffee drinking habit than a coffee shop chain!

There can't be a better place in Poole to grab a coffee or a snack, discovered this while staying at the college ( which i thoroughly recommend ) Excellent coffee , very good value with amazing harbour views . Go there you won't be disappointed

The staff were wonderful & very friendly. We enjoyed sitting on the sofa, enjoying a coffee (or a baileys in the evening) whilst looking out over the harbour. Prices were very reasonable

This bar above the Riggers Restaurant has a wide range of ales, wines and spirits at really good prices.

the bar has one of the best views imaginable over poole. The drinks and food was also very good value

I had no idea this place existed inside the RNLI college and would never have thought to come here if it had not been recommended, but I am really glad I did.

My wife and I keep going back. It is on the first floor of the RNLI College, immediately above the Riggers Restaurant. Access is via a beautiful spiral staircase in the centre of the restaurant, or via a lift or traditional staircase in reception. If you wish, you can buy meals in the restaurant and then bring them upstairs to eat, or dine from the separate Bar Menu. The choice of seating means you can sit at a table, or relax on the comfortable sofas overlooking the bay to watch the boats and the Twin Sails Bridge. Toilets are spotlessly clean and include a spacious Accessible toilet with baby change facilities. High chairs available. Free Wifi is accessible via Fusion who ask you to log in with your Facebook or Twitter account. Bar prices are very reasonable for alcoholic, soft and hot drinks. The staff set the bench mark to which everyone else in the industry should aspire and really couldn’t be more friendly or helpful if they tried. Well worth a visit whatever the weather, as it still has a pleasant atmosphere (coloured LED lighting) even when the weather is blowing a gale outside. Just outside the bar, and up a few flights of steps, is the “Harbour View”. I thoroughly recommend this venue.