The Bear Cross in Bournemouth

Lovely Christmas lunch and a huge dessert!

Lovely atmosphere, service was great, lots of food choices, the fillet steak was a bit over done for me, but food was piping hot and everyone (11 of us) was all served together

Excellent food & service, a very nice atmosphere all at a reasonable price.

Just passing through with the wife. Disabled parking spot conveniently close to the front door. It was quite busy with early diners but no problem in finding a couple of seats. At the bar welcomed by Charlotte, a smile would have enhanced the welcome though. I had a pint of Firsty Ferret in a dimpled handle ( no problem there ) at a good temperature and the wife had a whisky and lemonade. Both drinks were very reasonably priced. I thought the lighting was very bright and could do with dimming a little to create a nicer ambience. All in all though, a nice stop, I hope you don't mind the constructive criticism.

Cannot comment on food as we just came for a drink, having not visited for years. It's much changed as I recall, now a large open-plan area clearly intended for diners. There is a bar but just a few stools and nothing about it has any sense of cosiness or intimacy, all rather soulless, sadly Friendly-enough staff, but will not be returning just for a few drinks.

Disappointed not as good as it was in fairness I haven’t visited for a nicer of years and thought we would go back table booked for 6.15 shown to table quickly and ordered a drink. Ordered food one stuffed peppers and one small bite fish and chips. Not often are we disappointed with food but such a shame the peppers were very bland no taste and strangely the chips were the same can’t fault the presentation it looked lovely but the taste wasn’t great. The fish inside the batter was also a little mushy and my friend said the batter didn’t appear to have any beer taste. Being British of course we said everything was ok when we were asked. We did chance a dessert and have to say they were lovely the crumble and the profiteroles so that made up for it. Compared to other places have been lately may be on the slightly pricey side for what we had

Lunchtime meal with friends. On line Booking system easy with reminder sent day before. Adequate car park although parking lines could do with a refresh. Nice menu choice at competitive prices. Our meals were of good quality. Good range of drinks avaliable.

Food was lovely. Waiting staff very attentive

First time visiting for lunch. Warm welcome from staff on arrival, shown to our table as we had not booked, asked if we were happy with the table which we were. Hubby ordered Lamb steak in a rich mint gravy and fresh vegetable, I had pan fried chicken in a Stilton and apricot sauce with fresh vegetables followed by a pudding absolutely delicious, good portions served. Service was good. Overall a lovely lunch. We shall be back. Thank you to all the staff

Vinimos aquí para el almuerzo del domingo - no habíamos reservado, pero acabamos de parar en el apagado - oportunidad y tuvimos suerte de entrar después de la prisa principal de la hora del almuerzo. Claramente es muy popular. Tenía la opción de asado vegetariano, que para mí era una porción demasiado grande y un poco demasiado dulce de arándano. Si volvemos a ir probablemente me gustaría ir a la porción más pequeña y añadir un lado, ya que su queso de coliflor era muy agradable.

Nuestro lugar favorito para comer fuera Nos encanta venir aquí para una comida casual, nunca tuvo un problema en todos los años que hemos estado viniendo. Entre otros platos, el cerdo asado en domingo y el pollo cajún se han convertido en uno de nuestros platos favoritos, una cocina casera muy sabrosa, esperamos con ansias venir cada mes aproximadamente.

Not impressed at all. Such a shame the decline of service as well as the quality of the food. My mum had a stroke and my family came from Brighton to join us for our first meal out since she was out of hospital 3 weeks ago, we thought we would celebrate my sons girlfriends treat to us. I was served a totally different dish to what was on the menu that I ordered, I didn't want to make a fuss as my mum would get stressed so I humbly ate some & gave the rest to my son & girlfriend. I was fasting 4 days & wanted to break my fast with protein not rice a carb so I wasn't at all happy although didn't want to ruin the meal for everyone else. It was bland & tasteless wrapped in a sauce that didn't do it justice. I checked with the other family members & we agreed to say something as it was false advertising. I was offered a free dessert. I ordered a tea that never arrived and overall was not impressed by the lack of how important it is to serve what what is described on the menu. That could have been fatal to someone with a rice allergy & the pub libel. It was poorly managed the situation as it felt like it wasn't really a problem, that night I had stomach pains with nausea as I never eat rice. I needed to write this to express just how important it is to serve on a menu what it actually is! No - one wants to ruin people's lively hoods but the Bear Cross needs to step up, felt a waste of an evening & money.

Lovely home cooked breakfast at the Bear Cross today. Good value and delicious flavours.

Birthday celebration lovely food well presented and excellent service

I'll be honest.... I'm not a pub person so much anymore. I had a hour to kill as my car was tied up with a MOT at KwikFit across the road. So I popped across to the pub and was greeted nicely and politely. I got myself a gorgeous bit of Sultana and Apple cake and a perfect coffee. The place was friendly, clean and very professional.

The place looks tired and needs money spent to make it more appealing. The food and service were good, but the place lacked ambience.

Great experience, service highly recommend

I went with 5 other people, excellent service all round , friendly staff

Okay for a bite to eat. A little on the expensive side for what you get but it was okay.

Sadly the food let’s down what it is an otherwise good experience. The team are super friendly and the atmosphere is that of a friendly cosy local. I had the burger, supposedly beef, but had the texture and taste of a heavily processed, straight from the freezer slab of some mysterious meat like substance. The huge chips were pleasant enough but let down by a mayonnaise which lacked the creaminess and taste of one. The roasts my partner had looked like a better option so perhaps I chose carelessly on this occasion.

Lovely staff and Lovely service thank you

Lovely relaxed atmosphere. Very personable staff. Great food . Large free carpark. On a busy roundabout but you hardly noticed this once inside the lovely clean friendly pub. Highly recommend

Went in for dinner on a Friday night. Unfortunately my meal was barely edible but even though I hadn’t eaten all day I still only managed half of it. My partners slow cooked beef was good but my steak pie was overcooked to the point that the moisture had been sucked out of the meat and pastry resulting in tough, stringy beef and a dry, hard crust. The potatoes and gravy were tasty but the accompanying swede, carrots and broccoli were woefully overcooked and literally disintegrated to the point I had to scoop them onto the fork. Highly disappointing meal.

Awesome food, awesome service and an awesome place to visit. Well worth the experience

We enjoyed a fantastic afternoon as a party of 20, in order to celebrate our parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. There is a great selection on the menu and all of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals, including the children! A lovely atmosphere and lovely staff! Would highly recommended.

i loved this place going to come here more often. perfect for a meal with friends or family.

Great food, substituded parts, no problem. Crowd of 8, Kevin could not have been more helpful, brilliant member of the team. So good with starter and small main, coukd not eat a dessert 😥 We will be back!!

We had our 40th wedding anniversary here, what a amazing buffet they do, everyone committed on how lovely the food was, even kept going back for more. Free tea & Coffee with buffet. The staff are very friendly & helpful. Will definitely be going back. 👏👏👏

We were a party of 5 celebrating a 75th Birthday. Food, service, ambience - super. What more can you ask? They offer a great menu which is inclusive for vegetarians and vegans. The staff are exceptional.

Have visited this pub many times but this was the first time under new management. Our waiter was Kevin who was very pleasant and after only 2 weeks at this restaurant he was already very proficient. The dining room team need to work more as a team, they seemed to be hurrying around and on this occasion we did have to wait awhile for our drinks. This said I expect they are all quite new and in time will be better. The food was as good as ever and choice and price excellent. If you are in the area then try this pub as it is well worth it. We will be back. Keep up the good work Kev your a star.

FOOD WAS FANTASTIC AND VERY NICE JUST HOW WE WANTED IT 😋 WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PUB TO ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTED A NICE MEAL 😊👍👍

Staff nice, no where outside for non smokers, but I used to be addicted to 40 a day and I was allowed to poison everyone in the pub, so we're making progress Food average, but ok Quiet for a Summer Saturday night, I'd give it 5 years max before it's a new block of flats, so get there quick x

Really nice place to have a meal will definitely go again 🙂🍽

Came at 745pm for a Roast Dinner but they were out of all roasts but they did accommodate my little girl with mash chicken Yorkshire pudding and gravy . Unfortunately the chicken was very dried up and she couldn’t eat it but they did find a spoonful of mash extra to give her . Our food was lovely .. not big portions just the right size for me . One of the members of staff that served us was very accommodating and friendly . We are on holiday here . Gutted we didn’t get our roasts but we should have come earlier… enjoyed the sun and ate late . We would certainly come back here and recommend this place . I think my daughters chicken must have been what was left over from the Sunday lunches sadly so very dry . I had lamb chops and my husband had peppered pork

One of my most favourite restaurants in this local area. Lovely staff, very efficiently managed by Becky, and Tom. Perfect menu, with smaller appetite options and plenty of veg. Thanks for feeding us so well.

The steak pie is the best in Dorset no question about it! Usually good service but be sure to book ahead as most of the time they are busy due to the good food. Only downside is most of their clientele are very elderly so does smell of care home slightly. However I must Insist the food is special especially their homemade steak pie! A must try if your in the area

Staff very professional. Food very good

It was a very nice meal. The service was amazing; very friendly staff.

Brilliant meal again.Thanks to the chef for another lovely meal out.Service was great despite how busy it was, can’t believe how many people were in there on a Wednesday lunchtime! Will be back soon x

Today’s lunch was an essay in mediocrity. The fish in the fish and chips looked like it had been found in Tutankhamen’s tomb and then refried a couple of times before serving, then try to find any fish in the middle. It speaks a lot if a pub can screw up fish and chips. The other meals were, well, totally mediocre. Service by one waitress was charmless with plates plonked on the tables unceremoniously in front of us. The interior of the pub could do with a refurb, too.

The vegetables were fresh that accompanied the food.

Great food,plenty of gluten free choices., friendly staff. Small portions available for the elderly

Great Gluten Free Sunday Lunch as always, we go here every time we visit Poole, never had a GF lunch like it, you get Yorkshire pudding and cauliflower cheese!! Most restaurants take it away if your GF, even though it has changed hands still the same great food and staff.

Visited with friends for coffee and cake

Good food, extremely slow service from the staff who seem.more interested in chatting at the bar rather than taking orders or payment. Waited 15 minutes after being given the bill for someone to actually payment on a not busy Monday lunchtime....

I have eaten here in the past but not since new owners, I had some chips and a Guinness ordered at the bar and sat outside as it was a sunny day. Outside is nice but as it's right by a roundabout it can be noisy, but great if you're a people watcher or like to see activity around you. Chips were as expected and no complaints. I would eat and drink here again. They have an on site car park, not massively big but I've always managed to park

Lovely food. First time back with new owners. Would have liked to seen a change in menu as this has been the same one for years. Kevin our waiter was lovely and very friendly.

This was only my second time visiting the Bear Cross despite only living near by, we went for a birthday meal and found the meal very enjoyable, everything was cooked perfectly, the service was excellent, will try and go back again.

Had a lovely meal, friendly staff and loved the fairy lights in the restaurant! Very reasonable prices too.

Tasty food at a reasonable price. Friendly staff.

Didn't eat here have heard good things though from a friend who worked here recently who's a world class chef. Prices a bit pricey seems to be an older crowd we were there at 2.30 til 6

Great place to watch the football, shame about the game.

We were a group of builders looking for a Friday morning breakfast. Upon entry we all thought our hi Viz attire was wrong for the occasion but the Bear cross staff welcomed us in and the food was top notch. Probably the best breakfast I've had apart from my wife's. Just incase she reads this. Thanks Bear cross, hope we can get back soon.

We had a beef roast dinner and was very happy. Meat was served and cooked perfectly. I am a fussy big eater and this was perfect. Thank you. I would come again

Really lovely breakfast and very pleasant staff.

Lovely meal and a great evening.

Not the first time I have been here. Excellent food and service. Highly recommended 👌

Excellent service in a friendly pub/restaurant. Food amazing as always .

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here with relatives. There was an excellent range of delicious home cooked food. We ate from the smaller appetite menu which was very good value.

Nice spacious eating areas with plenty of parking. Extensive menu and great food. Service was attentive and efficient.

Really nice atmosphere to talk with the family. Lovely friendly service, and excellent food. Accommodated all 13 of us at one table.

This is a great place to bring family friends and loved ones. There is ample parking available within the area. There is also disable parking available here onsite. The food and service is excellent especially off peak times. Booking is better especially if you want to be on at peak times. There is good selection of wines, beer, cider and spirit's. Food is great and one could choose between light bites of main dish too. Highly recommended to everyone who want to have a great time with family friends and loved ones. Thank you and have a great day 👍🌞

We always have amazing meals , but when we came fo my Husbsnds Birthday 18/2. We where very disapointed, the menu has changed, food not cooked to the usual standard and service very lacking it was only 6.30 and not many tables booked. We particulary come as has a great GF menu.So sad.

Good place to stop if you're looking for somewhere to eat. Food and service excellent. Will definitely stop there next time we're in the area.

Really nice meal. Service very good.

Let's start with the venue. Nice and cosy maybe to cosy with the radiators on full. Decor was good, very ambient. Service was really good, couldn't do enough. Now the food is really nice. But there was not a good balance of value for money. Braised minted lamb steak was amazing but the mash potato and Veg was the size my 4 year old eats. 8oz burger and chips was excellent. Kids pasta was very small and both my kids were still hungry.

Great place for breakfast, coffee, coffee and cake, lunch and evening meals and drinks. The team/staff are very friendly and helpful and you can pay with card or cash. The atmosphere lost a star from me because I don't like grey painted walls, but that's me. We will return soon.

First visit with the new owners and really pleased nothing has changed same staff and food was exceptionally good pleased to see the same amount of choices on the menu. Still my favorite place to visit.

Small plates for small appetites. This stage 4 cancer patient LOVED IT. Lovely chicken dish and first meal I was able to finish for MONTHS!!!!

Nice place to eat one of the better chain pubs food reasonable and delicious

Whet there on a Sunday evening. Nice pleasant atmosphere, not busy. The food was nice would visit again

Normally this place is very good. Pricey but good quality and normally lovely staff, which i dont normally mind paying a little extra for. Unfortunately the whole team were let down by one staff member. I'm not giving any descriptions but clearly I'm not the first customer to have faced the raith of Resting B%#* Face judging by other reviews. A very rude individual. Not a credit to your team. Suggest a change of career as a parking enforcement officer, prison gaurd or SS officer at Belson!

1st visit since a bad experience a few months ago. However, staff were friendly and food was cooked just as I'd requested. Portion sizes and quality are excellent. We weren't rushed and service was great. Highly recommend. We will be back!

Food is OK, good service. Wouldn't go back but my Mum likes ig.

Lovely cosy place to enjoy a good meal at a reasonable price. Friendly and efficient service. Never disappointed.

The food was great the cocktails were amazing and the DJ made it an excellent atmosphere highly recommend it definitely going again won't forget

Was really impressed with the quality of the food given the price, and they had a great selection of gluten-free options.

We love this restaurant, the service is always excellent, and food good and value for money. We had the Christmas menu, and although good, wasn't great. A mark lost because the main course, while good, could and should have been great. Roast potatoes were soft, tasty but no crunch at all. And for us one pig in blanket was stingy. And lastly, the veg was delicious, wonderfully cooked. However, we didn't really enjoy mange tout, and chunks of Sweden as the choice of veg for a traditional Christmas roast. So no horror story, just not quite to our taste this time.

Went for a Christmas meal, very good as always

Loved the food have been a few times now very friendly

Visited with my elderly mum and son and daughter and my young grand daughter, staff were excellent and food was lovely and hot. Will be back again.

Absolutely fabulous meal, excellent value for money. Definately go back.🎅

Had a really lovely Christmas meal with my wife and eight of our friends, I would most definitely recommend

Food was fantastic, best brulee i have eaten

Christmas dinner pretty average.

Had a good meal but it wasn't served hot enough for my liking . The place was heaving with Christmas parties so I chose not to ask for my meal to be reheated as the staff were so busy . The staff were doing a very good job under the circumstances. I would go back again .

Lovely lunch, good sized portions, a nice place for a Sunday roast.

Perfect. Problem with the fish but resolved so well. Lovely food, staff and atmosphere.

Lovely Christmas meal for our group. Thank you

Love this pub always made to feel welcome.

Great food, served hot, polite and helpful staff.

Fantastic Christmas Lunch and wonderful service. Had a great time.

Great atmosphere. We were with good company and the food was great tasting!! Anyone who hasn't been should at least try it.

Had a really fab Sunday roast here with a group of friends. The food was cooked perfectly and all of us were full. They have a great system for large groups so no need to worry about working out bills. Service was excellent. Really they should have only hit 4.5 stars because there was no cheesecake dessert option but as the coffee merengue was soooo lovely I’ve met them off ! Only one observation to note - it’s gets ridiculously warm in there so make sure you wear layers so you can peel them off !

Lovely food and really friendly, helpful staff.

Lovely atmosphere, friendly service and good food. I especially liked that the menu offered "Mains" and the same but a slightly smaller version called "Light bites" which was perfect for lunch. I would definitely recommend.

Great place, had lunch, really gorgeous flavours and the cake was devine! Definately recommend!

The food is very good, and the vegetables are all hot and do not show signs of being cooked by Chef Mike! My only real complaint is that the roast potatoes though nice?, have been left under heat and that you are unable to cut into them. Also I had the pork and the crackling is a tooth breaker!

Very busy pub that is clearly very popular, especially on a Sunday lunchtime! Wide menu choice, so having the Sunday roast beef was the most obvious way to go. The portions were good, for both the mains and the sides. A very pleasant meal, the food was good, but wouldn't describe it as a gastro pub experience. It certainly was not a bad experience and the staff were lovely. A solid 4/5 and very good value for money overall.

Excellent food. Slow to give the bill as change over of staff. Good value. Good choice for small appetite