The Lobster Hatch in Christchurch

We had a fairly disappointing haddock, scampi and white bait with chips. Chips were dry, overcooked, not fresh or all that hot, fish was greasy and tasted like it had been frozen. Already fairly expensive for what it was and then charged 40p per source 🤨.

This place use to be great. Now it’s dreadful. Avoid at all cost. We had fish and chips there yesterday. We ordered one haddock and chips, and one haddock (no chips). They came out and the haddock and chips were over cooked. So I asked for the whole lot to be recooked and served so it wasn’t over cooked. Initially they said they wouldnt recook the haddock because it was ok, but they would recook the haddock and chips as it was over cooked. I said this wasn’t acceptable as it was all meant to be fresh. Another 15minutes later they served the fish and chips. They lied to my face and said both meals were recooked when they weren’t. The haddock was the same piece, and the haddock and chips was recooked, but still dreadful. Avoid. Also ridiculously expensive for what they’re serving.

This is the slowest fish and chip shop you will ever find. Absolute joke given the location. Zero sense of urgency. Serving in totally random order. They seem incapable of running this properly.

We ordered just before 7pm and only had to wait 5 mins. It wasn’t busy. Haddock and chips were extremely hot and we sat by the takeaway on the benches on the beach on a gloomy evening watched by many seagulls. Unfortunately my fish smelt odd and on tasting it was inedible as it tasted of disinfectant/cleaning product and was absolutely disgusting. My husband’s was fine. Chips were nicely browned but they’re not chip shop chips, rather chunky restaurant chips and very filling. Returned my fish to the counter and received a refund but couldn’t have a replacement as they had just stopped cooking for the evening. Won’t be returning I’m afraid.

Fish & chips by the sea, very tasty.

Serves old spoiled fish, avoid at all costs

Great fish and chips for six yesterday sitting on a perfect beach. Chips and fish perfect as were the mushy peas and tartar sauce.

Food was tasty when we finally got order. Told there would be a 35 minute wait. One hour later food finally ready. Apparently it was the fish holding up the order. Were they waiting for the fishing boat to come in? Many disgruntled customers. My advice for others don’t bother.

Brought a family of 5 down to Avon Beach for a few hours and stopped by the Lobster Hatch to fill a hole in our tummies. Whilst the prices are somewhat steep (£2.50 per 330ml can of soft drink!) The food was delicious and I would recommend this place, for its idyllic location, right on the seafront. Service was approximately 15-20 minutes.

We had takeaway half haddock and chips on a very hot Sunday evening. Considering the queue, service was quick and the food was hot and tasty.

Ordered spicy squid very disappointed. However the fish is nice.

Properly disapointing and they are taking the micky with their prices. £59 for 3 meals and drinks is pretty ridiculous. The chips were nothing like chip shop chips, more like frozen chips. The fish was completely tastless and the mushy peas tasted like polyfiller. I would suggest anyone fancying fish and chips goes elsewhere.

Friendly service and decent take away haddock and chips for £13 (2024). Other options include scampi, chicken burgers and nuggets. Dressed whole lobster available for £51. There are some picnic benches on the beach to sit as too.

Awful, dry, burnt, tasteless. Overpriced.

Inedible, burnt, dry, expensive. Hunt for the fish in the batter. Wish we'd read the reviews first!

Avoid if you have allergies. The team misinformed three of us on separate occasions on the allergens present within the fish and served us a meal with an allergen present. When we let the team know what had happened and the severity of it, they did not apologise or provide alternative food. Incredibly poor service.

Can,t fault this little hatch that serves freshly cooked food. You get a number when you order and collect your food when your number is called over the loudspeaker. We only waited for five minutes and picked up our two portions of whitebait. They were crispy and perfectly cooked. The portions were a good size too. Very enjoyable lunch time meal.

Lovely chips, fish not so good.

So if your idea of a nice bit of fish and chips by the sea is great then look elsewhere. 30 minute wait for food and being told to wait by the bogs until your order is called out. At this point all the kids waiting for food had given up being patient and turned to screaming and crying on the offchance the "chef" made it any faster. Over expensive greasy muck dousnt do it justice. Go to Mackies instead. I mean you could walk there and back and save time.

If you enjoy a very long wait for your food. Go here. Absolutely appalling. Waited nearly 45mins. Awful place. Just in case there's a response. They were NOT busy. !!!!!

Me and my partner came down for an evening at the beach and wanted to treat ourselves to chips on the beach for dinner. we were disappointed to say the least. we were first over charged and then when the food did come it was so bland and tasted so cheap and bland! this must have been one of the most expensive fish and chips we’ve ever had and for what😮 portion sizes were also terrible, we ordered a large chips for the both of us , could of easily had one each!! wouldn’t recommend.

Lunch. On a recent trip to Bournemouth we had to make a pit stop by here. The last time we visited here we ate in their restaurant. As it was a glorious sunny day we decided to order from their Lobster hatch and have lunch on the beach. We had a portion of scampi £9.20. A haddock with chips £12. The fish was nice a flacky with crispy batter,just how it should be. All washed down with a couple of halfs £3.50 each. They even have a delicatessen,bakery and shop next door with some delious looking baked goods as well as sandwiches etc. The setting is beautiful, especially when the sun is shining. It's well worth a visit. The prices are a bit punchy,but thats to be expected for the location. Our doggies loved it too and Bobby made a new friend on the beach.

The worst fish and chips I have had, overpriced, greasy and all batter, also overcooked.

Ultimately the food doesn’t need to be good with this location does it….BUT none the less a really noticeable decline in food quality since the last time we popped down a few months ago. Also…£9.20 for 7 scampi…?! 😂

Extremely overpriced takeaway. £5 a portion of chips!! And the chips aren’t even proper chips from a chip shop. How can it be possible that a portion of chips is only £1 cheaper than a pint of beer!

Food was absolutely amazing melt in the mouth will definitely come here again. Thank you From Di & Corrie 😋

Great fish n chips takeaway but you there’s plenty of benches to sit on, on the beach. Food cooked to order.

Waited 40 minutes for our food. We were told, after we paid, that the wait was 15-20 minutes. The food was nice - nothing special - but it was a decent fish and chips.

Oh dear it used to be worth paying premium to eat fish and chips on the beach but recently the standards have dropped massively from the staff service to the quality of food. In my opinion £2.40 for a can of coke is daylight robbery, the grandkids favourite chicken nuggets are now tasteless and reconstituted, the last battered sausage, well I think they must have forgot the batter. Don’t forget that success is only rented and the rent is due daily. Come on you can do better than this, is the hatch only the poor relative of the noisy lobster. You need to seriously get a grip. We have been using it since you opened and the restaurant way before that and it has never been as bad as this. Seems you need some beachside competition to keep you on your toes.

Paid £5 for a 330ml can of ale, they gave me hardly any chips literally half a portion 8 chips I counted, for same price as the tiny ale can, they have no cheesy chips and they are hard.

Have been coming down to mudeford for a long time and always had fish and chips here. Always overlooked the price as its right on the beach so fully prepared to pay extra for the convenience. However today the food and service was terrible! Joined the massive long queue to order and then when I finally ordered was in for another lengthy wait for food. Could have probably swam to the isle of Wight and back! I could deal with the price and wait as I have always done if the food was good however it was awful. My little ones chicken nuggets were so badly cremated I was considering holding a service for them. I tried one myself and it was like biting into solid concrete. I took them back for a replacement just for the kids in the kitchen to laugh and joke about it. Next time we will bring a Tesco meal deal.

Been here many times on visits to Mudeford but this time the food was dreadful. Frozen chips which tasted like budget ones and greasy fish that was soggy with the excess fat. £12 for that? Really?? Both went in the bin. I couldn’t even complain as they closed as soon as they served me an hour before the advertised time.

Good consistent delicious food every time!!

Closes 2 hours before Google says they do. Fortunately, we found a fantastic pub down the road that we never would’ve gone to if this place didn’t close early so thanks to them for that I guess!

Recently the wait time has extended, which was discouraging, fair enough. But this time it was complete rip off! Chips were tiny and mushy peas was third of the tub. Save half of your money and seek out local chippy.

Great little takeaway right on the beach. Service, food, and location were excellent!

Freshly cooked, tasty fish. Chips were less chip shop, a bit more gastro, but very nice too. Great location.

Was looking forward to sitting on the beach and enjoying traditional fish and chips... oh dear, a very long wait for overcooked greasy fish and frozen steak chips, for added insult there were no napkins, disposable or recycled cutlery, NO SALT AND VINEGAR, not even a slice of lemon. For £12 you are having a laugh. Avoid at all costs. There is a proper chippy 5 mins up the road. You have been warned.

Had lovely fish and chips on the beach. The guys who served us was super friendly and nice 😊 thank you for being happy and not bloody miserable like most places! 👍🏻

Good fish and chips in a nice seaside setting. A quintessentially british dinner. Only negative is the prices

Family of four staying locally in Airbnb. Saw the hatch and fancied fish and chips for dinner. £50 for two full fish and chips, one half fish and chips, one sausage and chips! The chips not chippy chips and portion size a tiny complete rip off. Save half of your money and seek out local chippy.

Great location, plenty of seating shame about the fish and chips. Having ordered and paid the going rate we had quite a wait for our food. Very disappointed with what we were given. Frozen chips and over cooked dry fish in very dark batter. Wouldn't recommend anyone wasting their money. Wouldn't give them one star but that was the only way to put in a review

Small portion, expensive. Unfortunately they have the monopoly on the beach. Food was good.

We didn't use the restaurant as you had to wait at the entrance to be seated. After 10 minutes of waiting, no one had come, so we went to the takeaway instead, which was delicious. The staff at the takeaway were extremely friendly and helpful. It's a shame that we missed out on a seafood meal with a bottle of wine.

The hatch has 2 sections a take away cafe and cake shed and a fish and chip take away that also serves alcohol and a few other fast food items. Generally everything is pretty good especially the cakes. The fish and chips is freshly cooked for you but condiments are an expensive addition. Location on beach is excellent with great views of the Isle of Wight. However the premium position also results in premium price although no more expensive than any other similar place or patisserie.

Mine was ok, late after ordering straight after my friend. Her fish was WELL over cooked, dry and dark brown 😕

£40 for chips, battered sausage and 2 fish and chips. Got about 10 chips per portion

Really expensive for the very small portion you get. Fish was decent, but the chip portion size is pathetic. They have a monopoly in the location, but in today's society that shouldn't equal poor value for money. Wait time also very long 45 mins from queueing to getting food

All signs suggest that this should be really good fish n chips. Hints of gastro, fancy sauces, little packets containing an eco friendly knife and fork and wine offered by the glass or bottle to be enjoyed with your freshly cooked meal suggests that while the prices are a little more than normal that its going to be worth it. However, this is far from the truth !!! It was the worst fish and chips l have ever had. In fact l didnt eat it it was that bad. Cheap overcooked frozen chip and burnt batter and if it was fit to consume the portions were child sized at best. I wouldnt give it 1 star but l had to leave this review.

£2.70 for a can of diet coke says it all.

Busy place due to proximity to beach. Food good although more pricey than normal fish and chip shops. Food is cooked to order though so good.

Bit pricey but expected due to location

Pretty good fish and chips at a not-exorbitant price. Paying for ketchup was annoying though. Service was smiley and efficient.

Great fish and chips 0lenty of seating on beach Been many times, never disappointed.

Very very busy with a bit of a wait, but food was well worth waiting for.

Great fish and chips, if a little expensive, but that's location for you!

Have been going to this hatch for many years and have always enjoyed the fish & chips. Sadly, yesterday we were served oven chips with skin on (fries) instead of the traditional chip shop chips. Not impressed. Was this just a one off or will you be serving fries?

Don’t waste your money! Nearly ten pounds for a couple of hand fulls of chips and a few sachets of ketchup. The smallest portions of chips we’ve ever had! •Absolute rip off!

£10 bag of chips The owners £ 70,000 car out front How stupid do I feel. Never again. Not even good chips

Not open today Monday 12th September. Why

A good sized portion of haddock, light batter, very fresh fish, perfect chips. The curry sauce was rich tasting. A little pricy and a long queue and wait at peak times. Overall very good quality.

Lovely fish and chips in a great location. Really quick service too on a busy evening.

Reasonable menu (excellent whitebait) with tables on the beach

Large chips baby size for £4.80 . This is criminal. Also far from Traditional English chips ,all from frozen chemical stuff. Very ,very bad experiences...never again.

If you ever feel like you need to deceive your other half by saying your going for a run on along the beach but really you fancy some fish and chips all to yourself then look no further this is the place to be. Beautiful fish that has been battered and cooked beautifully and chips that have been deep fired to perfection with some delicious homemade tarater sauce. It's absolutely exquisite. With its position right on the beach it's the perfect place to be on a beautiful sunny Friday evening. With or without your partner.. I'll let you decide on which. 😜

Nice coffee, don’t mind paying a premium given the location but £2.20 for a babyccino is cynical profiteering.

Distinctly average . Frozen chips . Not enough salt and vinegar . 5 sets of knives and forks for 6 meals and only 6 paper napkins . Great view is what you are paying for .

You've just disproportionately whacked your price up for veggie sausage and chips from about £5 to £8 but not the other items. Assume the driver is good old greed. Well done for doing your bit to help people trying to make considerate choices.

So slow to serve at the hatch restaurant had tables but wouldn't serve food saying you can only have drinks even though tables were available, if you have time to waste waiting for food then fine otherwise definitely go somewhere else. Poor 👎

Portion size of chips are small and food was reheated, overpriced and disgusting. Steer clear.

I thought I’ll give this place a try, unfortunately it’s a mistake I won’t make again, traditional hotdog taste and texture is the same as lidl German sausage,the fish was ok not the best and the chips is not fish and chips shop chips, it’s more like a van from car boot sale. Just my opinion and not worth the price! Thought being at the seaside it would be amazing but I was wrong.

Took a drive down to Mudeford quay this afternoon... Great for parking in a LWB Van. Had a lovely stroll along the sandy beach down to this little gem.. we enjoyed Chips, Chicken burgers and hot dogs... Glad it was a lovely sunny day. Strongly recommend for a short visit and bite to eat 😁👍

Lovely haddock and chips right by the beach. Fish was fresh and tasty; chips just right; everything piping hot. Friendly staff served the food in eco-friendly cartons with wooden cutlery.

The food was 5* I had Haddock and chips. The haddock was fresh and flakey! Only issue was a long wait time for the food. Great takeaway to have at the beach

We are here now, sat at the public tables on the beach fully stuffed and very satisfied. Great haddock n chips n a luvly view to boot.

Please note that this is now called 'The Lobster Hatch' although some of the packaging still says All about fish. This is one of our local chippies, so come here from time to time... waiting time as expected for freshly cooked food, and it is popular... so be realistic that there will be a wait... Good meal, not disappointed with the Lobster Hatch.

Great fish and chips, not cheap! Long queues possible

Great location, and their shop sells some tasty cakes. The chocolate and almond bear claw was selected on a whim, but would definitely recommend. We were there around midday and the selection had thinned out, so suggest getting there early! Fish and chips; the fish was tasty and the batter was crispy at the ends. For a lunch portion, it was enough, but at over £8 I wouldn't call it value for money. Tasty, but expensive. However, for fish and chips on the seafront, there doesn't appear to be many (or any!) other options.

Absolutely the worst fish and chips I've had. Complete and utter rip off. They will only rip me off once. £46 for what I can only describe as 4 soggy child's (adults!) fish and chips, small chips, and 5 soft drinks! I have no problem paying this, I knew what the cost was, but not for this disgrace. Don't bother asking for salt and vinegar as I think they just showed the packet the bottle and shaker. A complete tourist trap, avoid at all costs.

Very disappointed of the fish and chips not the best in the area chips not cooked all the way though and fish batter not Crispy but oily curry sauce Not curry very watery and no flavour

Amazing! Brilliant and such an original idea! First of all I ordered vegan fish and chips. I got what I suspect was a banana seed (or fruit) it was soo oooooo good! I loved the idea taste and especially the original texture. I actually questioned whether this was not some sea food but obviously it was not. Whoever came up with this was genius! Portion was large I shared it with my wife and it was still enough. There was long que which moved quickly and waiting time for food was not long. I wish this dish was available in all UK takeaways! This really made my day as I decided to cut down on meat and fish recently and was worried that I will have nothing to order.

Lobster and chips on the beach, expensive yes but very nice. Would have been five stars if they'd had gf batter available.

Probably the worst fish and chips I've ever eaten. What good chip shop sells frozen chips?? Complimented by soggy battered fish. All for £8.30

Really disappointed with the quality and the size of the portions - had really high hopes as this is based in such a nice location The staff were very friendly and nice but the fish & chips was no different to that you get at a cheap pub type chain restaurant Clean and tidy no salt & vinegar even though asked for Sorry guys we wont be coming back:-(

Not impressed, Very small portions, bit like child's portions to be honest. we asked for salt and vinegar but after getting back to our spot on the beach realized they had not put any on. We had paid for tartare sauce and they had forgotten to put it in. Scampi and chips were average and won't be returning not for £8.10 anyway.

Very disappointed. I ordered fish and chips with salt and vinegar. No salt and vinegar to be found anywhere As i walked 15 minutes to get there did not feel like walking back there again. Calamari as well unsalted and dry. Won't be back.

Great spot. Great food. Great service.

Had to queue for 40 minutes which in fairness was probably due to social distancing and not in the control of the staff. However, after queuing I was told that there was no ketchup for my daughters chips. Running out of ketchup at a chip shop? Really? We were asked if we would like salt and vinegar which we said yes. Once we got back to our spot on the beach some 55 minutes later sadly not only did we not have ketchup but no salt and vinegar either so turned out to be £8.10 not well spent :-(

Shocking! rude staff 30 minute wait for 3 tiny portions supposed to be large. All food Frozen they are Just happy to rip off tourists

Staff are polite, that's the reason for the star, however men with long hair should not be cooking food without hairnets. Food.. well if you can call it food🤔 A fish and chip shop with the pricing it has you would like to think that the chips were hand cut and anything fish ie scampi would be fresh. Nope you, me and the rest of the world are wrong! All frozen! After enquiring about the produce and pricing with one of the polite members I was informed everything was cooked from frozen apart from the cod. If you are the owner and you are reading this, Stop being greedy for profit and ripping off the tourists with your cr@p food. If you want to charge what you do, up your products game. You should be ashamed!!

WOW It is superb and delicious. It is the best so far in this area. It’s worth every penny. Definitely, I’m coming back again.

Food was very good. Does get very busy and potentially long waits during peak times. Well worth the wait though

Really delicious! Fish outside crispy, inside soft and cooked to the point. Freshly cooked, therefore prepare to wait a couple of minutes.

The best Fish n chip I ever had.

Great fish and chips on the beach!

Very High standards and welcoming staff, lovely tasty fish and the batter is good. I won't go there again as I'm a local but highly recommend it to families making a day out on Mudeford's Avon Beach! Only reason I won't score 5 star is the price, and that they charge per sauce sachet, first sachet per portion should be free.

Superb....... Freshly cooked,great taste,generous portion. Friendly staff. Thank you

Lush chicken nuggets well worth the money....

Excellent fish n chips and friendly staff.

Out standing fish and chip and very nice staff