The best restaurants in Mudeford and Friars Cliff Christchurch South West

I booked the Upper Deck for my husband’s birthday, it is a wonderfully styled restaurant with a real mix of features, from an Asian style elephant statue to ducks wearing skis on the wall. We arrived early and sat at the bar for a drink, I was driving so we both had a glass of Noughty - a non alcohol sparkling, you couldn’t tell it was alcohol free, it tasted exactly like any other Prosecco. Upon being taken to our table we both ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio Rosé, Cockle Popcorn and the Artisan Bread & Dips (Tzatziki, Hummus & Aioli) - the wine was cold and crisp, and the cockle popcorn crunchy. The bread on the other hand was toasted rather than being fresh bread but the tzatziki and aioli were creamy and flavoursome, the hummus however was a little tart, possibly from a little too much lemon juice. To start I ordered the Sticky Xo Pork - Braised pork cheeks in Asian xo sauce, toasted buttered crumpet Pickled onions, hot honey plums & coriander and my husband ordered the Salmon Terrine - Layers of oak smoked salmon and dill butter served with horseradish mousse, avocado & watercress. The pork was tender and just pulled apart with no effort at all, the crumpet and plums were a little odd but the crumpet soaked up the juices and the plums added a tang to cut through the sticky pork. The terrine was delicious and the horseradish mousse paired very well, although there was far too much of it which felt a little wasteful. On to the mains…. My husband ordered the Partridge - Red wine partridge breast, fondant potato, butternut squash, wilted spinach & red wine sauce and I went for the Stone Bass - Roasted stone bass fillet, cep puree, wilted spinach King oyster mushroom and rosemary sauce. The partridge was very taste with just the right level of ‘bite’ to not be tough or chewy. The bass was delicious, flakey fish cooked perfectly with the intense mushroom flavour running through the dish. We decided to add some sides as well; Skinny Fries, wonderfully crisp and piping hot, plus Truffle Mac & Cheese which had a real punch of truffle flavour. For dessert, our waitress recommended the Assiette of Desserts; miniature versions of a selection from the menu; Warm Dark Chocolate Fondant, Cheesecake, Panna Cotta & Ice cream - everything on the plate was delicious, the stand outs were the fondant which had a decadently rich taste and glossy melting centre, as well as the ice cream, smooth a creamy and all 3 were flavours were intense. My husband was presented with a Happy Birthday plate with fresh homemade cube of fudge and a homemade brownie truffle bite - a lovely touch to the end of the meal. All staff were very friendly, our main waitress was wonderful, giving us time to choose, allowing time before requesting the next course so we had time to relax and just enjoy our time. Unfortunately we didn’t catch her name and it wasn’t on the receipt. The evening restaurant manager was also on the ball and attentive. The lighting in the restaurant was turned down for the dinner service and the seating areas for 2 people by the windows don’t have lights above them so my husband had to use the torch on his phone to read the menu properly. A few alterations and this would easily be 5*!

Great staff.. and the food.. omg wow. Not a dish was wasted. Highlight was the mussels and marinaded cod. Not to mention the lobster roll and the shrimp pol boy

Another stay at another Harbour Hotel for a Spa escape. Once more a very good experience. Spa treatment excellent! Dinner was also excellent and very tasty. Our server, Phil, was great.

We were too early to arrive at our destination so decided to stop for a coffee. The place was so good we called in again on the way back to buy takeaway pasties. Friendly staff, good coffee, good selection of pastries and snacks, very fair pricing. A good, clean stop for eat in or takeaway

Always called in for coffee and sandwich but now changed hands so not been back this month, not able to review new ownership

I was lucky enough to be invited to eat lunch here on Christmas Day. The food was good, nicely prepared and presented, as well as plentiful. Only note would be that even on Christmas Day I would have liked just one lighter option. The staff were amazing. Attentive, courteous, slick and despite being very busy, they went out of their way to be smiley and charming. It was pricey, but where isn't on Christmas Day - the staff made it special, so a big thank you to all of them.

Best Chinese takeaway in Mudeford. Food and service never disappoint. Quick pick up time and reasonably priced.

Always very accommodating and happy to help us out, disabled friendly and staff is always great! Quick service too!

We booked in for Christmas lunch and it’s was excellent great service , friendly and personal , food superb as always but that extra special for Christmas and wine lovely . We always enjoy this restaurant but the staff and venue plus of course food made our Christmas Day special .

My daughter just fell over and hurt her hand. Charged me 20p for ice 🙄

Took work colleagues out for dinner just before Christmas. Lots of different meals ordered. All came out at the same time. While group commented on how good Their meals were and wondered why they had never been before.. will definitely be back in the new year. Great service, great atmosphere and great food. Would recommend to everyone

We heartily recommend Haven House Inn & Cafe if you're looking for a welcoming pub with authentic, freshly prepared food, a nice selection of drinks, and kind, competent service. We have been visiting this place for several years and adore it 😋👍. Well done to all the staff 🙏 ****** 21/01/2025 Here again today having their specialty fish n chips, garlic bread loaded cheese along with the finest wine all complemented with the very best staff 🙏 making this pub 1nof the very best places to eat and drink 👌🏆(nom nom nom😋)

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 🤨.