WestBeach is an award-winning seaside restaurant with refreshingly simplistic decor and delicious fresh fish that shows what the best British seafood cuisine is all about.

The Venue
Literally moments away from the Pier, and a few metres away from various tacky amusement arcades and frivolous nick-nack stalls, WestBeach is at odds with its neighbours as it’s a pretty restaurant.

With stunning views of Bournemouth's sandy beaches, magnified by the massive floor to ceiling windows, the brightness of outside is echoed inside with crisp white walls and simple pale wooden furniture.

The light airy feel is irresistibly calming, which contrasts with the raucous hum coming from the open kitchen where you can view your food being prepared.

Simple blackboards display the daily specials and an individual bright flower sits in a green vase on every table. That’s all there is to WestBeach – beautiful scenery and practical decor.

The People
The uplifting brightness of the restaurant rubs off onto the customers, so everyone is lively, friendly and chatting away while basking in the views.

The informal feel is infectious, so the clientele, many of whom are suited professionals, are encouraged to sit back and loosen their collars.

A mix of young and old, tourists and locals congregate here to enjoy the famous food, so there is a lively atmosphere.

The Food
The kitchen is part of the open-plan design, so chefs work hard at preparing your food in full view of the whole restaurant.

The fresh fish is mostly local, otherwise it's from Billingsgate, so the menu makes the best of the choice of seafood with a few meat dishes thrown in for good measure.

The starters range from fresh seafood salads to light warm dishes for £4.50 to £8.50. The lobster and crab bisque (soup of the day) is a light soothing starter that has a warm orange colour and a very delicate lobster and shellfish flavour, but it could do with a touch more citrus and spice to give it a lift.

For mains, the classic beer battered haddock and chips is a popular choice, and diners can enjoy something simple like a homemade fish-finger sandwich (£9) if they’re in the mood for comfort food.

The salmon and smoked haddock fishcake (£9) has a soft consistency with a tasty flavour of mellow salmon and slightly salty haddock that’s enhanced by capers and creamy potato. The breadcrumbs coating it are deliciously crisp, and the creamy combination of hollandaise and poached egg is delectable.

Most of the desserts are light, such as ice cream or chocolate fondue with exotic fruits, unless you feel like a sweet sugary bomb like the treacle tart (£5.50).

The Drink
The wine list is impressively extensive with a high quality range of Champagne and rose Champagne going up to £150, but also many white and red options, ranging from £14.95 to £49.95 to suit every delicate flavour of fish and seafood.

The Last Word
For seafood of the highest quality, WestBeach delivers.

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