Welcome to Shell Bay

A Scenic Seafood Restaurant & Bistro

The Sandbanks ferry is now back up and running. Shell Bay is open for business from Thursdays to Sundays until the end of November 2019, at which time we will close for the winter season.

Please call us to reserve your table to avoid disappointment.

01929 450 363

If you have wedding or private enquiry event please email shellbaystudland@yahoo.com

Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant, Ferry Road, Studland,
Dorset, BH19 3BA

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The Sunday Times Magazine
Three of the Best Seafood Restaurants

"An eatery with a panoramic view out to Brownsea Island that is almost as stunning as the beautiful fresh fish fish they serve."

Shell Bay Seafood restaurant and bistro is in a setting like no other.

Nuzzled on the edge of the Isle of Purbeck, we overlook stunning Brownsea Island, the waters of Poole Harbour and Sandbanks.

Either enjoy a scenic drive through the Isle of Purbeck from Corfe Castle and find us at the edge of the National Park that dominates this side of the Jurassic Coast. Or, if you’re coming from Bournemouth, Poole or Sandbanks, simply hop onto the chain ferry and you’ll find us there alongside the tip of the beach as you disembark.

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We have glorious outdoor dining areas that are ideal spots for a good sunset on warm evenings.

Or, if the temperature isn’t quite on side, we have clear-canopied areas that allow you to enjoy the view at any time of year.

We are a seasonal restaurant but we are currently open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. We can be very busy when open and, thanks to the inclement weather on this side of the Dorset coast, it is better to ring and make sure we are open.

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We look forward to seeing you this summer.

If you are passing, we have a fantastic a la carte menu packed with fresh, local seafood and produce from the surrounding areas. If you are hankering for a snack or a freshly brewed cup of coffee before a beach walk instead, we have garden seating (also with water views) and a bistro area where a light bite can be enjoyed.

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General Information

We do not take bookings in the bistro but we do take bookings in the restaurant and please note that well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome at Shell Bay.

1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. White port and tonic
  £7
3. Glass of Dorset Bride Valley Cremant
  £9
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Roasted scallops with tarragon breadcrumbs, garlic and sherry
  £14
3. Hand picked Portland crab with monk's beard, lemon and chilli
  £10
4. Wood-fired Sopley Farm asparagus with hazelnuts and aged parmesan
  £8
5. Pig's head fritter with fried quail's egg, wild garlic and pancetta
  £8.50
6. Cured sea bass with roasted onion dressing, lime and radish
  £9.00
7. Wood-roasted quail with tahini yoghurt and bulgur wheat
  £9.00
8. Beetroot cooked in the fire with goat's curd and pickled walnuts
  £8.00
9. Scottish langoustines with lemon and mayonnaise
  £5.00 each
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Wood-roasted Weymouth squid with rocket, garlic and blood orange
  £17.00
3. 12 hour Dorset goat shoulder with kohlrabi, jerk yoghurt and flatbread
  £18.00
4. Wood-fired cabbage with cauliflower, chanterelles and truffle
  £16.00
5. Rose veal chop with wild garlic mash and woodland mushrooms
  £20.00
6. Whole cracked Portland crab with lemon and mayonnaise
  £19.00
7. Sirloin with ramson butter, watercress, beef fat green tomatoes and chips
  £25.00
8. Lemon sole roasted over the fire with lemon, oil, vinegar and sea salt
  £20.00
9. Fillet of Cornish hake with braised fennel, clams and saffron
  £19.00
10. Grilled mackerel with a bacon, cumin, green onion and potato salad
  £16.00
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Smoked milk ice cream with summer berries and hazelnuts
3. Pavlova with rhubarb and ginger
4. Dark chocolate mousse with blood orange and crème fraiche
5. Cereal milk set cream with New forest strawberries
6. Yorkshire parkin and ale cake with toffee sauce and clotted cream
7. Banoffee cheesecake
8. Blue monday/ Denhay cheddar/ Isle of White soft with Dorset knobs and chutney

We are very proud to source our fish, meat and fresh produce from local growers, farmers and fishermen.

This means that our menu can change regularly depending on the fresh catch available each day, the seasonality of the produce we are using and the market price of certain goods as we want to pass on the very best produce at the right price to all our customers.

If you would particularly like either lobster or crab, please mention it when booking so that we can make a request with our fisherman for you. (We require at least 48 hours notice for this).

General Information

We are happy to organize set menus for groups of 30 or more and a children’s menu is available until 7pm in the restaurant. Please note that we may ask for pre-orders on large groups during our peak season.

Shell Bay is an utterly unique, very exclusive location perfect for any wedding party.

Though we are not licensed for the legal side of your big day, we have organized many a blessing along the water with receptions to follow. With a West facing view of the sunset and either informal buffet menus, BBQs or three-course wedding breakfasts to choose from, we are a very popular wedding location in the Purbecks for memorable wedding days.

Photo credit: https://www.jakemoorephotography.com

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Please note that we do not do weddings or private hire events on Bank Holiday weekends or during July and August. The nearby chain ferry queue can be lengthy and this makes planning anything extremely difficult, but we can accommodate available dates either side of those peak summer months.

For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Cass at shellbaystudland@yahoo.com . Please contact Cass regarding weddings and large bookings only. For restaurant bookings please call 01929 450 363.

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General Information

As we do weddings and private functions in the restaurant please call ahead to ensure we can accommodate you.

Just adjacent to Shell Bay Restaurant and Bistro sits Shell Bay Marine.

A glorious marine that sits right on the beach with views across to Brownsea Island, we offer a family-friendly and very personal service, no matter what your needs. From summer launches to winter storage, valet services to moorings, we are a wonderful alternative to some of the area’s larger boat yards and we have, what we believe to be, an unrivalled location. Shell Bay Marine is also home to Shell Bay Sailing School.

Please call the boatyard manager on 01929 450 340 for prices or more information about the boatyard. For restaurant enquiries please call Shell Bay directly on 01929 450363 (KINDLY DO NOT CALL THE MARINA FOR RESTAURANT BOOKING ENQUIRIES).

Find us on Facebook

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Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant Ferry Road, Studland, Dorset BH19 3BA

01929 450 363

We are located just 250 yards to your right as you come off the ferry from Sandbanks. If you are coming to us from the Studland or Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck, simply follow the signs for “Bournemouth via the Ferry.”

The Sandbanks Ferry runs every 20 minutes and leaves Shell Bay for the last time each night at 11.10pm.

We do not have parking at the restaurant but just opposite ourentrance is a National Trust car park.

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Welcome to Shell Bay

Shell Bay Seafood restaurant and bistro is in a setting like no other.

We have glorious outdoor dining areas that are ideal spots for a good sunset on warm evenings.

We look forward to seeing you this summer.

General Information

Menu

Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.

White port and tonic

Glass of Dorset Bride Valley Cremant

Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.

Roasted scallops with tarragon breadcrumbs, garlic and sherry

Hand picked Portland crab with monk's beard, lemon and chilli

Wood-fired Sopley Farm asparagus with hazelnuts and aged parmesan

Pig's head fritter with fried quail's egg, wild garlic and pancetta

Cured sea bass with roasted onion dressing, lime and radish

Wood-roasted quail with tahini yoghurt and bulgur wheat

Beetroot cooked in the fire with goat's curd and pickled walnuts

Scottish langoustines with lemon and mayonnaise

Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.

Wood-roasted Weymouth squid with rocket, garlic and blood orange

12 hour Dorset goat shoulder with kohlrabi, jerk yoghurt and flatbread

Wood-fired cabbage with cauliflower, chanterelles and truffle

Rose veal chop with wild garlic mash and woodland mushrooms

Whole cracked Portland crab with lemon and mayonnaise

Sirloin with ramson butter, watercress, beef fat green tomatoes and chips

Lemon sole roasted over the fire with lemon, oil, vinegar and sea salt

Fillet of Cornish hake with braised fennel, clams and saffron

Grilled mackerel with a bacon, cumin, green onion and potato salad

Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.

Smoked milk ice cream with summer berries and hazelnuts

Pavlova with rhubarb and ginger

Dark chocolate mousse with blood orange and crème fraiche

Cereal milk set cream with New forest strawberries

Yorkshire parkin and ale cake with toffee sauce and clotted cream

Banoffee cheesecake

Blue monday/ Denhay cheddar/ Isle of White soft with Dorset knobs and chutney

We are very proud to source our fish, meat and fresh produce from local growers, farmers and fishermen.

General Information

Shell Bay is an utterly unique, very exclusive location perfect for any wedding party.

General Information

Just adjacent to Shell Bay Restaurant and Bistro sits Shell Bay Marine.

Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant Ferry Road, Studland, Dorset BH19 3BA