Welcome to Shell Bay

Bookings can now be made online for dates throughout this season. We are open Thursdays to Saturdays (lunch and dinner) and Sundays (lunch only) until December 17th but please book to avoid disappointment. We will then reopen in February 2024.

We are now closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

The bistro operates according to fair weather.

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IF YOU HAVE ENQUIRIES ABOUT PURCHASING SHELL BAY VOUCHERS, PRIVATE HIRE OR WEDDINGS, PLEASE EMAIL shellbayweddings@gmail.com (PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE NO AVAILABILITY FOR WEDDINGS UNTIL 2024).

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

(01929) 450 363

Please note that we no longer do tables of more than 8 people.Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome throughout Shell Bay. Parking is available either in the National Trust Car Park near us or on the road next to the Sandbanks chain ferry toll booth. The Shell Bay Bistro operates from Thursday to Sunday until 4.30pm but please call ahead to confirm as its running is weather and staff dependent.

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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 lovely 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 can be very busy, particularly during the peak season, so please call and book to avoid disappointment. 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. Between May 15th and October 1st we do not take tables over 8.

1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Glass of The Newt's Fine Cider
  £4.50
3. Sourdough bread and Ampersand butter
  £6.00
4. Poole Bay oysters, shallot vinegar
  £4.50 each
5. Scottish scallop roasted in shell, garlic butter, Gruyere breadcrumbs
  £7.50 each
6. Shell-on-crevettes, shell-on-prawns, aioli
  £16.50
7. Salt & Pepper Soft Shell Crab, Smoked Pineapple Chilli Sauce, Asian Slaw
  £14.95
8. Cured Trout, Pickled Shellfish, Cured Fennel, Wasabi Mayo, Trout Roe
  £16.95
9. Ham Hock Terrine, Cider & Honey Mustard, Whipped Habanero Pork Crackling Butter, Sourdough
  £15.95
10. Smoked Mackerel Patê, Crispy Capers, Cider Jelly, Lemon & Lime Butter, Treacle Caraway & Oat Loaf
  £16.95
11. La Latteria Burrata, Heritage Tomatoes, Truffle Dressing, Tomato Focaccia Croutes
  £16.50
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Curried Cauliflower, Katsu Sauce, Coconut & Cauliflower ‘Cous Cous’, Pine Nut & Sesame Asian Slaw
  £23.95
3. Kerala Seafood Curry, Basmati Rice, Carrot & Apple Raita
  £28.95
4. Fire Roasted Miso & Yuzu Cod, Braised & Crispy Leeks, Soy Butter Sauce
  £34.95
5. Four Fire Roasted Cornish Sardines, Romesco Sauce, Raspberry Pickled Carrots & Shallots
  £24.95
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Whole local Mackerel
  £21.00
3. Whole Local Plaice
  £23.95
4. Aged West Country 10 oz Ribeye Steak
  £31.95
5. Whole Seabass
  £27.00
6. Fillets of Sea Bream
  £26.95
7. Whole Lemon Sole
  £32.95
8. Marinated Lamb Rump
  £31.95
9. Sauces: Garlic butter, Peppercorn sauce, Sticky Asian Sauce, Green Sauce, Sunblushed tomato and olive Tapenade
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Crispy Jerusalem Artichokes, Truffle Oil and Parmesan; Garlic & Herb New potatoes; fries; Waldorf Salad, Green Herb Yoghurt Dressing, Walnuts; Roasted Garlic & Citrus Tenderstem Broccoli, Romesco Sauce; Chinese Style Beans, Spring Onion, Chilli, Sesame, Coriander; Braised Hispi Cabbage, Miso Cream, Pork Skin, Shimenji Mushrooms; chips, fries, roast new potatoes
  £6.00 - 8.00
1. Spaghetti pomadoro, cheddar cheese
  £10.00
2. Baked fillet of Sea Bream, garden peas and fries
  £14.00
1. Chocolate, orange and hazelnut ganache tart, vanilla cremeux, toffee popcorn, ice cream
  £9.50
2. Lemon posset, toasted white chocolate, yoghurt ganache, raspberry sorbet
  £8.50
3. House made creme caramel, fresh New Forest berries
  £8.50
4. Selection of cheese, crackers 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 outside of our peak times for groups of 20 or more and a children’s menu is available in the restaurant. Please note that we 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.

We are now licensed for the legal side of your big day and we have also organized many blessings along the water with receptions to follow. With a West facing view of the sunset and with either informal BBQs or three-course wedding breakfasts to choose from, we are a very popular wedding location in the Purbecks. For any enquires for 2021 and onwards please email shellbayweddings@gmail.com

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 book a viewing please email us at shellbayweddings@gmail.com

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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 lovely 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.

Glass of The Newt's Fine Cider

Sourdough bread and Ampersand butter

Poole Bay oysters, shallot vinegar

Scottish scallop roasted in shell, garlic butter, Gruyere breadcrumbs

Shell-on-crevettes, shell-on-prawns, aioli

Salt & Pepper Soft Shell Crab, Smoked Pineapple Chilli Sauce, Asian Slaw

Cured Trout, Pickled Shellfish, Cured Fennel, Wasabi Mayo, Trout Roe

Ham Hock Terrine, Cider & Honey Mustard, Whipped Habanero Pork Crackling Butter, Sourdough

Smoked Mackerel Patê, Crispy Capers, Cider Jelly, Lemon & Lime Butter, Treacle Caraway & Oat Loaf

La Latteria Burrata, Heritage Tomatoes, Truffle Dressing, Tomato Focaccia Croutes

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

Curried Cauliflower, Katsu Sauce, Coconut & Cauliflower ‘Cous Cous’, Pine Nut & Sesame Asian Slaw

Kerala Seafood Curry, Basmati Rice, Carrot & Apple Raita

Fire Roasted Miso & Yuzu Cod, Braised & Crispy Leeks, Soy Butter Sauce

Four Fire Roasted Cornish Sardines, Romesco Sauce, Raspberry Pickled Carrots & Shallots

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

Whole local Mackerel

Whole Local Plaice

Aged West Country 10 oz Ribeye Steak

Whole Seabass

Fillets of Sea Bream

Whole Lemon Sole

Marinated Lamb Rump

Sauces: Garlic butter, Peppercorn sauce, Sticky Asian Sauce, Green Sauce, Sunblushed tomato and olive Tapenade

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

Spaghetti pomadoro, cheddar cheese

Baked fillet of Sea Bream, garden peas and fries

Chocolate, orange and hazelnut ganache tart, vanilla cremeux, toffee popcorn, ice cream

Lemon posset, toasted white chocolate, yoghurt ganache, raspberry sorbet

House made creme caramel, fresh New Forest berries

Selection of cheese, crackers 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