Welcome to Shell Bay

We are now open seven days a week for lunch and for dinner. Please call ahead to ensure the bistro is open for food and drinks as opening hours are not guaranteed due to inclement weather and occasional staff shortages. We appreciate getting through is sometimes hard as we are so busy so please bear with us!

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Please note that we will not do tables of more than 8 before October 1st.

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

(01929) 450 363

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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 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. Jersey Oyster, Shallot Vinaigrette
  £3.00 each
3. Fire Roasted Oyster, Lemongrass and Miso Butter
  £3.00 each
4. Pickled Jersey Oyster, Smoked Wasabi, Caviar
  £3.00 each
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Shell on Crevettes, Homemade Mayonnaise
  £10.50
3. Wake and Yuzu Cured Salmon, Horseradish, Apple, Fennel, Black Sesame
  £9.50
4. Butternut Squash Soup, Tomato and Coriander Bruschetta
  £7.50
5. Crab rarebit, Buttermilk pancake, Wood Fired Tomato, Gazpacho
  £11.50
6. Whole Charred Satay Squid, Avocado, Herbs, Smoked Hazelnuts
  £13.00
7. Dorset Lamb Neck, Smoked Aubergine, Tahini Yoghurt, Preserved Lime, Pomegranate
  £8.50
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Roasted Hake, Hazelnut and Rocket Crumb , Roasted Chicken Butter Sauce, Charred Leeks
  £19.50
3. Salt Baked Celeriac, Charred Onion Puree, Truffle Oil, Cashew Cheese, Crispy Kale
  £16.00
4. Roasted Pork Belly, Charred Cauliflower, Fine Beans, Soy and Honey Jus
  £18.50
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Whole Large Mackerel
  £16.00
3. Whole Brill
  £30.00
4. Whole Dover Sole
  £40.00
5. Dorset Blue Lobster (half / whole)
  £24.00 / 48.00
6. Whole Plaice
  £15.00 / 19.00
7. Whole Seabass
  £20.00
8. 8oz Aged Flat Iron Steak
  £18.00
9. 8oz Aged Ribeye Steak
  £24.00
10. Sauces
  
  Peppercorn, Miso Butter, Green Sauce, Garlic Butter, Thai Butter, Mushroom Ketchup
1. Roasted New Potatoes
  £3.50
2. Mixed Greens
  £3.50
3. Baby Leaf Salad
  £3.50
4. Smoked Beets
  £3.50
5. Chips
  £3.50

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 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 weddings@shellbay.net

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 email weddings@shellbay.net. 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.

Jersey Oyster, Shallot Vinaigrette

Fire Roasted Oyster, Lemongrass and Miso Butter

Pickled Jersey Oyster, Smoked Wasabi, Caviar

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

Shell on Crevettes, Homemade Mayonnaise

Wake and Yuzu Cured Salmon, Horseradish, Apple, Fennel, Black Sesame

Butternut Squash Soup, Tomato and Coriander Bruschetta

Crab rarebit, Buttermilk pancake, Wood Fired Tomato, Gazpacho

Whole Charred Satay Squid, Avocado, Herbs, Smoked Hazelnuts

Dorset Lamb Neck, Smoked Aubergine, Tahini Yoghurt, Preserved Lime, Pomegranate

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

Roasted Hake, Hazelnut and Rocket Crumb , Roasted Chicken Butter Sauce, Charred Leeks

Salt Baked Celeriac, Charred Onion Puree, Truffle Oil, Cashew Cheese, Crispy Kale

Roasted Pork Belly, Charred Cauliflower, Fine Beans, Soy and Honey Jus

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

Whole Large Mackerel

Whole Brill

Whole Dover Sole

Dorset Blue Lobster (half / whole)

Whole Plaice

Whole Seabass

8oz Aged Flat Iron Steak

8oz Aged Ribeye Steak

Sauces

Roasted New Potatoes

Mixed Greens

Baby Leaf Salad

Smoked Beets

Chips

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