Welcome to Shell Bay

We are now open 7 days a week. The bistro is open for drinks from midday and will provide food from midday until 5pm, weather permitting, we always advise calling before heading over to confirm.

Please note that our maximum table size is for 8 people.

For those booking 2.30pm or 8.30pm tables, this is our last booking time and we will require your order into the kitchen by 3pm or 9.00pm at the very latest.

If you would like to purchase gift vouchers, please call the restaurant we can take payment over the phone and post them to you.

Regarding taxis, especially for the Studland side, we strongly recommend pre-booking, especially on weekends.

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IF YOU HAVE ENQUIRIES ABOUT PRIVATE HIRE OR WEDDINGS, PLEASE EMAIL shellbayweddings@gmail.com with your contact number.

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 (now closes 1800hrs) or on the road next to the Sandbanks chain ferry toll booth.

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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.

1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Mammoth Gordial Olives
  £6.00
3. Orchard Bay Sourdough Bread and Ampersand Cultured butter
  £7
4. Poole Bay Oyster, Shallot vinegar
  £5.00 each
5. Jersey Oyster, Spicy Margarita Dressing
  £6.00 each
6. Marinated Cantabrian Anchovies
  £7
7. New Forest Wild Mushroom, Soy, Sesame, Fresh Local Truffle, Croute £11
  £11
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Scottish scallop roasted in the shell, iberico jowl, chicken butter sauce
  £7.50 each
3. Sashimi Grade Tuna Carpaccio, Dashi Gel, Mangetout, Sesame
  £19.00
4. Kombujime Cured Monkfish, Cured Fennel, Apple, Grapefruit
  £18.00
5. Beetroot Gazpacho, Pickled Strawberries, Lemon Crème Fraîche
  £15.00
6. Duck Rillette, Roquito Pepper Ketchup, Baby Leeks, Pickled Carrots & Sesame
  £15.00
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Fillets of sea bream
  £28.00
3. Whole Local Plaice
  £25.00
4. Whole Seabass
  £24.00
5. Two Whole Local Lemon Soles
  £24.95
6. 14oz Tamworth Pork Rib End Chop
  £32
7. 10oz Aged Sirloin
  £38.00
8. 8 oz Dorset Lamb Rump
  £32.00
9. Sauces: Garlic butter, Peppercorn sauce, Green Sauce, Roquito Pepper Ketchup, Pickled Creme fraiche and Thai dipping sauce
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Local Skate Wing, Peppercorn, Caper & Lemon Sauce
  £34.00
3. Fire Roasted Large Fillet of Monkfish, Cafe de Paris Butter, Crayfish to Share
  £95.00
4. Spiced Cauliflower, Bean Puree, Pickled Kolarabi & Watercress Salad, Elderflower Vinaigrette
  £20.00
1. Pasta pomodoro, cheddar cheese
  £13.95
2. 4oz Minute steak, tenderstem broccoli and fries
  £15.95
3. Fillet of Sea Bream, tenderstem broccoli and fries
  £15.95
1. Chocolate, orange and hazelnut ganache tart, vanilla cremeux, toffee popcorn, ice cream
  £10.50
2. Lemon posset, toasted white chocolate, yoghurt ganache, raspberry sorbet
  £10.50
3. House made creme caramel, fresh New Forest berries
  £10.50
4. Selection of cheese, crackers and chutney
  £13.50

General Information

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 2026 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.

Mammoth Gordial Olives

Orchard Bay Sourdough Bread and Ampersand Cultured butter

Poole Bay Oyster, Shallot vinegar

Jersey Oyster, Spicy Margarita Dressing

Marinated Cantabrian Anchovies

New Forest Wild Mushroom, Soy, Sesame, Fresh Local Truffle, Croute £11

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

Scottish scallop roasted in the shell, iberico jowl, chicken butter sauce

Sashimi Grade Tuna Carpaccio, Dashi Gel, Mangetout, Sesame

Kombujime Cured Monkfish, Cured Fennel, Apple, Grapefruit

Beetroot Gazpacho, Pickled Strawberries, Lemon Crème Fraîche

Duck Rillette, Roquito Pepper Ketchup, Baby Leeks, Pickled Carrots & Sesame

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

Fillets of sea bream

Whole Local Plaice

Whole Seabass

Two Whole Local Lemon Soles

14oz Tamworth Pork Rib End Chop

10oz Aged Sirloin

8 oz Dorset Lamb Rump

Sauces: Garlic butter, Peppercorn sauce, Green Sauce, Roquito Pepper Ketchup, Pickled Creme fraiche and Thai dipping sauce

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

Local Skate Wing, Peppercorn, Caper & Lemon Sauce

Fire Roasted Large Fillet of Monkfish, Cafe de Paris Butter, Crayfish to Share

Spiced Cauliflower, Bean Puree, Pickled Kolarabi & Watercress Salad, Elderflower Vinaigrette

Pasta pomodoro, cheddar cheese

4oz Minute steak, tenderstem broccoli and fries

Fillet of Sea Bream, tenderstem broccoli 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