Welcome to Shell Bay

We are open from Tuesdays through to Sunday lunch until December 19th 2021. 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!

The National Trust Car Park opposite us is now closing at 4.30pm each day. You’ll be able to get your car out after that time but not into the parking area. For evening diners, we suggest parking just along the road past the ferry toll booth. For anyone with disabilities, please call the restaurant and we can make alternate arrangements for you.

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Please note that we will not do tables of more than 8 between May 1st and October 1st each year.

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. Sourdough bread and Ampersand butter
  £5.00
3. Poole bay oysters, shallot vinegar
  £3.75 each
4. Vine tomato soup, basil and lime creme fraiche, smoked cherry tomatoes, pickled shallot rings
  £10.00
5. Shell-on-crevettes, shell-on-prawns, aioli
  £13.50
6. Wild seabass ceviche, pink grapefruit and lime, tequila, smoked chilli, tomato and corn
  £14.00
7. Grilled butterflied sardines, garlic butter, baby leaf salad
  £11.00
8. Tataki beef fillet, wakame and sesame salad, wasabi mayonnaise
  £14.00
9. Langoustine
  £4.50 each
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Chargrilled vegetables, Moroccan bulgar wheat, smoked tomato sauce, feta cheese
  £17.00
3. Fire roasted salmon, tenderstem, courgette, chorizo anchovy gribiche, Harissa creme fraiche
  £24.00
4. Fire roasted hake, roasted chicken butter sauce, charred leaks, pesto crumb
  £26.00
5. Roast pork belly, butternut squash puree, asian sauce, mango salsa, cured fennel
  £23.00
6. Whole crab
  £18.00
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Sea Bream fillets
  £28.00
3. Whole Sea bass
  £26.00
4. Whole local Plaice
  £22.00
5. Galician Octopus Tentacle
  £13.00
6. Aged West Country 10oz Ribeye Steak
  £30.00
7. Sauces: Garlic butter, Peppercorn sauce, Asian Sauce, Green Sauce, Sunblushed tomato and olive Tapenade
8. Whole or half lobster
  £50.00 25.00
1. Please note that this is only a sample menu and we cannot guarantee either these or items or prices.
2. Mixed Greens, mixed salad, Honey and thyme chantenay carrots, chips, fries, roast new potatoes
  £All 4.00
1. Spaghetti pomadoro, cheddar cheese
  £8.00
2. Chargrilled Chicken breast, roasted vegetables and greens
  £10.00
3. Baked fillet of Bream, roasted vegetables and greens
  £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 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 shellbaystudland@yahoo.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 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.

Sourdough bread and Ampersand butter

Poole bay oysters, shallot vinegar

Vine tomato soup, basil and lime creme fraiche, smoked cherry tomatoes, pickled shallot rings

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

Wild seabass ceviche, pink grapefruit and lime, tequila, smoked chilli, tomato and corn

Grilled butterflied sardines, garlic butter, baby leaf salad

Tataki beef fillet, wakame and sesame salad, wasabi mayonnaise

Langoustine

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

Chargrilled vegetables, Moroccan bulgar wheat, smoked tomato sauce, feta cheese

Fire roasted salmon, tenderstem, courgette, chorizo anchovy gribiche, Harissa creme fraiche

Fire roasted hake, roasted chicken butter sauce, charred leaks, pesto crumb

Roast pork belly, butternut squash puree, asian sauce, mango salsa, cured fennel

Whole crab

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

Sea Bream fillets

Whole Sea bass

Whole local Plaice

Galician Octopus Tentacle

Aged West Country 10oz Ribeye Steak

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

Whole or half lobster

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

Mixed Greens, mixed salad, Honey and thyme chantenay carrots, chips, fries, roast new potatoes

Spaghetti pomadoro, cheddar cheese

Chargrilled Chicken breast, roasted vegetables and greens

Baked fillet of Bream, roasted vegetables and greens

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