Welcome to Shell Bay

Bookings can be made online for dates throughout this season.

The restaurant is currently open for Thursday lunch, Friday lunch and dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner and Sunday Lunch. We close for the season on Monday 22nd December and will reopen in early/mid February. We will open bookings for 2026 in early January.

The bistro serves drinks from 1200pm daily. The bistro/BBQ has now closed for food for 2025 and will return in spring 2026.

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Note for evening guests:- The National Trust car park now closes at 1800hrs, parking is available on either side of the road as you approach the toll boxes from Studland, it is then a 100m walk down to us.
We highly recommend that Taxis you may need are pre booked well in advance.

IF YOU HAVE ENQUIRIES ABOUT VOUCHERS, 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. The Shell Bay Bistro serves drinks from 12 daily. We are not serving bistro food until spring 26′.

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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 1st 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. Mammoth Gordial Olives
  £6.00
3. Orchard Bay Sourdough bread and Ampersand Cultured butter
  £6.95
4. Poole Bay Oyster, Shallot vinegar
  £4.50 each
5. Poole Bay Oyster, Thai dipping sauce, Spring Onion
  £4.50 each
6. Tuscan Coppa
  £5.95
7. House Cured Chalk Stream Trout, Wasabi Mayo, Lime Cured Fennel, Trout Roe
  £5.95
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. Shell on Tiger prawns, Thai butter, lime
  £18.95
4. Shell on crevettes, aioli, lemon
  £17.95
5. Whole Cold Scottish Langoustines, Bloody Mary Mayonnaise
  £16.95
6. Crispy panko pork, pickled unagi kohlrabi, katsu sesame sauce
  £15.95
7. Stone bass ceviche, Orange & grapefruit, ponzu dressing, samphire, crispy leeks
  £16.95
8. Beetroot gazpacho, pickled strawberries, lemon creme fraiche
  £11.95
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
  £29.95
3. Whole Local Plaice
  £25.95
4. Two whole local lemon soles
  £29.95
5. Whole Seabass
  £27.95
6. Whole local skate wing
  £24.95
7. Whole local black bream
  £29.95
8. Whole local gurnard
  £24.95
9. 32oz Galician retired dairy cow ribeye to share
  £105.00
10. 10oz Jurassic coast ribeye steak
  £37.95
11. Whole large wild brill for 2-3
  £100.00
12. 300g bone in monkfish fillet
  £27.95
13. 8oz Marinated Lamb Rump
  £27.95
14. Sauces: Garlic butter, Peppercorn sauce, Smoked almond and hazelnut romanesco, Green Sauce, Burnt caper butter, 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. Kerala Seafood curry, basmati rice, carrot and apple raita
  £30.95
3. Stone bass fillet, scallop and prawn wontons, fire chilli greens, soy and sesame broth
  £30.95
4. Bone in Monkfish fillet, smoked courgette, sherry cherry tomatoes, curried fish cream
  £36.95
5. Crispy miso cauliflower steak, smoked soy and cauliflower puree, chilli rhubarb jam, peanut and carrot salad
  £22.95
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

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 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).

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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

Poole Bay Oyster, Thai dipping sauce, Spring Onion

Tuscan Coppa

House Cured Chalk Stream Trout, Wasabi Mayo, Lime Cured Fennel, Trout Roe

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

Shell on Tiger prawns, Thai butter, lime

Shell on crevettes, aioli, lemon

Whole Cold Scottish Langoustines, Bloody Mary Mayonnaise

Crispy panko pork, pickled unagi kohlrabi, katsu sesame sauce

Stone bass ceviche, Orange & grapefruit, ponzu dressing, samphire, crispy leeks

Beetroot gazpacho, pickled strawberries, lemon creme fraiche

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

Two whole local lemon soles

Whole Seabass

Whole local skate wing

Whole local black bream

Whole local gurnard

32oz Galician retired dairy cow ribeye to share

10oz Jurassic coast ribeye steak

Whole large wild brill for 2-3

300g bone in monkfish fillet

8oz Marinated Lamb Rump

Sauces: Garlic butter, Peppercorn sauce, Smoked almond and hazelnut romanesco, Green Sauce, Burnt caper butter, 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.

Kerala Seafood curry, basmati rice, carrot and apple raita

Stone bass fillet, scallop and prawn wontons, fire chilli greens, soy and sesame broth

Bone in Monkfish fillet, smoked courgette, sherry cherry tomatoes, curried fish cream

Crispy miso cauliflower steak, smoked soy and cauliflower puree, chilli rhubarb jam, peanut and carrot salad

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