Urban Reef transforms Bournemouth Seafront

Take one incredible, uninterrupted view of the sea, add a splash of inspired interior design and a handful of enthusiasm and flair, and flavour with sunshine and fresh produce. Mix together and you have all the ingredients of the Urban Reef, Bournemouth’s newest and most stylish restaurant, bar and deli, which has just opened on Boscombe Seafront.

Set at the heart of the new Overstrand development, which features Wayne Hemmingway’s exclusive surf pods, the Urban Reef overlooks Europe’s first artificial surf reef. Set over two floors, it includes a stunning mezzanine on the second floor and a huge sundeck stretching down to the beach.

On the ground floor there is a café bar for relaxed lunchtime snacks and sunset cocktails, and the Urban Beach Deli, where you can pick up local produce including cheeses and cured ham, marinated olives and peppers, homemade honey, New Forest jam and Dorset preserves.

The launch of the Urban Reef follows the huge success of the Urban Beach Hotel – the Reef’s big brother and recently named small hotel of the year. Like the hotel, the restaurant is committed to using fresh, local and seasonal produce and creating home cooked, beautifully presented food. Dishes from Head Chef Russell Elson include tasty whole line caught sea bass with rosemary and thyme, and pork belly, served with sweet potato and sage.

Owner of the Urban Reef, Mark Cribb, said: “We wanted to create a theatre. A place where people could come and eat, meet friends, buy fresh produce, and relax. The Overstrand building is an awe-inspiring space and we’ve filled it with subtle, contemporary features; carefully crafted food, and a touch of the quirky design synonymous with the Urban Beach.

“We are proud to sit at the heart of the new Overstrand development and look forward to being a part of the continuing transformation of Boscombe.”

The atmosphere at the Reef follows the sun, with light flooding in from the full height windows during the day. This softens in the evening when a wall of 60 candles creates a soft and intimate feel. The interior of the Urban Beach, which was designed by Nottingham-based Macaulay Sinclair, is inspired by the 50s and includes swimming ring lighting, herb drawers and subtle seaside colours.

The Urban Reef seats 80 on the sun deck and 100 on the first floor and mezzanine. Three menus are served during the day, including a breakfast menu from 8 till 11.30, a daytime menu from 12.30 till 5 and a restaurant menu in the evening.

Locally sourced delicious food, an Urban Reef iced cocktail and the sun setting on a view to die for.

For more information and bookings, visit Urbanreef.com.