Harden's survey result
Summary
“In a lovely old building” that’s “overlooking the harbour”, this “noisy, busy” sort of place on the quay feels “as if one has been transported to France”. The “most welcoming hosts” set the tone for fish-centric Gallic food that’s frankly “Wow!”. Fish soup, Dover sole, turbot, spider crab – all have gone down a storm here. “We liked it so much that we came back for an evening takeaway!”
Summary
“Very good fresh fish and seafood” – “landed in the harbour 50 feet away” – is the USP at this French family-run operation, where staff “keep the entente as cordiale as possible”. It’s been “a favourite for more than 10 years”, and “early booking is recommended”.
Summary
“Very good fresh fish and seafood” – “landed in the harbour 50 feet away” – is the USP at this French family-run operation, where staff “keep the entente as cordiale as possible”. It’s been “a favourite for more than 10 years”, and “early booking is recommended”.
Summary
“French owners produce fish that is simply but superbly cooked” at this “popular (booking essential)” and “welcoming” little seafood specialist tucked away near the harbour. “Always a pleasure to eat there: must have had 50 dinners in the last five years and all were up to a very high standard”.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Guildhall Tavern?
Restaurant details
Guildhall Tavern Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A great discovery for us. As with so much, it is heavily booked, so we had lunch. This is a real French restaurant in the heart of Poole in a lovely old building. Back to starched white tablecloths! A wide range of food on offer featuring fish. We had the spider-crab special starter which was really sweet and a portion enough for 2 at £12. Then dithering between Dover sole and turbot, the waitress advised the turbot (same price before you ask!) . She was right, it was 2 large pieces and succulent - best ever. My partner had a mornay dish which was a great contrast if less special. Good choice of deserts too. We noticed local couples who knew exactly what to eat! We liked it so much that we came back for an evening takeaway. The lady remembered us from a week before and said she would somehow find us a table. We declined and ate the takeaway which was VAT free and well presented. The fish soup had lashings of trimmings. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £22.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
15 Market Street, Poole, BH15 1NB
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
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