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Support Local: Four Independent Local Eateries that you need to try!

Nothing brings me more joy than finding somewhere that sells delicious food. Sweet or savoury, hot or cold, I’m there with bells on. Since moving to Poole three years ago, I’ve been on the hunt for small, independent eateries to satisfy my hunger for unique treat foods. Something I can pick up after the nursery run and bring home to enjoy, eat while having a wander by the sea, or sit down and treat myself with once the kids are in bed.

We are also a family of unique dietary requirements, as while I eat pretty much anything, my husband is vegan and the children are vegetarian, so finding somewhere with enough options for all the family always wins bonus points and guarantees return custom.

So without further ado, here are four local eateries that I am currently loving - they all have options to settle the sweet and savoury craving, as well as a menu to suit most dietary requirements, plus all four are on Instagram if you need to drool over some photos of yummy food…

Poole

No.1 New Street

No.1 New Street

Situated in Poole’s Old Town, No.1 New Street is the sandwich shop of dreams. With an ever-changing menu of hot and cold sandwiches, salads and freshly baked cakes, it’s somewhere I recommend often. My usual order is a granary roll with pulled pork, sage and onion stuffing with applesauce, and a gooey chocolate brownie - my tummy is rumbling just writing about it! I can also vouch for the breakfast baps, the glazed gammon and homemade coleslaw and Friday’s fish finger special! Oh, and their vegan options are extensive with almost half the regular menu dedicated to plant-based choices.

Check them out: @no.1newst

Riptide Espresso and Records

Riptide Espresso and Records

Now, full disclosure, the thing that first brought me into this lovely new coffee shop was the brownies. Baked in Poole by the SoCo Brownie Studio, they are an absolute treat - the Kinderella or the Jammie Dodger (vg) in particular. Now a visit to Riptide is a weekly tradition, my friend Amie and I visit every Friday for a hot chocolate with cookie syrup to set us up for one of our pushchair walks (stay tuned for a blog on those soon). If your tastes are a little more savoury, Riptide also offers coffee freshly ground in Poole, as well as an array of different toasts, toasties and bagels.

Check them out: @riptideespresso

Thai Pantry Cafe

Thai Pantry Cafe

Authentic Thai Street Food in the heart of Old Town Poole, this place is my go to for food to celebrate an occasion. In the last year, it’s been my choice for New Year’s Eve, my birthday and Mother’s Day to name but a few! Plus, they have an extensive vegan menu, source most of their ingredients locally, and offer discounts for customers who return or reuse their packaging. I love that my husband and I can order the same dishes, but have vegan and non vegan versions, so we’re eating the same thing while adhering to our chosen diets. Our current order is chicken or tofu pad thai, beef or tofu massaman curry and duck or vegan spring rolls, plus I generally add a side of chicken satay as I cannot resist the stuff…

Check them out: @thai_pantry

V.Dorset Delivery

V.Dorset Delivery

My final must try is V Dorset, an exclusively meat-free takeaway delivering to the whole of the BCP area. Admittedly It’s unusual for me to choose to eat a fully plant-based meal, but having initially ordered to celebrate my husband’s birthday, we have been back several times since. The star of the show is undoubtedly the burgers, juicy and with a vast array of toppings to choose from, they genuinely rival a lot of the meat equivalents I have tried and are truly delicious. Add on a side of loaded roast potatoes, an indulgent mac and cheese, and one of five wonderful desserts and I guarantee you’ll be looking on the calendar for another celebration to order for.

Check them out: @v.dorset

This article was written by Kate Stanton, you can check her out via @mrskstanton22 

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