The Coconut Tree Bournemouth Review: A Family-Friendly Sri Lankan Feast Full of Flavour, Fun & Cocktails

Some restaurants impress you the first time. Others become places you genuinely can’t wait to return to - and for us, The Coconut Tree Bournemouth is firmly in that category.

Having visited before, we were excited to head back as a family and see whether it would live up to our memories from our first visit. Safe to say, it absolutely did. In fact, it was every bit as good as we remembered, and we already know it’s somewhere we’ll keep returning to.

From the moment you walk through the doors, it feels like stepping into a little slice of Sri Lanka. The colourful décor, upbeat music and buzzing atmosphere instantly transport you somewhere tropical and exciting. It’s one of the reasons we loved it the first time round, and that fun, energetic vibe is still just as brilliant.

For families, it’s such a great dining experience - relaxed, lively and packed with personality. By the end of the meal, our girls were happily dancing along to 90s classics playing in the background, which pretty much sums up the atmosphere perfectly. It feels less like simply going out for dinner in Bournemouth and more like escaping on a mini holiday for the evening.

The staff at The Coconut Tree Bournemouth were fantastic throughout the night - friendly, attentive and genuinely welcoming. They made the children feel completely at ease and helped create that laid-back atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer.

Of course, the food is the real reason we keep coming back.

One of the things we love most about The Coconut Tree is the sharing-style menu, which is ideal for families and groups wanting to try a little bit of everything. We ordered a huge mix of dishes and honestly couldn’t fault a single one.

The Hot Butter Calamari was packed with flavour and perfectly cooked, while the chickpeas stir-fried in coconut oil with onions, garlic, mustard seeds, coconut shavings, curry leaves and crushed chilli were incredibly moreish.
We also loved the Pol Roti - a traditional Sri Lankan coconut flatbread served with a chilli kick from the lunu miris - alongside the new Beetroot Salad, which was fresh, vibrant and the perfect refreshing accompaniment to the richer curries.

The children absolutely devoured the Roti Pizza, which was a huge hit, but we also loved how adventurous they became with the rest of the menu too. The Coconut Tree somehow manages to make authentic Sri Lankan food approachable and exciting for all ages.

One of our favourite dishes of the evening was the Prawn and Squid Curry - succulent prawns and tender squid simmered in a creamy coconut curry sauce infused with Sri Lankan spices, pandan and curry leaves. Best of all, it wasn’t overly spicy, making it perfect for both the children and I.

The Jaffna Goat and Potato Curry brought rich, hearty flavours with slow-cooked goat and potatoes in traditional Jaffna spices using a recipe from the chef’s dad. We also loved the Black Pork - slow-cooked pork belly coated in roasted Coconut Tree spices and their secret “Granny Gertie” spice mix. Both dishes had a lovely warmth and gentle spice without overpowering the flavour.

The drinks added even more theatre to the evening. My husband ordered one of their spectacular tequila cocktails complete with flames and plenty of wow-factor, while the children thoroughly enjoyed their colourful mocktails, which made the whole experience feel even more special and memorable.

Why We Love The Coconut Tree Bournemouth

• Fantastic family-friendly atmosphere
• Authentic Sri Lankan street food
• Great sharing menu for groups and families
• Fun cocktails and mocktails
• Friendly, attentive staff
• Vibrant décor and music
• Perfect for casual dining in Bournemouth

What really makes The Coconut Tree Bournemouth stand out is how consistently good it is. Returning for a second visit can sometimes change your perception of a restaurant - but here, it only confirmed why it’s become such a firm family favourite for us.

Whether you’re looking for family-friendly restaurants in Bournemouth, vibrant cocktails, authentic Sri Lankan street food or simply somewhere with incredible atmosphere, The Coconut Tree delivers on every level.

For us, it’s one of those rare restaurants that offers exceptional food alongside a genuinely fun experience - and we already can’t wait to go back again.