The new restaurants that have opened in Dorset this year

As our high streets evolve following the pandemic, a number of new businesses have appeared over the past few months.

Here’s a recap of some of the venues that have opened their doors to customers since the new year – and a look ahead at what’s still yet to come.

M’s Bakery

Popular family-run Pokesdown bakery branched out and opened a second shop in Christchurch earlier this month.

The artisan bakery, run by Marta and Istvan, prides itself on making everything on the premises from scratch without any artificial ingredients.

The new branch is based in Saxon Square and offers a selection of bread, pastries and cakes.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Istvan told the Daily Echo “I know there are coffee shops in the area but we’re trying to do something a bit different.

“We have homemade cakes, and we’re planning to do nice sandwiches from our award-winning sourdough bread.”

Tortilla

Mexican food chain Tortilla opened its first branch in Dorset in May in Bournemouth town centre to much fanfare.

Hundreds of people queued outside the restaurant in Old Christchurch Road for a chance to enjoy some free food in a special one-off giveaway to celebrate its opening.

The event, which lasted for two hours, even saw a Mexican mariachi trio band playing to the crowd. 

Anna Maria, general manager at Tortilla in Bournemouth, said: “This is amazing, it’s so exciting. It’s been a long time coming.  

BigWigs Bakery

BigWigs Bakery opened its second store in Westbourne during the early May bank holiday weekend, a little more than a year after the Tuckton branch launched.

The store in Poole Road sells a range of products including hot foods including the popular brunch bun featuring a sausage patty, smoked bacon, hash brown, double cheese, fried egg in a brioche bun.

Owners Tom Bew and Dominic Brown said: "Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly."

Customers can take their pick from cakes, pastries, bread burgers and more.  

Pi Pizza

Pizza restaurant Pi Pizza opened its third UK venue on Poole Quay earlier this month.

It is known for its 20 inch sharing pizzas made with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, using a secret dough recipe and all served up with a selection of small plates and cocktails.

Pizzas include spiced lamb, mint, sumac yoghurt and greek peppers or kale, ricotta, chilli and burnt honey.

Rosie Whaley, 35, who owns the business, said: "We took the decision to open in Poole because it was a great opportunity to acquire a great historic building with such character in a prime location." 

It has other premises in Winchester and Battersea, London.

Moka Pot

Moka Pot, which already runs a popular café in Westbourne, opened its newest site in the Burlington Arcade in Bournemouth town centre last month.

It was created by Flavio and his brother Flavio Pappalardo, two Italians who partnered with UK-born Nathan Muir to bring together flavours of Sicily and England.

The cafe serves bread, pizza, pastries, cakes, coffee, breakfast and lunches.

The store is open 7.30am to 6pm Monday-Saturday and 9am to 3pm on Sunday. 

And the ones still to come... 

COSMO

Ever been served by a robot before? Well soon you'll get to experience dining like never before when family-friendly buffet restaurant COSMO opens.

Robot waiters Bella and Hola will work alongside human staff at the venue in St Peter’s Quarter in St Peter’s Road from Sunday, June 26.

COSMO will serve a range of dishes from a 'host of countries and cultures'.

It will cater for 344 covers and create more than 50 full and part time jobs.

It is opening at the site of the former Days buffet restaurant which closed in 2020.

The Ivy

Famous London eaterie The Ivy plans to open a branch in the newly-vacated New Look store in Bournemouth Square.

Troia (UK) Restaurants submitted its full planning application for alterations to the existing shopfront and create an outdoor seating area back in April.

Read more: 'It's just what we need': What people are saying about The Ivy coming to Bournemouth

Within the plans it states the restaurant would be located on the ground floor of the Bourne Avenue premises.

The proposed entrance to the Ivy would be on the southern elevation of the building in Richmond Hill, a change from the access to New Look.

The plans are being considered by BCP Council.

McDonald's

Fast-food giant McDonald's is opening a second restaurant and drive-thru in Christchurch.

It is set to be built at Christchurch Retail Park off Barrack Road on the site of the former Pizza Hut unit.

Read more: Opening of new McDonald's restaurant delayed but site demolition edges nearer

The existing premises, which has sat vacant since late November, will be flattened before the McDonald’s is built.

McDonald's said it will create at least 120 full and part time jobs.

It is due to open in the winter.