Franco's Yard is a small, well-regarded daytime café tucked into Post Office Buildings on Alum Chine Road in Westbourne, one of Bournemouth's most walkable, independent-minded shopping streets. It's built a loyal following for food that punches above its weight for a neighbourhood café, and both Google and Tripadvisor reviewers rate it highly.
The food
The kitchen works around a seasonal, locally-sourced menu that changes regularly rather than sticking to a fixed set of dishes. Brunch is the mainstay, Turkish eggs and eggs benedict come up again and again in reviews, alongside heartier plates like steaks, bao and pulled pork sandwiches, plus pasta and chicken wings. Save room for dessert: the cheesecake with blueberry compote and the chocolate mousse are both regularly praised. Vegetarian options are available, and dishes are priced fairly, with most brunch plates in the £10-£20 range.
Good to know
Franco's Yard keeps daytime-only hours, roughly 9am to 3pm, with the early part of the week typically closed, days can shift, so it's worth checking the café's Instagram (@francosyard) before setting out. The space is compact and popular, so it fills up quickly, particularly at weekends; booking ahead or arriving early is sensible. There's outdoor seating, Wi-Fi and takeaway, and it's wheelchair accessible.
Franco's Yard sits within easy reach of Alum Chine and the seafront, making it a natural stop before or after a walk down to the beach. For more places to eat nearby, browse our food & drink guide, or explore the rest of Westbourne and the coast in our things to do guide.