The Squirrel Café is a local café situated at 401 Christchurch Road in Boscombe, Bournemouth. It offers a varied menu of breakfast, brunch, and light lunch options, alongside speciality coffee and teas. This page covers what to expect when visiting The Squirrel Café, its location and surroundings, menu highlights, practical details for planning your visit, and who the café suits best.
What The Squirrel Café is like
The Squirrel Café occupies a bright, welcoming space on Christchurch Road, one of Boscombe’s main thoroughfares. The interior combines modern décor with comfortable seating, creating a relaxed atmosphere suitable for casual dining or meeting friends. Large windows let in natural light and provide views of the street, while the layout includes tables for couples and small groups.
The café is known for its friendly service and attention to quality, sourcing local ingredients where possible. It serves breakfast and brunch all day, with dishes ranging from classic full English breakfasts to lighter options like granola and fruit bowls. The coffee menu features espresso-based drinks made with beans from local roasters, alongside a selection of loose-leaf teas.
The Squirrel Café also caters for dietary preferences, offering vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options clearly marked on the menu. The space is dog-friendly, with water bowls available outside, making it a popular stop for dog walkers in Boscombe.
Location and surroundings of The Squirrel Café
The café’s address at 401 Christchurch Road places it in the heart of Boscombe, a vibrant neighbourhood on the eastern edge of Bournemouth. Boscombe is known for its sandy beach, pier, and a mix of independent shops, cafés and restaurants. The café is roughly 10 minutes’ walk from Boscombe Beach, making it convenient for a meal before or after a seaside visit.
Christchurch Road is a busy street with good public transport links, including several bus routes connecting Boscombe to Bournemouth town centre, Poole and Christchurch. The café is also within walking distance of Boscombe railway station, about 15 minutes on foot, which offers regular services to Bournemouth and beyond.
Parking is available on nearby side streets, although spaces can be limited during busy periods. The area benefits from a mix of residential and commercial properties, with several other cafés and eateries nearby, giving visitors plenty of choice.
Menu highlights at The Squirrel Café
The Squirrel Café offers a menu focused on quality and variety, with breakfast and brunch staples alongside some distinctive dishes. Popular choices include the full English breakfast, which features locally sourced sausages and free-range eggs, and the avocado on sourdough with chilli flakes and lemon.
For lighter options, the granola bowl with Greek yoghurt and seasonal fruit is a regular favourite, as is the smashed pea and mint on toasted bread. The café’s cakes and pastries are baked fresh daily, with options such as carrot cake, flapjacks and vegan brownies.
The coffee selection includes espresso, flat white, cappuccino and filter coffee, made with beans from a Dorset roaster. Loose-leaf teas cover traditional varieties like Earl Grey and English Breakfast, plus herbal blends. Seasonal specials and cold drinks are also available, including iced lattes and fresh fruit smoothies.
The menu changes periodically to reflect seasonal ingredients and customer feedback. The café also offers a children’s menu with smaller portion sizes and simple dishes.
Practical details for visiting The Squirrel Café
The Squirrel Café is open seven days a week, typically from 8am to 4pm, although hours may vary on public holidays. It accepts walk-in customers but recommends booking a table for weekends or larger groups to avoid waiting times.
Payment can be made by card or contactless methods; cash is accepted but less common. The café has free Wi-Fi and accessible toilet facilities. It is suitable for families, with high chairs available on request.
The café’s location on Christchurch Road makes it easy to combine a visit with other local attractions. Boscombe Beach is a short walk away, and the nearby Boscombe Pier offers a range of leisure activities. For more things to do in the area, see our Things to Do in Bournemouth page.
Who The Squirrel Café suits best
The Squirrel Café appeals to a broad range of visitors. It is popular with local residents looking for a reliable breakfast or lunch spot, as well as visitors to Boscombe seeking a comfortable place to eat near the beach. The menu’s variety and dietary options make it suitable for families, couples, solo diners and groups.
Coffee enthusiasts appreciate the café’s focus on quality beans and skilled baristas. Dog owners often stop here thanks to the dog-friendly policy and proximity to local parks and the seafront. The relaxed atmosphere also makes it a good choice for remote working or casual meetings.
Those looking for a quick takeaway can order coffee and snacks to go, while diners who prefer a leisurely meal can enjoy the indoor seating. The café’s location within Boscombe means it is easy to explore other nearby cafés and restaurants, or to combine a visit with a stroll along the coast.
How to get to The Squirrel Café from Bournemouth town centre
The Squirrel Café is approximately 3 miles east of Bournemouth town centre. By car, the journey typically takes 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic. Parking near the café is limited, so public transport or walking are often better options.
Several bus routes run from Bournemouth town centre to Boscombe, including services 1, 2 and 3, with a journey time of around 15 minutes. Buses stop along Christchurch Road close to the café. Tickets can be purchased on board or via mobile apps.
Walking from Bournemouth town centre to The Squirrel Café takes about 45 minutes along the seafront promenade, passing Bournemouth Pier and the Lower Gardens. This route offers pleasant views and access to other cafés and attractions along the way.
For train travellers, Bournemouth railway station connects to Boscombe station with frequent services taking under 10 minutes. From Boscombe station, it is a 15-minute walk to the café via Christchurch Road.
Nearby places to visit after The Squirrel Café
After dining at The Squirrel Café, visitors can explore several nearby attractions. Boscombe Beach is a short walk east along the seafront, offering seven miles of sandy shore and watersports facilities. The Boscombe Pier features a playground and seasonal events.
For those interested in gardens and green spaces, the nearby Churchill Gardens provide a Victorian-era park with a children’s play area and café. Boscombe Chine Gardens, just a few minutes’ walk from the café, is another pleasant spot for a stroll.
The café’s location also allows easy access to the wider Bournemouth area. Visitors can explore the town centre’s shopping arcades, theatres and museums, or head west to the West Cliff for coastal walks and gardens.
For more dining options after your visit, see our comprehensive Food & Drink guide, which covers cafés, restaurants and bars across Bournemouth and Boscombe.