The Coconut Tree - Bournemouth

At The Coconut Tree - Bournemouth, Sri Lankan family hospitality sets the tone. Designed for sharing uniquely Sri Lankan eats, the menu is honest, affordable and brimming with sunshine: coconut, spice and the gentle sweetness that runs through island cooking, all carried on a relaxed island vibe.

Curries lead with character: Kaju Maluwa, a silky coconut curry of cashews and green peas, sits alongside pineapple curry’s sweet heat. From Negombo to Jaffna, flavours travel the island: Negombo fish curry, simmered in coconut milk, and Jaffna goat and potato curry, hearty and aromatic. Hoppers arrive as bowl-shaped pancakes; an egg hopper with coconut sambol and a whisper of cinnamon is a classic, while short eats keep things playful, from cheesy Colombo to stir-fried chickpeas bright with curry leaves. For heartier cravings, kotthu tumbles chopped roti with roast chicken or vegetables.

To finish, the treacle hopper with vanilla ice cream is comfort in a bowl, while panna cotta made with coconut milk offers a cool, creamy counterpoint. In the glass, Cocotails dial up the fun and colour. This is unfussy, flavour-first dining made for passing plates and easy conversation. Diners need only bring an appetite and a sense of adventure; the island spirit will do the rest.