ASK Italian - Bournemouth

You'll find this sprawling Italian spot right in the heart of BH2's shopping complex, which means it's perfectly positioned for when you've worked up an appetite browsing the shops or need somewhere decent before catching a show. The location might scream 'chain restaurant convenience stop', but the kitchen takes its pasta seriously enough to justify the crowds. The dining room strikes that tricky balance between family-friendly chaos and date-night worthy, with enough space that you're not eating your carbonara in someone else's conversation. Service moves at a decent clip without feeling rushed, and they've got the formula down pat – fresh pasta, proper pizza bases, and portions that won't leave you hunting for a Greggs afterwards.