Makla & The Fez Lounge

Head down Seabourne Road towards Pokesdown and you'll find yourself transported somewhere altogether different. Makla does the whole thing properly—the food, the setting, the vibe. You're getting authentic tagines slow-cooked with care, generous couscous plates, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel genuinely welcome rather than just processed through. The Fez Lounge part is where it gets special: low lighting, Moroccan rugs, mint tea that tastes like it should, and a relaxed atmosphere that's perfect for stretching an evening out. It's the sort of place locals keep coming back to, not because it's trying too hard, but because it actually gets it right.