Asian Dining in Christchurch Dorset

Christchurch in Dorset offers a modest but quality selection of Asian restaurants, with a focus on Thai, Chinese, and Indian cuisines:

Nusara Thai (8-10 Castle St, Christchurch BH23 1DT)
This Thai restaurant is known for authentic dishes such as red curry, pad kee mao, prawn crackers, and pork satay, served in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Tripadvisor reviews, with ratings averaging 4.5 stars, praise its vibrant flavours and attentive service, though some note occasional inconsistencies in spice levels.

Located near Christchurch Priory, it offers dine-in, takeaway, and delivery via Just Eat, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The price range is mid-range (££), with mains around £12–£18.

Hours are typically 12:00 PM–2:30 PM and 5:00 PM–10:00 PM; confirm via nusarathai.co.uk or by calling 01202 486122. Reservations are recommended for weekends.

The Rising Sun Thai and Pan-Asian (123 Purewell, BH23 1EJ)

Situated in the same location as Nusara, this family-run establishment, established in 1994, offers Thai and Pan-Asian dishes, including chilli salt broccoli, satay chicken, and massaman curry.

With Tripadvisor reviews averaging 4.5 stars, it ranks highly for its outstanding food, quick service, and charming outdoor area with plush sofas and fairy lights.

Reviewers highlight the lunchtime menu at £15.95 for two courses as great value, though some suggest menu variety could improve. It caters to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets and offers takeaway and delivery. The price range is mid-range (££), with mains £13–£24.

Open daily from 11:00 AM–11:00 PM; check risingsunchristchurch.co.uk or call 01202 486122. Booking is advised, especially for groups.

Similan Thai (251 Lymington Rd, Highcliffe, Christchurch BH23 5EB)

A smaller Thai restaurant with a cozy, authentic atmosphere, Similan Thai serves dishes like Thai green curry, chicken satay, and red curry.

Google reviews praise its generous portions and excellent value, with a two-course lunch deal around £10–£15. The intimate setting, with just six tables, is ideal for casual dining, and the restaurant is noted for fresh, tasty food.

Takeaway and delivery are available, with vegetarian and vegan options. The price range is mid-range (££), with mains £10–£16. Hours are typically 12:00 PM–2:30 PM and 5:00 PM–10:00 PM; confirm via Google or Tripadvisor. Reservations are recommended due to limited seating.

China at Lees (105 Bure Ln, Christchurch BH23 4DN)

This Chinese takeaway and restaurant offers Cantonese and Peking dishes, including chow mein, crispy duck, and chicken fried rice. Yelp and Tripadvisor reviews commend its extensive menu, piping-hot delivery, and good value, with no delivery charge for orders over £12. Portion sizes are generous, though some reviews note occasional greasiness. Ideal for budget-friendly meals, it serves vegetarian options but has limited dine-in facilities. The price range is affordable (£), with mains £6–£12. Open daily, typically 5:00 PM–10:00 PM; check chinaatlees.co.uk or call 01202 496110. No reservations needed for takeaway.

Wok U Like (173 Barrack Rd, BH23 2AP)

A Chinese takeaway known for freshly prepared dishes like pork dumplings, sweet and sour chicken, and egg fried rice. Reviews on its website and Yell highlight consistent quality and innovative packaging to keep food hot during delivery.

Vegetarian options are available, and delivery is offered within a limited postcode area. The price range is affordable (£), with mains £6–£10.

Hours are typically 5:00 PM–10:00 PM, closed on certain days; check wokulikeonline.co.uk or call 01202 496110. Collection is an option for non-delivery areas.

Tiien Thai Southbourne

Tiien Thai Southbourne, located at 65 Seabourne Road, Bournemouth, BH5 2HD, approximately 4 miles from Christchurch’s Purewell restaurants, shares similarities with Christchurch’s Thai offerings, particularly Nusara and The Rising Sun.

Like these, Tiien Thai Southbourne is award-winning, with a 2023 Thai Restaurant of the Year title, and focuses on authentic Thai cuisine, offering dishes such as green curry and pad Thai in a modern, candlelit setting. Its 4.5-star Tripadvisor rating aligns with the high standards of Nusara and The Rising Sun, though it’s noted for slightly smaller takeaway portions.

For Christchurch residents, Tiien Thai Southbourne is a viable alternative for a short drive, especially for its acclaimed service and vegan-friendly menu, complementing the local Thai scene.

And finally.....
Christchurch’s Asian dining leans heavily towards Thai, with Nusara, The Rising Sun, and Similan Thai standing out for dine-in experiences, while Chinese options like China at Lees and Wok U Like cater to takeaway needs.

Indian restaurants are less prominent in central Christchurch, but nearby Pokesdown or Southbourne (e.g., Bournemouth Lahore, Sakib Spice) offer options within a 3–4 mile radius.

Vegetarian and vegan options are widely available, with The Rising Sun and Nusara particularly accommodating.