From super-fresh seafood to grass-reared beef brought up amidst rolling countryside, Dorset is a haven for exceptional foodstuffs. Whether you love artisan cheese, freshly baked sourdough, fresh mackerel with its blue-sea iridescence or a dollop of jewel-like jam on a scone, the county’s restaurants and cafés are the ultimate way to taste these homegrown ingredients as intended. Not to mention the added bonus of no dishes afterwards!
To help you make the most of a toothsome stay in the beautiful corner of the UK, we’ve put together a selection of some of the best places to eat in Dorset, from Michelin star restaurants to good old pub grub, with sea views or countryside vistas - bon appetite!
Catch at the Old Fish Market, Weymouth
Nestled in Weymouth’s oh-so-pretty quay, Catch at the Old Fish Market opened in 2021 and is the place to come for the freshest of fresh fish and seafood, landed just a few steps away. Laid back and lovely with a vaulted ceiling, Catch is a restaurant that’s passionate about its ever-changing menu, which is based on what’s brought in that day. No wonder it’s in both the Michelin guide and the Good Food Guide.
There’s no a la carte menu here, instead there’s a great tasting menu for dinner that’s set to tickle your tastebuds, while a three-course set menu ensures lunchtimes pack a flavourful punch. From raw scallops with pickled carrot, cuttlefish croquette, and salted sea bass through to dark chocolate and hazelnut choux bun with apple caramel, expect a culinary voyage that’ll leave you totally satisfied. There’s a great wine menu with an excellent choice of local and international tipples, too. Make sure to book a table ahead of your visit as it’s an extremely popular spot.
Bistro My Way, Christchurch
For a taste of France in the heart of Dorset, head to the oh-so-fab Bistro My Way, a gorgeous little eatery near Christchurch that makes the most of local ingredients and transforms them with a little French and European twist. Warm and welcoming, Chef Charles Lebas opened My Way in 2019 and has gone from strength to strength.
With an ever-changing menu to match the seasons, their winter dishes include such delights as braised beef and ox tongue, fish of the day in a seafood broth, and roasted sweet potato and feta, followed by Latvian honey cake, traditional French Teurgoule (a kind of delicious rice pudding) or red wine poached pear with crumbled blue cheese and chutney ice cream (yes, you read that right!). As you would expect, their wine menu is exceptional with a bottle to match every taste. There’s also a good choice of beers, ales, spirits and cocktails too. In addition, there’s a children’s menu for little ones under 10 years, so everyone is well catered for at this family-friendly favourite.
The Anchor Inn, Seatown
Definitely a firm favourite with visitors and locals alike for many years, this lovely inn boasts a beautiful setting overlooking the shingle beach of Seatown. A well-loved gastropub, it’s the place to pop in after walking the Golden Cap (don’t worry, we know a shortcut), where rib-stickingly tasty British classics using the best of local produce await.
Tuck into The Anchor Inn’s fish stew, beef short rib, a juicy cheeseburger or herb-roasted cod fillet, while Sundays offer the tastiest roasts such as roasted pork belly with apple puree, treacle-cured sirloin of beef and pimento pepper, spinach, roast beetroot and sweet potato wellington. The Anchor also has the Cask Marque seal of approval, meaning they’re happily serving delicious real ales, including favourites from the nearby Palmer’s Brewery near Bridport, as well as locally-distilled spirits (they have 46 rums and 34 gins!) and a great selection of wines to ensure your meal goes swimmingly.
Dorshi, Bridport
Tucked away down a narrow alleyway in Bridport, this hidden gem is well worth seeking out. Dorshi is a fantastic little eatery combining local and Asian flavours with a welcoming vibe. Whether you fancy noodles or mouth-watering dumplings (we love the sound of their field mushroom, Dorset red cheddar and Kimchi mayo dumplings, and slow braised pork belly bao buns), there’s something for all on this oh-so-tempting menu.
The main, full menu is available from Wednesday to Saturday and includes dumplings and other delights such as scallops with pancetta and bonito flakes, and fried firm tofu with silken tofu mousse and kimchi tahini, not to mention their Hakata noodles in a tasty homemade broth. There’s a great selection of drinks to choose from, too, whether you choose to imbibe in a craft beer, a glass of sake or a Jasmine Sour cocktail (or two). And don’t forget to finish your meal with a sweet truffle – choose from lime and ginger or gianduja – delicious!
Soulshine Café, Bridport
A lovely spot to sink into after a morning exploring the many independent shops of Bridport, Soulshine Café is a family-friendly, welcoming refuge that’s ideal whether you’re after coffee and cake, breakfast or lunch. With a pretty courtyard garden and a fab collection of toys to keep little ones entertained, take a moment to unwind and imbibe, whether that’s brekkie (think fried eggs with kimchi, shakshuka, or chia seed pudding with granola and compote) or a welcoming spot of lunch (a bowl of warming slow-cooked brisket, or smoked mackerel with beetroot and horseradish relish sounds delicious).
And did we mention cake? There’s a mammoth selection to choose from, alongside freshly pressed juice and smoothies, and homemade bread. Although not generally open in the evenings, they do have the occasional supper clubs (usually on a Wednesday), so do check out their website for upcoming events. Or you can visit their welcoming café across the street, Goose and Badger, where aromatic coffee tempts you in during the day, and lip-smacking cocktails and live music when the sun goes down.
Upper Deck Bar and Restaurant, Christchurch
Tucked away within the Harbour Hotel, Upper Deck Bar and Restaurant is a fabulous spot for seafood and sea views in Christchurch. With a harbourside vista and a pretty alfresco terrace, the cuisine is modern British with influences from around the world, while friendly staff and a light, bright setting ensure every moment is perfect from start to finish.
From grilled scallops and twice-baked cheese souffle to start, and seafood curry and roasted breast of partridge with pear for main, there’s plenty to choose from on their a la carte menu, or you can opt for some light bites should you be popping in for drinks (think fresh oysters, light salads, potted crab and even a burger should hunger hit). They’re well known for their excellent roasts, the perfect way to end a Sunday stroll along the waterfront. Choose from topside of beef, a trio of pork, chicken or nut roast, while their warm sticky toffee pudding is sure to end your meal with a smile on your face. In addition, there’s a fab children’s menu and one for vegans too, so everyone is well catered for.
Thirteen, Poole
Fronted by Head Chef Alex Naik, the award-winning Thirteen lies in the gorgeous, seaside town of Poole. You can choose from a wide range of menus, which focus on showcasing the best of local, seasonal, and sustainable food – whether that’s the 13-plate tasting menu, or the six (and a half) plate lunchtime menu. Plates include such tasty delights as black pudding paired with truffle, scallop with lardo, and chocolate with hibiscus.
Thirteen also offers an excellent six-course a la carte Sunday lunch menu on selected dates, with dishes including Dorset wood pigeon with dark chocolate and pigeon sauce, roast rib of beef, smoked monkfish and three-cornered leek pearl barley risotto. Thirteen is a lovely way to end your day in Poole, or perhaps after a day spent exploring nearby Brownsea Island, a unique nature reserve home to a colony of red squirrels.
The Kings Arms, Dorchester
Head to 16th-century The King’s Arms in the historic city of Dorchester when you need some proper pub grub. Frequented by Thomas Hardy and Robert Louis Stevenson no less, this great inn is known for its epic Sunday roast. You’ll discover a friendly, laid-back vibe as you walk through the door, and meals that are simple yet delicious, with a focus on local, seasonal food. Dishes include the likes of sprout bhaji with a chilli pepper chutney, cider-battered haddock and chips, and gingerbread sticky toffee pudding with cinnamon ice cream.
On Sundays, you can dive into the King’s Arms’ triple roast (topside of beef, free range turkey and slow-roasted pork belly), or one of the excellent veggie and vegan options. For little ones, there are great children’s menus, while adults can enjoy afternoon tea and a bar menu if they’re there in between usual settings. This is a great eatery for a spot of lunch while out and about exploring this historic city, or for dinner after an idyllic day discovering the gardens and countryside this beautiful area has to offer.
Eat at Millside, Lyme Regis
Tucked away in the artisan quarter of Lyme Regis and positioned next to the River Lym, Eat at Millside is a gorgeous little spot that makes the most of its beautiful setting. Choosing only the best ingredients from Lyme Bay, Dorset, and Devon, the menu here is wonderfully seasonal. Tempt tastebuds with the likes of a fruits de mer platter for two (could there be anything more romantic when sat next to the gentle flow of the river?), Earl Grey-cured trout, Darts Farm porchetta with rosemary mash, whole plaice with burnt orange and brown butter sauce, and wild mushroom wellington. Delicious.
With a sunny terrace that’s perfect for lunch and a cosy candlelit interior that’s made for intimate dinners, you’ll not regret frequenting here, whether you’ve been exploring Lyme Regis’s unique shops or having a wander on the famous Cobb with its breathtaking sea views.
The Pickled Berry, Poole
Priding themselves on their traditional dishes with a modern twist, The Pickled Berry, in the heart of Poole, is the place to go and is much loved by locals and visitors alike. Nestled just off the quay, you’ll receive a warm welcome before settling at your table, where there’s a smorgasbord of dishes to choose from, such as the trio of pork (pork belly, pig cheek, and chorizo), crab and prawn linguini, wild mushroom risotto, and the Pickled Berry Souffle (a tantalisingly good twice-baked gruyere souffle).
Desserts stun with a chilled chocolate orange fondant and poached pear tarte tatin, and there’s an excellent choice of drinks to wet the whistle. Sunday roasts are ever so popular too, and there’s a kids’ menu too for little ones. A lovely spot for lunch or dinner, it’s a great place to retire after a picturesque walk on nearby Sandbanks Beach, although make sure to book as it’s a small but perfectly formed eatery.
Crab House Café, Weymouth
Famed for its deliciously sweet crabs caught just off Portland, Crab House Café in Weymouth is an award-winning eatery that opened its doors back in 2005 and hasn’t looked back. Priding itself on its excellent local ingredients brought in from Chesil Beach to Brixham, as well as hand-foraged goodies collected by the team, there’s a real focus (as you would expect) on fish and seafood, all obtained within a 40-mile radius. They even have their own oyster beds, which are just moments away from the restaurant.
Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, there’s an excellent a la carte menu featuring dishes such as shellfish bisque with crab, lobster, fennel, cream, and saffron aioli, marinated monkfish, and gurnard skewers roasted over coals, and of course, fresh crab, whether traditionally dressed or Chinese style with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. In addition, their specials menu boasts an ever-changing temptation of delicacies from the sea. It’s well worth booking ahead to avoid disappointment.
Twelve Eatery, Bournemouth
If you’re looking for exceptional vegan food, look no further than the incredible Twelve Eatery in the bustling seaside town of Bournemouth. Voted as the fifth best vegan restaurant in the world (yes, that’s right!), it was established in 2018 by co-founders Dalton and Greg out of a love of nourishing vegan food, minimal waste, and local ingredients. Their menus change with the seasons, so you can look forward to the likes of the Twelve Wellington (with butternut squash, beetroot, spinach, and duxelles mushrooms), Jerusalem artichoke bisque, Mediterranean lasagne, pan-seared ‘scallops’ (actually delicious mushrooms) and glazed teriyaki tofu ‘salmon’.
Desserts are equally delicious with clementine and prosecco torte, while the drinks menu is a lip-smacking delight. We love the sound of the Twelve Spritz (gin, elderflower cordial, lime juice and apple and blackberry infusion), while there are plenty of ales and wines to choose from, too. Have children in tow? No problem – there’s a great menu for them too, and you can order takeaway as well if you’d rather eat at your holiday cottage.
Feeling hungry? Take a look at our gorgeous holiday cottages in Dorset and start planning your gastronomic getaway today.
