The Best Cafes in East Orchard, Dorset, United Kingdom (2025)

A wonderful find hidden away at Stalbridge Dorset we have a warm welcome and could sit outside or in the restaurant area, the menu had a good range of meals and the homemade cake where to die for. I am fussy about coffee this was good roosted by readscoffee.co.uk.

The food here is always delicious, theres a lot of innovation and choice in what is on offer. Very friendly staff, and theres a range of their own condiments for sale inside too. Such a great place 👍

We stopped off here for breakfast at the end of a weekend away as we’d heard from our hosts that they did good food and were dog friendly. The food was delicious and great value. The staff were really friendly and welcoming and we managed to pick up a couple of early Xmas presents for hampers as a bonus! Would highly recommend.

Margot has been running her cafe from this site about 8 years,so I have been many times in i think the last 7+ years... I live around 150 miles away,and hadn't been here since Christmas... So I got down about 06.30 this morning and had table booked for 09.30..... I can not fault this cafe,I tend to have the Spire Hill Grill and I have yet to have a bad bit of any meal. With the ever increase in cost of living,I was expecting it to be more expensive than Christmas 2022...but nope,same price,and I think it is amazing quality for a very reasonable price. I was with family that live in Dorset and visit this fantastic cafe often....in fact my sister was in the day before also. The staff are lovely...Margot (owner) is a true professional and has built her business up over the years,take look at the website,and the produce that have,home made jams etc etc,I understand they now have some of the produce selling in a local shop. The customers in the cafe are also friendly,and seem to know each other.... I did a review on TaT before,and I'm doing this update as and edit,my original is below. We had pot of tea and three coffees...the little milk bottles,the glass teapot are just examples of some of the things they do differently...and it all goes to show the love Margot has for food and service to her customers (friends) The head chef Eve (pink shorts ;) ) is also a little star,and has been with TaT from being tutored from as an apprentice to becoming head chef... And is a credit to Margot and to catering... We came away with a couple of pieces of home made cakes....and will enjoy later. I know before I arrive that the experience will be all I could reasonably expect,and could only ever leave a rate of 5 star.... Anything less...I'm my view is unjust. My original review below Brilliant cafe,I always try to visit when in area,it's a lovely place,great food,and staff are greatest

Had a bacon and Brie sourdough toastie. The bacon was high quality and very tasty.

I've now tried all the cafes in Shaftesbury, by far this is the best coffee around (Oat flat white). The staff behind the counter were all delightful, atmosphere is really cosy and friendly with the larger 'shared table' in the middle. Vegan cakes were always available. Dogs welcome!

Such a friendly little café with great vegan options! We had the vegan new yorker sandwich and a lovely slice of ginger cake. Especially loved the decor, there’s wifi too!

Lovely place to meet up! I’ve been to the blandford one and this one and I think I prefer Shaftesbury. They always have great vegan options, even my non-vegan colleague chose the vegan toastie and loved it. I come here as it’s a half way point to have meeting with my colleagues from Yeovil but I like the vibe and the food!

We have called in here several times for lunch whist visiting Shaftesbury. The food is always well presented and delicious. Friendly, prompt service and attractive surroundings. Dog friendly too which is always a bonus for us.

Friendly and unusual A combination of florist, cafe, and interiors shop done very well. Excellent coffee and pastries surrounded by contemporary floristry with incredibly friendly staff. They act like they love their job and enjoy serving you. Had iced coffees, a selection of cakes/flapjacks and bought a baguette for later. Went back the next morning to pick up pastries for breakfast. All excellent.

The food was delicious, lovely atmosphere and were able to offer most options gluten free. We had the avo halloumi with chilli jam and it was perfection - ( small kitchen area so chance of cross contamination but they knew what they were doing so I felt safe to eat) my daughter had the kids snack box which was brilliant and made her feet kick (she loves her food) definately will be back

Beautiful florist/cafe. The most delicious cakes & treats to be eaten whilst having a look at all the lovely home wear & florals. Beautifully festive for December also

Lovely little gem of a place! Gorgeously old building with low height wooden beams. Busy but in a good way, very cosy atmosphere. Lush coffee's and cake!

Really lovely tiny wee place. I'monly 5'1" so was able to 'just' walk easily through the door into the downstairs area, but my taller friend had to really duck,until we sat down 😆. Perfect coffee made just the way I asked (twice.. we were in there chatting for 2hrs!)... and then we went back again for lunch! The food was awesome.

If you would like to have a delicious variety of food and desserts wrapped in a dog friendly welcoming, relaxed atmosphere topped with an amazing customer service - this is the perfect place! The also have Vegan and Gluten free options :-) We were served by Renata (the owner) , a lovely woman that definitely understands the importance of having the knowledge of the ingredients in the different dishes and the attention coffee beans needs to be able to produce the perfect cup of coffee. We highly recommend to give the King Alfred’s kitchen a visit as it’s 5* in every way!!!

Everything taste amazing! Huge selection of cakes, specialty coffees, proper pies, but also salads and lighter fare. We had the chicken, ham and leek pie with reduced red wine onion gravy, lime and blueberry and maple, pumpkin and chai cakes. But it was very difficult to choose off the menu. The atmosphere is quaint and cosy with plenty of seating and happy, warm people on staff to serve. You’d be crazy not to stop here when in Shaftesbury!

Lovely traditional cafe Banging breakfast Would fully recommend

I am giving this five as it is a museum piece. Opened in 1976 it has never changed. Been decorated regularly, but kept the original features. So if you want a 70's cafe with frothy coffee & fried food this is the place. They do have the modern coffee & up to date delights of the 21st century, but keep the old favourites. The breakfast are fun as are the lunches. Some good photos of old Shaftesbury on display. The manager has been there for 43 years, so the owners must be great too.

Popped in for breakfast 😋 and wasn't disappointed at all, it was delicious 😋 good portion size too, we had the peel breakfast and couldn't finish it, eyes bigger than our bellys. Tea is refilled as well for no extra cost, bargain.The staff were very friendly and helpful the premises were clean and the toilets were spotlessly clean too with free sanitary products, amazing touch. Thankyou for a good experience all round, highly recommended.

Love the food and the and attentive servicing. Atmosphere was nice as well

Great food and staff. Toilets available. Seating in or out. Wheel chair access made at home. Rainbow 🌈 cake a must . Cheese scone and chutney divine xx

A great place for breakfast, tucked away in a quiet corner off Shaftesbury High Street. Check out the amazing mural of old Shaftesbury on the wall at the back of the covered terrace. It seems to be a popular meeting spot for locals and the staff are very welcoming to visitors too.

Great cafe, brilliant food and a vast menu, first class clean and freshly made to order. Staff are great.

Lovely hot breakfast. Great value. Highly recommended

First time here with friends absolutely disgusting spot on good customer service food was amazing. Nothing was to much trouble I had standard breakfast want fried potatoes with it which was no problem at all .Thank you so much definitely be coming back again.

Excellent fry up, just what we needed after our weekend at a festival. Friendly staff.

I love this little place that has a larger personality especially around the holidays, nice food, nice helpful staff, and full of friendlyness. It gets bigger and louder during the holidays and summer months when it opens the play area and the maize maze. Lovely for families and children. I have to say it pleases my heart to see this place set up for children's outside play, they certainly keep you on your toes, even when you are not part of that group or party, it has a little downside life everywhere when is busy hearing can be an issue even when sat face to face, so if you're expecting a wee cuppa or coffee or lunch in peace or relative quite here, you honestly won't know until you get there. It's just lovely hearing the children and youths being a play outside and not attached to their phones or computers.

Good location on the edge of Sherborne to let the kids run and play while you sit comfortably in the old farm yard with a cake and coffee or maybe a light lunch.

An amazing maize, maze one of the best around. What a pity it's the final maze this year. A wonderful attraction for all the family with all the usual facilities including a superb little cafe. Play area for younger children and very reasonably priced. Staff extremely friendly and helpful adding to the experience. The maze is open all summer until early September so get in there quickly for a brilliant day out!

Great place to meet friends and have decent coffee, and if you are peckish plenty of choice on menus.

Excellent service from friendly staff. The food was perfectly cooked, tasty and plentiful portions! Lush and highly recommended.

Lovely clean café, friendly staff, and quick service. The all-day big breakfast was just what I wanted 😋

My wife and I, Visited Shaftesbury on Saturday. To do some shopping and check out Gold Hill (Featured in the Hovis advert from the 70's) when we got to the top of Gold Hill we came apon this lovely restaurant. All the staff were lovely. So lovely my wife and I cried. Xx. We have had a lot going on recently. Jo was very kind. The food was amazing. We went for the tuna ciabatta. Lovely.. And then there's the view. Amazing.. Well worth a visit and popping in for something to eat. Xx. Thank you again xxx yours sincerely Steve and Annie and Luna xx

A beautiful place,nice food and we bought a whole cake to take home. Excellent view

This gem did not disappoint yet again! Even if not on the menu, you can still get an amazing omelette here! Great after cycling up Gold Hill :)

This place is located at the top of Gold Hill with beautiful views over the valley. It was a beautiful day so we sat on the benches outside to soak in the beautiful views. The staff were friendly and the service was quick. The menu had plenty of of options and the food was really tasty. If you’re a tourist looking for the feel of England, then definitely come here!