The Best Cafes in Hilton, Dorset, United Kingdom (2025)

I'd earmarked this place for our visit to Bridport and on the day we went it was tipping it down with rain and it was packed. There was a queuing system for lunch tables, so we waited in line and watched with interested as the chefs plated up in the open kitchen. Service was efficient, friendly, and the menu is full of interesting options, plus loads for vegans (which we both are). We opted for the split pea hummus, soup, and chocolate & hazelnut buckwheat slice. All were absolutely divine. There is a little shop at the front selling coffee beans, cakes, jarred bits etc. Wish this place was closer to where we lived, I'd be in there all the time.

Excellent brunch! We stopped by on a long drive from Cornwall to Brighton for brunch and loved this cafe. A great space with more room at the back so bigger than you initially think. Good coffee and great brunch options - plenty of vegetarian ones too. Service was very friendly. A super convenient stopping point too as only 3 mins off of the A road and with a car park just across the road.

What to say? Beautiful, well decorated, wonderfully staffed with friendly people, great quality, well made food, great coffee, nice rear garden, wonderful products for sale, the lost goes on and on. I will definitely pay another visit next time I am in Bridport. This coffee is on my all time favourites. Thank you for the great experience!

Excellent food and service and the owner went above and beyond. Soulshine was recommended to us for a great place to have lunch. They had a great selection on the menu but at the time, I was unable to eat any carbs or sugar(nightmare customer, I know) due to a current health problem. The owner who was also serving us, recommended the salad but I was tempted by the meatballs, which unfortunately came with potatoes. So I opted for the salad as suggested. All of a sudden the owner came back to our table and said "would you like me to add a couple of meatballs to your salad" to which I was over the moon. The food came out promptly and it was delicious!! He didn't have to do that for me so it was very kind of him to go out of his way and to accommodate me. My mum and her partner had marmalade on sourdough which they said was very nice too and the coffees were excellent. Next time we are back in Bridport, we will definitely be back. Highly recommended for a chilled out atmosphere and rustic homemade style food. Thank you.

Come here for breakfast when visiting family in Blandford and always had a good meal. Decided to try lunch and was not disappointed 😋. Book before you arrive! 5 star 🌟

Beautiful tea rooms with even better food, found down a quaint little street. Highly recommend.

Lovely little hidden gem! The service was efficient and friendly and the food was absolutely to die for. All homemade, how rare is that! And gluten free options available too, will absolutely be returning. Thank you for our amazing lunch (homemade fishcakes!)

What a lovely quaint tea room which became very popular at lunchtime on our arrival. Only had to wait a few minutes when proprietor advised us a table was about to become free after being cleaned. Once seated and served with choice of refreshments, it was some 20 minutes before food was presented. Well worth the wait as we were in no haste as on holiday. Obviously, the tables filled very quickly hence the wait. The sign above the counter states, 'We don't serve fast food, We serve fresh food, As fast as we possibly can'. A very true statement given the excellent service.

The restaurant was nice and clean. The food was lovely, my pizza was delicious. The only down side is they don’t serve any ale! The parking was easy , just around the corner.

Highly recommend a visit here. Wonderful restaurant with a lovely ambiance. Staff are polite, professional and helpful. Food is absolutely gorgeous. Rich opulent flavours that deliver absolute joy on a plate. Fantastic place if you're on your own, having a date or meeting up with a friend or group to celebrate a special occasion. I always check out the toilets in restaurants because it says a lot about the hygiene of the place. I found them to be clean and tidy. I will be visiting again for some truly unforgettable pasta! Thanks team La Vita.

Absolutely gorgeous little local Italian restaurant. The staff are friendly and know how to deliver excellent service. The food was simply divine. This restaurant has luxury tasting food for a good price. I cannot recommend enough, we will definitely be back x

I'm from Australia and visited with local friends when passing through this part of England. I believe the restaurant is relatively new but it didn't matter as the service was first right and the food and beverage offerings were really impressive. A wide range of offerings on the menu and you won't be disappointed if you come here after authentic delicious Italian food.

I have been before but my friend had not and we both enjoyed our lunch. She was impressed with the choice of food and teas/coffees and loved the ambience. My rarebit was tasty and she said her fish quiche was delicious but a very generous portion that she couldn't finish. Staff were helpful, friendly and attentive without being overbearing. We will certainly be back.

We had the Halloumi Wrap and the Roasted Veg. Hummus Avocado Baguette. Both were delicious. Nice setting and a large menu generally with some more vegan options such as the Butternut Squash Soup. Good pricing too and service.

Amazing food, highly recommend the halloumi wrap or the quiche. Friendly staff although service was a little slow, however it was busy so to be expected to an extent. Great value for money on food and drink choices and lovely cosy atmosphere. Recommend a visit for an authentic Dorset countryside experience

An incredible hidden gem! Staff were so helpful and friendly. Having a large booking they rang the day before to confirm brought over extra chairs when required as well. The food was incredible the portions don’t look big but I left so full and having had the best time! The dishes were so aesthetically pleasing to the eye and had one of the best afternoon teas I’ve had. Only criticism is for the scones more jam and cream required on the afternoon teas but it was still delicious nonetheless.

Absolutely cracking breakfast great atmosphere best brekkie I've had in ages. Nice quality food and well cooked the service was friendly and good. Loved the ketchup scissors. Nice to go to a proper old fashioned cafe without being ripped off! It's a definite winner for me and will be back highly recommend

Top cafe! I think it was 2 local lads working there, at till and cooking. Really polite. Food second to none, and very well priced. (even though the chef was new I was told) Very good atmosphere. Cup of Tea was perfect.

So happy we stopped here for breakfast! The 2nd best breakfast Ive ever had... first being our local of course 😂 friendly staff, perfect food, clean and Quirky interior. The food was beautifully cooked and you can tell they take pride in their cafe. Excellent happy customer service. Highly recommend this place. Only downside... its a 6 hour drive from where we live 😂 thank you very much!

Lovely place for a day out. Walks were clear and easy to stroll. The rope bridge was great fun. The views across the pool are stunning in a number of viewpoints. I guess when the azaleas are flowering it is absolutely beautiful. There's a nice cafe and lovely gift shop. I only wish we had visited before but will be back again before long

Lovely scenic spot that's well worth the visit. Very relaxing and pretty. Nice place for family, kids, dogs or just pleasant walk round on your own. Cheerful, friendly and helpful guy in ticket office and pleasant staff in cafe. Thoroughly enjoyed the place. Nice little plant shop, Ice cream shop and gift shop. Easy access loos. Highly recommend if you're in the area.

Beautiful place to go for a stroll with much of the area covered by a forest canopy. Lovely little café which was reasonably priced with an amazing outlook onto the lake. Took a pram with my newborn with a fairly accessible route around the Blue Poole. Many of the other trails have steps to access so will use a baby carrier next time.

Had the fish and chips with mushy peas. This for us is the best fish and chips in Weymouth for your money. The batter is always cooked perfectly, lovely and crispy. A great portion of chips and nice sized pot of mushy peas. Restaurant looks perfectly out over the sea at Bowleaze cove. There is always outside seating under cover and also a decked area.

Beach cafés can be a bit of a dive — not this one! Really tasty good, generous portion sizes, friendly staff, a relaxed atmosphere, and sea views. We especially enjoyed the scampi and the dirty fries.

Came here today, after walking from our campsite at Graston Copse through Burton Bradstock village. A warm welcome by a member of staff & shown to our outside table for 4 with 3 dogs. Our waitress took our drinks order & returned after a few minutes to take our food order. She was very friendly and attentive, giving time for a chat despite being extremely busy. Wait for our food was minimal and when it arrived it was hot, tasty & well presented. Back ground music was pleasant, giving the Mediterranean feeling due to the sunshine. Wouldn't hesitate in returning if we are in the area again .... thank you.

Huge muscles in a nicely balanced blue cheese cream sauce. The fish chowder was also lovely, great tasting fish and fresh veg. We enjoyed on a wet and windy day, outside seating had heaters which warmed us up nicely. Would recommend after a walk.

Camping at Freshwater holiday park, a 20 minute walk to visit this gem of a place. Busy and bustling restaurant, great menu, food was outstanding and the service was great too. Dog friendly aswell, all in all, will definitely be returning soon.

We arrived at 11.20, just in time to order breakfast. We were lucky to get the table on the edge of the 'tent' overlooking the beach. Despite being quite busy we received very efficient service. The food arrived within 15- 20 min, then our hot drinks. We had 3 x full English and egg Benedict on muffin with bacon. Everyone enjoyed it. The only nuisance were a few wasps but not a lot to spoil our experience.