Best Cafes in Melbury Abbas, Dorset, United Kingdom (2025) - Top 10 Rated!

Rating: 5 / 5

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!!!

Rating: 5 / 5

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!

Rating: 5 / 5

THE MOST INCREDIBLE CAKES AND DRINKS!!!!!! The atmosphere is super cute and cosy, very relaxing but the cakes and drinks are to die for!!! Definitely 100% a must visit!!!! The food looked really yummy too, next time we visit we will definitely be having lunch here too

Rating: 5 / 5

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!

Rating: 5 / 5

This place is absolutely beautiful. We took our five kids for a little outing there. They were able to handle the hike up the hill (16, 14, 12, 8, 1) - but it was pretty steep. That being said we pushed our stroller up the whole hill. We took a little picnic and ate at the top of the hill surrounded by the incredible views. A few things to note: The parking area is small. We got there early and had to park along the fence (maybe 10 cars there?). By the time we left it was overflowing with cars (25 ish). 2. The hill is very steep at one point - going up and down. Just keep going! The views are worth it! 3. There are no bathrooms at this site...people with kids might want to know this. All in all we loved our outing and will return!

Rating: 5 / 5

An easy walk to the top. Easily made it in about 30 minutes from the small car park. On a clear day the views are awesome.

Rating: 5 / 5

Great national trust fields to walk in. From the car park opposite the airfield it is about an hour to the top of be beacon and back. Beautiful views on a a great day. Very windy at times!

Rating: 5 / 5

Stunning and far reaching views. Lovely walking, with or without your four legged companion. Lots of livestock around grazing. Compton Abbis airfield close by where you can grab a coffee and or something to eat.

Rating: 5 / 5

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

Rating: 4 / 5

Had a takeaway. Lovely service and great cakes. Our drinks were double cupped to stop them being too hot to hold. A thoughtful gesture - thank you.

Rating: 5 / 5

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

Rating: 5 / 5

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.

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely place to stay. Food was beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. The one thing that I would of appreciated (as an older lady) would of been a bath mat in a very slippy bath. Fabulous, would certainly visit again.

Rating: 5 / 5

This is an absolutely amazing place. The staff were extremely attentive, the food was phenominal and definitely worthy of a Michelin star and excellent value too. They really care about service and quality here . The best food that I have eaten in a long time. Thank you so much.

Rating: 5 / 5

Yalbury Cottage is a place where excellence, friendliness, and quality come together seamlessly. As someone who loves travelling and exploring new cities and places, I have stayed in numerous accommodations, but none compare to Yalbury Cottage. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and look forward to returning to the area. The staff at Yalbury Cottage consistently went out of their way to be friendly and did everything possible to ensure our stay was exceptional. The room exceeded my expectations significantly, with its stunning and unique view. We truly felt as if we were at home, but in a setting with beautiful new scenery. Situated in Dorchester, Yalbury Cottage offers a perfect base to explore the area and nearby cities such as Weymouth. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, have recommended this place to others, and will continue to do so. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and everything was spotlessly and well-organised. Additionally, the thoughtful touch of leaving brownies in our room upon arrival exemplifies their dedication to Yalbury Cottage and their commitment to providing each guest with an exceptional experience. I personally can't wait to return to this charming cottage for another uniquely wonderful stay.

Rating: 5 / 5

Fabulous! One of the best coffee stops for cyclists in this corner of Dorset. We're always made very welcome. Great service, great coffee and a lovely selection of food. Great coffee and pastries. A lovely friendly atmosphere, I keep meaning to visit when I'm not on a bike.

Rating: 5 / 5

We came here for breakfast for my mum's birthday and it did not disappoint! The ingredients are of the highest quality, everything was cooked perfectly and the coffee was great. We were a table of 7 adults and a highchair, and the service was incredibly friendly and professional. The outdoor tables with a view were a perfect way to finish our morning with a coffee and a cannoli. Thank you so much for your hospitality, we look forward to returning soon!

Rating: 5 / 5

Great coffee, excellent gluten-free treats and the most cheerful service you could ever hope to receive. Top marks all round!

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely little coffee shop with amazing views, very friendly staff. Would highly recommend.

Rating: 5 / 5

Absolutely LOVED our vegan brunch!! And the fried bread - my goodness, what a treat!! If we lived closer, we would be here every weekend. Love that our doggy was catered for too, thank you!

Rating: 5 / 5

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

Rating: 4 / 5

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

Rating: 5 / 5

Great food, service and prices. Excellent view too.

Rating: 5 / 5

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!

Rating: 5 / 5

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

Rating: 5 / 5

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

Rating: 5 / 5

Amazing customer service, very reasonably priced. It's a cafe you come away thinking "that was amazing" rather than "that was ok" Thank you very much! Will come back ❤️❤️

Rating: 5 / 5

Stopped at this lovely cafe on the way to Cornwall and it was so good we stopped there again on the way back. Emily and John are friendly and the food tasty with generous portions. We thoroughly recommend. Keith and Serena.

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely lil cafe. Had an Americano and a flapjack to go from here. Emily and John were on shift I must say both were very welcoming, friendly & extremely helpful. Was a pleasure to meet you both will visit again soon. I really dislike coming into poundbury (was there because of work) but these lovely humans made my day. Thank you so much.

Rating: 5 / 5

Friendly and kind staff, they are really a pleasure to be around and the cafe is honestly a great place to have a snack or a drink in. Tasty hot chocolate!

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely hot breakfast. Great value. Highly recommended

Rating: 5 / 5

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

Rating: 5 / 5

Picked the cafe for a meeting point with my family. A great choice. Lovely friendly service straightforward foods and drink. Very pleasant. Recommended as a great meet point for a good breakfast. . .

Rating: 5 / 5

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.

Rating: 5 / 5

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.

Rating: 5 / 5

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.

Rating: 5 / 5

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!