The Best Cafes in Melbury Bubb, Dorset, United Kingdom (2025)

UPDATE: Since I wrote the review below, Board Cafe have started doing food, and it is excellent. The sourdough pizzas are among the best we've had anywhere. You're here for the games, and they have a super selection of quality games in very good condition. You want to be guided in how to play new ones, and the staff are genuine enthusiasts and generous in the help they offer. You'll sustain yourself with decent drinks at a good price, and they've got that covered - the coffee is barista quality, and friends who like that sort of thing said they love the milkshakes. There are alcoholic treats, too ... perhaps for customers who aren't as competitive as us! They are building a kitchen upstairs to do food in future, and in the meantime they have been inventive with the cake selection and snack menu. We got the "three bowls for £5" offer this time - sour jelly sweets, chocolate buttons and Doritos, which helps create a party atmosphere. We've been here with a group of 10, twice in a group of 4 and today as a couple, and each time we've had a great experience (see picture of Wingspan, a lovely game based on the idea of building a bird reserve). Book your table in advance - this is a very popular place.

Great experience learning some new games with the staff speeding up the process by explaining the basic rules to us. Incredibly delicious pizzas - classic options like pepperoni and BBQ chicken and other more unique ones such as Mediterranean and spinach and mushroom. Booking is a must as it's a very popular venue and 3 hours is recommended as the time flies!!

Had a lovely relaxed Saturday afternoon eating tasty food, discovering new games and drinking a very tasty milkshake! Good vegan options (I'm dairy free so always look out for them!) and friendly staff. Will definitely be back 😊

Fables and food has a lovely atmosphere, it is happy and Homely, has incredible food and amazing service. I had the French toast and it came out so well presented and tasted just as good as it looked! This cafe is like no other I’ve been to before as it has such a South African vibe, from the food to the decor! They even sell fresh eggs, cakes and fresh bread. Could not recommend enough!

An absolutely brilliant cafe with delicious fresh food, friendly staff and very reasonable prices! The South African cuisine was one I had not tried before, but it was presented brilliantly to me with the wide array of inventive yet authentic dishes on offer. The coffee was also brilliant and the cakes were delicious.

Amazing service, beautiful food and a really great selection of gluten free cakes and food options. We felt well looked after and well fed! Also, the coffee is on point!

Incredible food, friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. Stopped for lunch with my sister when we were in the area. So glad we did! I had the chicken nourish bowl and it looked as good as it tasted. We look forward to returning to try the gorgeous desserts.

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.

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.

Absolutely wonderful overnight stay, with excellent breakfast and dinner, extremely comfortable accommodation, highly professional and friendly staff... need I go on? I would unhesitatingly recommend this charming hotel.

A fantastic cafe, serving delicious, well priced food. We stopped for lunch and enjoyed sandwiches, soup of the day, and the crab bisque, followed by treacle and ginger tart and Bakewell tart. All of this was homemade and the portions were excellent. This cafe is not to be missed!

Had the best Greek salad outside of Greece and my husband had the best Dorset Ploughman's lunch. Really delicious and well-presented food in a small, friendly café. Generous portion sizes too. You can't see the huge chunk of cheddar in the pic as it was behind the huge hunk of wholemeal bread! Highly recommended.

Lovely little place. Actually more space in there than you might think. Very nice & friendly staff. Didn't have to wait too long for service & food. Very tasty meals, & excellent sized portions at a very reasonable price. Will certainly visit them again next time I'm in Dorchester.

Stopped for lunch at 'The Posh Partridge' when visiting Dorset on a combined business / leisure trip. It was a relaxed and pleasant place for lunch and both the service and the food was quality and nicely presented. The hot Pastrami sandwich I had was very tasty, as was the toasted Brie and Cranberry Panini. The cost for two toasted sandwiches and two diet cokes was £20.80

4 of us went yesterday to celebrate a 90th birthday, we opted for the afternoon tea and booked in advance. From start to finish the service was fantastic! Owners made a real fuss of the birthday girl, we were all made to feel very welcome, were really attentive, offered more tea and water and even offered to warm the scones - which 2 of us enjoyed! The sandwiches were tasty, fresh with plenty of filling (my fave being the ham and mustard!). The cakes were also fresh and delicious! We were even given a box to bring leftovers home. We have been before for breakfast and that too was a tasty treat!! Would definitely recommend this to everyone! Will be trying the lunches next

Welcoming atmosphere. Dog friendly which is great. The breakfast was one of the best I have had anywhere. Decent amount of food and perfectly cooked. And only £7.50 which included tea or coffee. Absolute bargain. Definitely recommended. Will be stopping in next time we’re passing.

Absolutely divine Sunday roast at the Octagon cafe. Choice of 3 meats, lots of veg, cauliflower cheese, roast potatoes, yorkshire…too much to eat! Excuse the lack of gravy in photo, that was my choice as I have never liked gravy!! Thank you, I will be back!

What a wonderful find, friendly staff, fantastic breakfast and great prices! Will definitely be going back, highly recommend!

Sensational afternoon tea with amazing scones. We also really appreciated having several gluten-free options too. But best of all was the service. So friendly and chatty with plenty of history about the building and town. Can't wait to return!

I meant to review this amazing place as soon as I left! We went in the beginning of November, I’d just missed the Halloween decorations apparently. It’s such a beautiful tea room, I hoped it was haunted and yes! Wasn’t disappointed, the lovely owner had lots of stories to share, such a sweet, wonderful lady who couldn’t have been any nicer. I wish she would adopt me, even asked if she’d consider it!? xxx Please visit and support the sweetest and most charming of places and please do pass on my love, from Tania from Bournemouth xxxxxxxxx

What a beautiful b&b with plenty of history. Owner was very informative about the old tea room and surrounding area. She was also the most amazing host, so friendly, kind and welcoming. Made us feel like we were at home. Breakfast was amazing with a great choice of cereals, pastries, yoghurt and then cooked breakfast. The cakes and scones are a must when visiting....tasty! There is a plaque which says " come as guests leave as friends....we have definitely left as friends.

What a lovely and welcoming tea house in the heart of Dorchester. Whether you‘re stopping to sleep, or just for tea / breakfast / food (we did both, one year apart! 😃) , Debbie will make it a memorable experience! The house has extensive history and Debbie is well versed in it, so ask what interests you! We will stop here every time when we‘re passing nearby!

Busy lunchtime. Had a delicious soup and amazing pink grapefruit tea. Very good value. Will be back for the plant based croissants! Thanks so much, it’s so important to have options like this.

Great little cafe. Stopped here for tea and a light snack on our way to Cornwall. Was pleasantly surprised at the number of gluten free options. Millionaire shortbread was delicious!!

Friendly staff. Very accommodating with dietary needs. Service was relatively quick considering it was a busy lunchtime. Would recommend.

Had some delicious food here for brunch , made by chef Maria. Was extremely tasty!

Absolutely adorable little cafe with the sweetest service, great prices and really yummy food! Forgot to take a picture of my BLT but my partner had mushrooms, eggs and avocado on toast and we both loved every bite! Will definitely be back :)

A lovely little cafe, tucked away in a Dorchester side street. A well-kept secret that the locals cherish. You can get to Potters back door and their lovely patio garden by turning left before entering Waitrose. The front door is in the street next to Tony & Guys hair salon. The cafe offers lots of homemade goodies and great tea and coffee. They are a little pricey for some of their items but it's worth paying that little bit more for quality. The staff are well above the average.

Really excellent. As someone who also owns a small independent cafe, Potters is one of the best I have visited. Lovely food( club sandwich) almost too much to finish, and I’m a big eater. Very attentive staff, and extremely good value for money. All round an excellent little cafe.

Been a couple of times and already planning my next trip! Staff are lovely and attentive, menu is simple but wholesome with a great selection of café classics and specials. Really lovely setting and a courtyard - and a big bonus they're dog friendly!

Wheelchair friendly. Epic food experience, Brisket Keftiko for £18 is amazing. I did not expect to eat such superior quality food next to a garden centre. I see a bright future after filling up my belly and hopefully for this place. Don’t lower your standards

excellent Cafe - Deli in Poundburry, perfect place to meet and eat, stunning sausage and beans with a Spanish twist