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

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.

I meant to review last wkd after we left. Lovely tea rooms and the lady serving was so friendly. Another customer was chatting to me and it felt so cosy. The poached eggs were perfect. I will be bringing my family for a cream tea very soon.

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

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!

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!

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.

Excellent service, food was incredible. I got the eggs Benedict with salmon and it was probably the best I’ve had. Yolk was perfectly runny n was well presented. Will be returning in future.

What a little gem of a cafe/restaurant!!! We popped in for lunch today, Sunday, for 16.95 each had sirloin beef roast, generous portion, toasties, potato gratin, plenty of veg, Yorkshire pudding, just the right consistency of gravy. And a side of horseradish. Best roast we've had in a very long time.... I normally save room for a pudding... but no... I ate every mouthful...and at 6pm was still not hungry. Staff so pleasant . I almost didn't want to leave such a good review in case I can't get a table any time soon!!

Cosy, licensed café restaurant offering everything from coffee and cake, a quick bite or fine lunch. Confit duck in Cointreau sauce was very good.

Just had our Christmas lunch a party of 13. Wonderful hot food ..great service lovely atmosphere would definitely recommend you won't be disappointed.

We only popped in for a drink but the staff were lovely and the service was very good.

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!

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.

Just back from a fabulous 2 nights here. What a lovely place, would highly recommend to anyone thinking of going. We were made very welcome and the staff were so friendly. The food was lovely and my husband said especially the breakfast. I'm sorry I didn't get one of the managers names who spoke to us this morning, just after breakfast, but she was so nice and a credit to The Smugglers. We will be back.

I was on a one night walking break and feeling a little out of sorts. A lovely lady Hebe really looked after me and made me feel so welcome. I called in for a snack and coffee but booked a room. The amazing hospitality continued the next morning with delicious breakfast and Ellis really looked after me. I’ve only been away once on my own before and they really gave me confidence to do it again.

We’ve just returned from a wonderful two-night stay at The Smugglers Inn. On arrival, Lloyd greeted us and made us feel welcome instantly - before any money had even exchanged hands he made sure we were ‘fed and watered’ after our long drive. Nothing was too much effort for any of the staff…. Special mentions to Rafaela our waitress,Ella, and the bar-staff who really looked after us. The Sunday lunch was fantastic, great menu in general and a great breakfast spread! The room was spotless, cozy and well-equipped. It was my partners birthday and they went out of their way to make it special for him. We would definitely recommend staying here and we have already talked about returning one day. Thanks again to ALL the staff for making our stay so special. Sam and Phil

Staff are okay, not overly friendly, but not not nice. Always quick service, reasonable prices, and nice hot cafe style drinks and cake/ pastries. It's not a fancy place, it's a casual place to chill. Good with a child/ baby. And good before/ after a walk round the great field. We got a hot drink each and a croissant.

Brilliant sandwiches and drinks, the cafe is clean. The staff aren’t that kind.

Well managed little gem in the heart of the park. Great spot for a coffee and a chat whilst watching the children play. Can't fault the place

Excellent place to go for warm and freshly-made food and drinks. It's at a great location and when the park opens up, it will be the ideal spot for everyone. Definitely recommend going. I also work here and the staff and the customers are always so friendly and both parties are always so understanding no matter the circumstance.

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.

Went there as part of a new trail race and a great location. The pool is still blue all year so never disappointed, but obviously better when weather is clear. Great walks around. Good cafe. Well family priced.

Superb restaurant and perfect location. If you're fond of sand dunes, and salty air, quaint little villages everywhere..... IYKYK. Food is always great, service spot on.

Great lively place, right on the beach, good food and service, good fast pizzas 🍕.... Needs a nice craft beer on tap 😂👍

Delicious fish & chips! Big cocktail menu. Great location right by the water.

Fantastic restaurant. Fantastic location on WestBay Beach. We had a Sunday roast which was so tender and tasty. Thank you. We will be back.

My partner and I spent the New Year at the Duchess of Cornwall Inn and had an enjoyable stay. The room had plenty of character, and the staff were exceptionally friendly and accommodating. We also dined at the hotel's pub/restaurant, which was a nice experience. Conveniently located in the heart of Poundbury, the hotel is just a short stroll from Dorchester. All in all, it was a very pleasant experience.

So lucky to have this fabulous pub as our local! The staff are fantastic and go out of their way to offer great service. With a Welcoming and friendly atmosphere, stunning surroundings and pretty decent food it’s no wonder this pub is busy. The only negative is they don’t take cash which is pretty outrageous.