Top Restaurants in Dorset
The Square Bistro Poundbury
The Square Bistro, 6 Challacombe Square, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3SX, UK | Restaurant P: 01305 549274
Rating: 4.9 (98) Price Level:
This can be recommended for its food, service and ambience. We went with two friends and we all enjoyed our starters, main courses and dessert. The wine was reasonably priced and pleasant. The serving staff were helpful and pleasant. The decor was good and there was a relaxed atmosphere. This is a real Poundbury asset- I hope, for many years to come!
Rating: 5 / 5
Great service, delicious food and an intimate dining experience. This is what eating out should be. Well worth a visit. Excellent customer focus and a lovely atmosphere. We have made this our yearly Christmas meal venue and it never disappoints. I cannot wait for our Christmas visit this year!!!
Rating: 5 / 5
Today my friend and I found this little gem of a Bistro by accident, and oh my the food was perfection! The food is all local produce and it was just beautiful tasting. We had come from Bournemouth and we will defo be coming back! Totally recommend this place!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is now my favourite restaurant and will be telling everyone I know to visit. Had a lovely Friday lunch here, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. The staff are friendly and the food and drinks are wonderful. We had 3 courses and they were all well balanced and tasty with my favourite being the chocolate ale cake with caramel miso sauce and muscavodo ice cream. I would keep going back just for that dessert! My husband loved the cocktails including the Japanese sour cocktail which was just one example of the great and interesting selection of cocktails available. Definitely visit again as soon as we can.
Rating: 5 / 5
We ate with friends and the food was exceptional. The service was “fine” but the inexperience of the young team came across as scripted and insincere. We’ve booked to go again at Christmas, it’s a great, intimate bistro with great food options.
Features:
- Dine-In
- Reservable
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Serves Beer
- Serves Wine
- Restroom
- Good for Groups
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Cocktails
- Desserts
- Coffee
Accessibility Features:
- Wheelchair Accessible Seating
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
Parking Options:
- Free Parking Lot
- Free Street Parking
Nearby Landmarks:
- Poundbury Gardens - 240m away
- Waitrose & Partners - 258m away
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - 196m away
- The Engine Room Restaurant - 255m away
- McDonald's - 453m away
The Square & Compass
Worth Matravers, Swanage BH19 3LF, UK | Pub P: 01929 439978
Rating: 4.8 (2473) Price Level:
Excellent and very popular pub in a very pretty little village. Has excellent views from the front seating area to the sea. There are quite a few footpaths that converge in the area so it is very popular with walkers. The food is excellent, and it has a tiny, and very strange little museum.
Rating: 4 / 5
Keep it simple, a selection of pasties, a sausage roll, and a steak pie, plus some good cider/beer. Served from a hatch which does admittedly cause a bit of a queue, but eaten on tables outside in the sun was worth the wait. Don't miss sticking your head inside to the museum room on the far left and the atmospheric lounge on the right.
Rating: 4 / 5
Is nice pub to be there after a bit hiking around Dancing ledge, a lot britains goes there to have a glass of beer 🍺, nice talking, good view. Also they have a small museum about fósils found around. They hay a good variety local beers 🍻 simple but nice taste traditional food.
Rating: 4 / 5
After a lovely sunny walk we ended up at the Square & Compass. We had an ale and mulled cider with a steak pasty and a chicken leek and bacon pie. Service was quick and the staff were polite and friendly. We sat in one of the snugs. The whole place is a living museum and you step back in time once you cross the threshold. Service is through a hatch in line with the entrance, it became very congested very quickly with only a few people being present. Not so easy to navigate once you add a tray with drinks and food on it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Such a special place. Can't beat it. Frequented the place when we lived in Dorset & come back on every visit. Visited today after a lovely walk from Worth on the Priest's Way, down to Dancing Ledge for a swim & back along the coast to Windspit before heading to The Square & Compass for a Pint & a Pasty. Nowt fancy, just good honest food at a good price. Couldn't ask for better.
Features:
- Dine-In
- Serves Beer
- Serves Wine
- Outdoor Seating
- Live Music
- Dog Friendly
- Restroom
- Good for Groups
Accessibility Features:
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
Parking Options:
- Paid Parking Lot
- Paid Street Parking
Nearby Landmarks:
- Woodhenge - 173m away
- Worth Matravers Tea & Coffee Shop - 172m away
Yalbury Cottage
Yalbury Cottage, Lower Bockhampton, Dorchester DT2 8PZ, UK | Guest House P: 01305 262382
Rating: 4.8 (296) Price Level:
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.
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
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.
Features:
- Good for Children
Accessibility Features:
Nearby Landmarks:
- Kingston Maurward Equestrian - 319m away
Gorwell Farm
Abbotsbury, Weymouth DT3 4JX, UK | N/A P: 01305 871401
Rating: 4.9 (122) Price Level:
We chose Gorwell for our wedding in July 2024, booking two years prior. Mary and the Team are fantastic, you can really tell that they want your big day to be a success. Mary was full of recommendations for vendors, which was amazing as it can definitely feel overwhelming. Throughout the communication was fantastic and there was no such thing as a silly question. The Farm and the cottages were fantastic and being able to get married outside under the trees was incredible. Thank you so much Mary & Family! (photos by Charlotte Stoneham Photography)
Rating: 5 / 5
We got married at Gorwell Farm on September and we can’t recommend it enough! The most beautiful venue and surroundings, the bar was great and the cottages and campsite were ideal for our guests. We can’t wait to return as guests!
Rating: 5 / 5
Gorwell Farm was where we chose to have our wedding this summer, and we could not have chosen a more perfect location for our special day. The cottages are spacious and comfortable for the morning-of preparation, and the barn and surrounding grounds are just idyllic. It really was the perfect space for our wedding. Mary and the team were great in the run-up to the wedding and on the day. It meant we didn't have anything to worry about. Also a shout out to the bar staff who were absolutely fantastic!
Rating: 4 / 5
Very interesting day out. The guides were so knowledgeable and helpful. So much to see that I will need to go back to spend more time in the fantastic gardens. Bit of a walk from the car park if your mobility is not great.
Rating: 5 / 5
Gorwell Farm hosted our wedding (and accommodation) and was excellent from beginning to end. It’s. A beautiful, rustic venue but has been fully modernised and updated with all conveniences for a wedding whilst still retaining the rustic feel. All queries were addressed quickly and we couldn’t imagine it being any better.
Features:
Accessibility Features:
The Square Bistro Poundbury
The Square Bistro, 6 Challacombe Square, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3SX, UK | Restaurant P: 01305 549274
Rating: 4.9 (98) Price Level:
We ate with friends and the food was exceptional. The service was “fine” but the inexperience of the young team came across as scripted and insincere. We’ve booked to go again at Christmas, it’s a great, intimate bistro with great food options.
Rating: 5 / 5
An absolutely brilliant restaurant offering a lovely range of delicious meals, with focus on local Dorset ingredients. The three course set menu is definitely worth the money, and I found each course to be very delicious! Even though this is described as a “bistro”, the dishes do come off as quite complex and the restaurant certainly offers fine dining. The drinks on offer were also very lovely, and the servers were helpful and friendly. Overall, our meal was an entirely positive experience and this restaurant is definitely worth a visit.
Rating: 5 / 5
This can be recommended for its food, service and ambience. We went with two friends and we all enjoyed our starters, main courses and dessert. The wine was reasonably priced and pleasant. The serving staff were helpful and pleasant. The decor was good and there was a relaxed atmosphere. This is a real Poundbury asset- I hope, for many years to come!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is now my favourite restaurant and will be telling everyone I know to visit. Had a lovely Friday lunch here, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. The staff are friendly and the food and drinks are wonderful. We had 3 courses and they were all well balanced and tasty with my favourite being the chocolate ale cake with caramel miso sauce and muscavodo ice cream. I would keep going back just for that dessert! My husband loved the cocktails including the Japanese sour cocktail which was just one example of the great and interesting selection of cocktails available. Definitely visit again as soon as we can.
Rating: 5 / 5
Today my friend and I found this little gem of a Bistro by accident, and oh my the food was perfection! The food is all local produce and it was just beautiful tasting. We had come from Bournemouth and we will defo be coming back! Totally recommend this place!
Features:
- Dine-In
- Reservable
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Serves Beer
- Serves Wine
- Restroom
- Good for Groups
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Cocktails
- Desserts
- Coffee
Accessibility Features:
- Wheelchair Accessible Seating
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
Parking Options:
- Free Parking Lot
- Free Street Parking
Nearby Landmarks:
- Poundbury Gardens - 240m away
- Waitrose & Partners - 258m away
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - 196m away
- The Engine Room Restaurant - 255m away
- McDonald's - 453m away
Meram Kitchen Dorchester
2 Brewery Sq, Dorchester DT1 1HX, UK | Turkish Restaurant P: 01305 594000
Rating: 5 (30) Price Level:
I have never been made to feel more welcome at an establishment and they all went above and beyond to make this a special surprise dinner for a birthday in our party of four. Simply beautiful is how I would describe the food here. They are clearly proud of their food, and they really should be! I’m eager to come back again to try more of their brilliant and refreshing menu.
Rating: 5 / 5
Amazing food and hospitable staff. Highly recommend the Iskender, very filling & great flavours.
Rating: 5 / 5
An absolute wonderful experience. Excellent service throughout the meal.. Food was first class, tasty, plentiful. Homemade Baklava so delicious. Restaurant is not overcrowded and has a lovely feeling about the place. You could well be in Turkey itself for a few hours. Wonderful New year's eve. Thank you
Rating: 5 / 5
Great meal, we had the mezze for 2, then shared the lamb chops. Great food, good portion sizes & super friendly service! We will be going back 👌
Rating: 5 / 5
We walked in earlier this evening as a table of 5 and we had the best time. We had a platter for two to share and it was just amazing. Fussy 5 year old has now decided calamari but be one of her new favourite things. Didn’t get a picture of the dessert as it didn’t last long but it was just as good as the food which couldn’t be faulted. Our waitress Lillie was great. I’ve already booked again for a big group on my birthday, we had a great night, great food and really good service, think it goes without saying that we will be back
Features:
- Dine-In
- Takeout
- Restroom
- Wheelchair Accessible
Accessibility Features:
- Wheelchair Accessible Seating
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
Nearby Landmarks:
- Brewery Square - 95m away
- wagamama dorchester - 38m away
- ODEON Dorchester - 83m away
- Côte Dorchester - 39m away
- Nando's Dorchester - 71m away
The Clockspire Restaurant
Gainsborough, Milborne Port, Sherborne DT9 5BA, UK | Restaurant P: 01963 251458
Rating: 4.8 (319) Price Level:
Fantastic food! Really delicious. We will definitely return on our next trip to the area. The staff are lovely and welcoming, and we felt at ease for the whole visit.
Rating: 5 / 5
Oh my! ♥ What a magical experience visiting The Clockspire was. Where do I begin to describe the care and detail oozing from both the staff and the food, it truly is clear to see, even the toilet hand towels were folded beautifully! We decided to opt for an expensive treat due to a special birthday, but the restaurant also offers a very affordable day menu, so I would recommend for both a stunning meal out and for celebrating occasions.
Rating: 5 / 5
Really nice experience. The decor inside was very appealing and comfortable. Went for the 3 course set menu and the food was very well presented and had a lot of flavour. Waiters/waitresses polite and attentive. Will recommend to friends/family.
Rating: 5 / 5
We had a thoroughly enjoyable and delicious dining experience at the Clockspire Restaurant this evening. Food was excellent along with the service. The old school building has been beautifully restored and creates a delightful surrounding and atmosphere, complimenting the whole experience. This has just become my favorite restaurant. We shall return.
Rating: 4 / 5
Overall is good, the quality it's top as the price and service. Lovely place with good atmosphere. If you're on rush, don't go, take your time and enjoy the food.
Features:
- Dine-In
- Reservable
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Serves Beer
- Serves Wine
- Serves Vegetarian Food
- Restroom
- Good for Groups
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian Food
- Desserts
- Coffee
Accessibility Features:
- Wheelchair Accessible Seating
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
Parking Options:
- Free Parking Lot
- Free Street Parking
Nearby Landmarks:
- Something Else Fishy Milborne Port - 419m away
- Texaco - 151m away
- The Tippling Philosopher - 366m away
- Crackmore Garage Workshop - 132m away
- Johnsons Stalbridge Linen Services - 449m away
Il Nodo
Weymouth Ave, Dorchester DT1 1QR, UK | Italian Restaurant P: 07491 230311
Rating: 4.8 (38) Price Level:
Went to Il Nodo for our Christmas party. The food was fantastic, the Chef did an amazing job for all three courses. The staff were great, attentive but not overly so.
Rating: 5 / 5
Just had a wonderful two course lunch here - fabulous freshly cooked Italian food, super friendly service and a great wine list. Oh and great value too! This is going to be our new favourite place for lunch in Dorch.
Rating: 5 / 5
Outstanding food, exceptional service and a really welcoming atmosphere . The chef cooks exceptional food . We had a fabulous time and will definitely return.
Rating: 5 / 5
Decided to give it a go on our holiday as we wanted to avoid the chain restaurants nearby. Very glad we did. Waiters fell over backwards trying to help and make sure everything was okay! Mussels weee delicious, the ravioli even better and the dessert was perfect too! Wonderful atmosphere and a great place to eat
Rating: 5 / 5
Genuine Italian warmth and hospitality in Dorchester! I went with my Mum and boyfriend and we all had a fantastic meal and loved the atmosphere. The waitresses and chef were very welcoming and the chef even came out to offer my Mum some choices for the vegan option that evening. It's a small menu with everything cooked to perfection. We will definitely be back soon!
Features:
- Dine-In
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Serves Wine
- Takeout
Website not available
Parking Options:
- Paid Parking Lot
- Paid Street Parking
Nearby Landmarks:
- Brewery Square - 149m away
- Coffee#1 Dorchester - 116m away
- Côte Dorchester - 69m away
- Dorchester Market & Carboot - 106m away
- Finca - 62m away
The Square Bistro Poundbury
The Square Bistro, 6 Challacombe Square, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3SX, UK | Restaurant P: 01305 549274
Rating: 4.9 (98) Price Level:
We ate with friends and the food was exceptional. The service was “fine” but the inexperience of the young team came across as scripted and insincere. We’ve booked to go again at Christmas, it’s a great, intimate bistro with great food options.
Rating: 5 / 5
This can be recommended for its food, service and ambience. We went with two friends and we all enjoyed our starters, main courses and dessert. The wine was reasonably priced and pleasant. The serving staff were helpful and pleasant. The decor was good and there was a relaxed atmosphere. This is a real Poundbury asset- I hope, for many years to come!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is now my favourite restaurant and will be telling everyone I know to visit. Had a lovely Friday lunch here, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. The staff are friendly and the food and drinks are wonderful. We had 3 courses and they were all well balanced and tasty with my favourite being the chocolate ale cake with caramel miso sauce and muscavodo ice cream. I would keep going back just for that dessert! My husband loved the cocktails including the Japanese sour cocktail which was just one example of the great and interesting selection of cocktails available. Definitely visit again as soon as we can.
Rating: 5 / 5
Great service, delicious food and an intimate dining experience. This is what eating out should be. Well worth a visit. Excellent customer focus and a lovely atmosphere. We have made this our yearly Christmas meal venue and it never disappoints. I cannot wait for our Christmas visit this year!!!
Rating: 5 / 5
Today my friend and I found this little gem of a Bistro by accident, and oh my the food was perfection! The food is all local produce and it was just beautiful tasting. We had come from Bournemouth and we will defo be coming back! Totally recommend this place!
Features:
- Dine-In
- Reservable
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Serves Beer
- Serves Wine
- Restroom
- Good for Groups
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Cocktails
- Desserts
- Coffee
Accessibility Features:
- Wheelchair Accessible Seating
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
Parking Options:
- Free Parking Lot
- Free Street Parking
Nearby Landmarks:
- McDonald's - 453m away
- Waitrose & Partners - 258m away
- Poundbury Gardens - 240m away
- The Duchess of Cornwall - 282m away
- Finca - 215m away
Twelve Eatery
12 The Triangle, Bournemouth BH2 5RY, UK | Vegan Restaurant P: 01202 310166
Rating: 4.8 (751) Price Level:
Fantastic food and excellent service. 100% vegan with interesting and exciting dishes. On this occasion, we ordered the same dish and were a little disappointed, but every other occasion has been incredible, so pitting it down to wrong ordering. Looking forward to visiting again.
Rating: 5 / 5
Had the loveliest early evening dinner here! Could not recommend this place enough, the food is to die for and the staff are incredibly friendly! We ordered the Camembert which was absolutely insane whole different level of yummy, followed by the Sunday chicken and tofu and chips. Perfect portions and gorgeous presentation - we will be back!
Rating: 5 / 5
Brilliant food, fresh and delicious. Excellent service and lovely restaurant. Likely visiting Bournemouth again just to visit this restaurant 👍🏻 We had the sunday roast, tofu and chips, and sticky toffee pudding - all were excellent.
Rating: 5 / 5
Beautiful time at Twelve. Friendly, relaxed staff. Beautiful decor reminding me of a first class carriage on the orient express... and the food was just glorious. Mostly made in house, lovingly described and discussed by the team, and extremely tasty. It made me so proud to be Vegan and so happy to spend a weekend in Bournemouth- thank you all so much.
Rating: 5 / 5
Amazing food and super friendly customer service. I'm vegan and visited with 3 non-vegan friends. Everyone was very impressed with the food quality and creativity. From the starters we had the 'Camambert' and 'scallops', I was never into seafood so was skeptical of the latter but it was amazing. We also had open lasagne, 'steak' and chips, tofu and chips, and a couple of other dishes. The cheesecake was out of this world!
Features:
- Dine-In
- Reservable
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Serves Beer
- Serves Wine
- Serves Brunch
- Serves Vegetarian Food
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Outdoor Seating
- Children' Menu
- Dog Friendly
- Restroom
- Good for Groups
- Good for Children
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian Food
- Desserts
- Coffee
Accessibility Features:
- Wheelchair Accessible Seating
Parking Options:
- Paid Parking Lot
- Paid Street Parking
Nearby Landmarks:
- Primark - 209m away
- PureGym Bournemouth the Triangle - 85m away
- Bournemouth Library - 51m away
- Mad Cucumber - 41m away
- Tesco Express - 79m away