The Best Restaurants in Ashmore, Dorset, United Kingdom (2025)

The new private dining room at Roots was truly special. The space features a beautiful, large dining table that comfortably seats 12 people, creating the perfect atmosphere for an intimate gathering. Our dedicated server, Jasmin, was an exceptional hostess, attentively catering to our every need with warmth and professionalism. Owners Jan and Stacey went above and beyond to make our night unforgettable, accommodating us at short notice and ensuring every detail was perfect. The food was absolutely spectacular—each dish was perfectly prepared and utterly delicious. Having our own private facilities added to the exclusivity and convenience of the experience. We were so impressed that we’ll undoubtedly be booking this space again and again. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a flawless private dining experience!

We had been here once before many years ago and enjoyed it, and more recently we have been to the sister establishment almost next door, The Cork and Lobster - which is always good. For no real reason we thought why not try Roots again. It is small but we managed to get a table and decided on the smaller of the set menus, which really was enough for us. Delightful and well thought out tastes, with presentation that is not too over-the-top. They carefully changed items to cater for the fact I don't eat pork or drink alcohol. There is a wine flight available alongside the meal but they were just as happy to give recommendations as needed. All the waiters were delightful, informative, and experienced which made the meal that much better and they are a credit to the place. The place remains a highpoint of local food-focused places, and next time, I won't leave it as long!

I would give this restaurant 6 stars if I could. The most wonderful experience all round - faultless service, food, drinks and atmosphere. I would highly recommend Roots to anyone looking for a wonderful meal out. This place is special enough to feel like a once in a while treat/occasion, but welcoming enough to feel like you’re going to your local neighbourhood restaurant. Perfection all round. Thanks so much, we can’t wait to come back!!!

Had a wonderful lunch at Roots. We have been before, but many years ago. The food, drinks and service are all still top quality. Culinary delights that will entice the senses and tantalise the tastebuds. A very inventive chef who works hard to create wonderful menus. Thank you to all the team for an amazing lunch. We will be back.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Greeted with a warm welcome, then we were taken to our table. Beautiful decor with a lovely atmosphere. Very spacious inside!! Food portions generous and everyone in my party enjoyed their meal. Lovely waiting staff who were friendly and smiled!! Yes, smiled! Customer service was excellent and overall a lovely dining experience.

The Saxon Inn is a truly beautiful country inn, full of charm and character. Each little area, corner and nook is styled and curated to perfection, and the special little attention to details really elevates this place above what you'd normally expect from a country inn. Every turn reveals an almost lnstagrammable moment you'd want to capture. The welcome from the hosts Sarah and Richard couldn't have been more friendly and nothing was too much trouble for them. They really were consummate hosts and you could just tell they'd put their heart and soul into place and genuinely cared that their customers not only enjoyed their stay, but loved their stay. The bedroom and bathroom were spotlessly clean and comfortable. The cooked breakfast in the morning was delicious and the fresh fruit and doorstep toast was amazing. Real coffee, real butter, and locally sourced products made this a breakfast to remember. My partner and I didn't have an evening meal at the Inn when we arrived but really regretted it when we tasted the breakfast the following morning. To add even more character to the place, the Saxon Inn also has two other permanent residents, the beautifully-docile and aloof Reggie (a gorgeous whippet), and Herman , an independent little dachshund who parades around wearing a bandana. Overall, it's a superb place to stay and eat. We'd highly recommend it.

The Saxon Inn was quite a surprise - in a good way! We had been given mixed reviews about the restaurant but we found it warm, attractive and the food was exceptional. The staff were extremely friendly and the lady head chef/owner came out and had a chat with each table and some of the locals as well.

The Saxon Inn has become our favourite pub! We've enjoyed many lovely meals there, from Sunday roasts to delicious evening dishes. It’s the perfect spot to relax after a country walk, especially on sunny days when we can sit outside with our dogs and enjoy a drink or by the fire with some bar snacks. It’s always so welcoming, excellent service, and tasty food - couldn’t recommend it more!

People who truly care! The owner and her daughter went above and beyond when I was unable to find a taxi to a nearby train station. Besides that it's a characterful, comfortable inn situated in a beautiful part of the world. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend 🙏

My partner and I were travelling to Glastonbury and wanted somewhere to stop for lunch and in our research we came across Pythouse Kitchen Garden and what a find it was!! The location and venue is exceptional - even on a grey, rainy day it was the perfect place to be for a fantastic meal. The staff were incredible, attentive and most importantly nailed the timing between courses. They provided the perfect amount of interaction and personal touch whilst also allowing you to enjoy your meal. It truly feels like a family run venue which is special. The food matches all the other 5* aspects of this restaurant. The story behind the restaurant, how the food is sourced is amazing and they bring that quality through to what is on the plate. I have already recommended it to friends and will continue to do so and we will certainly be back. Thanks so much for a great experience!

10/10 all round - we met Darren at a pop up event and fell in love with the food, so we ventured over to Pythouse for the real deal and it absolutely was that! Unbelievable food, such friendly waitresses, dog friendly and set in beautiful gardens. Food done the proper way! Highly recommended. Thanks again guys!

This is a must visit if you're in the area. South Africa is the only other place I've seen a set out like this. A wonderful restaurant, set in the gardens that provide your food. The ability to sit outdoors and eat great quality food is fantastic. We had a lovely afternoon eating and wandering around the extensive kitchen garden. I imagine the events are beautiful, too. Staff were friendly and happy to spend time talking. I would love this to be local to me!

Very nice countryside restaurant with a beautiful garden where they grow their produce. Menu was amazing and every dish is made using local ingredients. Lunch atmosphere is very relaxed and the waiters always chat with you and explain you the philosophy of the ingredients. Definitely will try the Sunday roast next time.

Wonderful place to eat. My husband and I visited the area and we must say that we really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. The wonderful staff was helpful and lovely.

The pub itself is a historic building, beautiful area and fantastic food and drink. Some might say it's expensive, but when you learn where the ingredients come from and the owners care and devotion it's a whole experience. I can't comment on the rooms as I've never used them.

Decent food, excellent friendly service. Went here for group Sunday pub lunch following a walk. Food was cooked to a good standard and staff were very accommodating without being fussy. However the meal felt slightly on the pricey side (over £10 for most starters and £22± for most main courses) . Would otherwise be happy to recommend. Thank you

We booked a last minute room last night as we were meant to stay at the Royal Oak but they messed up and sold our room to someone else. So we were panicking as we were 4hours away from home at 18:30pm. I found the Langton arms on booking.com and immediately booked it. We had a warm welcome and the staff went above and beyond to make our stay lovely. The food was amazing and the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Thank you to everyone at the Langton arms for making what was stressed and sad night to a one that we will never forget. And we are truly hoping to be back in the future!

Perfection on 4 plates! Our second visit to this excellent restaurant. The food, once again was a delight as much for the eyes as for the taste! The 4 of us had different starters and main courses , and each were delicious. The service was perfect, so was the atmosphere. Pleasant environment, staff and owners.

Our first time at The Fleur De Lys for dinner. From the moment we set foot in this small hotel, all was perfect. We were shown to the bar where we had aperitifs, then to our table . We all had different starters and mains; all were absolutely delicious and beautifully presented! The service and atmosphere was low key yet excellent. This was our first time at The Fleur De Lys and certainly not the last! well done!

What a surprise. La Fleur de Lys deserves its good reputation. Food was of a very high standard and the service was discreet and professional. The chef came to the table to check all were satisfied and we were. I wasn't expecting such a treat.

We stayed and dined at the Fleur de Lys and it was absolutely delightful. The accommodation is comfortable, quiet, and clean. Mary and David are truly graceful hosts and assisted with some arrangements for us, and it is clear that they are well to connected with the best professionals in the area. The food is as exceptional as other reviews suggest. Thank you so much for a great stay!

This gem did not disappoint yet again! Even if not on the menu, you can still get an amazing omelette here! Great after cycling up Gold Hill :)

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!

Great food, service and prices. Excellent view too.

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

First visit this evening and we will certainly visit again. Staff helpful and attentive, it was a relaxed atmosphere, and we were certainly not rushed. The food was excellent, the salmon and asparagus was superb and the chicken in cream and mushroom sauce was equally as good. Good selection of pasta and pizza dishes on the menu and a great kids menu. We had a lovely evening, thank you San Tonino.

Lovely old chapel and the decor was fantastic, ordered onion rings to start and despite the price of £5.90 they were frozen, albeit well cooked and crispy. The Hawaiian pizza was basic and uniform, I was expecting a more hand tossed rustic base but the ingredients were good quality. The chips again were basic frozen fries and quite costly at £5.90. I wasn’t introduced to the specials board which disappointed me too. I’m glad I went to try the place but wouldn’t return.

A group of us went here for a meal to celebrate a birthday. I messaged beforehand to check they were able to provide a vegan alternative. They replied quickly with a list of different items they could adapt to be vegan. I opted for the Calzone as I haven't had the chance to have one since going vegan. It was absolutely delicious! The man (who I presume owns the place) was incredibly helpful and attentive. I fully recommend eating here! I'm looking forward to returning.

We stumbled across this place on a short visit to Shaftesbury. Such an amazing building and interior, but by far the best bits are the staff and the food. Absolutely delicious food and incredibly friendly and helpful staff. It was quite quiet during our visit which can have an impact on the atmosphere - depending on what you're after - but I'd definitely recommend a visit!