The Best Restaurants in East Lulworth, Dorset, United Kingdom (2025)

Must visit place if you around this area. We found it few years ago and we visited again recently. The place is truly beautiful and has unique picturesque sight. Beach is pebble but seems popular. Boat trips are nice too. There are some small shops and restaurants. Parking a bit expensive as minimum time is 4hrs at a cost of £10.

Lulworth Cove beach on England’s Jurassic Coast is a stunning spot, especially at sunset, when the golden light highlights its unique horseshoe shape and clear waters. Nearby, you’ll find charming pubs and classic fish and chips, perfect after exploring. Don’t miss Stair Hole, a dramatic rock formation with arched cliffs and sea caves just west of the cove. It’s a beautiful blend of natural beauty, cozy local spots, and peaceful seaside views. Parking is pay and display, I went on Tuesday off season want too busy.

Gorgeous sheltered bay surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Several different layers of rock are visible, displaying a geological timeline that has formed one of the UK's most beautiful places. The beach itself is a relatively narrow band compared to many in Dorset, but the azure blue water is worthy of the Mediterranean. There are excellent facilities including a nice café, large gift shop stocked with local goodies, toilets and ample parking. With Stair Hole, Man O' War Beach and Durdle Door along the coast, there's easily enough to fill 4 hours here. This is as well because it's the minimum parking you can buy, at a cost of £10 (as of October 2024). I was lucky enough to be staying nearby so walked and saved the charge. On an October weekend it was popular but not overcrowded, though it appears that in summer it can be extremely busy, so best to visit out of season if you prefer a quieter visit as I do.

This is a stunning natural gem located on England’s Jurassic Coast, known for its unique, horseshoe-shaped bay and crystal-clear waters. The beach is a mix of pebbles and sand, making it a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and exploring rock pools. The surrounding cliffs and hills provide breathtaking views and make for excellent hiking opportunities. It’s a popular destination, so it can get quite busy, especially during peak times, but the scenery and tranquil atmosphere are well worth it. Whether you're interested in geology, photography, or simply enjoying the beauty of the coast, Lulworth Cove Beach offers an unforgettable experience.

We all enjoyed our time there. It was nice to be able to walk the grounds and around the castle. You can see the conservation efforts that are being put into keeping the building alive. I'm local to the area, I knew to expect a shell of a castle, do not go here believing you will be visiting a grand building filled with artefacts. The views from the top of the tower were spectacular, and worth the visit just for this, it's 4 floors up so be prepared to climb them. There is no lift to the roof for people with mobility issues, however there is a lift between the basement and ground floor. We had a pleasant few hours there. There was a calming atmosphere as we walked around. I believe we all left feeling serene

Recently visited lulworth Castle while having a day out in Weymouth. Very intriguing Castle that was built in 1608 by the Howard family. Walking up to the castle you got a sense of how grand it must have been in its day. On entering the castle I was a bit taken aback as I didn't realise it was more of a ruin inside and had sections as you walked round with pictures and information on how it would have looked. Basically you could look straight up to the top of The castle and see where the different floor levels would of been. Plus point of course there is a stairwell that you can go up to the roof of the one tower and get a panoramic view. The stairs are metal and plenty big enough that you don't feel cramped. They are also very solid by the looks of it. On the lower level where the tea room is there is also an exhibition about the castle and also tells of the fire that happened here . Certainly is worth visiting for the views alone. Their is a car park onsite which everyone seems to have to pay and display at a cost of £3.00..set fee. I believe it's because you can park there and walk the estate and woodland trails without having to go in the castle.

Imposing castle built in the 17th century as a hunting lodge for the family that still owns it today. Following the installation of electricity, the castle was gutted by a terrible fire in 1929. It has been partially restored and looks complete from the outside, but the interior bears the scars of the fire. The exhibition on the ground floor showcases numerous artefacts, charting the history of the castle and its owners. It's well worth walking around the estate, which is home to various other buildings including St Andrew's Church, a folly tower, North Lodge gatehouses and a Catholic chapel with a beautiful interior. There's a short but pleasant woodland walk to see the peacocks, just beware of the crocodiles in the lake... £9 for entry when I visited seemed very reasonable given everything there was to see, but as a member of English Heritage, I got in free. There's plenty of parking (£3 for the day when I visited), a café, toilet facilities and a children's play area, so it's ideal for a family day out.

A beautiful setting with pristine grounds. The interior was gutted by a fire in the 1920s, but the restoration has been well done with lots of informative boards about the history of the building and access to the roof which gives great views of the surroundings. The grounds offer a great opportunity for a long walk, particularly on a sunny day. Very reasonably priced for a country house.

An excellent, well presented pub with superb food and very friendly staff. What more do you need?? The menu is a nice balance of staples and really imaginative dishes. The crispy chicken with chilli starter was amazing and the chargrilled chicken with chorizo was fabulous. The ham, egg and chips was probably the best I have had anywhere, a simple dish prepared very well with good ingredients. We will be back

Food was excellent, with a good selection for those with allergies. Fish and chips was huge. The flat bread was a little disappointing though in comparison to the other mains. Still good though!

Celebrated birthdays with a group of 8. Booked the table and seated right away. Great service and delicious food 5 star

Really good food. We have been the last 2 weekends, and had the fish and chips both times and has been consistently excellent. The service is polite, friendly and efficient. There are 2 car parks providing plenty of free parking. They have a very generous outside area with plenty of seating too.

If you're looking for a cozy pub that delivers on all fronts, this is the place! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxed Sunday afternoon. The Sunday roast here is absolutely top-notch. The portions are generous, and the quality is superb. What really sets this pub apart, though, is the service. The staff are incredibly friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. From the moment you walk in, you feel right at home. They’re attentive without being intrusive and always make sure you have everything you need to enjoy your meal. Karli served us today and Hebe greeted us. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a hearty Sunday roast in a charming, welcoming setting!

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

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.

Wow! What a find! We stumbled across this restaurant when trying to find Tyneham village. It looked really busy from the outside, so we tried our luck to get a table. The staff were really lovely, welcoming and warm, got us a table and even produced a separate vegan menu on request! ⭐️⭐️ The starters were so appealing we shared three between us and the mains were cooked to perfection! We were full to the brim, but still managed to squeeze in a sticky toffee pudding. Overvall, very very impressed with the range of options, the quality of the food and the fantastic staff. We will definitely be back!

I'm not sure if this icecream stall is same as this restaurant cos that'what google picked I dare to say that this banana ice cream at this stall, close to Etchi'w museum is the best natural ice cream I've had!!!!! If I ever visit again, I'm coming with ice packs to freeze some and take home

Lovely restaurant with indoor and outdoor eating spaces. Great and varied menu catering for all tastes and a good drinks list. Partner’s lobster bisque was delicious and my ploughman’s varied and filling. Followed by a walk to Kimmeridge bay and an ice cream back at Clavells (ice cream hatch serves directly into the garden) before trip home. Moderate pricing given good quality and the beautiful location. Thanks Clavells!

Exquisite food, freshly made. Whitebait grilled pure - no oily fatty batter, seabss & lime fish cakes fluffy on the inside crunchy on the outside, absolutely delightful lunch in a charming thatched cottage setting.

We are staying at a small campsite not far away and this is the nearest pub so headed down Thursday for a drink with the dog to check it out. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming and the food looked amazing so we booked a table for Friday evening. Again everyone was friendly, service was good, the dog was made to feel very welcome too, she was offered a dog bed and given her own doggy menu so it’s super dog friendly which is always a bonus. The food was absolutely delicious, between us we had the smoked pork board and the smoked beef board and really enjoyed it. Always nice to be made welcome when away. We would definitely return if in the area again.

Brilliant experience, camped one night and we were welcomed from the start! Ate in the pub and met the owners and staff that were very friendly and made us feel at home. Genuine effort was taken by all with everything from food service to the hospitality. Food was also spot on! Would highly recommend and will be returning.

What an absolutely delightful experience! The food is amazing (the pulled pork: Oh, My Word!) the location is beautiful and meeting the owner was an absolute pleasure; she went above and beyond to ensure we felt warmly welcomed and completely at ease. Her attention to detail and genuine care made the experience all the more memorable. We can’t wait to return and would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great food, a beautiful setting, and top-notch hospitality!

Stayed 3 nights ago. Beautiful pub. Location was great. Room was perfect for my wife, my son & I. Clean and comfortable. Breakfast was 11/10 - was superb. The people were so friendly and helpful - well beyond most locations. Highly recommend The Red Lion.

Brilliant stay, with brilliant staff. Made Christmas that little bit more special! Will definitely be visiting in the new years when the weather is warmer! And hopefully many of the same wonderful staff will be there to welcome us back!

Among the best inns I've ever visited. The room was perfectly prepared and we were lucky to have a room with a view on the cove. The complimentary breakfast was incredible. In addition to a bountiful buffet they offer (multiple) warm meals which are all amazing in and of themselves. The service leaves nothing to be desired whatsoever. The interior is charming; there are sundry memorabilia to do with the cove and the place; some of them a good 70 years old. We definitely enjoyed this historic insight. hope I get the chance to come here again sometime.

What a lovely place to stay. Room was fabulous, meal was great….but what we were most impressed with was the friendly upbeat service from all the staff members we dealt with. Ben was particularly helpful with our breakfast the following morning (which was delicious). Highly recommend staying as so picturesque. Thanks so much!

We very nearly didn't eat here because of some poor reviews but both the service and the food was excellent! We requested a quiet table as we had a dog and were seated in the snug area which was delightful. The food was delicious and there was a great choice of vegetarian options which makes a nice change. The waiting staff were really friendly and attentive and we really could fault nothing so not sure were the bad reviews come from and I would highly recommend eating here.

This is a delightful spot to relax and enjoy a meal while taking in the beautiful coastal surroundings. The café offers a good selection of food and drinks, including freshly made sandwiches, cakes, and hot beverages, perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely lunch. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, with friendly staff providing excellent service. The outdoor seating is a bonus, allowing you to enjoy your meal with a view of the cove. Whether you're stopping in after a hike or looking for a place to unwind, Finley's Café is a great choice for a refreshing break in Lulworth Cove.

A good fish and chips to finish off a beautiful walk along the Jurassic Coast! £11 felt quite steep for fish and chips (on top of the £10 parking charge!) - but the food was cooked fresh to order, service was nice and it was very tasty, would thoroughly recommend!

A very tasty breakfast - great quality ingredients. A fantastic view too.

I ordered the mussels for lunch. They were okay, but a small portion. The prices are accordingly with the ideal location of this cafe. It has a lovely terrace. The staff is welcoming.

We had a very nice lunch there. We ordered panini and potato with shrimps. Lovely atmosphere and view

Amazing location! Very cosy with friendly staff. Food was great! Will definitely go back