Best restaurants in Dorset
With four Haven Parks in the county, Dorset is full to the brim of family-friendly activities and fun. There’s so much to do and see in this rich and vibrant part of the country you’ll need some good spots to rest and refuel after some full-on family days out.
Dorset is a county filled with culinary delights, with local seasonal cuisine being the toast of the town. From fresh fish straight from the coast to steaks and grills from local Dorset farms and indulgent afternoon teas with Dorset cream, you’ll come away with any number of tantalising mealtime memories. To help you navigate the bottomless list of best restaurants in Dorset, we’ve skimmed off the cream of the crop and cooked up this menu of the top eateries in the county.
1. The Lobster Pot Restaurant, Portland
Address: Portland Bill, Portland, Dorset, DT5 2JT
Cuisine: Seafood, lunches, afternoon tea
When in Weymouth, a day out to the Isle of Portland is an unmissable adventure for beautiful coastal walks and a spot of birdwatching. Portland is just a 15-minute drive across the ferry bridge from Haven’s Littlesea Holiday Park. Carry on down to the southern tip of this beautiful island to experience a true culinary delight at one of the very best restaurants in Dorset - The Lobster Pot.
Established in 1952 and open seven days a week, this prime lunch spot boasts stunning sea views and serves a range of sandwiches and baguettes with fillings including freshly caught crab and Atlantic prawn. The famous cream tea is served with fresh Dorset clotted cream and jam to top your scones. Children’s meal deals are also available and there’s even the option of a takeaway children’s fun-bag lunch-bag, if you’re eating on the go. Whatever you order, be sure to accompany it with a bowl of the prized Lobster Pot chips – you’ll want to go back for these alone!
2. Nautico Lounge, Weymouth
Address: 66 St Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8EL
Cuisine: Pub grub
Based in a beautiful old post office building in the centre of Weymouth, Nautico Lounge is a vibrant and spacious outlet for a relaxed family-friendly meal at any time of day. There’s always a space at Nautico Lounge, so no need to worry about booking – just rock up and find a spot – inside or out – to relax and replenish. The menu at Nautico Lounge offers a huge range of pub classics cooked to perfection, with options for veggie, vegan and gluten free diets to boot.
If you can’t decide from all the options on offer, why not try the tapas menu and have a taste of everything you fancy? There’s a great kids’ menu for the little ones, and the family pooch is just as welcome as you are, so this is truly a space for everyone to enjoy, making it undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Dorset.
3. Rajpoot, Dorchester
Address: 43 High W St, Dorchester DT1 1UT
Cuisine: Indian
Is any holiday complete without a family curry night, indulging in your old favourites and taste testing new and exciting flavours? This contemporary curry house is situated in Dorset’s County town of Dorchester, just a 20-minute drive from any of Littlesea, Seaview and Weymouth Bay Haven Parks. Conveniently central, on High W Street, this is a perfect treat after a day exploring the historic town with its museums and attractions.
Rajpoot prides itself on combining freshly sourced ingredients with Indian influence to create new and contemporary takes on the classics we know and love. The staff at Rajpoot are passionate about what they do, and more than happy to advise on the best and tastiest option for you and your family.
4. Vibes, Dorchester
Address: 13 Weymouth Ave, Dorchester DT1 1QR
Cuisine: Vegetarian, vegan
Situated conveniently midway between the two railway stations in Dorchester, this unusual café is perfectly placed for a healthy midday refuel during your day out in the county town. Vibes Café is a vegan and vegetarian eatery offering plant-based classics such as buddha-bowls, jackfruit wedges and spicy bean burgers.
There’s also a great drinks menu of smoothies, coffee, and soft drinks to choose from, best accompanied by one of the delicious gluten-free cakes on offer. And for the family-members who prefer their coffee with cow’s milk, fear not, Vibes provides for you too - just ask at the counter.
5. Clavells Restaurant, Wareham
Address: Kimmeridge, Wareham BH20 5PE
Cuisine: Local British, Seafood
Corfe Castle is an unmissable day out from Haven’s Rockley Park site in Weymouth. Hop in the car down the A351 and you’ll be in Wareham in just half an hour. Just a stone’s throw from this historic market town is the chocolate box village of Kimmeridge – home to one of the best seafood restaurants in Dorset.
With a thoroughly local menu “from field to fork”, Clavells restaurant serves up best quality classic dishes such as Ploughman’s platters and sausage sandwiches, to calamari and cod & chips. There’s also a wonderful selection of homemade sweet treats and cakes to choose from, including the famed Dorset apple cake and Clavells Cream Tea – enjoy them with a cup of tea and while away the afternoon chatting with the family or playing one of the board games at your table.
6. Herbies, Lyme Regis
Address: Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, DT7 3JF
Cuisine: Fish & Chips
Lyme Regis, the Pearl of Dorset, is an absolute must for a day out in this stunning county. Whilst it’s an hour’s drive from Haven’s Littlesea Park, don’t be put off by the distance: it’s well worth the trip. When in Lyme Regis, fish and chips is the order of the day. Head to Herbies right on the sea front for a classic fresh, locally sourced chip dinner. The selection of infamous beer-battered fish and chips made to order, alongside seasonal specials, are sure to delight and fill the stomachs of every family member.
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