Nearby Places to Eat
Restaurants
Sienna, Dorchester, DT1 1UP, 01305 250022
Michelin Award Bib Gourmand, Keen young chef, Marcus Wilcox cooks alone in this small un-prepossessing restaurant at the top of Dorchester High Street. Complex dishes which are modern and ambitious both in flavour and presentation. Book ahead. www.siennadorchester.co.uk
Summer Lodge, Evershot, DT2 0JR, 01935 482000
5 star restful country house hotel with award winning fine dining and wines; refined and expensive.
www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk
Brassica Restaurant, Beaminster, DT8 3AS, 01308 538100
Michelin listed restaurant in a 16th century house in the small town square. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and laid back. Tasty, rustic cooking by distinguished chef, Cass Titcombe.
www.brassicarestaurant.co.uk
The Ollerod, Beaminster, DT8 3AY, 01308 862200
Michelin listed chic brasserie with stylish, accomplished, stylish and excellent cooking in an elegant atmosphere. The Ollerod (old Dorset word for cowslip) used to be The Bridge House Hotel Beaminster is a 25 minute drive from Tudor Cottage.
www.theollerod.co.uk
The Seaside Boarding House, Burton Bradstock, DT6 4RB, 01308 897 205
Michelin listed. Rather an off-putting name, but stunningly located on a cliff top; the restaurant and lovely terrace which overlook Lyme Bay have stunning views stretching from Portland Bill in the east to Start Point in the west including the majestic sweep of Chesil Beach. The restaurant boasts “relaxed sophistication” using local produce.
www.theseasideboardinghouse.com
3 The Green, Sherborne, DT9 3HY, 01935 813821
Michelin listed restaurant in a picture postcard pretty cottage. Fresh, seasonal, sophisticated food, highly praised by guests. www.greenrestaurant.co.uk
Hive Beach Café, Burton Bradstock, DT6 4RF, 01308 897070
Voted the best Seafood Beach Café in Dorset and tremendously popular with walkers using the South West Coast Path, dog walkers and those on the beach. Serves very good seafood including wonderful crab and fish and chips. Prices rise mid-season. Casual, extremely informal and always busy. Great views of Lyme Bay. Opening times vary so it’s worth looking at their website. No booking so arrive early.
www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk
Yalbury Cottage, DT2 8PZ, 01305 262382
Michelin listed, close to Thomas Hardy’s birthplace in Lower Bockhampton, pretty thatched restaurant.
www.yalburycottage.com
The Crab House Café, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, DT4 9YU, 01305 788867
With spectacular views of Chesil Beach and the Portland coast. Rustic and informal, serving “exquisite fresh seafood” with daily menus based on fish landed on the day. Have their own oyster beds right at the door. Casual service and atmosphere. The hammering of crab shells can be noisy. Booking advised.
www.crabhousecafe.co.uk
The Club House, West Bexington, DT2 9DF, 01308 898302
Michelin listed and in a superb location close to Chesil Beach. Unfussy modern dishes including Weymouth lobster, Exmouth oysters and Portand Crab.
www.theclubhousewestbexington.co.uk
Shell Bay, Studland, BH19 3BA, 01929 450500
Located at the water’s edge, overlooking Brown Sea Island, it started life as a shack and retains a rustic feel. Local seafood, modern and classic dishes.
www.shellbay.net
Pubs
The Greyhound, Sydling St. Nicholas, DT2 9PD, 01300 341 303
A traditional 18th century inn in a pretty village close to Tudor Cottage. Recently cleverly extended and a firm favourite with guests. Attractive, convivial atmosphere with good food. A five minute country drive from Tudor Cottage. Sometimes closed on Sunday evenings.
The Acorn, Evershot, DT2 0JW, 01935 83228
Same ownership as Summer Lodge. Gold Award, Best of the West: Best Dining Pubs Category, 2014. Reliably good food, friendly and efficient service. Same menu and prices in both bar and restaurant. Sunday night meals can sometimes be disappointing. Booking advisable. Approx. 12 minute drive from Tudor Cottage.
www.acorn-inn.co.uk
The Saxon Arms, Stratton, DT2 9WG, 01305 260020
Large new thatched pub with friendly and often busy atmosphere. Good pub food at reasonable prices. Recommended in the Good Pub Guide and Good Beer Guide. The closest pub to Tudor Cottage. Approx. 3 minute drive.
The Royal Oak, Cerne Abbas, DT2 7JG, 01300 341 797
Lovely traditional un-pretentious pub with regional real ales serving straightforward pub food such as venison and apple faggots, salmon, sweet chilli and spring onion fishcakes. Friendly pub atmosphere and open fire. Service can be slow but the staff always smile Approx. 10 minute drive.
www.theroyaloakcerneabbas.co.uk
The New Inn, Cerne Abbas, DT2 7JF 01300 341274
A sixteenth century coaching inn. Elegant, well-presented food - not the cheapest - in a comfortable atmosphere; pretty village. Approx. 10 minute drive.
www.thenewinncerneabbas.co.uk
The Fox and Hounds, Cattistock, DT2 0JH, 01300 320 444
A country pub with a convivial atmosphere, open fires and dried hops above the bar. Well supported by friendly drinking locals. Typical home cooked pub food at reasonable prices. Sadly my last meal here was very poor indeed. Approx. 12 minute drive. www.foxandhoundsinn.com
The Marquis of Lorne, Nettlecombe, DT 6 3SY01308 485236
A friendly pub run by Steve and Tracy Bradey. Good pub food at reasonable prices. The drive to Nettlecombe can be an experience in itself with absolutely spectacular country views; slightly hair-raising for the driver.
www.themarquisoflorne.co.uk
The Wise Man, West Stafford, DT2 8AG, 01305 261970
Popular village pub in pretty West Stafford, just south east of Dorchester. Their description of themselves is “traditional village pub meets rustic gastro cuisine”. Pretty West Stafford (home of Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes) is two miles south east of Dorchester.
www.the-wiseman.co.uk
The Anchor, Seatown, Chideock, DT6 6JU, 01297 489215
Right on the beach between Golden Cap and Lyme Bay and on the coastal path, The Anchor has been recently fully refurbished and its local “passionate” chef uses fresh Dorset ingredients from land and sea.
www.theanchorinnseatown.co.uk
The White Horse, Hazelbury Plucknett, TA18 7RJ, 01460 78873
This is lovely, great food in pub environment, roaring log fire, pretty rose garden. Fine Dining combined with simple classic pub food. Renowned and visited from far and wide so booking is advisable.
www.thewhitehorsehaselbury.co.uk
Other Fun Cafes
Rachel’s, West Bay, DT6 4GZ, 07974 314277
Is amazing! A kiosk (seasonal) serving wonderful seafood at lunchtime only. Open roughly 11.00 to 2.30 pm but is weather and occasionally family commitment dependent, so it is essential to phone. Tables are outside overlooking the harbour. A quick look on TripAdvisor will give you some idea of the huge variety and quality coming out of this tiny kitchen. Licenced, vegetarian friendly and gluten free friendly. Crab salad, lobster platter, scallops, fish stew, smoked haddock chowder, tempura prawns and, of course, their marvellous fish and chips. It does get busy so book if you can.
Quiddles, Portland – The Esplanade, Chiswell, DT5 1LN, 01305 820651
Fun beach café at the tip of Chesil Beach, sit in, or outside for amazing and far reaching sea views. Small, casual with delicious food always served with smiles. Gordon Ramsey has been seen here!
www.quiddles.co.uk