Dorset Restaurant Guide

Restaurant at Mortons House Hotel

Possibly one of the most outstanding houses in this picturesque village, Morton's House goes back to around 1590 and is rich in panelling, mullions and other indications of antiquity and country house charm.

• Address: East Street, Corfe Castle, nr Wareham, BH20 5EE (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Modern British
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: £35.00, Dinner: £55.00

Restaurant at Plumber Manor

Plumber Manor, more home than hotel, is lived in and run by the Prideaux Brune family. They have been here a mere 300 years but have been in the area since the time of William the Conqueror. Nowadays Brian PB presides in the kitchen, Richard may be found in the bar and Alison covers the rest.

• Address: Plumber, Hazelbury Bryan Road, Sturminster Newton, DT10 2AF (Map)
• Cuisine(s): British, French
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: £26.00, Dinner: £39.00

Restaurant at Roundham House Hotel

• Address: Roundham Gardens, West Bay Road, Bridport, DT6 4BD (Map)
• Cuisine(s): English
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £32.00

Restaurant at Summer Lodge

If there is one part of rural southern England that remains relatively immune from the worst excesses of our overcrowded island it must be those tucked away areas within the Dorset Downs. In some places little changed since the days of Hardy they offer a retro view into another, kinder world.

• Address: 9 Fore Street, Evershot, DT2 0JR (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Modern British
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: £34.00, Dinner: £55.00

Restaurant at Swallows Eaves Hotel

Pretty strict codes here with no children, pets or smoking. Bound to score a hit there somewhere. The traditional gents res dating from the 1930's and smothered in wisteria reflects the no-nonsense code of ethics in its approach to the dining process and good honest locally sourced ingredients are turned into very presentable dishes of a traditional nature.

• Address: Swan Hill Road, Colyton, Colyford, nr Seaton, EX24 6QJ (Map)
• Cuisine(s): British
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £39.00

Restaurant at The Bridge House Hotel

One suspects that the clergy who lived in this 13th century house would have approved of the frugality of the prices in this ancient house with the candlelit Georgian restaurant. It really is excellent value, possibly due to the set-price menus, which are on offer for lunch and dinner.

• Address: 3 Prout Bridge, Beaminster, DT8 3AY (Map)
• Cuisine(s): British
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: £18.00, Dinner: £46.00

Restaurant at The Crown Inn

• Address: Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, SP7 0PA (Map)
• Cuisine(s): British, French
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £43.00

Restaurant at The Fox Inn

Keep it simple and unpretentious and you will not go far wrong. Yes, it works every time, though in truth the surroundings of this luscious 17th-century thatched inn in deepest Dorset would be hard to beat.

• Address: Corscombe, nr Dorchester, DT2 0NS (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Modern British
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £36.00

Restaurant at The Grand Hotel

With splendid views across Swanage Bay and Peveril Point, the Grand Hotel, with its new chef and new menu continues to offer well selected local produce and innovative food. There is a somewhat ponderous, but well travelled wine list with house wine at £9.

• Address: Burlington Road, Swanage, BH19 1LU (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Modern British
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £32.00

Restaurant at The Harbour Heights Hotel

Built in the 1920's Habour Heights has been upgraded to a contemporary hotel of elegance and comfort, with stunning views across the estuary, and a mere two hours from London. The HarBar Brasserie in particular makes the most of the scenery, as well as providing a laid back and informal setting for some very fine cooking.

• Address: 73 Haven Road, Sandbanks, Poole, BH13 7LW (Map)
• Cuisine(s): English, Modern
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £43.00