There’s a rich tradition of eating and drinking well in Dorset. The delightful coast and countryside is bursting with traditional inns and family friendly pubs where you can sample Dorset’s famous local produce. Imagine lunch in the sunshine and supper in the fading glow of a sunset, with freshly caught crab baguettes washed down with specialist scrumpy. Visit a rural gastropub with breath taking views where you can laugh with friends whilst your locally reared steak is being cooked just how you like it. For discerning drinkers and diners, Dorset is a county full of temptation.
Dorset pubs for all seasons
In the summer months, pubs in Dorset come alive with the buzzing sound of families and friends dining al fresco on warm, hazy summer’s evenings. On a beautiful day, experience the joy of journeying through the winding lanes to a country pub where you can enjoy a heavenly Ploughman’s lunch served with crumbly Dorset Blue Vinney Cheese.
In the winter, the pubs in Dorset are even more atmospheric! Cosy up by a roaring log fire, join in the local banter and enjoy the rich flavours of the season. Dine by candlelight on rustic oak tables as you treat your taste buds to the likes of West Country farmed beef and homemade Dorset apple pie. Scrumptious!
The Saxon Inn is a thatched, flint-stone beauty located in the rural village of Stratton, which has earned multiple CAMRA and Good Food Guide awards. Beloved for hearty British dishes and cask ales, it has been run by Rod and Janette for 40+ years. The pubs hosts theme nights and serves seafood, curries, ribeye, and Sunday roasts. It has a cosy interior with roaring fire for winter and a wildflower garden for summer.
Award-winning Dorset pubs
Dorset is justifiably famous for the quality of its produce and the county’s pubs and inns boast awards ranging from Taste of the West, the Good Pub Guide, Michelin Guide and TripAdvisor. Serviced by a host of microbreweries, artisan cider producers, organic farms and first class foragers, Dorset pubs offer a unique food & drink experience.
The Brace of Pheasants is a charming 16th-century thatched inn tucked deep in Plush Valley. Expect roaring fires, a lush garden, and eight luxury ensuite rooms. Modern-traditional menus feature Dorset produce such as wild boar sausages or pigeon skewers, plus you can enjoy local ales and fine wines too. Awarded Best Destination Pub, it’s dog-friendly, and great for a pit stop on a countryside walk.
Located at the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck, The King's Arms at Stoborough is a 17th-century thatched village inn. Family-run with a rich ales, cider, and wine lists, its menus range from steak and Guinness pie to vegan pasta, and popular Sunday roasts. It is rated highly by TripAdvisor and features in Good Pub and Beer Guides.
A Dorset gastropub with a difference
Tap and Tandoor is a modern Indian gastropub in Bournemouth’s town centre, serving bold small plates, free-range grills, curries, craft beers, and inventive cocktails.
Vibrant vibes include shuffleboard, darts, live sports, and quiz nights. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are offered, with TripAdvisor topping it as a hidden gem with lively ambience.
Dorset bars with sea views
The bar at the Grand Hotel gives you the chance to drink in the panoramic views of Swanage Bay. Enjoy hot or cold drinks, a cream tea or pre-dinner snacks inside the bar or out in the gardens. The hotel's Coast Restaurant also offers seasonal, locally sourced British fare for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, plus Sunday roasts.
We welcome you to come and experience a taste of Dorset
Whether you want to relax with a glass of fine vintage wine at one of Dorset’s contemporary harbour-side establishments or savour the ambience in a trendy gastro-pub, the choice is yours.
From sensational food to outstanding accommodation. When you’re eating like a king, you’ll want to live like a king too and in Dorset, there’s plenty of accommodation that will impress you just as much as our wonderful produce.
