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Greatest locations to eat and drink in Dorset
Brassica, Beaminster
Run by a culinary dream group of chef Cass Titcombe (ex-Daphne’s and Canteen) and interiors guru Louise Chidgey (ex-Conran Store), Brassica in Beaminster is the fashionable however unassuming provincial restaurant you all the time hope to search out however hardly ever do. Fortunately for anybody visiting Beaminster they’ve succeeded. The restaurant’s cheerful eating room (uncovered stone and brick, sheepskin, floral materials, rainbows of candles in vintage holders and brilliant little posies of recent flowers on every desk) works simply as effectively for an off-the-cuff lunch because it does a romantic supper. As for the menu, it adjustments every day and is reassuringly brief, with a smattering of seasonal drinks (a relaxing glass of Manzanilla, maybe, or an alcohol-free spiced quince soda) and snacks (fluffy focaccia with aioli, antipasti) to begin, a number of seasonal sides and a alternative of 5 starters, 5 mains and 5 desserts. All of which may be ordered individually besides on Sundays (when there’s a Sunday lunch menu) or ordered as a part of an awesome worth prix fixe menu on Wednesday to Saturday lunchtimes. Hold an eye fixed out too for infrequent night occasions (foodie movie nights, paella suppers, avenue meals takeovers…). brassicarestaurant.co.uk
Catch on the Outdated Fish Market, Weymouth
Opening in 2021, Catch has develop into a agency favorite of the Dorset meals scene. Upstairs on the Outdated Fish Market on Weymouth’s picturesque quay, the unique vaulted timber roof and harbour views create a relaxed ambiance. Fish and shellfish journey a number of steps after being landed to achieve the restaurant’s kitchen, and native and sustainable are prime of thoughts for the remainder of the menu, too. You can even get pleasure from a mix of celebrated and lesser-known wines from Dorset, Hampshire and additional afield.
Ben Champkin took the helm in 2024, a Dorset native who has labored in celebrated kitchens throughout the globe earlier than returning residence. Ben’s six-course set menu showcases the freshest components with sincerity and a fragile contact, profiting from every ingredient. As you’d anticipate from a menu constructed across the day’s catch, it’s continuously altering. We began with potted crab, enveloped in a calmly bruléed hollandaise and served with a brandy-rich crab tea and darkish sourdough. Braised squid with smoked potatoes was extremely tender. An non-obligatory and indulgent addition, native lobster was coal roasted and served with blistered kale sprouts. A number of regional cheeses confirmed the standard of thought and sourcing that goes into each element of your meal, and burnt cheesecake with compelled rhubarb was a superbly executed finale.
The restaurant was busy after we visited in February, so ebook early in summer season when the crowds descend. catchattheoldfishmarket.com
Soulshine Café, Bridport
This vibrant, welcoming café is the proper chillout house in case your toes are sore from pounding Bridport’s pavements searching for its finest impartial retailers (there are lots of of them). Pull up a chair at considered one of its easy wood tables, let the children run off to discover the stack of classic Fisher Worth toys and order a freshly pressed juice (perhaps a Soulshine – carrot, apple, pineapple, ginger and orange – or a Care Pear – pear, apple, fennel and lemon), smoothie or espresso (the home mix is from Extract Espresso).
Bread is baked recent each morning. There’s a pile of blankets to assist your self to should you’re mulling over whether or not it’s heat sufficient to sit down out within the little courtyard backyard. The cake choice is each whopping and attention-grabbing (anybody for a uncooked, vegan, gluten-free chocolate beetroot bar with rose petal sprinkles?) and, whereas carnivores can get their meat repair with Moroccan rooster salads and posh bacon butties, there are additionally loads of veggie and vegan decisions on the breakfast and lunch menus, from veggie chillis to a ‘vegan English’ (corn fritters with tomato, mushrooms, selfmade beans, toast and olive oil). Children are effectively catered-for, too, with a devoted menu that ranges from veg sticks and hummus to cheese on toast. For those who’re staying domestically, preserve an eye fixed out for the café’s occasional night supper golf equipment; tickets are inclined to promote out early for these, from Christmas tapas evenings to burger, curry and Mexican nights. soulshinecafe.co.uk
Dorshi, Bridport
If there have been a extra shocking location for Dorshi, tucked down an alleyway within the unshowy historic English city of Bridport, it will be onerous to think about what that is likely to be. Founders Jolly Carter and Radhika Mohendas began out operating supperclubs serving sushi made solely with Dorset components (Dor-shi, geddit?). Now the enterprise has branched out right into a small, fully-fledged restaurant.
Dishes comply with the model’s shocking however profitable mixture of native and Asian flavours (the key ingredient within the successful rooster dumplings, for example, is Dorset Crimson cheese, slipped in together with lime, 4 kinds of pepper and mushrooms). Additionally a success is the cauli popcorn, served with a punchy Dorset honey and kimchi dressing. To drink? Craft beers, ciders, cocktails, wines and sakes all function on the drinks checklist, as do brews from native tea specialist, Comins Tea. dorshi.co.uk
Crab Home Café, Weymouth
On the water’s edge the place Weymouth meets Portland Invoice, the Crab Home Café is basically a weather-beaten shack connected to an oyster farm. The oysters and native crabs take star billing on the menu, which may change twice a day relying on what’s landed by day boats understanding of Poole, Weymouth or Brixham. The view from the restaurant and tables on the shingle outdoors seems throughout Chesil Seaside to among the fishing boats supplying the kitchen. crabhousecafe.co.uk
The Anchor Inn, Seatown
The Anchor Inn is a eating pub serving fish caught simply offshore, in Lyme Bay, and crabs from inside scuttling distance. The actual draw right here is the setting – a scene-stealing cottage virtually proper on the sand, with an awesome curve of shoreline sweeping away from it.
Order a glass of native Furleigh Property Bacchus, or one of many bar’s 46 rums or 34 gins (Conker or Lilliput are each distilled in Dorset: listed below are our favorite British gins) and carry it as much as the terrace together with the pub to sit down and sip with probably the greatest beer backyard views within the nation. theanchorinnseatown.co.uk
Bodega, Christchurch
Megan Spink and Andy Fielden’s wine bar, deli and store has picked up numerous accolades together with two within the Observer Meals Month-to-month Awards. The pair delight themselves on looking excessive and low for merchandise from the perfect artisans and producers. The wine menu and cheese/cured meat alternatives change repeatedly and there are weekly occasions together with wine tastings, cocktail masterclasses and cheese and wine pairing nights. bodega-christchurch.com
Deans Court docket, Wimborne
An attractive outdated manor home that hosts occasional food-focused occasions, Deans Court docket can also be residence to a unusual homewares store, set in a former squash courtroom (look out for family brushes, crockery and aprons), and a comfortable café scattered with mismatched wood tables, salvaged metallic chairs and glowing tealights.
A lot of the produce served within the café’s salads, quiches and soups is grown in Deans Court docket’s intensive kitchen backyard – scrumptious and nil meals miles. Seize a cosy nook desk and settle all the way down to a slice of caramelised fennel and pink onion tart with homegrown salad slicked with peppery olive oil, a warming bowl of pink lentil and chard soup, a gooey pumpkin blondie or only a pot of Dorset tea. deanscourt.org
Greatest ice cream in Dorset
Baboo Gelato
Baboo Gelato, with six websites throughout Dorset together with kiosks in West Bay, Lyme Regis and Weymouth, has grown a devoted following throughout the area, and past, for its brief however candy vary of artisan gelatos and lollies; look out for gooseberry and elderflower, Nutella, pear sorbet or Sumatran Bourbon – the latter made with espresso from Learn’s Espresso in Sherborne – amongst extra basic flavours akin to mint choc chip, raspberry ripple and honeycomb. baboogelato.com
Gelateria Beppino, Bridport
Baboo has competitors within the form of Gelateria Beppino. Not solely does this café and ice cream parlour do a brisk commerce in gelato (flavours akin to cookies and cream, salted caramel and liquorice are made with Dorset milk) and seasonal sorbets (did somebody say blood orange?) however its different huge draw is freshly made muffins. gelateriabeppino.co.uk
Foodie neighbourhood highlight: Lyme Regis
Affectionately often called the pearl of Dorset, because of its stunning bay, the areas surrounding Lyme Regis are additionally wealthy in culinary delights. The Seaside Boarding Home, overlooking Lyme Bay, champions native Dorset produce and has a visitor sequence with a bunch of thrilling cooks together with Jeremy Lee, Rick Toogood and Abby Lee. The Parlour at Bredy Farm affords Italian small plates like Tuscan fish stew with Dorset clams and courgettes alla poverella. And Rachels in West Bay is a seashore aspect hut with recent native seafood platters, moules and chowder, plus it will get our vote for the perfect fish and chips within the space. For those who’re trying to cook dinner your individual supper, join considered one of Fore Journey’s coastal foraging and meals journeys. We just like the sound of its Kayak, Fish, Forage and Feast tour – half or full-day journeys that take members out by kayak to catch their very own fish earlier than returning to shore to cook dinner up seabass parcels full of herbs and lemon again on the seashore.
The place to remain in Dorset
The Ollerod, Beaminster
The Ollerod is a superb base for a weekend escape: keep right here and you’ll select between forays into picturesquely rambling countryside or salty sea air (the close by Jurassic coast is only a pebble’s throw away). The type stays conventional, highlighting the property’s stately authentic options.
Every of the bedrooms is uniquely adorned – fashionable and homely, with a touch of countrified opulence (up to date rooms have much less patterned wallpaper and extra understated glamour however all are decadent, with Frette linen and natural toiletries). All are giant in dimension, aside from one Tiny Double, described as “excellent for the solo traveller, however can sleep two should you’re pleased snuggling”! The rooms within the neighbouring coach home all have showers over bathtubs, with the 2 ground-floor rooms dog-friendly (the third of an acre of backyard will preserve youngsters and canines pleased).Doubles from £165, test availability at reserving.com
The Pig on the Seaside, Studland Bay
One among a mini-chain of The Pig motels created by Robin Hutson, founding father of Resort du Vin, this one perches on a clifftop, surrounded by sweeping lawns – and fields filled with pigs (Oxford Sandy and Blacks), chickens (Legbars and Burford Browns) and sheep (Dorset Horn). Set in a Sixteenth-century manor home, rooms have cosy, country-house type with rolltop baths in among the extra luxurious rooms. There’s additionally a walled kitchen backyard the place the lodge grows each conventional and sea greens – menus function on a 25-mile radius, sourcing all the things domestically. Be part of a free kitchen backyard tour each day at 11am. In between meals and exploring Dorset, chill out within the spa therapy cabins for a facial or therapeutic massage utilizing Bamford merchandise.
Doubles from £305, test availability at mrandmrssmith.com
The Alexandra Resort, Lyme Regis
With its spectacular view throughout Lyme Bay and Lyme Regis’ famed harbour wall, The Cobb, the Alexandra is in prime place should you’re in search of a luxurious seaside escape. The gang here’s a reassuring mixture of locals and vacationers. Sundown ramblers from the general public gardens beneath are enticed onto its well-kept lawns or wisteria-draped terrace, the place bar employees linger to take orders. Have dinner at Ammonite, the lodge restaurant which is partially equipped by a small patch of herbs, salad leaves and sprouting greens within the lodge’s gardens.
The head of the lodging is the sizeable Countess’s Room, with its towering headboard, floral furnishings and grand bay window overlooking the rear gardens and glowing shoreline; plus a somewhat opulent grasp rest room, with walk-in bathe and a shower with a built-in tv. At breakfast, recent juice and robust espresso are accompanied by none aside from native success story Dorset Cereals, selfmade granola, pastries and Moore’s Dorset Preserves, plus a hearty West Nation breakfast with native sausages and bacon.
Examine charges and availability at hotelalexandra.co.uk
The Seaside Boarding Home, Burton Bradstock
It’s all about location on the Seaside Boarding Home. This sensible seaside lodge sits so near the coast above Burton Bradstock’s seashore that it’s virtually browsing; most of its 9 bedrooms have sea views. Décor pays an ironic nod to boarding home stylish. Tables are laid with paper cloths printed with the lodge’s identify, there’s a piano in a backstairs hallway for anybody to play ought to the urge strike and bedrooms largely have baths for deep, post-coastal stroll soaks; if you need a bathe you possibly can take one of many bathe rooms on the bottom flooring. In step with the retro theme, bedrooms don’t have TVs, simply radios and books – a courageous transfer however one which promotes a restful really feel. Big beds are brilliantly comfy.
Meals is a spotlight. Within the eating room, a sublime house overlooking Lyme Bay, tables are laid with bone-handled cutlery and monogrammed crockery. The kitchen group is headed up by one other London settler, Dan Richards, who places his former expertise at St John to good use in understated however punchy trendy dishes akin to marinated beetroot with super-fresh goats curd, dill and toasted seeds on citrusy Tamarisk Farm leaves. For lighter lunches and dinners there’s additionally a (well-priced) bar menu, serving fish soup with rouille, gruyere and croutons, kedgeree, crab sandwiches, chips and Dorset cream teas. (Learn our information to the perfect afternoon teas within the UK, right here).
Breakfasts tie in with the remainder of the lodge’s understated ethos; don’t anticipate an unlimited quantity of alternative on the continental entrance (recent orange juice, yoghurt, selfmade berry compote, croissants and a bowl every of bananas and satsumas). For the rest, nevertheless, they like to make it on request. Therefore a made-to-order breakfast menu that covers all the things from a conventional fry-up to French toast, pancakes, boiled egg and troopers and bacon sandwiches.
Ensure you save house for one of many lodge’s ice lotions later within the day. Order a few scoops out on the terrace if you wish to get pleasure from them, retro-chic, in a silver coupe. Or wander over to the ice cream cart perched out on the grass on the prime of the cliffs in the summertime months and seize a cone to take all the way down to the seashore. We saved it easy with a scoop of recent strawberry and it was a world away from the industrially produced stuff; not overly candy, the proper creamy consistency and jam-packed with the flavour of recent strawberries. We’d fortunately drive all the best way again to Dorset only for a second scoop. theseasideboardinghouse.com
River Cottage HQ, Axminster
The Seventeenth-century whitewashed farmhouse on the Devon/Dorset border that was first delivered to foodie consideration by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (it’s on the coronary heart of his River Cottage HQ) has lengthy been a spot of pilgrimage for these desirous to discover ways to bake sourdough, treatment and smoke pork, cook dinner over hearth or protect hedgerow finds. Prior to now, nevertheless, the positioning was solely open to guests in the course of the day. Now, the farmhouse has been cosily kitted out and opened as much as in a single day company, too.
The master suite is spot-on – smooth, a number of beams, pale hues, and an enormous rest room stocked with Bramley merchandise and a basket of fluffy white robes. Soak within the stand-alone tub and soak up views of the rolling hills past the kitchen backyard. The 2 different rooms, equally as fashionable and with timber beds, share a rest room full with rain bathe and extra naturally-scented Bramley merchandise. Sheepskin rugs heat up flagstone flooring, a muted gray palette offsets authentic beams and squishy sofas sit beside crackling fires, encouraging dialog amongst company. Share a bottle of Lyme Bay wine or pour your self a nightcap from the honesty bar stocked with native spirits – Black Cow vodka, Somerset cider brandy or Conker gin. Time your keep to coincide with one of many River Cottage feasts for a full foodie expertise. rivercottage.internet/lodging
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