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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Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
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Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
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From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.