Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Dorset? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Art Sushi

4.9

4.9 (470)

£26 to £40

Japanese Speciality

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Art Sushi was named on The Good Food Guide top 100 restaurants also the OpenTable top 100 restaurants in the UK and included in both the MICHELIN Guide and Good Food Guide. Chef Kamil Skalczynski - a finalist of the World’s major and most prestigious tournaments for Sushi Masters.
WORLD SUSHI CUP 2016 IN JAPAN and also GLOBAL SUSHI CHALLENGE 2015.
Adviser World Sushi Skills Institute and also He won the Certificate of International Sushi Kuro-Obi and International Proficiency, the Only accepted In the World, awarded by the Japanese Government under the Leadership of the Japanese Association „SUSHI WSSI ALL JAPAN ASSOCIATIONS AND NORWEGIAN COUNCIL SUSHI AND SEAFOOD”.
Co-founder of Japanese Restaurants, awarded by ‘AWARDS OF EXELLENCE BY POLAND 100 BEST RESTAURANTS”. Chef in Chef Academy & Cookery School.
He gained his experience working and completing internships in well known restaurants in Poland, the Michelin Star Atelier Amaro and also he graduated the Academy of Jean Bos.

Top review

Richard

Dined on 21 Dec 2024

Amazing experience at art sushi. It was my fiancés birthday and they gave her complimentary sake. The food was incredible. The best sushi we’ve ever had. So fresh and flavoursome and the staff were brilliant.

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Experience

Chirashi Sushi Selection!

The Clubhouse West Bexington

4.6

4.6 (408)

£25 and under

Seafood

Bridport

About the restaurant

Iconic Coastline. Fantastic Food.

Serving fresh, locally and ethically sourced produce, focusing on fish and seafood, lovingly prepared to our customers from near & far.
Our Garden Pavilion, patio and relaxing garden area are seasonal additions offering far-reaching sea views and evening sunsets to each and every table.

Top review

mikeVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The service was excellent as always and nearly all the food was good. However my wife’s bread and butter pudding was both cold and very solid, perhaps not properly defrosted. A pity as everything else was excellent

Pho Bournemouth

4.6

4.6 (333)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Healthy Vietnamese Street Food, we specialise in serving pho noodle soup, hearty curries, delicious chicken wings, sharing spring rolls, and much more besides...

Top review

Naomi

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious food. Great gluten free options. Great cocktail menu! Friendly staff. Quick service! Can’t wait to eat here again!

Clavells Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (195)

£25 and under

British

Kimmeridge

About the restaurant

Clavells is a traditional restaurant set in the heart of the Jurassic Coast. With our very own courtyard and garden, centrally located in the heart of the picturesque village of Kimmeridge. We serve a wonderful choice of seasonal favourites and classic food dishes. Clavells should be your first port of call for a hearty Sunday roast, a three-course meal, or a sun-drenched cocktail on a glorious summer’s day.

Top review

Sarah

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent breakfast and great service as always! We will be back!

Watch House Cafe

4.5

4.5 (215)

£25 and under

Pizza Bar

Bridport

About the restaurant

Iconic Coastline. Fantastic Food.

one of "the top 20 of the UK’s best seaside restaurants, cafes and shacks! - The Guardian
Serving fresh, locally and ethically sourced produce, lovingly prepared to our customers from near & far.

Top review

Carl

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent home cooked pizzas. Staff were spot on. Need we say more.

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

The Crab at Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (1611)

£26 to £40

Seafood

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

The Crab at Bournemouth is one of Dorset's finest, AA rated 2 rosette seafood restaurant.
Situated directly opposite the Bournemouth International Center and just moments from Bournemouth Pier.
Our passionate chefs create an array of delicious dishes sourced from fresh, local produce. Our contemporary surroundings have friendly and personable staff that will make you feel most welcome.
A lovely, relaxing atmosphere with an open balcony when weather permits.

A £5 per person deposit fee is required to make a restaurant booking to confirm and secure the reservation.

Dress Code of Smart Casual (No sportswear, fleeces, sliders, flip flops or beachwear) enforced from 5:30pm. You will be refused entry if not dressed in smart casual attire.

Children aged 8 and under may dine in the restaurant on tables booked with adults between 5:30pm-7:30pm, children's menu is also available. If you are more than 15 minutes late to a booking, there is a possibility your table my no longer be available.

Top review

Nick

Dined on 25 Dec 2024

A great location for a Christmas lunch. Tasty three-course meal, relaxed service and piano accompaniment.

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4.4

4.4 (292)

£25 and under

Pub

Weymouth

About the restaurant

Soak up our friendly service and homely charm when nestled in the coastal village of Preston. With Bowleaze Cove a mere 20 minutes stroll away, the Spice Ship is the ideal pit stop to book end a day, simply sit back, relax and enjoy our delicious menu with your favourite drink in hand. We're proud to offer a menu packed with the most appetising dishes. Our passion for taking traditional pub classics and making them the best around by using the most decadent of ingredients, makes every meal served have you coming back time and time again!

Top review

Deborah

Dined on 25 Dec 2024

We would like to thank everyone at the Spice Ship Weymouth for such an amazing Christmas Day meal. It was absolutely lovely from start to finish. The pub itself was decorated like something out of a fairytale! We are going to book again for next year! Can’t wait!

Ivy Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (38)

£25 and under

British

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Nestled in the coastal town of Bournemouth, The Ivy brings a taste of luxury to the local dining scene. Discover menus featuring modern British cuisine to brasserie classics and fantastic vegan and vegetarian dishes, with something for everyone to love. From breakfast through to dinner seven days a week, the restaurant offers a luxurious haven in a stunning and elegant setting.

Top review

Dean

Dined on 27 Dec 2024

The level of custi.er service I received on a recent visit was close to exceptional. The food was excellent and not over prized. Dessert was amazing.

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Experience

Breakfast Set Menu

Experience

The Ivy Bournemouth Afternoon Tea

Experience

A Taste Of History

Hive Beach Cafe

4.3

4.3 (808)

£25 and under

Seafood

Bridport

About the restaurant

Iconic coastline, fantastic food
Serving fresh, locally and ethically sourced produce, focusing on fish and seafood, lovingly prepared to our customers from near & far.
The Hive Pavilion with wrap-around patio & a seasonal addition of the Top Marquee each offering far-reaching sea views and evening sunsets to each table.
Check in on arrival will be at the front desk in our main marquee. Please note at peak times there may be a slight delay on arrival for your table. Booked tables will be available for the time you have reserved, early access will not be permitted.

Top review

Gary

Dined 4 days ago

Great place to spend the New Year’s Day . Weather could of been better.

Dilli Haat Westbourne

4.3

4.3 (88)

£25 and under

Indian

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Welcome to Dilli Haat Westbourne! Our mission, to bring you the rich and aromatic flavours of India, we present Dilli Haat. Driven with our passion for cooking and serving only the best dishes, using locally sourced ingredients where possible. We welcome you to experience the journey of love for delicious home cooked Indian food. We endeavour to tickle your taste buds with authentic, mouth-watering food that truly reflects the traditional flavours of India…. Enjoy!

Top review

Brian

Dined 7 days ago

My wife and I took her son for a meal here today. The food was excellent as was the service. I was very impressed. It was also good value for money as they offer set meals. We don't go out an awful lot - but would certainly put this restaurant at the top of the list the next time we want to have an indian meal.

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