Explore Places to Eat in Abbotsbury
Pubs, Coastal Cafés and Some of Our Favourite Places to Eat in Abbotsbury
For a village of its size, Abbotsbury punches well above its weight when it comes to food and drink. You’ll find traditional village pubs, coastal cafés with spectacular views, family-run businesses, and memorable places to stop after a walk along Chesil Beach or a day exploring the Jurassic Coast.
A favourite of ours is the Chesil Beach Café. Tucked beside Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon. Although you can’t quite see the beach from the café, it’s only a short stroll away, and it’s a great spot to grab a coffee or lunch before heading down to the shoreline to take in the views across Chesil Beach and the lagoon.
The menu features local seafood and Dorset produce, and the crab sandwiches are always hard to resist. And we’re fairly certain they serve some of the best chips on the Jurassic Coast.
One of our favourite walks starts here, too. Leave the café behind and follow the Chesil Beach Road towards West Bexington. It’s a beautiful walk, especially on a sunny day, with views across rolling countryside on one side and the Jurassic Coast on the other. However, if you don’t fancy walking back, it’s only a short drive.
At the end, you’ll find another favourite of ours, The Club House. Overlooking the beach, it’s excellent for seafood and local produce, and is one of the best coastal dining locations in Dorset. And probably has one of the best beer gardens in West Dorset.
Explore the Food and Drink Scene in Abbotsbury
Chesil Beach Café
Café serving a menu of seafood specials and traditional favourites with outdoor seating or takeaway.
A little further afield, but still close enough to include in your stay, is the community-owned The Elm Tree Inn. The pub has become something of a local success story and is well worth the short drive. Expect great food, local ales and the sort of atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer than planned.
It’s also worth making time for the tea rooms in Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens. We used to visit regularly with our children after exploring the gardens. Set amongst the exotic plants, the café has an almost colonial feel that seems completely at odds with rural Dorset, in the best possible way. Even now, it remains one of our favourite places to stop for coffee and cake.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Swan Inn is probably Abbotsbury’s best-known pub and has now reopened following its refurbishment. If you’re happy to venture a little further, we’d also recommend the Elm Tree Inn in nearby Langton Herring, a traditional village pub that’s well worth the short drive from Abbotsbury.
Abbotsbury is a small village, however you’ll find several excellent places to eat nearby. The Chesil Beach Café and The Club House at West Bexington are all popular choices and regularly feature in our recommendations.
Yes. There is The Chesil Beach Café beside Chseil Beach, which is a real favourite of ours. Another excellent café is the Cherries Abbey farm, where all food is homemade. The colonial tea rooms at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is a must too. And in the heart of the village itself there is The Old School House, which also offers homemade cakes and sandwiches. It gets terrific reviews too!
The Club House at West Bexington is particularly well known for its seafood and coastal dining. You’ll also find excellent seafood in nearby Burton Bradstock, West Bay, Weymouth and Bridport.
Many pubs and cafés in the area welcome dogs, particularly those popular with walkers exploring Chesil Beach and the South West Coast Path. It makes Abbotsbury a lovely place to stop for lunch or a drink when exploring this part of Dorset with your dog, and a great day out for guests staying in our dog-friendly cottages in Dorset.