Best Restaurants in Dorchester: Our Favourite Places to Eat Nearby
Whether you’re spending the day exploring Dorchester or staying in one of our Dorset Holiday Cottages, you’ll find everything from award-winning restaurants and cosy country pubs to relaxed cafés and family favourites.
Although Dorchester isn’t a huge town, it has quietly become one of Dorset’s best foodie destinations.
We’ve been visiting Dorchester for years. Whether it’s meeting friends for dinner, stopping for lunch after exploring the museums, catching a film at Brewery Square, or enjoying Sunday lunch after a walk in the surrounding countryside, we’ve gradually worked our way through many of the town’s best restaurants.
These are the restaurants and pubs we keep coming back to.
Why We Believe Dorchester Is One of Dorset’s Best Food Towns
One thing we always notice about Dorchester is how much variety there is within a relatively compact town centre.
Within a few minutes’ walk, you can choose from elegant fine dining, excellent Italian restaurants, modern British cuisine, independent cafés, cosy pubs and family-friendly chains.
Because everything is so close together, it’s easy to spend an entire day here—perhaps exploring the museums in the morning, browsing the independent shops, enjoying lunch, and finishing with dinner before heading back to your holiday cottage.
Brewery Square: Perfect Before or After the Cinema
Whenever we’re planning an evening at the cinema, we usually head to Brewery Square.
It’s one of the easiest places to eat in Dorchester, thanks to the wide choice of restaurants around the attractive square.
Parking is simple too. We usually use Fairfield Car Park, which is only a few minutes’ walk away. Parking has often been free after 6.30pm when we’ve visited, though it’s always worth checking the latest parking information before travelling.
Some of our favourites include:
Wagamama
A reliable favourite whenever we’re looking for fresh noodles, ramen or katsu curry before a film.
Nando’s
Ideal if you’re visiting with children or simply want something relaxed and affordable.
Côte Brasserie
Perfect for a relaxed lunch or evening meal, serving classic French-inspired dishes with consistently good service.
Zizzi
A great option for pizza, pasta and family meals.
PizzaExpress
Always a dependable choice, particularly with younger children.
Santos and Co
One of Brewery Square’s gems.
Santo’s focuses on Portuguese-inspired cuisine, serving freshly grilled meats, seafood, steaks, tapas-style dishes and traditional Portuguese favourites. We’ve often gone there when we want something a bit more special than just a cinema visit. The food is great, and we find it less hectic and more relaxed than some of the nearby restaurant chains.
Meram Kitchen
Meram Kitchen was already on our radar long before it opened in Dorchester. When we lived in another part of Dorset, we regularly visited the restaurant’s Christchurch branch and were always impressed by the food and the warm, welcoming service. If the Dorchester restaurant is anything like our previous experiences, you’re in for a treat.
Meram Kitchen specialises in authentic Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, with a menu featuring freshly grilled kebabs, charcoal-cooked meats and authentic dishes. It’s a great addition to Brewery Square and a good option if you’re looking for something a little different from the surrounding restaurants.
Our Favourite Independent Restaurants in Dorchester
If we had to recommend one restaurant for a special meal in Dorchester, Al Molo would be near the top of the list.
Known for its authentic Italian cuisine, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and warm hospitality, it’s become one of the town’s best-loved independent restaurants.
The atmosphere feels welcoming rather than formal, making it equally suitable for celebrations or for simply treating yourself during your Dorset holiday.
The King’s Arms
A long-established favourite in the heart of Dorchester.
Expect quality British cooking made with seasonal local ingredients, with a menu that changes throughout the year.
It’s somewhere we often recommend to guests seeking traditional food done exceptionally well.
Seventy Four
If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or simply looking for one of the finest dining experiences in Dorset, Seventy Four should be high on your list.
We’ve been lucky enough to eat here ourselves, and, without exaggeration, it was one of the best meals we’ve had anywhere in Dorset, and that’s saying something, given how many excellent restaurants we’ve visited over the years.
What makes Seventy Four particularly special is its setting. The restaurant occupies the beautifully restored former courtroom of Judge George Jeffreys, infamous for the Bloody Assizes of 1685. Dining beneath the original oak panelling, where so much Dorset history unfolded, creates an atmosphere unlike any other in the county.
The food more than lives up to the surroundings. The Owner and head chef have worked in Michelin- and AA Rosette-winning kitchens under some of the UK’s most respected chefs.
If you’re looking for a truly special evening during your stay in Dorset, Seventy Four is one restaurant we’d happily recommend without hesitation.
Poundbury. Worth the Five-Minute Drive
Although technically separate from Dorchester town centre, we’d always recommend taking the short drive to Poundbury.
The architecture alone makes it worth exploring, and there are several excellent places to eat.
Duchess of Cornwall Inn
Probably the best-known restaurant in Poundbury.
Serving modern British food with locally sourced ingredients, it’s equally popular for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
On warmer days, the outdoor seating overlooking Queen Mother Square is a lovely place to relax.
Bistro on the Square
A wonderful independent café and bistro that’s perfect for brunch, light lunches or coffee and homemade cake.
It’s one of those places locals keep returning to. The food is exceptional, and Sunday Lunch here is among the best in Dorset. However, because it’s both popular and small, booking is essential.
Outstanding Country Pubs Near Dorchester
One of the advantages of staying in the Dorchester area is that some of Dorset’s finest country pubs are only a short drive away.
These are all country pubs we’ve enjoyed ourselves and regularly recommend. These country pubs are also within easy reach of Silverlake Estate, making them worth knowing about if you’re staying there and fancy venturing out for a long lunch or Sunday roast.
The Sailor’s Return, East Chaldon
One of our personal favourites. We’ve eaten here many times, and it never disappoints.
Hidden away in the tiny village of East Chaldon, this traditional Dorset pub serves excellent food in wonderfully characterful surroundings.
We’ve often combined a visit with a day exploring the Jurassic Coast around Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove or Ringstead Bay, before heading to The Sailor’s Return for a drink and something to eat. A lovely way to finish a day on this part of the Dorset coast.
The Thimble Inn, Piddlehinton
A beautiful thatched village pub serving seasonal British dishes with a focus on locally sourced produce.
It’s consistently rated among the best gastropubs in Dorset and makes an excellent destination for Sunday lunch. Booking is essential because this is very popular.
Brace of Pheasants, Plush
Set in one of Dorset’s prettiest villages, this award-winning country inn has developed an outstanding reputation for its food.
Expect carefully prepared seasonal menus, local ingredients and a warm welcome.
It’s well worth the short drive from Dorchester.
The Fox Inn, Ansty
Only about 20 minutes from Dorchester, The Fox has become one of Dorset’s leading country inns. It’s a beautiful old village pub with a great reputation. Much of the meat comes from the owners’ family farm opposite the pub, and many of the dishes and ingredients are sourced locally. It’s particularly good for Sunday lunch.
Dog-Friendly Places to Eat Around Dorchester
Many visitors stay with us in one of our Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages in Dorset, so this is something we’re often asked about.
Several of the pubs mentioned above welcome well-behaved dogs, particularly:
- The Sailor’s Return
- Duchess of Cornwall Inn
- Brace of Pheasants
As policies can change, we always recommend checking before visiting.
Our Tips for Eating Out in Dorchester
After plenty of visits we’ve learnt a few things:
- Book ahead on Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Brewery Square is ideal if you’re combining dinner with a cinema trip.
- If you prefer independent restaurants, venture into the town centre rather than staying around Brewery Square.
- Don’t overlook Poundbury. It has some excellent restaurants.
- Some of Dorset’s very best food is actually found in the surrounding villages rather than the town itself.
Many also make the perfect place to finish the day after exploring Dorchester or visiting some of Dorchester’s museums.
Staying Nearby?
One of the pleasures of staying around Dorchester is being able to enjoy these places without having to squeeze everything into a single day. You might spend the morning exploring the town’s museums, head into the countryside for a long pub lunch, or book somewhere special for dinner after a day on the Jurassic Coast.
If food is going to be an important part of your Dorset escape, our Dorchester Holiday Cottages put many of these restaurants within easy reach, while our collection of Luxury Holiday Cottages in Dorset offers some wonderful places to return to after an equally memorable meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of our favourites include Al Molo, The King’s Arms, Seventy Four, Santo’s, Meram Kitchen and the Duchess of Cornwall Inn in nearby Poundbury. There are excellent options for fine dining, family meals or relaxed pub food. Dorchester is also an easy drive from Weymouth, so if you’re staying in one of our Weymouth Holiday Cottages, it’s well worth heading inland for an evening, particularly if there’s a restaurant here you’ve been wanting to try.
Brewery Square is ideal. You’ll find restaurants such as Wagamama, Nando’s, Côte Brasserie, PizzaExpress and Zizzi, all within a short walk of the cinema.
Yes. Dorchester has an impressive collection of independent restaurants, including Al Molo, Seventy Four, Santo’s and several excellent cafés, all highly regarded by locals and visitors alike.
Yes. Many restaurants and country pubs welcome dogs, particularly those with outdoor seating. Several pubs in the surrounding villages are especially dog-friendly.
The Sailor’s Return in East Chaldon, The Thimble Inn in Piddlehinton, Brace of Pheasants in Plush are all excellent choices for traditional Dorset hospitality and locally sourced cuisine.
Absolutely. Poundbury has developed an excellent reputation for food, with the Duchess of Cornwall Inn and the Bistro on the Square among our favourite places to eat.