The best fine dining and Michelin-star restaurants in Dorset

Our fine dining guide to Dorset

Delicious food is a key ingredient to any holiday, whether you love dining at new restaurants, sampling regional specialities or uncovering the best local tipple. With its miles of coastline and bucolic countryside, Dorset is home to some of the finest produce in the South West. To help you discover the county’s exciting foodie scene, we’ve hand selected a list of the top fine dining restaurants in Dorset.

Restaurant Roots

© Restaurant Roots via Instagram

Style of Food: European

Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian 

Awards: Two AA Rosettes | Michelin Guide | Good Food Guide

Rated one of Dorset’s best restaurants in the Good Food Guide, Restaurant Roots offers a sublime dining experience in Southbourne, near Hengistbury Head. With only a handful of tables, this small restaurant has been awarded Two AA Rosettes and was featured in the 2022 Michelin Guide. With an incredible tasting menu featuring unique flavour combinations, settle down for an evening of impeccable fine dining with a twist.

Location: Southbourne 

Website: https://restaurantroots.co.uk/ 

Guildhall Tavern 

Style of Food: French Seafood 

Focus of the Menu: Fish, Shellfish, Meat and Vegetarian

Awards: Two AA Rosettes | Good Food Award | Harden’s Guide | Michelin Guide

Located in the heart of Poole’s old town, this welcoming restaurant specialises in locally landed fish, crab and lobster prepared in the traditional French style. With set dinner and lunch menus available, the delicious dishes are complemented by an extensive wine, cognac, ale and lager selection. 

Location: Poole

Website:  www.guildhalltavern.co.uk

Rick Stein, Sandbanks

© Rick Stein, Sandbanks

Style of Food: Seafood and Shellfish

Focus of the Menu: Fish, Shellfish, Meat and Vegetarian

Awards: One AA Rosette

Perched on the edge of the popular Sandbanks Peninsula, Rick Stein’s restaurant features spectacular views across Poole Harbour. Perfect for a relaxed seafood meal, sample a range of Stein’s classic dishes including lobster thermidor, grilled hake and Rock oysters.

Location: Sandbanks

Website: www.rickstein.com/eat-with-us/rick-stein-sandbanks

Yalbury Cottage

Style of Food: Anglo-French 

Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian

Awards: Gourmet Guide | Michelin Guide | Harden’s Guide

Set among the county’s rolling countryside in a 17th century cottage, Yalbury Cottage offers a creative but classical French menu in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Run by Jamie Jones, former Executive Chef with Four Seasons, this exquisite restaurant is renowned for its seasonal food from the best suppliers in Dorset. 

Location: Dorchester

Website: www.yalburycottage.com/eating

The Pig on the Beach

© The Pig on the Beach via Instagram

Style of Food: British 

Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian

Awards: Michelin Guide | Two AA Rosettes

With an emphasis on fresh flavours and homegrown produce, the menu at The Pig is inspired by the Dorset coast and countryside. Overseen by Chef James Golding and Head Chef Andy Wright, tuck into simple but delicious British food all sourced within 25 miles of the restaurant. Whether it’s chargrilled Jurassic Coast cuttlefish or Portland crab bake, enjoy supper with incredible views over Studland Bay and across to Old Harry Rocks.

Location: Studland 

Website: www.thepighotel.com/on-the-beach

Lord Bute

Style of Food: British 

Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian

Awards:  Two AA Rosettes

Situated near the New Forest and a stone’s throw from the beach, this elegant country house presents its award-winning restaurant, Lord Bute. Blending locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to craft dishes that combine traditional heritage with contemporary flair, diners can expect to find an array of freshly prepared dishes including seared scallops with coconut and bacon crumble, Dorset potted crab and roasted chicken with lemon and spinach risotto.

Not only can you expect a silver service experience, but this restaurant hosts regular special events throughout the year including jazz and cabaret nights.

Location: Christchurch

Website: https://www.thelordbute.com/restaurant-in-christchurch/

The Ollerod

Style of Food: Modern British Food

Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian 

Awards: Three AA Rosettes 

Situated within a 14th century hotel in beautiful Beaminister, The Ollerod is a much-loved choice amongst diners. Their award-winning a la carte menu is brimming with local produce and seasonal vegetables, including Lyme Bay scallops, wild mushroom cannelloni and spiced carrot pakora. For something a little more laid back, visit on a Wednesday for their cocktail and Mexican nights - complete with feisty margaritas and authentic duck tacos. 

Location: Beaminister 

Website: https://theollerod.co.uk/the-restaurant-and-bar/

Lilac

© Lilac

Style of Food: British 

Focus of the Menu: Seasonal and foraged 

Awards: Michelin Guide 2022

Headed up by Hilary Mansell, Lilac is the sister restaurant to Robin Wylde and places its focus on foraged and regional ingredients. Dinner service begins promptly at 6pm, with a tasting menu consisting of gorgeous fish dishes, re-imagined veg plates and decadent desserts. The intimate restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday and only seats a handful of covers every night. Choose the wine pairing menu to sample some of the South West’s best wines, or opt for one of their signature foraged cocktails, with seaweed martinis amongst their favourites. 

Location: Lyme Regis

Website: https://www.lilacwine.co.uk/ 

The Clockspire Restaurant

Style of Food: Modern British

Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian

Awards: Michelin Guide

With an emphasis on flavour and balance, this tastefully renovated 19th-century schoolhouse is perfect for those who like their surroundings to be as chic as the food on offer. Blending the old with the new, expect a modern twist on traditional dishes including Carver duck breast served with pickled blackberries and Dorset white crab crumpets. To round off the evening in style, ascend to the mezzanine floor for a glass of champagne under vaulted ceilings adorned with chandeliers.

Location: Sherborne

Website: https://www.theclockspire.com

Mortons House Restaurant 

Style of Food: British and International 

Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian

Awards: Two AA Rosettes

Located in the picturesque town of Corfe, Mortons House is all about informal fine dining in tranquil surroundings. With a reputation for British and international cuisine, traditional dishes are served with innovative twists to tempt the palate. Their menu features plenty of locally sourced produce including Lyme Bay shellfish and Jurassic Coast dry-aged sirloin steak.  

Location: Corfe Castle

Website:  www.mortonshouse.co.uk/dining

The Oyster and Fish House

© The Oyster and Fish House

Style of Food: Seafood and Shellfish 

Focus of the Menu: Fish, Shellfish, Meat and Vegetarian

Awards: Michelin Guide

Perched on the clifftop with panoramic views of the Jurassic Coast, this modern Scandi-style restaurant serves exceptional locally sourced fish and seafood. Their menu changes daily depending on the fishermen’s morning haul, but expect anything from Poole clams with polenta to Portland Pearl Oysters. Renowned for their incredible food, be sure to book a table at The Oyster and Fish House ahead of a stay on Dorset’s west coast. 

Location: Lyme Regis

Website:  https://theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk/

La Fleur de Lys

Style of Food: Anglo-French

Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian

Awards: Good Food Guide | Michelin Guide | Two AA Rosettes

This creeper-covered restaurant is set in a former girls’ boarding school and serves an ever-changing menu of traditional and modern Anglo-French food. Using high quality ingredients, indulge in a tantalising selection of veal sweetbreads, lobster ravioli and shellfish with Champagne sauce. 

Location: Shaftesbury

Website:  www.lafleurdelys.co.uk

Catch at The Old Fish Market

© Catch at The Old Fish Market

Style of Food: Seafood

Focus of the Menu: Fish and Shellfish

Awards: Michelin Guide | Good Food Guide

Enjoying views over Weymouth’s idyllic harbourfront, Catch is one of the town’s most prestigious fish restaurants. Overseen by Michelin-starred chef Mike Naido, expect seasonal seafood paired with exquisite wines and impeccable customer service. A good option for special occasions, opt for their eight-course tasting menu and dine on cured sea bass and crab dumplings.

Location: Weymouth 

Website: https://www.catchattheoldfishmarket.com/

The Jetty

Style of Food: European 

Focus of the Menu: Fish, Shellfish, Meat and Vegetarian

Awards: Michelin Guide | Two AA Rosettes | Good Food Guide

Set on the water’s edge in the grounds of Christchurch Harbour Hotel and Spa and headed up by chef Alex Aitken, The Jetty is all about good food in a beautifully relaxed setting. With fresh fish caught and landed daily from Mudeford Quay, sample the region’s finest flavours to a spectacular harbour-view backdrop.

Location: Christchurch 

Website: www.thejetty.co.uk

For something a little further afield

Don't miss our related guides on the best fine dining and Michelin-star restaurants in  Somerset,  Devon and Cornwall.

Last updated: Friday 5th July, 2024

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Image credits: Rick Stein, Sandbanks (including main image) | Lilac | The Oyster and Fish House | Catch at The Old Fish Market, Restaurant Roots and The Pig on the Beach via Instagram