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RestaurantsDorsetBurton BradstockDT6
Cliff Road, Burton Bradstock, DT6 4RB

survey result

Summary

£82
 ££££
2
Average
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

A “stunning setting” is a highpoint at this contemporary dining room with outside terrace, overlooking the beach and sea on the Jurassic Coast on Lyme Bay. It continues to enjoy good ratings all-round although there is the odd gripe that it’s “a bit too pricey”.

Summary

£75
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“An amazing location overlooking the sea” is the ‘crown jewel’ feature of this “delightful” hotel dining room on the Jurassic Coast, which has a “wonderful position” on Lyme Bay. All aspects of the operation are well-rated, not least its “imaginative cooking” (fish the highlight) and “friendly and efficient” service.

Summary

£71
  £££
4
Very Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This attractively kitted-out and ironically named hotel on the ‘Jurassic Coast’ has superb views over Lyme Bay and a restaurant with a classily brisk menu, focusing on locally sourced ingredients. “For a really intimate experience, dine on your own in the little library” is one reporter’s recommendation (reading a copy of ‘On Chesil Beach’, presumably…).

Summary

£55
   ££
4
Very Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This “magical cliff-top haven” on Dorset’s ‘Jurassic Coast’ combines the attractions of “superb views” with “exciting but traditional dishes” using “excellent locally sourced ingredients”. It offers a “slightly more refined experience than the neighbouring (and highly rated) Hive Beach Café”.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at The Seaside Boarding House Hotel?

Owner's description

It’s not complicated, fresh seafood from the sea at our toes, great produce from the countryside at our backs. Local when it’s best, British when it’s right, international when it’s called for. Naturally seasonal and with no fleeting fads or fickle food fashions – whether you need a poached egg on toast or a six course banquet, our acclaimed restaurant is bespoke and classically modern. We like a well dressed table, but we don’t stand on any ceremony; if you want one course, three puddings, to work your way through the whole menu alphabetically or topographically that’s fine. Our view is that dinner takes as long as you need it to.

Bookings for up to 12 guests can be accommodated in the restaurant or for larger parties get in touch for private dining and events.

What the Newspaper Critics are saying

The Times

Charlotte Ivers headed for Dorset’s Jurassic coast, and an ironically named hotel founded by Anthony Mackintosh and Mary-Lou Sturridge, formerly of the Groucho club in Soho.

There’s “a cocktail and wine list to rival any luxury hotel”, and “whipped cod’s roe thick and rich like a Soho socialite, with a drizzle of expensive-tasting olive oil and an almost sweet, almost sticky and definitely satisfying sourdough crisp”.

But it all felt rather California, so Charlotte popped next door for lunch at the Hive Café, a glorified and windblown tent. “There I had the freshest, most perfect fillet of mackerel — the catch of the day — in a simple buttery sauce with a scattering of fresh veg and capers. Nothing fancy, nothing clever. But with the cold sea air in the background it’s hard to imagine a more ideal meal. The luxury of the Boarding House is lovely, but this was the proper British seaside experience.”

Charlotte Ivers - 2024-06-09

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£15.50 £23.00 £7.00 £6.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £32.00
Filter Coffee £3.50
Extras  
Bread £1.50
Service 12.50%

Restaurant details

Yes
Highchair,Menu
Yes
60, 10
No dress code
60
Yes

Private dining

The Seaside Boarding House has two private rooms.

The library can comfortably seat 2-10 people & the Pitt-Rivers Room that can seat 12-90. A range of AV equipment can be provided and any combination of food and drink to fit your day. Or take a break, have lunch in the restaurant or out on the terrace. We can even provide a picnic on the beach.

The library is a small intimate space lined with shelves of books and an open fireplace. Perfect for small meetings of up to 10 people on a round table or 16 in a theatre style. The Pitt-Rivers Room can seat up to 90 in a theatre style or 60 for a meeting requiring tables. This room has a dedicated entrance if required, a small raised stage and private bar area.

With sufficient notice it is possible to take the entire hotel on an exclusive basis between October & March from Sunday afternoon up until Friday. From April this is restricted to Monday until Thursday afternoon.

It is possible to take the whole of The SBH over a weekend but the opportunity is restricted to 6 dates throughout the year.

The Seaside Boarding House Hotel Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of The Seaside Boarding House Hotel Restaurant in DT6, Burton Bradstock by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of The Seaside Boarding House Hotel restaurant.
Dan G
Don't be mislead by the location. The stunn...
Reviewed 4 months, 25 days ago

"Don't be mislead by the location. The stunning cliff top location is utterly wasted as the building has not been maintained (rust stained, peeling paint, dead flowers in beds, dirty windows, broken blinds at windows, rusty tables outside... I could go on). Food was awful. The blandest cod and chips I have ever tasted and despite the £25 price tag it was only a small portion of cod! Real disappointment - has been on our list to visit for four years. Won't be going back."

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Cliff Road, Burton Bradstock, DT6 4RB
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
TuesdayCLOSED
Wednesday12:30 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm
Thursday12:30 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm
Friday12:30 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm
Saturday12:30 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm
Sunday12:30 pm‑3 pm

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