Fish & Seafood Restaurants in Dorset
1. Crab House Café
Fish & seafood restaurant in Weymouth
Ferrymans Way, Portland Road - DT4
“A hot sunny evening. A table outside with a view over Chesil Beach. A glass of local English white. Two whole crabs, one plain, one spicy Chinese. A sticky, messy heaven worth planning a voyage to Weymouth around!” – this “quirky”, “rustic venue in a shack” sitting “just yards from the sea” is one of the hundred most commented-on restaurants in the UK in our annual diners’ poll on account of its “awesome” fish, oysters, crab and other seafood. The main complaint? “wish I lived nearer!”
2. Billy Winters Bar & Diner
Fish & seafood restaurant in Wyke Regis
Ferry Bridge Boatyard, Portland Road - DT4
“Quirky diner, right on the beach” – “a simple, relaxed waterside venue, incorporating a plastic marquee overlooking Weymouth Bay”. It “serves a wide range of delicious food: their amazing fish/shellfish tacos are a favourite” as are “fresh oysters from their own farm” (and there’s also pizza and burgers).
3. The Guildhall Tavern
Fish & seafood restaurant in Poole
15 Market Street - BH15
2023 Review: This gorgeous old tavern on a corner site near the harbour – newly spiffed-up last autumn and with the recent addition of a conservatory – specialises in “excellent-quality” local seafood, served in a warm atmosphere that is “like being in France”.
4. Catch at The Old Fish Market
Fish & seafood restaurant in Weymouth
1 Custom House Quay - DT4
In the exciting setting of the 1855 fish market, this two-year-old sustainable seafood specialist delivers “an earnest love letter to seafood and the fishermen who provide it” (as The Independent’s Kate Ng put it), with dishes changing to accommodate the catch even between customers – an “extraordinary way to run a restaurant” but one that “really works”. “It’s only a no-choice tasting menu” these days, which may not be to all tastes, but the results are “inventive” and “very reasonably priced for the quality”.
5. Shell Bay
Fish & seafood restaurant in Studland
Ferry Road - BH19
“Super-fresh fish in simple surroundings with wonderful views” over Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island makes a winning deck of cards for this waterside spot on the Isle of Purbeck, on the beach by the chain-link ferry. “Delicious puddings”, a “respectable wine list” and “friendly staff” complete the deal.
6. Rick Stein
Fish & seafood restaurant in Sandbanks
10-14 Banks Rd - BH13
You can hang with the local mansion-owners and beachgoers at this Poole Harbour outpost of the Stein empire, which has a brilliant location overlooking the water. It inspired less feedback this year than its stablemates, hence we’ve left it unrated.
7. WestBeach
Fish & seafood restaurant in Bournemouth
Pier Approach - BH2
2022 Review: “Top-notch fish, chips and alternatives” plus a “lovely location” not far from the centre of town make this modern seaside café a good choice for breakfast or lunch, with stunning views from the terrace.
8. Hive Beach Cafe
Fish & seafood restaurant in Burton Bradstock
Beach Road - DT6
“Excellent fish, super-efficient service and a wonderful outlook on the beach” – three reasons to love this Jurassic Coast staple (est. 1991), and with siblings in West Bay and West Bexington; yes, the “seating is basic, but comfortable enough and with those views and the quality of the food, who cares?!” Top Tip – “look out for ‘Lobster Wednesday’! It’s the best deal on the coast!”.
9. The Parlour
Italian restaurant in Burton Bradstock
Bredy Farm, Bredy Lane - DT6
2023 Review: “Genuinely spectacular pizzas and gorgeous Italian food in the middle of a farmyard” in the picturesque Bride Valley may be “very off-road for many” – but this “interesting restaurant” with “friendly staff” is by all accounts well worth the trip. Brede Farm also hosts a cider press, micro brewery, campsite and live music.
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