Diners' Choice: Most Booked restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the most booked restaurants in Dorset? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews from the past month. We sort the results by location to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Ivy Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (132)

£25 and under

British

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Nestled in the coastal town of Bournemouth, The Ivy brings a taste of luxury to the local dining scene. Discover menus featuring modern British cuisine to brasserie classics and fantastic vegan and vegetarian dishes, with something for everyone to love. From breakfast through to dinner seven days a week, the restaurant offers a luxurious haven in a stunning and elegant setting.

Top review

Karen

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful staff, couldn't help enough, really delectable food, felt REALLY full after just 2 courses. My Martini was to die for !! Family celebration of our son's good grades, so the perfect way to celebrate - he wants to decorate his future home like your establishment now!

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Experience

£20.95 Two-Course Heritage Menu

Experience

Class of 2025 Graduation Menu

Experience

Group Dining

Hive Beach Cafe

4.3

4.3 (945)

£25 and under

Seafood

Bridport

About the restaurant

Iconic coastline, fantastic food
Serving fresh, locally and ethically sourced produce, focusing on fish and seafood, lovingly prepared to our customers from near & far.
The Hive Pavilion with wrap-around patio & a seasonal addition of the Top Marquee each offering far-reaching sea views and evening sunsets to each table.
Check in on arrival will be at the front desk in our main marquee. Please note at peak times there may be a slight delay on arrival for your table. Booked tables will be available for the time you have reserved, early access will not be permitted.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined 1 day ago

Had the seafood platter. Beautifully presented and loads of lovely food. Great location, well worth the visit

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4.1

4.1 (81)

£25 and under

Barbecue

Shaftesbury

About the restaurant

Perched within the historic Compton Abbas Airfield, Lore of the Sky is a bold new smokehouse restaurant from Guy Ritchie’s team.

Set in the heart of Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this is where aviation heritage meets Texas-style barbecue. Whether you’re watching vintage Spitfires take flight or soaking in the panoramic views over Shaftesbury, Lore of the Sky offers an unforgettable dining experience and less than an hour from the Jurassic Coast.

Our menu is a celebration of deep flavour and smokehouse tradition. Crafted by Head Chef Alex Brown, each dish—from oak-smoked pork belly to loaded nachos and rich jackfruit burgers—is smoked on-site using the legendary J&R Oyler Smoker, the first of its kind in the UK.

With every bite, you’ll taste our commitment to quality, locally sourced ingredients, and fire-powered finesse.

Top review

Karen

Dined 2 days ago

We went as my husband is in to smoking (food!) and weren’t disappointed. Good menu and excellent food in lovely surroundings. Lovely, accommodating staff, lovely clean toilets (always important!) and well spaced tables in the restaurant, so you didn’t feel as you do in some places that you’re sitting nigh on on top of the next table. Table service indoors too, which isn’t always the case these days, so another 10/10 there. The whole restaurant area is glass windows looking out on to the airstrip, giving great views of incoming and out going light aircraft. We were lucky enough to be by the window, but you could see the comings and going from wherever you were seated. Also several tables outside (‘buzzer service’ outside) where you can eat, or just sit and have a drink and watch the planes or admire the view of Shaftesbury. We travelled 2.10mis to get there and weren’t disappointed! We’ll be back 😊

Côte Brasserie - Dorchester

4.4

4.4 (34)

£25 and under

French

Dorchester

About the restaurant

Join us to discover modern French food in Dorchester, right in the heart of this historic Roman town, just five minutes walk away from both Dorchester West and Dorchester South train stations. There is so much to see and do in Dorchester within a stone's throw of us here at Côte. The Dorset Museum and leafy Borough Gardens are just around the corner, as are ancient Roman landmarks like the Maumbury Rings Amphitheater and the nationally-renowned Roman Town House. Our stylish art-deco-inspired restaurant space offers an impressive outlook across the fountains of Brewery Square. Sit back and relax in our cosy interior, or enjoy al fresco dining on our terrace in the square.

Top review

Jane

Dined on Mar 31, 2025

An excellent evening with delicious meal. Service from staff was first class. Will definitely go back. Highly Recommend especially if you appreciate the French touch!

El Murrino Beachside Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (117)

£25 and under

Italian

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Welcome to El Murrino Beachside!
Located along East Cliff Beach between Bournemouth and Boscombe Piers, El Murrino Beachside Kitchen is a pop up restaurant combining beautiful views and delicious food and drinks.

Our exclusive VIP area will give you a chance to enjoy the surroundings in extra comfort and glamour with one of our tailored packages.

For large booking or corporate events please contact: beachside@elmurrino.com or 01202 022333

Top review

Timothy

Dined 4 days ago

Beach bar vibes and the burgers were delicious, the servers were helpful and efficient

Côte Brasserie - Bournemouth

4.7

4.7 (91)

£25 and under

French

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Join us at Côte to discover modern French food in Bournemouth, right in the heart of town. Nestled in an art deco building opposite the city arcade, Côte Bournemouth offers a truly exquisite dining experience over two floors, with a balcony boasting views across the town centre. We're just a short walk from the beachfront and the beautifully landscaped Lower Gardens - so why not take in the sea air, or wander amongst glorious floral displays, before stopping by to enjoy something delicious from our menu of classic French dishes? So whether it's date night, a family get-together or a meal with friends, we'd love to welcome you in to enjoy our outstanding French food in Bournemouth.

Top review

Anna

Dined on May 31, 2025

Lovely evening for a big birthday meal. There were a lot of us and the service and food was good. We would come again!

The Old Inn

4.7

4.7 (3022)

£26 to £40

British

Wimborne

About the restaurant

The Old Inn is a traditional country pub in the heart of the idyllic village of Holt. Situated close to the historic town of Wimborne Minster, The Old Inn is the perfect destination when you fancy a homemade, traditional pub meal. With real fires, a beautiful garden and fantastic service, this pub is definitely worth a visit. We have worked hard to put together a menu that offers something for everyone. Everything is freshly prepared at the Old Inn, from our Chicken Liver paté, to children’s chicken nuggets. We pride ourselves that all of our meals are traditionally cooked using largely locally sourced ingredients and our seasonal specials are definitely worth looking at too, as well as our delicious desserts! We aim to provide a prompt, efficient and friendly service and we can cater for all types of parties.

Top review

Maria

Dined 2 days ago

We had booked for the pizza terrace but staff found us a lovely table out the front instead, so we had dinner in the sunshine ! Service was great, food was amazing ! Pizza dough was the best ! Will be back soon for sure

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Popular dish

Garlic Pizza

The Anchor Inn

4.8

4.8 (842)

£25 and under

British

Bridport

About the restaurant

You'll find us nestled snugly right on Seatown Beach, hidden along one of the many coves that litter Dorset's famous Jurassic coastline. Once a smugglers haunt, the pub now serves a seasonal menu with a focus on seafood and fresh local produce.

Complete with wood fires and Palmers award winning ales, the pub is the perfect location to refuel after a day on the coastal path or for a special evening meal with friends or family.

Top review

Tim

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent food and location. Only criticism is that the water offered was very warm, should be chilled. Thoroughly recommend.

Oliveto

4.5

4.5 (2546)

£26 to £40

Italian

Weymouth

About the restaurant

Oliveto brings Italian cuisine from the heart of the owners and Italian Chefs. Using local produce with the finest Italian ingredients the restaurant prides itself on quality food with a difference in a venue which provides an amazing setting. Whilst dining on excellent cuisine you can enjoy panoramic views of Weymouth Bay and the Jurassic coastline in a relaxed and grand setting. Respecting the building's origins as part of the piers bandstand the restaurant's decor nods to the past incorporating art deco features together with modern design. You sense a feeling of luxury as you walk through the doors.

Top review

Margaret

Dined 6 days ago

We had an absolutely wonderful meal for our first night in Weymouth. Beautiful surroundings, excellent service & magnificent food. Will definitely be back.

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Popular dish

White Chocolate Cheesecake

4.6

4.6 (523)

£25 and under

Pub

Dorchester

About the restaurant

Soak up our friendly service and homely charm when nestled in the impressive roadside pub located in the hamlet of East Knighton. Here at The Countryman Inn, we are the perfect retreat to sit back, relax and indulge in our delicious food with the perfect drink in hand. Our traditional pub classics are expertly crafted from our seasonal menus and the bar is crammed with local ales and tipples to tempt any taste buds. Using the most seasonal ingredients and decadent flavours, there's a dish for every desire. Turn your fleeting visit into a welcomed stay by resting your head in one of our Nine ensuite rooms. All decorated with cosy interiors and homely touches you'll be able to unwind in comfort and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere in a home away from home.

Top review

Ruth

Dined 3 days ago

Food absolutely great,service friendly and had a great evening.

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