Diners' Choice: Great for brunch restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are great for brunch in Dorset? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category 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!

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 1 day 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

Lulworth Lodge

4.6

4.6 (426)

£25 and under

Bistro

West Lulworth

About the restaurant

Set a pebble's skim from the iconic Lulworth Cove, our all-day ground floor bistro serves contemporary food sourced from the local ingredients.

For lunch service we offer our seasonal ‘a la carte’ menu and a nibbles / sandwich menu, so please drop by for a crab sandwich or cream tea on the terrace. Dogs are welcome on the terrace as well as in the restaurant.

We are sorry to say we are unable to take reservations for the outside seating area, however you can always just walk in !

Top review

David

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

I opted for the lobster with garlic butter for my main course, it was absolutely delicious. Served with a lovely salad and skinny fries. Scallops as a starter, cooked to perfection. Friendly staff and excellent service.

The Countryman Inn

4.6

4.6 (522)

£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 2 days ago

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

The Clubhouse West Bexington

4.6

4.6 (470)

£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.
Our Garden Pavilion, patio and relaxing garden area are seasonal additions offering far-reaching sea views and evening sunsets to each and every table.

Top review

Andrew

Dined 3 days ago

Always a joyous experience to visit the venue, the staff are lovely and welcoming.

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Experience

Summer Social - PATIO TABLE

Experience

Summer Social - PAVILION TABLE

Quay Inn, Wareham

4.6

4.6 (91)

£25 and under

British

Wareham

About the restaurant

The Quay Inn is set right on the the quay at Wareham overlooking the river Frome, and has been welcoming patrons since it was built in 1747.

In addition to a fantastic array of high-quality local ales, beers, and refreshments, we offer mouth-watering food menus featuring the unique Black Rock grill, along with a variety of traditional snacks and meals. Enjoy top-notch entertainment throughout the year and a warm welcome every day of the week.

Top review

Hayley

Dined 3 days ago

Lovely pub, waterside location, parking available, staff friendly, food good.

Chequers Inn

4.6

4.6 (39)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Lytchett Matravers

About the restaurant

Welcome to Chequers Inn, we look forward to serving you soon.
Opening on: 25 March 2025

Top review

Carol

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

For a corporate venue, very pleasant indeed. Lovely friendly staff and excellent food. It's a pub we used to frequent in the days it was a free house selling country wines

Watch House Cafe

4.4

4.4 (241)

£25 and under

Pizza Bar

Bridport

About the restaurant

Iconic Coastline. Fantastic Food.

one of "the top 20 of the UK’s best seaside restaurants, cafes and shacks! - The Guardian
Serving fresh, locally and ethically sourced produce, lovingly prepared to our customers from near & far.

Top review

Brenda

Dined 7 days ago

Amazing food (seriously, try the Keralan fish curry). Quiet enough to have a conversation, but decent music in the background. Staff lovely. Really good value for money.

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

Ivy Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (129)

£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

Kirsti

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Fantastic afternoon tea, excellent service, good selection of rolls and sandwiches, amazing cakes and chocolates to take home too. Really great experience, thank you x

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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 (943)

£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

Andrew

Dined 5 days ago

Great food and expertly prepared. We had the sole and skate mains for lunch with new potatoes and seasonal greens. Both dishes were perfectly cooked and presented attractively. Service was quick and staff polite and friendly. Would advise booking as likely to be busy.

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4.1

4.1 (80)

£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 1 day 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 😊

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