Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Art Sushi

4.9

4.9 (517)

£26 to £40

Japanese Speciality

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Art Sushi was named on The Good Food Guide top 100 restaurants also the OpenTable top 100 restaurants in the UK and included in both the MICHELIN Guide and Good Food Guide. Chef Kamil Skalczynski - a finalist of the World’s major and most prestigious tournaments for Sushi Masters.
WORLD SUSHI CUP 2016 IN JAPAN and also GLOBAL SUSHI CHALLENGE 2015.
Adviser World Sushi Skills Institute and also He won the Certificate of International Sushi Kuro-Obi and International Proficiency, the Only accepted In the World, awarded by the Japanese Government under the Leadership of the Japanese Association „SUSHI WSSI ALL JAPAN ASSOCIATIONS AND NORWEGIAN COUNCIL SUSHI AND SEAFOOD”.
Co-founder of Japanese Restaurants, awarded by ‘AWARDS OF EXELLENCE BY POLAND 100 BEST RESTAURANTS”. Chef in Chef Academy & Cookery School.
He gained his experience working and completing internships in well known restaurants in Poland, the Michelin Star Atelier Amaro and also he graduated the Academy of Jean Bos.

Top review

Andrew

Dined 3 days ago

Sat at the sushi counter and had a wonderful meal. The food was excellent and chef makes it look so easy. Sake was great. Services was quick and friendly. Our only feedback was Having been to sushi counters in Japan and Vancouver it would have been nice if chef was a bit chatty and had a bit of banter to those at the counter. We definitely recommend and will return!!

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Experience

Futomaki Sushi Selection

GAJA

4.9

4.9 (47)

£25 and under

Indian

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Welcome to Gaja, Charminster's newest destination for Indian cuisine and bar experiences, where the rich flavors of India meet modern elegance.
Inspired by the sanskrit word for "elephant," Gaja symbolises strength, wisdom, and royalty - qualities reflected in every dish we serve.
Our menu offers a diverse selection of authentic Indian cuisine, crafted with fresh ingredients and traditional spices.

Experience the perfect blend of cultural charm and contemporary ambiance, with warm lighting and attentive service ensuring a memorable visit.
We prioritize hygiene and hospitality, making Gaja the ideal spot to savor India's vibrant culinary heritage in the heart of Charminster.

Top review

Donald

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food and service on our 5th visit. Prices reasonable,good choice of menu and drinks,looking forward to visit No.6.

TWELVE EATERY

4.8

4.8 (1016)

£26 to £40

Vegan

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Sustainability and nutritional is at the core of Twelve. There are no obvious vegan cues and most of our guests don’t even make the connection that the menus is plant-based.

Twelve is defined not by what’s missing but by what it is.

Twelve Eatery is where vegans, vegetarians, pescetarians, flexitarians, omnivores and meat eaters meet to try creative dishes in a good atmosphere with stylish interiors.

We believe great food and good music should be enjoyed by everyone!

Top review

Joy

Dined 7 days ago

Fabulous service, amazingly delicious food that surpassed expectations with every mouthful - great atmosphere and surroundings- highly recommended and beyond!

Al Molo Dorchester

4.7

4.7 (552)

£26 to £40

Contemporary Italian

Dorchester

About the restaurant

Al Molo is an award-winning Italian restaurant launched in 2015 and transformed Weymouth’s Pier Bandstand into a destination for wonderful Italian food. Co-owners Giuseppe Vannucci & Tim Newton achieved national recognition from the Italian Chamber of Commerce with the “Marchio Ospitalità Italiana“ seal of quality award and won Gold for ‘Restaurant Of The Year’ at the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards.

Building on that success, this new restaurant, their second, Al Molo Dorchester, is traditional Italian cuisine and seafood Restaurant focus to bring fresh, locally caught fish to the forefront of the menu.

Situated in one of Dorchester’s oldest buildings, Judge Jeffreys on High West Street, one of the few surviving timber-framed buildings in Dorchester.

Using fresh, locally caught fish and produce, coupled with the finest Italian ingredients, the restaurant will pride itself on quality food in a venue which provides a unique historical setting.

Top review

JulieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

A really lovely evening. The service was outstanding and the wonderful choices of food was delicious and beautifully presented, complimented by starched white linen. Good atmosphere and dogs most welcome.

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8 Course Tasting menu £68

Pho Bournemouth

4.7

4.7 (359)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Pho Bournemouth is a healthy Vietnamese restaurant with loads of vegan and gluten free options.

We specialise in phở, the Vietnamese noodle soup and also serve delicious curries, rice dishes, wok-fried noodles, and fresh salads too. Our starters such as summer rolls and spring rolls are perfect for sharing with friends and family. We also offer an entirely gluten free dessert menu with dishes like Pandan waffles, condensed milk ice cream and a Vietnamese affogato.

Over a third of our menu is vegan, and nearly all of it is gluten-free, so we are a great destination for people who follow those particular dietary restrictions. We are also accredited by Coeliac UK.

Aside from our lovely food we offer a brilliant range of healthy juices, as well as delicious wine and beer, and a fantastic cocktail menu too.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Ps, we are dog friendly so your 4-legged friends are always welcome.

Top review

Lynnette

Dined 5 days ago

Went with work colleagues for a birthday. Beautiful Food, beautifully presented and well priced. Service was attentive and friendly. Would Definitely recommend

Tom's Lyme Regis

4.6

4.6 (868)

£26 to £40

British

Lyme Regis

About the restaurant

Tom's Lyme Regis is a multi award winning restaurant situated on the Lyme Regis seafront offering exceptional views over Lyme Bay. We are dedicated to serving stunning food and delivering outstanding service.
Each dish on our menu has been created using fresh local produce that changes with the seasons providing you with an exciting varied menu focused on bold flavours. Since opening in 2020 we have received several accolades including an AA Rosette in culinary excellence, Jurassic Business Award winners for Best Restaurant and Best Business, & finalists in the prestigious Trencherman's Awards for Best Front of House Team and Best Newcomer.

Top review

Lesley

Dined 1 day ago

I was again excited to visit Tom’s restaurant whilst staying in Lyme Regis and again I was wowed by the dishes served in this unassuming restaurant overlooking the beautiful Lyme bay. I couldn’t resist the crab started again. A crispy outer ball of soft moist crab meat accompanied by a perfect amount of green leaves and a tasty paste. The monkfish tail was soft and buttery with a vibrant green dressing with tiny salad veg. Sensational! Definitely recommend the raspberry and chocolate cream desert. Delicious beyond words and so pretty. Hope it’s still on the menu when you visit. And to top it all the waiting staff are smiley, friendly and knowledgeable. See you again.

The Clubhouse West Bexington

4.6

4.6 (484)

£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

Carolyn

Dined 6 days ago

Perfectly cooked seafood and welcoming staff as always

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Experience

Nyetimber Wine Evening

Ivy Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (157)

£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

Lyn

Dined 1 day ago

A delightful place to dine, the staff were really attentive, food extremely tasty and the restaurant is very pretty and comfortable. Would definitely recommend!

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Experience

Summer At The Ivy Set Menu

Experience

Breakfast with the Naughty Elves

Experience

New Year's Eve: A Sparkling Affair

Natty's Jerk Bournemouth

4.3

4.3 (16)

£25 and under

Caribbean

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Wah gwaan, Bournemouth? We are Natty's Jerk - a Caribbean food experience and Uber Eat's Restaurant of the Year 2024! 🇯🇲

Since 2017, our "fambily" has been serving up a modern twist on Jamaican cuisine and the community has been our rock. 💚💛❤️

Head down to our Shack in Portsmouth to experience where it all began, or let us transport you to J.A with the atmosphere and rich flavours of Natty's Jerk Kitchen & Rum Bar, Bournemouth. We can't wait for you to try!

Top review

Laura

Dined on Jul 16, 2025

Great atmosphere, excellent food and drinks. Everything was tasty. We just had quite a long wait for our food.

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Experience

The People's Unlimited Wing Thursdays

Experience

Natty's Jerk Sunday Roast

Lore of the Sky

4.2

4.2 (106)

£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

Jacqui

Dined 5 days ago

Very nice venue and breakfast was very tasty and an added bonus that flights were taking off whilst we were there.

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