Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

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!

Puro Gusto

5.0

5 (43)

£26 to £40

Italian

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Italian and Seafood Restaurant.
New opning in Bournemouth.
What Puro Gusto is? Simple, a chance to discover the Italian culinary tradition with homemade pasta, local fresh seafood and Italian crued hams.
Poducts in our dishes are freshly imported from Italy to ensure an authentic experience.
Grew up in a small village next to Florence, Tuscany, the owner and head-chef Erikselda, prepared a menu with her favourite dishes wishing to share the flavours she loves the most.
You will have the opportunity to travel the italian flavours just a few minutes from home!
So what are you waiting for? Book your table and enjoy the trip.

Top review

Steve

Dined 7 days ago

Small restaurant, had seen previous good reviews, didn't disappoint. Staff very friendly and welcoming, good menu options and happy to talk through them. Loved the theatre of the Grana Padana cheese wheel!! would happily book again if we stay over.

TWELVE EATERY

4.9

4.9 (928)

£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

Claire

Dined 7 days ago

I visited Twelve yesterday with my husband & it was absolutely fantastic. The service was outstanding from beginning to end, with recommendations from the maitre d, he even brought over ice cream with a candle in & chocolate saying Happy Birthday for me! The food was incredible, this is my third time visiting Twelve and I can't wait to return!

Art Sushi

4.9

4.9 (453)

£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

IRINA

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing food, atmosphere and outstanding service. Thank you so much. Best sushi restaurant.

Discover more

Experience

Chirashi Sushi Selection!

Al Molo Dorchester

4.7

4.7 (411)

£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

Steven

Dined 3 days ago

Fantastic food. Already planning on going back. Very friendly staff and a great environment.

Tom's Lyme Regis

4.6

4.6 (784)

£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

Judith

Dined 4 days ago

Delicious food in a family setting right on the beach. Highly recommended.

The Clubhouse West Bexington

4.6

4.6 (369)

£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

Elaine

Dined 4 days ago

I enjoyed every moment we spent at the Club House! We had an evening meal and also breakfast the next morning. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, especially as our grandson has specific needs. A lot of thought has gone into making this a special and relaxing place. Even the toilets are a joy to visit 😊The same level of thought has gone into the food, tasty, subtle and delicious.

Pho Bournemouth

4.5

4.5 (310)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Healthy Vietnamese Street Food, we specialise in serving pho noodle soup, hearty curries, delicious chicken wings, sharing spring rolls, and much more besides...

Top review

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

Great welcome from Holly and super service. A lovely meal and great experience.

The Crab at Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (1580)

£26 to £40

Seafood

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

The Crab at Bournemouth is one of Dorset's finest, AA rated 2 rosette seafood restaurant.
Situated directly opposite the Bournemouth International Center and just moments from Bournemouth Pier.
Our passionate chefs create an array of delicious dishes sourced from fresh, local produce. Our contemporary surroundings have friendly and personable staff that will make you feel most welcome.
A lovely, relaxing atmosphere with an open balcony when weather permits.

A £5 per person deposit fee is required to make a restaurant booking to confirm and secure the reservation.

Dress Code of Smart Casual (No sportswear, fleeces, sliders, flip flops or beachwear) enforced from 5:30pm. You will be refused entry if not dressed in smart casual attire.

Children aged 8 and under may dine in the restaurant on tables booked with adults between 5:30pm-7:30pm, children's menu is also available. If you are more than 15 minutes late to a booking, there is a possibility your table my no longer be available.

Top review

RoseA

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious meal, enjoyed by all. Fresh fish, beautifully cooked and presented. Interesting menu with plenty of options.

Discover more

4.4

4.4 (748)

£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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Made special effort to book on way back from Cornwall to Hampshire - and totally fantastic. One if the best meals we’ve had in many years. Great food and very good and attentive staff. Would totally recommend and looking forward to returning soon!

Watch House Cafe

4.4

4.4 (201)

£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

Annvip

Dined 6 days ago

Friendly and obliging staff. Excellent food and the chips are really lovely.

Discover more

Experience

Bottomless Brunch

Explore Diners' Choice best of Dorset