Diners' Choice: Great for creative cocktails restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best handcrafted cocktails 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!

GAJA

4.9

4.9 (19)

£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

Richard

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Great food and the best service I've ever had anywhere. Went for son's birthday and a card and complimentary shots were the icing on the cake. Deserves to be a huge success.

TWELVE EATERY

4.8

4.8 (963)

£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

sharang

Dined 3 days ago

Absolutely the best vegan dining experience in the UK!

Tom's Lyme Regis

4.6

4.6 (803)

£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

colin

Dined 2 days ago

Superb food great staff very attentive and professional highly recommended

The Clubhouse West Bexington

4.6

4.6 (408)

£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

Amanda

Dined on Jan 1, 2025

Great value ( 3 course lunch for £30) and overall one of my favourite restaurants. Food is excellent. View and staff are lovely too.

Pho Bournemouth

4.6

4.6 (336)

£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

Adam

Dined 6 days ago

Fantastic food and great service. I would definitely recommend this restuarant to others.

BEAR Wimborne

4.6

4.6 (29)

£25 and under

Café

Wimborne

About the restaurant

Our store in Wimborne, Dorset, breathes life into a beautiful Grade II listed building that once housed The Bell Hotel, a local landmark since the 19th century. The patio space, once home to an old glassblowing building, is the perfect little sun trap to enjoy a coffee, a bite to eat, or a cocktail or two.

Whether you’re popping in for a quick coffee or staying longer for brunch, our Wimborne store presents the perfect blend of heritage and modern comfort in the heart of this historic town.

Top review

Stewart

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent food and great value. Staff helpful and very pleasant. Well worth a visit.

Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

4.5

4.5 (604)

£25 and under

Italian

Poole

About the restaurant

Welcome to Da Vinci’s, the best Italian restaurant on Poole Quay and only a stone’s throw away from the water’s edge. Established in 1993, Da Vinci’s is a family-run business, specialising in fresh, local ingredients, cooked in true Italian style.

Whether you are seeking a casual pizza supper in a cosy Italian atmosphere or a special meal in a venue that can cater for your special occasion, Da Vinci’s has the answer.

Our beautiful Italian restaurant in Poole has a cosy downstairs right on the Quay front and own upstairs dining room features seven windows overlooking the harbour.
We are family friendly (hey, we’re Italian!) have highchairs and can provide smaller portions of pasta for children.

Top review

Robert

Dined 1 day ago

Arguably the best Italian restaurant in Poole. Outstanding food and friendly staff. Will definitely keep going there. Grazie mille!

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Experience

2 Course Lunch Set Menu

Clavells Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (196)

£25 and under

British

Kimmeridge

About the restaurant

Clavells is a traditional restaurant set in the heart of the Jurassic Coast. With our very own courtyard and garden, centrally located in the heart of the picturesque village of Kimmeridge. We serve a wonderful choice of seasonal favourites and classic food dishes. Clavells should be your first port of call for a hearty Sunday roast, a three-course meal, or a sun-drenched cocktail on a glorious summer’s day.

Top review

Christina

Dined 3 days ago

We try to eat here every time we are in the area. Today we enjoyed Sunday Roast which was just perfect, high quality meat and veg cooked to perfection and great choice of desserts.

Watch House Cafe

4.5

4.5 (215)

£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

Carl

Dined on Jan 1, 2025

Excellent home cooked pizzas. Staff were spot on. Need we say more.

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

Ivy Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (42)

£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

Andrew

Dined 3 days ago

Fabulous ambience Quality good food Not cheap but still if you want this level of quality and the service that goes with it you need to expend a little more.

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The Ivy Bournemouth Afternoon Tea

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