Diners' Choice: Great for fine wines restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the most notable wine lists 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 (3030)

£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

Barbara

Dined 7 days ago

Good food and service in nice surroundings, very pleasant staff.

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

The Italian Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (152)

£25 and under

Italian

Wareham

About the restaurant

A delightful fusion of Italian & British Cuisine by Head Chef Shannon Richards. Contemporary and relaxed atmosphere with superb views across the Purbeck Hills in Dorset. Situated on the picturesque Wareham Quay.

Shannon leads our dedicated team of chefs to bring you a modern style Italian menu using only the finest seasonal produce, our dishes are lovingly and freshly prepared, combining locally landed seafood, premium quality meats and New Forest vegetables along with the finest Mediterranean ingredients.

Top review

RussellW

Dined 6 days ago

Nice location with free parking in the evening, attentive and helpful staff, and very nice food.

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

Oliveto

4.6

4.6 (2562)

£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

Mary

Dined 3 days ago

Beautiful restaurant and beautiful food highly recommend!

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Popular dish

White Chocolate Cheesecake

Côte Brasserie - Bournemouth

4.6

4.6 (93)

£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

tomVIP

Dined on Jul 15, 2025

Starters offer delicious as was tarte au citron. Great idea

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.

Macready's

4.6

4.6 (31)

£26 to £40

British

Sherborne

About the restaurant

"The Sherborne is a reborn wonder. Once a grand house with a staircase mural by Sir James Thornhill, whose other works include the paintings on the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, Sherborne House became so dilapidated that it was placed on the Heritage at Risk register. Now sensitively refurbished, it’s the town’s premier arts venue, with extensive galleries, an impressive events space and shop. The Sherborne also welcomes visitors to the popular Macready’s Restaurant and Bar, serving everything from light bites (from £12) to substantial main courses such as smoked ham hock with confit garlic and leek and pearl barley risotto (£22) and pan-fried gnocchi (£19.50), in an atmospheric and glamorous setting with attentive, unfussy service." As noted by Jon Woolcott in The 50 best museum cafes in the UK, The Guardian (15 April 2025)

Top review

John

Dined 7 days ago

A great addition to Sherborne, superb food and a great venue. The staff are always very helpful and friendly and it is obvious that a very good working relationship has been built between the staff and management. Best of all it's a five minute walk down the road from us.

Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

4.5

4.5 (628)

£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

nicholas

Dined on Jul 6, 2025

great food great ervice sat outside enjoyed livee music made a birthday treat very enjoyable will book again soon

The Crab at Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (1670)

£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

julian

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent value catch of the day - delicious sea bream

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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

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