Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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 Anchor Inn

4.8

4.8 (825)

£25 and under

British

Bridport

About the restaurant

You'll find us nestled snugly right on Seatown Beach, hidden along one of the many coves that litter Dorset's famous Jurassic coastline. Once a smugglers haunt, the pub now serves a seasonal menu with a focus on seafood and fresh local produce.

Complete with wood fires and Palmers award winning ales, the pub is the perfect location to refuel after a day on the coastal path or for a special evening meal with friends or family.

Top review

Nicholas

Dined 4 days ago

A lovely pub, busy and buzzing (but in a good way) with nice seating outside or inside. The menu was interesting with some nice twists on pub classics. lunch options also available. The servers and bar staff were lovely and really went the extra mile to help Us (we had an assortment of aged relatives with us :-). The food was enjoyed , there was a small kitchen ‘oops’ , which the staff sorted out well with no fuss or bother. Lovely place and we will come again. Of note : parking across the road is £8 but keep your receipt and the pub deducts a couple of quid from yr bill to share the cost, which is fair.

The Old Inn

4.7

4.7 (3006)

£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

Anna

Dined 5 days ago

Very friendly service, food excellent, the surroundings are clean and homely. Will definitely visit again.

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Popular dish

Garlic Pizza

Lulworth Lodge

4.6

4.6 (421)

£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

Maik

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious food, kind service and nice ambiance. A very cosy and relaxed atmosphere.

Tom's Lyme Regis

4.6

4.6 (849)

£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

Tracy

Dined 4 days ago

We had a fabulous lunch at Tom's as always. The fish stew was delicious and there was a superb gooseberry dessert on the menu. It's refreshing to see an innovative dessert these days and this one was excellent. A wonderful sea view and the option to sit inside or out. Definitely the best place to eat in Lyme Regis.

The Clubhouse West Bexington

4.6

4.6 (457)

£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

Jan

Dined 1 day ago

The menu has changed since we were here last time. I feel not for the better. They no longer have starters to go with the mains. They are now small plates which seems to be for a different audience. It’s a shame as I’ve been eating here over a number of years. The fish of the day wasn’t cooked very well and may not have been fresh. I ended up feeling unwell later in the evening. I won’t be going back.

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Experience

Summer Social - PATIO TABLE

Experience

Summer Social - PAVILION TABLE

Quay Inn, Wareham

4.6

4.6 (87)

£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

Richard

Dined 4 days ago

Great experience cooking our own steaks on volcanic rock.

The Countryman Inn

4.5

4.5 (518)

£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

Derek

Dined 3 days ago

Very friendly very nice atmosphere very good food Excellent value

Spice Ship

4.4

4.4 (325)

£25 and under

Pub

Weymouth

About the restaurant

Soak up our friendly service and homely charm when nestled in the coastal village of Preston. With Bowleaze Cove a mere 20 minutes stroll away, the Spice Ship is the ideal pit stop to book end a day, simply sit back, relax and enjoy our delicious menu with your favourite drink in hand. We're proud to offer a menu packed with the most appetising dishes. Our passion for taking traditional pub classics and making them the best around by using the most decadent of ingredients, makes every meal served have you coming back time and time again!

Top review

Christine

Dined on May 28, 2025

The room was lovely and the food was really nice. A great place to stay. The landlord and staff were very friendly. I would definitely recommend staying here.

Hive Beach Cafe

4.4

4.4 (915)

£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

PETER

Dined 3 days ago

The food was very good quality and service good too -they were well resourced for the number of diners given how busy the café is. The ambience - and the views - vary according to the seating area there are three - the main part of the cafe,, the mid-terrace more relaxed and the "indoor area at the top.

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4.2

4.2 (64)

£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

Andrew

Dined 1 day ago

Great food and a very nice atmosphere. Staff were very considerate and helpful.

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