Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic 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

5.0

5 (39)

£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

nathan

Dined on May 16, 2025

Amazing Food, Amazing Service ,Will be back for sure thank you.

TWELVE EATERY

4.8

4.8 (1002)

£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

Thompson

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Whilst I have eaten only healthy food for a few years I recently became vegan. I struggle to find restaurants who really embrace the full meaning and have never found a restaurant whose passion for healthy eating is as strong as the staff at Twelve. The service and food were excellent I am surprised I was able to get a table on a Friday night. I encourage both vegans and Non vegans to try this place not only for the food but also the experience.

Côte Brasserie - Bournemouth

4.7

4.7 (91)

£25 and under

French

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

Cote is inspired by the brasseries of Paris, serving authentic French dishes all day in our classically designed restaurants. We are committed to producing authentic French classics, freshly cooked to order, from the highest quality sourced ingredients.

Top review

Anna

Dined on May 31, 2025

Lovely evening for a big birthday meal. There were a lot of us and the service and food was good. We would come again!

Al Molo Dorchester

4.7

4.7 (526)

£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

Sheila

Dined 3 days ago

Lovely food, friendly and knowledgeable service. We had a lovely time.

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4.7

4.7 (134)

£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

Andy

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Fantastic meal with attentive and friendly staff - highly recommend

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

TIIEN THAI

4.6

4.6 (1608)

£26 to £40

Thai

Bournemouth

About the restaurant

*** Tiien Thai has won Best Thai Restaurant in the UK 2023 ***
For more information about the award, please visit our website at: https://www.tiienthairestaurant.co.uk/reviews.
At Tiien Thai Restaurant Bournemouth, we are proud to create exceptional food that is carefully prepared and beautifully presented.
Here you will experience joy and harmony in a serene yet contemporary environment where the most exciting Thai food will be served. Also available for take away.
Our head chef, Pong Pan, sources only the finest authentic Thai ingredients to produce the most sublime flavours. His team at Tiien will guide you on a magical adventure of tastes, aromas and textures.

Top review

Mike

Dined 6 days ago

We eat at TIIEN Thai often ,the food, service hospitality is excellent can’t say enough good things about the restaurant and the lady front of house is incredibly welcoming and professional

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.

Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

4.6

4.6 (622)

£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 7 days ago

First class genuine Italian cuisine on the quay at Poole. Inside or outside tables. We have visited many times and will always go back

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Experience

2 Course Lunch Set Menu

Oliveto

4.5

4.5 (2535)

£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

Diane

Dined 2 days ago

We had a wonderful meal at a table that overlooked the bay.. staff were friendly and efficient.. couldn't have asked for more. Absolutely perfect.. thank you Oliveto

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Popular dish

White Chocolate Cheesecake

The Crab at Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (1658)

£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

David

Dined on May 26, 2025

Excellent meal and great service - very attentive.

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