Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants 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!

Art Sushi

4.9

4.9 (511)

£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

Nigel

Dined 5 days ago

Another delicious meal at Art Sushi and we are getting more adventurous with our choices. The tempura dorset crab roll was amazing. Service was very friendly and attentive. We are very lucky to have you on our door step!

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Experience

Futomaki Sushi Selection

GAJA

4.9

4.9 (43)

£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

Zoe

Dined 5 days ago

We had a lovey meal, great curries and lovely staff.

TWELVE EATERY

4.8

4.8 (1009)

£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

Helen

Dined 5 days ago

I absolutely adore Twelve Eatery, the food is delicious and nearly everything is made in-house from scratch. The staff are friendly and professional, with just the right amount of attentiveness. The décor and ambience make it a great place for date night and my partner and I go there frequently! I took some friends to Twelve Eatery recently and they also loved it.

Côte Brasserie - Bournemouth

4.7

4.7 (91)

£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

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 (538)

£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

Pawel

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Great food and service, fine dining style, broad selection of wine, very nice evening in Dorchester

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8 Course Tasting menu £68

TIIEN THAI

4.6

4.6 (1612)

£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

Kevin

Dined 5 days ago

Simply outstanding, good and service is excellent.

Tom's Lyme Regis

4.6

4.6 (859)

£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

Sally

Dined 3 days ago

Tom’s was superb, as always !! I had the crab croquette, followed by the sea bream. My husband had the goats cheese parcel, followed by the Malaysian fish curry. The food was superb !! Tom’s is our favourite seafood restaurant !!!!! Outstandingly recommended !!!!!

Chequers Inn

4.6

4.6 (39)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Lytchett Matravers

About the restaurant

Welcome to Chequers Inn, we look forward to serving you soon.
Opening on: 25 March 2025

Top review

Carol

Dined 6 days ago

For a corporate venue, very pleasant indeed. Lovely friendly staff and excellent food. It's a pub we used to frequent in the days it was a free house selling country wines

The Crab at Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (1663)

£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

Francina

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Great food and ambience. Staff were friendly and helpful always there to see to our needs. Really enjoyed the food, this was the first time we dined at The Crab. Will definitely recommend for sure!

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4.4

4.4 (129)

£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

Kirsti

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Fantastic afternoon tea, excellent service, good selection of rolls and sandwiches, amazing cakes and chocolates to take home too. Really great experience, thank you x

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Experience

£20.95 Two-Course Heritage Menu

Experience

Class of 2025 Graduation Menu

Experience

Group Dining

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