Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Dorset? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Art Sushi

4.9

4.9 (470)

£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

Richard

Dined on 21 Dec 2024

Amazing experience at art sushi. It was my fiancés birthday and they gave her complimentary sake. The food was incredible. The best sushi we’ve ever had. So fresh and flavoursome and the staff were brilliant.

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Experience

Chirashi Sushi Selection!

TWELVE EATERY

4.8

4.8 (962)

£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

Dined on 24 Dec 2024

Always a lovely experience in Twelve! Our favourite spot for birthday meals as it’s always a special experience with beautiful, delicious food and outstanding service! Thank you ❤️

Shalims Balti House

4.7

4.7 (947)

£25 and under

Indian

Weymouth

About the restaurant

Shalims Balti House is a national and regional award winning Indian restaurant. Come in and enjoy the best in Indian dining Weymouth has to offer. The mouthwatering food and warm comfortable surroundings all add to the experience that you'll find hard to beat when it comes to Indian food in the area. For the best food, service and comfort dine at Shalims Balti House.

Top review

Julie

Dined on 28 Dec 2024

Fabulous. We are regulars and it never fails to please . Excellent

Al Molo Dorchester

4.7

4.7 (467)

£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

Nigel

Dined 2 days ago

This is the best dining experience I have had in a very long time. It was made really good by the consummate professional that was our server. It was so nice to have a bottle of wine properly presented, to have a good discussion about the menu with knowledgeable recommendations. He was excellent. The food was very nice. The menu is varied and interesting. The prices are very reasonable. An absolute gem of a restaurant.

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

mikeVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The service was excellent as always and nearly all the food was good. However my wife’s bread and butter pudding was both cold and very solid, perhaps not properly defrosted. A pity as everything else was excellent

Pho Bournemouth

4.6

4.6 (333)

£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

Naomi

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious food. Great gluten free options. Great cocktail menu! Friendly staff. Quick service! Can’t wait to eat here again!

BEAR Wimborne

4.6

4.6 (27)

£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

Andy

Dined on 21 Dec 2024

Great food and drink in an inviting atmosphere, with a warm welcome: who could ask for more? See you again soon.

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 4 days ago

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

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

The Crab at Bournemouth

4.4

4.4 (1611)

£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

Nick

Dined on 25 Dec 2024

A great location for a Christmas lunch. Tasty three-course meal, relaxed service and piano accompaniment.

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4.4

4.4 (38)

£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

Dean

Dined on 27 Dec 2024

The level of custi.er service I received on a recent visit was close to exceptional. The food was excellent and not over prized. Dessert was amazing.

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Experience

Breakfast Set Menu

Experience

The Ivy Bournemouth Afternoon Tea

Experience

A Taste Of History

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