Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Dorset

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic 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!

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

Amanda

Dined on 23 Dec 2024

Delicious plant-based food in a lovely restaurant.

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

The Anchor Inn

4.7

4.7 (735)

£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

KirstieVIP

Dined 3 days ago

All dishes were superb and service was friendly. Unfortunately we had a bit of a wait to order then no time for desserts as our table was needed for the next booking. Not to worry - we'll go again!

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.

La Trattoria

4.6

4.6 (1012)

£26 to £40

Italian

Swanage

About the restaurant

La Trattoria is a family run Italian restaurant specialising in seafood. Gerry and Louise Forte opened La Trattoria in 1970 and since then, it has been run by the family.

During the current Coronavirus outbreak there are restrictions in place, please read them on our website and make yourself aware of them.

Despite the current situation, we are now open again and hope to welcome you soon.

Top review

jim

Dined on 21 Dec 2024

Excellent as ever. Good food, great service and good price.

Oliveto

4.5

4.5 (2482)

£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

Rachel

Dined on 28 Dec 2024

Lovely meal in great atmosphere. Delicious food. Service was excellent. Quick food production. Great views even at night.

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.

Discover more

Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

4.4

4.4 (603)

£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

Steph

Dined on 21 Dec 2024

Cosy Italian, the staff were friendly and we had very generous portions. Would recommend

Discover more

Experience

2 Course Lunch Set Menu

Ivy Bournemouth

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

Sarah

Dined 7 days ago

Went for my Daughters Birthday , the lady who waited on us was so lovely . Highly recommend for a nice experience

Discover more

Experience

Breakfast Set Menu

Experience

The Ivy Bournemouth Afternoon Tea

Experience

A Taste Of History

Explore Diners' Choice best of Dorset