Crab House Cafe in Weymouth and Portland

Found this place while on a visit to Weymouth. Good friendly staff and the service was good. Not for anyone who doesn't eat fish. Good beers and great food. Not sure if there's a vegetarian menu. Parking on site. Would highly recommend it.

We received a very warm welcome when we arrived at the restaurant and were made to feel the same throughout our meal. The food was of top quality, cooked to perfection and delicious. The serving team were exceptional; friendly, attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu. Overall, this restaurant is outstanding and well worth making the effort to travel to. Couldn’t recommend it more highly.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The service was incredible. The staff were friendly and welcoming. There was a great selection of food on the menu. We started with the shellfish bisque and scallops; both were excellent, but the bisque was on another level, so full of flavour. For mains, we had the ray (skate) wing with chorizo and the sand sole, both of which I would highly recommend. If you’re looking for top-quality seafood cooked to perfection, this is the place to go. Everything was fantastic.

The food was very good, the service was very nice, smiling and very helpful - she even gave a quick course on eating crab :) - it was expensive but worth it!!!

Rustic restaurant, the seafood is delicious. It was a little hard to find in the dark, as arrived by bus. You must book as can be busy have tables inside and outside so specify I went in the winter. I can't wait to go again.

Fantastic menu! Amazing food, service and settings. will definitely be back. Highly recommended. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Back again. Amazing food, great service, wonderful staff. Can not recommend this highly enough ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Food was great - bisque was to die for, red mullet was really fresh and well cooked, staff was very kind. The only thing that did disappoint was the octopus - it was too tough and chewy both as a starter carpaccio and as an ingredient inside a main dish.

Having a lovely lunch in the conservatory listening to some good background music , when a new customer came in and complained about the music being loud (it wasn’t!). So the music was turned off and the atmosphere in the room took a dive. From then on all we could hear was entrenched loud conversation from the table who had complained about the music . We had planned to stay for dessert and coffee but the lunch was ruined. So we paid and left!

Exceptional meal, from a truly talented team of chefs. All staff are a pleasure to meet. I especially love that not a single eyebrow is raised when we have our usual ‘pudding’ of a dozen oysters! Thanks all for making our experience with you a guaranteed joy, time and time.

Absolutely first class food served in a wonderfully rustic laid back place. Staff , food and ambiance all first class. Will be back

The food was amazing, especially the mussels. The lemon sole main was outstanding, spicy crab the flavour was great and it comes with all the tools you need. Staff were helpful, great customer service and advised on how to open the crab. Highly recommend a visit and book in peak times.

Great food and great venue. Highly recommend.

Unique location and excellent staff make this a superb stop for lunch or dinner. We arrived for lunch (at the end of February) and sat in the indoor/outdoor section which was very sunny and warm. Oysters and crab were amazing… even better with a good wine!

Hotly anticipated venue as this place was recommended by a local. From start to finish this place is a hidden gem. Dog friendly which was bonus but only in the court yard... surely you could accommodate indoors! Food and service was bang on! Wine was wicked too! Would we return 100%

We come here for Anniversaries and Birthdays and it never lets us down. Service is excellent and the food full of flavour, it’s our favourite. The Crabhouse Cafe is an essential destination for a Piscatore. We chose Oysters cooked with Cream, Bacon & Thyme to share then Fish Bisque and Octopus Carpaccio before main plates of Tuna (line caught in the English Channel) and a Ling Fillet dish. Everything was fabulous. We drank Pino Grigio and Crab House Mussel Ale which was a perfect match for the fish we ate. The Octopus Carpaccio was one of the loveliest things I’d ever eaten 😋😋😋😋😋 We live locally and The Crabhouse Cafe is popular amongst our friends and neighbours. There’s a misconception that it’s prohibitively expensive - it certainly isn’t. Happy to recommend.

This is not a salubrious place but the food is fabulous. There is a vast choice of fish and related. Prices are reasonable. There are two criticisms - after we had carefully made our choices we were told that the choices weren't available, service was extremely slow (we had to wait about 45 minutes for each course).

One of the best meals I've ever had, from start to finish!! The staff were so warm and friendly, I guess living by the sea just makes you nicer! All of the seafood was so fresh and delicious. The hake and the plaice stuffed with white crab were so meaty. The scallops and the mussels were so plentiful and tasty, and accompanied by lovely sauces. The baked Alaska and the chocolate torte were feasts for the eyes as much as the tongue. The next time we are in Dorset we are definitely returning to this cute place by the water insha'Allah; with steam punk sea creatures adorning the ceiling; and the warmest staff who were very accommodating to our halal dietary needs.

As locals we visited recently and have to say we were disappointed. The portion sizes are smaller than previous visits and my fish was uncooked and cold. Such a shame. We did mention it at the time and we were offered another meal or a dessert on the house (which I accepted) however, as my son was paying for the meal as a birthday treat I didn’t want to make a fuss. The food is very expensive however the drink prices are extortionate. £2:50 for a dash of coke. Come on! The service is excellent as per usual. I’m hoping this was a ‘one off’ & will visit again but there are other excellent fish restaurants in Weymouth that offer excellent quality too.

The food is amazing!! The team are fantastic!! My wife had not tried oysters before and the server recommended the best way to eat them and the whole experience was 10 out of 10!! Thank you for making a new experience amazing!

Best crab ever. We were staying at a camper place nearby and rode there by bike. I can't remember ever having such a good meal. A whole crab. 🦀

It's expensive but probably the best food that I have ever eaten I would definitely recommend a visit They have a wide choice of food, I had lots of lovely food, most of which I had never experienced before. I will definitely be returning

Gorgeous fresh local fish and seafood with a view over the nature reserve to Chesil Beach. Heartily recommended.

Really delicious food and very friendly attentive service

Had an absolutely delicious lunch here. Oysters were fabulous, as was the freshly cooked skate. Service was friendly and attentive. They were very accommodating as we arrived without a booking. Dog friendly. Sat outside in the sunshine.

Need to keep returning to try the entire menu!😎🍷

What a fantastic afternoon here with the most delicious seafood and amazing service. Highly recommend!

Amazing seafood, great service and dog friendly. The dog friendly tables are outdoors but undercover and heated so this was not an issue. Can’t wait to come back.

If you like fish this is the place for you. Excellent menu, friendly and helpful staff, fresh fish and good wine list. It is a bit more expensive but in our opinion worth it. Make sure you book a table as it can get very busy.

Wow. That’s all I can say. I saw on Facebook a friend had visited here recently and we are visiting the area currently so booked it. Absolutely the most delicious seafood we’ve had in a very very long time. Oysters were divine, crab absolutely delicious and as we were being greedy we also had mains, skate and scallops for three with the most scrumptious sides. Desserts to die for. Service has been impeccable. So friendly and helpful. Even took the kids off to see the crabs and lobster (after they’d eaten - it’s not pick your own 😂). We haven’t left yet - is it wrong to stay on until dinner service?!

Great food Great service Great evening Thank you 😊

The cutest restaurant! Staff were super lovely and attentive. Food was 5 stars! I had never had seafood before but my boyfriend said if you’ve never had it, you may as well have the best and he wasn’t wrong! On this day we ordered scollops, crab remoulade, Mackerel mousse, monkfish curry and hake. All was divine!

It was an absolutely amazing place to eat. The food was fantastic so full of flavour, the staff friendly and tentative. Would highly recommend.

Took a chance and popped in for lunch without booking. Food was delicious, possibly the best piece of fish I've ever had. Service was friendly and efficient. Worth the trip from SA.

Simply fantastic. Great service from ALL the staff from entrance to exit. Bill kindly explained the menu and was very knowledgeable. I honestly would have happily eaten the whole menu if possible! Everything was tantalising with a new menus daily. As a light lunch I had 6 oysters, tuna civeche, and the fish crackling... Accompanied by complimentary warm bread with oil and anchovie balsamic. PHENOMENAL! I could have eaten way more, so will be back! Thanks so much for the lovely lunch, the effort involved to make the menus was evidently showcased perfectly from the locally sourced wines/beers fish and seafood to the happy friendly atmosphere and staff. A well deserved 5*

Went to the café on Thursday afternoon last week and had the most amazing experience. We had oysters (for the first time) the fish bhajis and fish skewers for main which all were delicious. The service from both ladies was second to non and the atmosphere was also excellent in every - well done you guys keep doing what you are doing .

Food was great, beer was good, service was good, slightly overpriced for what it is

Outstanding seafood, service and atmosphere - it is always busy and lively inside but much quieter outside, if that is more suitable for the occasion. Upmarket prices but still great value for what you get.

Delicious hake. Interesting and quirky vibe. Very fresh fish. Very enjoyable and buzzing.

The food and service was outstanding, such a variety of the freshest and tastiest fish, we loved it thank you

Had planned a visit here for some time, and when we finally made it, all expectations were exceeded. Food was excellent, and served fairly quickly by friendly and helpful servers. We booked in advance and glad we did as we saw a couple turned away for inside dining. Tables were available outside but it was a cold wind when we visited in September 2024. The menu choice is all fish or seafood, but plenty of those options to choose from.

Absolutely amazing food and service!

Excellent local seafood joint, would highly recommend. Had some lovely skate here

Great fish restaurant near the causeway to Portland. Freshly caught fish.

Fabulous food in a relaxed atmosphere in or out service good with lovely people. Seafood to die for.

Without a doubt, this is the best seafood I've ever had. This place is amazing with a great vibe, friendly and helpful staff. We shared several dishes and each one was outstanding, leaving me thinking 'wow.' Thank you and see you again soon!

Food was excellent, service top notch,can't wait to return 👌

Just sublime! Very best of everything. Fish crab oysters.... wonderful service and ambience.

Incredible food, expensive but worth it. However, £7 for a pint of Diet Coke is insanity.

The whole experience was wonderful. We came here for lunch and both had Scallops to start. They were cooked and seasoned to perfection and served with chilli sauce and a slaw. My wife then had Mussels and I had a whole Lemon Sole. Both the Mussels and the Sole were perfect. It was all so good it reminded me of the quality of seafood you might encounter in Spain or Portugal. It is an informal restaurant with first rate ingredients and excellent execution and presentation. The service was also friendly and informal and the wine list was also extensive and well-selected. We had a local sparkling Rose, a Bellini and a really nice bottle of Vinho Verde. Our two dogs were also made welcome. If I lived locally I’d be a regular. Thank you for a great lunch!

This is a great seafood place! Food is excellent and the atmosphere is great.

We always visit the Crab House Cafe when staying in Weymouth, it's great a great place for seafood. Book the marquee in advance to enjoy being outside without the weather!!

The food was great, I had the mussels and the filet and both were delicious!

Great meal again so pleased we found this venue.

I was so excited to visit the Crab Shed, I had read the reviews, done my background research, could see the many accolades and testimonials that people I really respect have given to this place. We made our reservation well in advance and then went along full of positive anticipation. I loved the vibe, was mesmerised by the amazing choices on the menu and in awe of the plates leaving the kitchen hatch. All of which looked to die for. I choose oysters and the anticipation of tasting oysters that are farmed literally on the water outside the front of the restaurant was second to none. All started well the food was beautifully presented and looked delicious, this was a special treat and I had a glass of champagne with the oysters. The issue was I would intermittently have a wave of an overbearing perfume type smell hit my throat and pallet which was really disconcerting. At first I thought it was one of the other diners or waiting staff when then walked past as it was not constant….. but when it hit it was over bearing and I couldn’t taste or smell my food, the only smell was the perfumed/cleaning fluid type smell. It would subside and I’d get back on with trying to enjoy my meal but again a few minutes later it would hit again. It started to ruin my meal and I was becoming agitated as the smell hit right at the back of my throat. It started to consume my time at the table. I wondered if the staff were using a cleaning spray elsewhere on another table/in the kitchen? Or was someone wearing strong perfume/aftershave? (it smelled like a cleaning chemical!! Not what you want in a fine fish restaurant!!). I looked around but could not see anything near by. Then half way through my main course I got to the point where I got up to gesture the waiter…when I saw tucked away to the side of our table the culprit – a dreadful smelling plug in air freshner that was intermittently pumping chemicals into the air, our lungs and my food!!!! I spoke to the waiter. Who apologized but said “no one has ever mentioned it to be a problem before” and that “being a fish restaurant people have said they didn’t like the smell of fish – hence why we use them”. Not the best way to handle this sort of issue in my opinion. He did however offer a “complimentary coffee” due to the discomfort of the air fresher! We declined and left, to be honest I needed to get out and breathe in fresh air again. However – having reflected on the experience I could still taste air fresher in the back of my throat for at least another hour after I left. It totally ruined the experience today which is the most disappointing part of all. The waiter “thanked me for letting them know” but to be honest, this did not really do any favors to us, having just spent £130 for this experience. On reflection I don’t feel it was very well handled and it has not sat right with me since. I do not have asthma or any breathing difficulties but having had this experience today I have just been online and searched “ plug in air freshener health risks”….. “Plug-in air fresheners are devices that release fragrances to mask unpleasant odors. However, using them can pose health risks and worsen air quality12. Some of the harmful substances that plug-in air fresheners can contain are12: Formaldehyde, a carcinogen that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat Phthalates, chemicals that can disrupt hormones and affect fertility and reproductive health Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause headaches, breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, and allergic reactions” None of the above would be conducive with a restaurant that promotes sustainability, fresh seafood and home grown oysters at the doorstep. It just doesn’t make sense? I hope they read this review and make some instant changes. I also wish they had handled my issue with a little more compassion at the time. Would I go back? Yes I would but I would aim to sit outside! I think this place looks amazing. The plates coming out were stunning….and this sort of issue is easy to put right. I have no doubt they will make it right for any future visitors. It is such a shame as it spoiled what I feel would have been our “meal of the trip!” I can honestly say it has never happened to me anywhere before and I would urge anyone eating out to be really aware (I will be) of any air fresheners/plug in’s etc being thrown around close to where you are trying to eat – an expensive lesson for me. Feels crazy having to spell this out….disappointing.

Love it here. We're locals and we eat here all the time.

Best yet been going for 20 years The service was very good the Chinese crab had a few chips to mop up the sauce delicious. Dog friendly to with sheltered seating for dog owners proper dog friendly

The food was of a really good standard, the atmosphere was fantastic and the staff were super friendly and welcoming. Genuinely gutted I won't be back this year. It's well deserved of the hype around it. It's at a standard of quality equal to reputation. However, it might be worth considering some sommelier training for the team, as one of the staff unfortunately cracked a bottle that was around £60. Just a suggestion the pairing is as important as the food to me and while I know what I like... Some might not.

Went for lunch while we were at Chesil Beach The food and wine were Excellent The service outstanding. Would return when in the area.

Absolutely incredible menu, service and quality of food. A really unique outlook on a seafood restaurant, would and will be recommending this restaurant to everyone I know!

Great ambiance, service and food, wish it was closer to home, although not cheap was good value for the meal we had , our fish was delicious if you are in the area and love fish it’s worth the trip.

Amazing food and service, strongly recommend!

Late lunch here which was perfect as usual. Worth visiting just to have the oysters, desserts were also top notch. We try and eat here for any special occasion and every time we've been the food has been excellent.

We have been visiting the Crab House Café since it first opened, and try to make the trip down from London once a year as it is one of our favourite places. We always have a dozen oysters, which are so fresh as they are farmed from right outside the restaurant. The fish mains change regularly with both the normal menu and specials always being a delight. You really can't find better fish cookery anywhere else. The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable and it has a wonderful convivial, busy atmosphere.

Excellent seafood and extremely friendly and helpful staff.

Lovely dog friendly if booking a n outdoor / heated outdoor table. Lovely fresh seafood scallops and oysters (they do cooked and raw) are recommended. As is the half/whole crab. Don't forget there are some retro desserts available I would recommend the baked Alaska and chocolate with mango sorbet. The place gets really busy so I would recommend booking a week in advance so you can get your preferred table. There is a bill attached which shows the cost for five people (three adults and two children) for dinner. Parking (free) is available but it quickly fills up.

Excellent food, we were really impressed. A busy place and for good reason. We had a high table with stools, I felt that we were forgotten about in that particular location, but all in a very good experience, this could be our new favourite fish restaurant

Amazing food and atmosphere every member of staff was friendly

Love this place, one of our favorites and an annual trip must! Total recommend for something special P.s. the oysters are exceptional!

Absolutely phenomenal food, a must whenever you are in the area.

Stunning food, great service, absolutely fantastic.

Expensive but good for sea food.

We drove 1 1/2 hrs to this place and found out it was fully booked for the whole day. For those who are coming, be sure to book in advance.

Excellent as ever, price very reasonable for quality

The Crab House Café is a really wonderful place that serves excellent seafood, lovely atmosphere with truly beautiful views of Portland, just off the main road before the bridge. It has a good sized graval carpark (all one level for anyone with mobility issues). They serve alcohol as well as soft drinks. I would strongly suggest booking to avoid disappointment. The only issue I had was they sadly got my order wrong that I didn't bring up as I wanted to know if they would charge me for my original order (which they did) but apart from that slip they where excellent.

Fantastic experience with great food and service

What a find ! End of industrial track and found this hidden gem. Love the drift wood beach vibe @ had crab ! Loved it ! We also had the haddock and bisque. Was full of flavour ! Staff really friendly and efficient. Sadly we arr from Rye East Sussex so won't be back for a while. But we will be back !!

Famous for its delicious whole crab, but don't miss the oysters either! Caught on their own nearby oyster farm, these were the best dozen we've ever had. Each of the waiters and waitresses we dealt with were very polite and helpful. We also preferred sitting outside with a blanket, but plenty of space inside.

Fantastic food with excellent service but very pricey! Restricted seating time should you wish to have a relaxed lunch &/or dinner

We travelled more than 6hrs to visit this place, and boy we wasn't disappointed. The food was incredible and the service was very attentive. I would highly recommend anyone wanting to experience outstanding seafood to pay this place a visit.

Fantastic food,very rustic restaurant.

Sadly, no fish in the restaurant could be plain grilled they just fry their fish or roast it in oil. No potatoes served unless they’re ‘dressed’ in either butter or oil. Salad came with a heavy dressing even though I asked for plain leaves. The oysters were amazing and a plain boiled crab was fabulous

Stopped in on unexpectedly, while working in portland. Had one of the most enjoyable meals I have had in a very long time. The crab and bread is amazing, washed down with a beer. The staff were all so pleasant, really helpful 100% would recommend and will be back.

Trendy, come as you are, casual, feel at home. Perfect freshly harvested oysters and large fresh crab.

A lovely experience, food amazing staff couldn't do enough, so knowledgeable about the dishes, no problem at all with GF, if you get the chance don't miss this Fish Restaurant, everything fresh

They truly love fish. It’s all so fresh and they are very knowledgable when it comes to fish. So lucky to have been here

Wow! Just had the most wonderful experience at Crab House Café. A taste sensation! From starter to dessert (and after!), this was a fantastic end to our holiday. We definitely saved the best til last! Sure, there's no doubt this isn't a burger and fries price point, but you're not getting burger and fries. You're getting top quality, expertly cooked seafood in an authentic seafront location, served by the best front of house you could want! All plaudits are well deserved and when we return to Weymouth, we'll return to the Crab House Café!

Great place, amazing food, great service, design is great too!

Delicious seafood in a wonderful location. Attentive service and everything was beautifully presented.

The brown crab is a must order! Very fresh and flavorful!!!

Popped in last night (after trying to book online and there being tables later) to see if there was any chance of a last minute table. The staff were cheerful and polite, offered us some the option of a quick meal or the table we could book online for a bit later. We opted for the quick meal, the staff were great. We weren’t rushed, the service was professional and the food was delicious. We had one person with an allergy and this was catered for with care. Great meal, thank you!

What a delight! This is purely a fish and seafood restaurant, set on the shore of The Fleet behind Chesel Beach. The atmosphere is relaxed but the service is friendly, attentive and extremely helpful. The ambiance is of holiday times despite me being a local, with great decor, plantings and helpful touches such as soft throws for chilly guests! The food is exceptional, great variance, beautifully cooked and presented with style. Flavours and combinations abound and food is sourced locally whenever possible. A fun atmosphere with people hammering their crabs or lobster shells and laughter all around. A little extra price wise but you’ll see it’s worth every extra penny.

Came highly recommended but sadly did not live up to its reputation. Had to book, and give a card for reservation but half empty when arrived. Offered tap water when seated, but had to ask for it when main course had been served! When intially sat down took drinks order, for 2 G&T's then threw it over us when being served. Appreciate acidents happen but took ages to come back, to clean table and no offer of even a serviet to dry soaked jacket. Then took 10 - 15 minutes to place food order. Were given hammers and crab boards, despite not having ordered. Again, mistakes happen, but when sat with menus in front of you for 15 minutes at least one of 3 staff who made eye contact and then ignored us should have spotted the issue. Food, once ordered, was OK but not exceptional and as stated didnt match expectations. Part of main accompaniment had to be asked for, and some items not really hot. Overall not fabulous and how mistakes dealt with was not great either. Would not recommend.

Amazing place, wonderful staff and beautiful food.

Lovely restaurant with seaside theme, lots of outdoor tables and beautiful planting with herbs and flowers. Very welcoming when we get in. Great menu with very interesting starters that we don’t see in other seafood restaurants. We came for the crab and had the cold crab 🦀. Had baked oysters and clams for starters, both delicious. Freshly baked bread were offered which is a nice touch. Drinks were lovely too. They served the gin with an ice ball with herb and pansy flower inside. It was a delight to look at and drink. They then gave us a set of tools to eat the crab which was fun. We loved the whole experience so much. We consider to move to Dorset just to be closed to this restaurant. The homemade nice cream were lovely… stout and mango sorbet. And fresh mint tea. The only small feedback was the service was slow. Took us almost 2.5hours to do lunch. And the young waiter really need to know where the oysters 🦪 come from!!

Friendly helpful staff, good range of fish available, beautifully cooked. Relaxing vibe. Lovely location. Will definitely be returning

Excellent dining experience without any of the pretensions. Locally sourced food and a great atmosphere.

Amazing food etc it's the whole package

Awesome little shack with great decor and beautiful views. The food was great, particularly the Dorset king crab with all the tools for cracking. Some of the food (fish skin, bhajis) were a bland, but it was great to try something new. The oysters and scallops are a must. Service was good and food came out so quickly!

Been a long time since I last ate here. But had an amazing relaxed lunch beautiful food great service all absolutely flawless. My biggest pet hate is a restaraunt that automatically adds service charge so was pleasantly surprised and I’m sure they got a better tip has food and service so good

Absolutely amazing meal, very friendly staff, really good experience all round