Criterion in Weymouth and Portland

this restaurant is no longer open it is currently up for sale

I first went here in the 1980's and it is still that rare thing nowadays - an unpretentious English Cafe. Of course they have other food too and lots have changed but if you want an English traditional seaside cafe, like you used to go to, well worth giving a try.

Always come here when I'm in Weymouth. Lovely grub, nice atmosphere, nice staff. Brilliant.

Top notch home cooked meal, very reasonably priced and a fabulous cuppa! Location and views from inside also amazing. We will definitely be returning!

Place was dirty tables sticky and not clean. Fish and chips and peas very poor all frozen products

Fantastic food and view . Best breakfast in Weymouth. All cooked fresh, Amazing/ clean. Beer for breakfast as on holiday, Jayne Martin x

Best Steak & Kidney pie I’ve had for years

One of the places I keep walking past even though I have fond childhood memories from always eating there. Popped in Monday lunchtime and thoroughly enjoyed their homemade cottage pie with roast potatoes and vegetables whilst my husband enjoyed one of their big breakfasts. I most highly recommend

Lovely coffee, miserable staff.

Very busy, hustle and bustle, small breakfast restaurant. We turned up and followed the simple self service (Finding your own table, queueing like you’re in a canteen and the having table service) it was… well simple! It’s basic, it ticks the box, all though most of the staff are young and it seems to have barely any interaction (other than when ordering food) it’s great! Would recommend it if you’re happy to deal with a little less interaction!

We went to Weymouth for a quite walk on the beach, then coffee and breakfast! We didn’t realise they had a motor sport event on , it was packed with people, which is great for Weymouth and the shops . The restaurant was struggling with the volume of people, we did have to wait a very long time for our breakfast, however the staff were nice and clearly busy and all stuff explained it wasn’t normally like it! The breakfast was lovely and we hope to go another day, when it’s not so busy.

went for breakfast today. We ordered the big brek and the veggi brek. Food and drinks were hot. Ingredients were lower quality however that’s reflected in the price. There was a long wait for the food but that was due to the bike racing on the beach and it was extremely busy everywhere.

Myself and my partner was in Weymouth from Monday till Friday and came here three times for brunch and a cream tea, WOW the breakfast was cooked to perfection,tasted delicious and those was the best cherry scones I’ve ever had,brilliant prices and highly recommend going here the staff are lovely too and we can’t wait to go again

A really good breakfast at a reasonable price. Right on the beach front . Good variety of food and cooked well

Was outside in the seating area reading the menu waiting to be served after a while I went in and enquired about service, the lady rudely said "you're served at the til",I tried to have a conversation regarding where we was sat, she turned her back on me and another member of staff proceeded to serve me reluctantly, the customer service we got was terrible and we will not visit this establishment again and will let all our family and friends not to go there, some visit regularly, others reside there... very disappointing!!!!

Awful, rude, nasty, sweaty man doing to food, treating the young servers lite sh1t! Absolutely disgusting the way he spoke to them! Three meals took over half an hour to get to our table (2 burgers and a roast beef)……no roast potatoes left, they said they ran out so had to have croquettes instead. The croquettes were put on top of the gravy so went all soggy. The roast beef plate was sitting on the hot plate for nearly 15 minutes while the man put the burgers on. The food in general was ok but no seasoning so tasted bland. The servers all look thoroughly miserable and I don’t blame them! Another customer commented to a blonde lady from behind the counter as to how vile the man had been to the staff and she had the gall to try to make an excuse for him! There is NO excuse for rudeness and bullying youngsters like that! Then another man came into the restaurant, looking scraggy and unclean with his shorts down past his bum cheeks and showing his dirty pants….then he started sorting stuff in a little bar area….he actually works there!!!! I will never in my life go back to this restaurant…..I cannot find a single good thing to say about it. Shockingly bad!

Perfect breakfast at very good price. Delicious. Lovely staff, clean and tidy place. Right on the beach front

The worst meal my wife & myself have ever had. we chose roast beef & yorkshire pud. Big mistake. The roast beef was tasteless, the yorkshire pud was like cardboard, the roast spuds were prob out of a freezer pack. The only thing that was edible was the cabbage. On the plus side the Horseradish sause was nice. Chose Jam rolly polly with custard, which i paid for, but was told later that there was nobody to get it ready, so had to get a refund. Also the service was atrocious. Will never go there agai. I wouldnt serve this food to my dog.

We have eaten there three times. The meals are very good. Had Roast Pork twice and Cottage Pie once. We certainly recommend the Criterion. Cottage pie again tomorrow.

Absolutely beautiful breakfast , freshly cooked to order , would recommend to anyone

The male older chef was SO rude and mean to one female member of staff in particular (she must only be about 16 years old). He was talking so loudly to her belittling her we could hear everything. Definitely will not be returning -I spoke to the girl at the end and told her to quit the job as it’s not worth her mental health and no one should be spoken to like that.

Very rude woman on till. Our 1st and last time here. She was abrupt with lady in front. Then a little with me aside queued in wrong place. Breakfast was tasty slow service. I went to order a knickerbockerglory she was barking at the staff to not let anyone have desserts too late only what in the counter. I spoke to a girl on till she was pleasant enough and enquired they offered me trifle yuck. So I will not return avoid people.

Food was part raw... Service was decent person we had was kind. Atmosphere was meh.

Amazing. Good home-made, hearty food. Lite options are also delicious. Staff are a pleasure. Always busy as so good, so do give yourself time to wait for the food, but it's definitely worth the wait. Have returned 3 x since and have not been disappointed.

Always enjoy coming to this restaurant and it is still one of my favourite places to get food and very reasonably priced and quick service too. I ordered a pork dinner, it was delicious.

I’m surprised the reviews for this place aren’t higher , we had breakfast outside with our dog , food was great , plenty of it and inexpensive, set up for the day .

We as a family of 4 and our pooch had a full English here , we sat outside and enjoyed the sun and the seafront , the food was hot , fresh and good quality , plenty of it and very reasonably priced . Highly recommended

had an english breakfast that wasn’t the best. i wont be returning

This is a little gem! The staff are extremely busy and therefore don't have time to chat but my god, the breakfast here is second to none. Fast service, comfortable eating with no frills whilst sat overlooking the beach. We ate here every morning and will when we return. I have an egg yolk allergy and the chef went out if his way, as busy as he was, to ensure my food was to my needs. Thank you Criterion, A*

Really disappointed with our lunch today, the table was filthy and had dog hair on had to ask for it to be cleaned , a young lad came and cleaned and wiped around the items on the table rather then move them out the way, The food was average also found 2 hairs on my husbands plate, had to wait again in the queue to get the free childs Icecream that came with the meal after we ate our food , took so long out car park ran out and they couldn’t offer a takeaway ice cream was told by a very young girl they don’t have takeaway so I suggested they use a takeaway cup!! All the staff were 16 -18 years of age and so Slow and didn’t want to be there

Decided to visit Weymouth as I’m working in this area thought I would go go a nice Sunday Lunch how wrong was I. Not sure if it’s the owner but such a miserable rude man, his poor staff seem to wander about aimlessly not really knowing what to do until he tells them surely he should have this sorted before the cafe opens, none of them looked as if they wanted to be there. I ordered a roast pork Sunday roast how disappointed was I, came with carrots hardly cooked, very hard pea’s, obviously frozen cabbage the meat was obviously processed not at all tasty think the only thing that was slightly tastier was the gravy oh forgot 3 roast potatoes well one small potato cut into three even that tasted as if it had been frozen. The only good thing about this place was when I left ….. the coffee was ok, don’t think I will be returning or recommending.

Definitely won’t be back. Awful customer service, other than the young lad who was friendly. Felt like a nuisance, everything seemed an issue. Poor quality food, served cold and Luke warm hot chocolate. Avoid!

Visited on the last day of our holiday for breakfast. Quick and prompt service with lovely members of staff. Wish I’d have come here earlier in my weeks holiday. Would 100% recommend

May be good for those over 60 however the menu is very basic and hasn't changed for years. Not good for vegetarians either.

Cracking spot to have a bite to eat. Staff are super friendly. Food is spot on! Well priced too😁

Just had sunday roast here.on ordering girl on till was very polite and helpful Has sister in law is gluton free Very enjoyable good value

Found this wonderful place right on the seafront for some lunch. 2 meals for £16. Fabulous food and service. Highly recommended 👌

just tried to get regular breakfast, i don,t eat sausage or bread so asked for simple alternative extra egg bacon or hashbrown .Simple right ! No chance no extra mile here not even 3 feet. So you get just 4 items for your buck and get this they will even charge you extra on top for replacement as such. So in a way they have just turned away £9/10 with coffee/tea other drink. the old adage springs to mind nose spite face.

The best place for quick, delicious and fresh breakfast. I cannot pass that place without having Big Break.

Got fish and chips peas chips frozen don't no what kind of fish it was and the peas worst I have ever had

Visited here today and decided to order the High tea for 2 at £24. Menu stated- a selection of sandwiches (Ham, Cheese & Tuna) Pot of tea EACH When ordering we were asked what sandwich we wanted, which we questioned it says selection. The man...

Lovely cafe near beach and shops and bus stops in Weymouth!! Went in a couple of times for a meal!! Lovely food and plentiful! Staff were good too! Just remember if it's busy and you want a burger,like we did, everything's cooked to order, it will take 15 minutes for it, but well worth the wait!! No parking nearby !

Been in her on numerous occasions. Can't fault it, lovely location and friendly staff.

Me and the husband enjoyed a fab cheeseburger and chips each after some time on the beach with the family. Delicious, and great to have chips done in a fryer for a change!

Me and the husband enjoyed a fab cheeseburger and chips each after some time on the beach with the family. Delicious, and great to have chips done in a fryer for a change!

For a coeliac this restaurant is not value for money. You pay the same price as a non coeliac but lose some of the breakfast. And they say we get our bread rolls from M&S Left still feeling hungry!!!!

Ordered 4 bacon baps and 3 coffee’s, absolutely disgusting! £27 for dry rolls, bacon full of fat and and cold. Nothing freshly cooked even though we had to wait ages, service awful, lady at the till rude and basically chucking our coffee at us. Won’t be coming back! Disappointed, all went in the bin

One of the worst breakfasts I've had, clearly a dirty grill, sausages were chewy (never had them that texture) eggs were discoloured because of the dirty grill, the only thing he didn't ruin was the cheap beans that he only had to heat up. Might be cheap but we left 90% so just threw the money away. The lady on the till was nice but the food was dire! Dreading getting what two asprin won't cure! Find somewhere nicer!

really bad food stank and very dry i hate it especially the burgers🤢 The staff were disrespectful and zesty.

Having spent time looking at the other restaurants and being shocked by the price of fish and chips, ( some were £22 per portion!) we found this one. Ok, it’s not the poshest place in town, but it’s clean and homely and the staff were...

Decent place for breakfast along Weymouth seafront. The staff are friendly and the foods inexpensive. 🥓🍳

Visited this restaurant for lunch average fish and chips portion quite small dog friendly but no sign to say where to sit with dogs and was abruptly told where to sit with dogs ordered at the till and was told they would be brought over...

This was a lovely find the staff were really friendly, where we sat was good and the food was lovely there all of us who were there really enjoyed our meals would highly recommend for families especially something for everyone

We ordered two roast pork dinners which were so dire we would have been better off eating our hands. The roast potatoes were under cooked, the slithers of pork tough the veg under cooked the best thing going for this place are the understaffed employees who maintained their cheerful dispositions through adversity

Ended up in here as our usual cafe was closed very friendly staff yummy breakfast...this is our regular now

Tasty food,loads of room,although toilets not very accessible if mobility issues,we returned 2 days in a row as food was nice and homemade,staff very friendly and helpful will definitely be returning .

Hearty and inexpensive set breakfasts and lunches from £7. We took 2 breakfasts for 7 and coffee with potatoes. It came out to less than 20 for two. It came out nourishing and dense. Not a top restaurant, but good for a full breakfast. The only thing is that the room is not very clean, but there is a view of the sea from the window. See photos of everything you ordered.

We was a group of 9 and was very happy with the cook breakfast we came back the next day fried bread was lovely, only a 4 star due to laid dint seam like she wanted to serve my wife, after she ordered and when back down to order more drinks, no big deal to us, the place could do with a update rest of staff was good

Came to the Criterion for a birthday breakfast. Good service friendly staff nice and clean . Dog friendly. Just great.sat in the window and watched the whole of Weymouth go by.

Look, this is no top notch eating establishment, but it's good honest food at the right price

Very very good food at a good price very polite staff will definitely be coming back Well done a lovely breakfast,

Great place to sit in and have a nice cuppa and something to eat. They do have special offers on food every day.

Very friendly and good food at sensible prices

Food was average at best. Came with free egg shells in the egg, hair in second breakfast. Owner was absolutely vile! No customer service skills whatsoever! Complained about having to refund the breakfast with a hair. Refused to swap beans even though it was an...

Right on the Sea Front. Nothing fancy but good value and good food. Well used by locals. Close to all bus stops.

Really nice place Good food Not overpriced

I eat most weeks here .I love the staff friendly and helpful delicious home cooked meals fresh vegetables make great coffees. Comfortable surroundings

A very traditional seaside cafe/restaurant, sea view, helpful staff and nice food, the fish and chips is good and is included on the two meals for £15 menu. The toilets are up many flights of stairs, but the beach toilets are a short level walk away from the building.

Found this lovely little place by the seaside, I went in solely for a cream tea, and it was wonderful! So reasonably priced and absolutely delicious, the scone was moist and warm and it was just so lovely. Interior was quite “dated” but I loved it because it just added to the charm. So reasonably priced and just perfect for me. Will be back again for sure.

Okay, this is not a Michelin restaurant. I had the traditional Full English. I would say that the quantity was generous, food was hot and at about the quality that one would expect. I did find it a bit on the greasy side. Coffee was only drinkable due to severe jet lag. Staff friendly and service was quick. Lovely view.

We stayed a couple nights in Weymouth and ate a light lunch here both days. Had the quiche and it was good enough and came with a side salad and coleslaw. Happy to recommend it for the price paid and quick service

Came here for brunch and really enjoyed our fry-ups. Good size portions, freshly cooked and reasonably priced. The staff were friendly and it was very clean. Would come back again.

awful experience got charged twice. also the old lady on the till was obnoxious and disrespectful I don't think she's learnt manners even at her age. the younger ones are fine though.

What a joy to be offered home made steak & Kidney pie, roast potatoes and fresh vegetables for £7.95. It was so good we went back for more the following day. Homemade pastry, large chunks of steak and kidney - superb value. The staff were...

Very reasonably priced. Basic food. Grumpy staff. Quite brusk. Wouldn’t return. The cafe was clean. A strange mixture of collect your own condiments mixed with food and cutlery service at the table.

Service was quick, but food was average and not made fresh. They served cold drinks in paper party cups rather than proper glasses and did not have the option of a gluten free breakfast. Staff weren't particularly friendly and customers have to walk up 3...

okay, very average food, not particularly good.

Great place for a fry up we have tried a few places for breakfast but always end up back here. The staff are lovely and the food is very good. we have only ever had a cooked breakfast but the other food on offer looks...

Over cooked roast dinner, that was tasteless, under cooked scami, and over cooked children's fish fingers! Definitely would not recommend.

Quite often eat here,never had a problem.We call it the school dinner cafe where as all the food is cooked in big silver trays and dished up when required.Staff seemed polite and none of the other customers seemed to be complaining.Had a lovely pork roast...

Use this place fairly regularly and always find the food and service excellent Nice to watch the world go by as you eat.Nicely priced ready cooked food canteen style.Give it a try

Staff appeared very rude, wanted runny eggs and received 2 hard eggs that I wouldn't of fed to my dog, bacon was full of fat and under cooked, I would highly recommend avoiding will not be returning again

Didn’t get to eat as refused in as I had a assistance dog and it’s meant to be dog friendly too I’ve eaten here befor with my dog no issue but today staff was abusive very upset

AVOID! The food quality is disgusting, everything is all, food is not fresh you get it from a counter. Potatoes are a joke, completely dry, imposible to chew. Just avoid this place, flies everywhere... Bad place.

This restaurant has a great spot with amazing views of the beach. The staff was very welcoming and I can’t fault their service at all. The interior is very dated and nothing to write home about. But if you are looking for reasonably priced British food this place won’t disappoint. I had a veggie English breakfast that pleasantly surprised me. The vegetarian ‘sausage’ was basically mashed potatoes with veggies and the rest of the breakfast was nice as well.

Wir haben hier am Nachmittag einen überraschend guten High Tea genossen. Mit Sandwiches und Scones, leider keine richtige Clotted cream.

If you want a proper home cooked meal at a reasonable price, you can't go wrong here. No plastic food for me!

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone loved the food and the staff are really helpful

There has to be better options near by. Food was hot, portion sizes were good but quality was very disappointing.

Poor service 30 min wait. For pre cooked food! When food arrived it was not the best. Cheap sausages and dried bacon. Owner was horrible to a young girl working there. The cook used profanities that could be heard by customers. None of the staff...

Food very nice, prices very reasonable. Good standard of cleanliness, staff nice and friendly. Multiple staircases to toilets.

do not eat here. if you will insist, dont order roasted pork. it's the worst.

You need to sack the oldish lady who serves on the tills , she's very extremely rude its not the 1st time ,she has spoken in a disrespectful manner

Highly recommend. Lovely food and lovely staff

ist time and i would say fish chips was nice decent he had roast and he said yer nice price wasnt to bad either

Good quality breakfast... very tasty and worth the price. However. The staff are miserable and the young girl that was on the till repeatedly wiped her nose in her sleeve as I was watching. All the young ladies serving looked as if they really didn't...

We knew before we went in it wasn’t going to be a gourmet breakfast for £7 and the food was ok it was like an old fashioned greasy spoon type food. The black bits from the cooker on the bacon. But the whole ordering system...

You may overlook this restaurant but don't! It really is a great choice for anybody living, working or visiting Weymouth. I personally love the old-school look as it feels very homely inside. You know what they say, if it's not broken then don't fix it! The pulled pork pork burger is truly top notch, alongside great chips and onion rings. You also can't go wrong with a properly cooked breakfast, rather than other restaurants that microwave everything! Thank you for a lovely experience. Oh I forgot to mention - absolutely fantastic value and the views from some of the tables are excellent!

You may overlook this restaurant but don't! It really is a great choice for anybody living, working or visiting Weymouth. I personally love the old-school look as it feels very homely inside. You know what they say, if it's not broken then don't fix it!...

Visited on a family weekend for lunch.... This place is disgusting. Food is greasy, cold and visually not appetizing. Staff not very friendly, asked for vinegar and you would swear I asked for the shirt off her back with the looks I received. Carpet was...