Fortes Cafe Tratt in Purbeck

Don’t eat here staff are disgustingly rude! Rainbow kebab across the road is much more worth the money! Don’t know why the staff thinks it’s okay to talk to customers rude and try talk behind their back and then expect their money! Rude before we even ordered a drink!

Have been to Tratt several times over the years but this occasion was disappointing. the 'Specials' menu wasn't specials at all, in the sense of a regularly changing menu according to market. It was pretty much the same as last year's specials menu and presented as a printed laminated menu so clearly doesn't change often! Scallops starter was excellent. Good Italian service.

We just stopped in for a coffee after it had been recommended to us for a great coffee. It was really good. Our daughter had a brownie which she really enjoyed. Staff were lovely too. Highly recommend for a coffee & cake stop.

If you want to enjoy an Italian meal whist in Swanage - give this place a BIG miss. I have never submitted a review on Tripadvisor previously but unfortunately I felt compelled to do so on this occasion. Attended the restaurant earlier this week to be greeted by unfriendly, unprofessional, rushed staff who didn't even know the items on their own pizza menu. Ordered 4 pizzas and when they arrived I expected medium to large sized pizzas but was handed 4 very small mediocre nothing to write home pizzas that came to £50. As I was on holiday with family I paid but if I had been alone would have left without paying for the items. Go to Domino's instead where you'll get more for your money and a better quality of pizza. Don't get me wrong, I am all for businesses trying to recoup the loss due to the covid pandemic and rise in inflation but the high fees is literally the general public for granted. I for one have been bitten once and won't be going back guaranteed. Don't make the same error a me and go elsewhere and you'll save a few pounds along the way.

Need somewhere to eat in Swanage late evening and came across this place .Family run Italian lots of closely positioned tables so a bit Noisy .Food was excellent reasonably priced and beautifully cooked.

If you like good coffee this is the place, quite ambiance with no frills sitting area, but this is the place for me.

Went in for a coffee at 1-00 pm . The only cafe in Swanage where a table was available. This is a soulless place rather like a hospital canteen. Four tired cakes on display and one lonely unappetising roll. Staff inappropriately dressed in ripped knee jeans and a dreary cardigan.

Recently re opened after the winter break. great coffee, great service and a great breakfast all freshly made. The quality of food is always good and they are always willing to make small changes to meet individual requirements.

I can recall when they had their early restaurants with exotic lighting and new kinds of menu with pasta! This in in the 1970s, but things remain the same in their coffee shop under The Mowlem by the sea. Besides excellent ice cream that everyone talks about, the quality of the coffee is as good as any you'll find in Swanage -- not surprising given their Italian background though -- and the cookies, muffins, scones are just the thing to help you through the day. So I would encourage you have a few trips and find the different things you enjoy more than anything.

Nice spot along the sea front, plenty of tables both inside and out. They have a good selection of hot and cold drinks and the adjacent ice cream shop is not to be missed!

We stayed for a week in Swanage, and ate at this place twice. Whilst that might say something about the paucity of great places to eat in Swanage, it shouldn't detract from praise for this place. Family run (with family firmly front of house) it does everything you'd want from an Italian restaurant; all the classics, daily specials, great use of local ingredients, plenty of options (a smaller version of pretty much anything on the menu - if that's what you want) for kids, cheerful, efficient service even when super busy. Consistently good both times we visited.

We had a mini family reunion in Swanage but the rain just kept coming and coming. So we decided to invade this coffee shop. There were about 20 of us, kids to great parents. They handled our service very good. They were super polite, and quick with our orders.

Having failed to anticipate that Swanage would be busy on a Friday evening in late July, we lucked out with a table at Fortes Cafe, the brash younger sibling of La Trattoria. Expectations were low to be honest, but we were very pleasantly surprised - the venue was busy but didn’t feel cramped, service was friendly and fast, and the pizzas, well, with 2 near-teenage boys we get through a lot of pizza but the Cafe’s offerings went straight in towards the top of the list. The seafood pizza was awash with mussels and prawns; the meaty pizzas were well laden with quality toppings and the vegetarian option was fab too; all on really high quality bases. Whilst they don’t have a children’s menu, they are happy to do anything on the menu in starter-size, so the little one happily devoured a really nice spaghetti bolognese. All in all the cafe surpassed our expectations, so if you don’t mind being elbow to elbow with other diners, it’s well worth a punt.

Called in for lunch without booking. Friendly staff greeted us and showed us a table. The menu offered a good choice with some daily specials. We chose lasagne, mussels and cannelloni. We also ordered some drinks. Toilets were in the next door restaurant which was all part of the same building. The drinks came quickly and the food followed shortly. Everything was hot and tasty as well as reasonably priced. Nice place with a pleasant unrushed atmosphere.

Just had the Sea bass and it was delicious, best I’ve had for a very long time. Good simple restaurant with efficient service

Visited the restaurant for lunch My wife and I both had mussels which were served in an excellent creamy sauce. As someone who loves mussels these were excellent and went well with chips and a Peroni. We also had excellent coffees with tasty pannatoni. Service was excellent and we were màde to feel welcome. Can't wait to go back again

Stopped for supper after we decided it was too cold to have fish and chips on the sea front. Pleased to find a quality a Italian meal. We had a selection of pizzas and pasta, all of which were reasonably sized and authentic in their presentation. The pizza base was light, chewy and cooked well. The pasta's were fresh and came with very tasty, if simple, success.Staff was attentive and smiling.We really enjoyed our impromptu meal, and will be going back.

Perfect pizza and very friendly staff. We ate at lunch time and will definitely be visiting the restaurant one evening during our stay.

Having visited the restaurant next door, owned by the same people, we went here for lunch. The food was just as good as the restaurant. The service is efficient, but could be a little friendlier. Good ambience inside. Plenty of choice on the menu. The English breakfast and the cannelloni Vitello were both very nice. Would return and recommend.

The staff here were excellent and very accomodating creating a unique dish for my partner's dietary requirements. The garlic bread was to die for. Really nice little find and always seemed popular when ever we walked past. Would absolutely go there again if we were to find ourselves in Swanage.

Called in here this week whilst visiting the area. We had pate and tomato and mozzarella salad for starters followed by canelloni and pasta arrabiata (lots of chilli, great!). Enjoyable meal and would visit again.

A family lunch throughly spoilt by the bad service. We asked to give the food order with the drink order , this produced a lot of tutting from the waitress who called over another member of staff. The food was adequate but, because of the open door, got cold very quickly. Another couple were seated in the doorway with the lady actually out on the pavement. They left as the waitress took so long to take their order. The place was very busy but that was really no excuse for the rude behaviour of the staff, I don’t expect a waitress to raise her eyebrows when I asked her to come over .

Promt and polite service from the waiting staff Drinks average price but clean and well presented when served Food was a little longer wait than average of maybe a few more minutes but more than worth it. 4 empty plates at the end

The food was great true Italian food and one of the only Italians in swanage... Would be nice for the staff to actually smile and learn a few customer service skills

Forget your standard high street McCoffee - this is the real deal. No milky lattes with a faint hint of coffee here.

Stopped off for a coffee on the way to the station. Very pleasant. Comfortable seats and reasonably spacious. Close to the beach.

The sun was shining and it was cool but bright, no wind and a perfect day for visiting Swanage. We departed Bournemouth on the Breezer bus, front seats on the upper deck and enjoyed many beautiful views along the way. After a walk along the prom and the pier we headed back into town to Caffe Tratt. We had visited this caffe the last time we came to Swanage. Lunch was a perfect BLT on ciabatta for me and the excellent all-day breakfast for my other half. It was delivered within a short space of time and we tucked in. The egg on the all-day breakfast looked so good I was tempted to pinch it for myself! A couple of Peronis and lunch came to £21.90 which was excellent value. Very friendly staff. Only criticism was the chairs which were a bit wobbly. Definitely going back there next time we visit Swanage.

Nice place for a coffee or ice cream nice selection of cakes and different varieties of homemade ice cream.

Out with the family for an early supper - we were made to feel like a nuisance for wanting to eat early (6pm) even though they were clearly open. Due to our early arrival the menu was limited

We have visited this restaurant on 1st of June, We had two pizza margherita,They looked frozen, no absolutely fresh! Disgusting. We are Italian, this pizzeria is not absolutely italian. Staff no friendly

We called in for an early evening meal. Charming service, lovely food, delicious ice cream and a Prosecco Kir Royale. Bliss!

The best Spiced Pumpkin Decaf Latte I have had, knocks spots off costa,s. Very friendly staff and spotlessly clean

Visitamos dos veces para comer Café Tratt la semana pasada. En la primera visita, nos pareció que el café tenía un ambiente encantador, el personal era amable y servicial y la comida riquísima pasta italiana casera. En nuestra segunda visita el personal era bastante indiferente y pasamos la mayor parte de su tiempo hablando a otros y a un partido en particular. La comida era muy buena de nuevo. Que puedo hacer la observación de que algunos de los platos son un poco caros para un café (pero sería enteramente apropiada en el restaurante de al lado! )

We were attending a wedding at 3pm and booked in for lunch before hand. Some of our party were late to arrive and some had to eat and run and it wasn't a problem ordering meals in stages. The food was tasty and reasonably priced.

Gran helado italiano, un montón de sabores para elegir. Incluso tiene conos le prepara gratis, siempre visitar aquí cuando en Swanage con familia o amigos.

We actually haven't used the cafe since June because it wasn't the best experience. Very slow, staff weren't overly helpful and stand offish. However......the ice cream shop just up the road is amazing, the ice cream is gorgeous in some wonderful flavours and the staff are lovely too.

Not very impressed bearing in mind the name of Fortes.The food was OK (just) but not served by friendly staff.Don't think we will visit again next time we are in Swanage

We entered this place because it bore the name Fortes, but it did nothing to enhance the name.Three members of staff, without a smile between them, even when they were talking between themselves which was most of the time. Their sandwiches lacked trimmings and were, frankly, boring.The cream teas arrived as two warm scones with one small pre packed portion of jam, another was reluctantly provided when requested.The cream was from an aerosol spray can !!!!Avoid this place as there are plenty of welcoming places in Swanage offering better food and good value.

On a day trip & called in for lunch. Had a BLT Ciabatta & it was perfect. Other half had prawn baguette & it was what it said. They had a good range but I'm not a big eater so would have liked to have seen a lunch version of the pasta meals, slightly smaller than a main. I wouldn't pay for a main meal and only eat half of it at such a nice little place but it would be good to offer as it was really only sandwiches for us. It was a lovely hot day & they had the doors folded back so it felt like you were outside.

Group of 12 of us for dinner. We all sat together on the long table in the middle of the cafe but could not hold conversations easily across the table as it was very noisy.The room has a tiled floor and is on two levels which seems to amplify the noise of service and talking. Food was nice but unremarkable. Several of the group wanted separate bills from the outset but this could not be done so we had to pay in our respective meals by going to the till, and paying for meal , then receiving another bill for the next of our party to settle-seemed very messy.

Very slow service. High price. Average food. Could do better at home. Had cannelloni for main. Truly unremarkable. My friend had tiramisu which she makes better at home. I had Sicilian Cheesecake which was fairly tasteless. House red wine was not great either.

My friend and when for lunch in this Italian cafe , it wasn't very busy but that would of been something to do with the rain, we both had a Bri and cranberry ciabatta with a side salad it was delicious , and it was nice to have ice and lemon for my Diet Coke, a menu to suit all , thought the waitress could of been more friendly .

We have visited other Italian restaurants in the area but thought we would give this one a try. We won't again! We wanted to eat in the restaurant section of La Trattoria but they said they were fully booked and seated us in the Fortes 'Cafe' Tratt section, the two although are joined and serve the same food at the same prices, they differ considerably in atmosphere, service and cleanliness. The toilets are located in the restaurant section so you can clearly observe the difference yourself as you walk through both establishments. It was loud and lacked character and atmosphere in the 'cafe' section. My seat was filthy and the service poor. It took ages to get the attention of staff. Being a vegetarian I was frustrated that yet another restaurant offers vegetarian food with parmesan cheese in PARMESAN IS NOT VEGETARIAN! I ordered a starter and salad for my main which came out on two separate plates/bowls which was very awkward to eat. There was no seasoning or flavour in the food and the salad was limb and bland. Considering that we had to sit in the lesser of the two establishments with poorer service and underwhelming atmosphere but had to pay the same price as if we actually ate in the more desirable restaurant is absurd. The two should really have different menu's and prices to reflect the differing establishments.

The restaurant was packed every night with families. The food and service was very good, in fact we went there every night of our stay for a meal.

We visited early one evening.The food was pleasant, though not exceptional and I thought the food and drink were quite expensive. There is no childrens' menu. The service was pleasant.

Stopped here for a nice lunch & catch up with a friend, delicious menu. The mussels were well presented and I was assured from hubby that they tasted as good as they looked/smelt! I had pizza which was amazing thin and tasty just as I like it. The tiramisu was very good a while back but we chose not to have desserts as the mains were such a good size. Will def be back!!

We went several times for an evening meal to Fortes in Swanage. We enjoyed the italian food and the nice service staff.We can recommend this nice restaurant for a real italian meal.

We came here for a family meal, we were asked if we wanted drinks straight away, an excellent selection of specials, food arrived freshly cooked without much of a wait. The food was fantastic, well cooked and well presented. Would defiantly recommend.

Forte's Café Tratt may not be the most appealing restaurant to look at, but we had been told the food was good, so we tried it with our family (4 adults & 2 children- who now eat adult portions). It looks like a café, with basic tables, no table cloths and a variety of basic chairs.We hadn't booked (which turned out to be a mistake in October half-term week!), but they squeezed us in a corner and made us feel like valued customers. We were impressed that the restaurant was still family run after about 40 years and served authentic Italian dishes.We ordered our main courses, which consisted of a mixture of pizzas, pasta, chicken and fish dishes, so we had quite a variety to try out. They took a little time to come, but given the restaurant was busy, we felt the wait was not excessive. And when we ate the food, we were not disappointed! Everyone felt their dishes were tasty and well presented and our grandsons soon woofed all their pizzas.Then it was desserts- and 3 of us went for Pannacottas, which we all rated the best we had ever tasted. One of the boys really enjoyed an ice-cream and the other had an apple dish. It all went!With a bottle of wine, a couple of lattes and some soft drinks, the bill averaged £25 per head. We felt this was quite reasonable for the quality and quantity of the fare.Overall it was a bit noisy and it isn't a class restaurant, but if you want authentic food beautifully served and don't mind the surroundings, then this is fine. The fact the restaurant was full surely is testimony to its reputation.

Excellent all round, great coffee, great food, great service and good all round positive feeling of just eating and drinking there.

We went here for a quick meal one Sunday lunch and enjoyed a lasagne whilst reading the papers. it was a sunny day and so we sat at the front of the restaurant as it has windows that open completely on to the street. Dogs allowed. Good relaxed atmostphere, part of La Trattoria restaurant.

Cosy atmosphere, nice staff. Bit of a wait for the food but worth it. Slightly noisy but perfectly enjoyable and reasonably priced.

Good food from a varied menu, with local fish, well served in pleasant surroundings, and the whole shop front was opened up as it was a lovely warm day. Very good value, not cheap but well worth the price.

We went to the Tratt last night at the choice of our 11 year old niece. It was most disappointing. The food was just awful. Prawn cocktail starter was mushy small shrimps from a frozen packet with a bland sauce - at £6.95 it was a swizz. Same price for one tomato sliced on a plate with 4 bits of mozzarella and a bit of oil was pretty bad. Pizza was ok but bland. Cannelloni was bland, bland, bland. That said, the niece enjoyed it and the staff were lovely. Very very loud and packed. People clearly love bland overpriced food. Most perturbing.

I visited here on the last night of our holiday. The staff were very welcoming and were quick to find us a table. Although the restaurant was very busy our order was taken quickly and we didnt have to wait too long for our food. We shared our pizzas between two, they were really tasty and plenty big enough for 2 when accompanied by fries and salad. All in all a nice way to end our holiday.

Nice pizza, OK service but we were packed in like sardines - very little space between the tables. We won't be returning.

Four of us went on a sunday evening so had no trouble getting a table without a reservation. Good choice on the menu of typical italian food. The pizzas were excellent, nice crispy base with plenty of toppings. Service was good and reasonably priced. Would recommend this restaurant.

We had a lovely lunch on Friday. The food is so fresh and a large menu choice ranging from pizzas and pasta to fresh fish and vegetables and tasty meat dishes. Will definitely be back again and again.

I've been visiting Swanage for many years and have always hankered after a visit to the Cafe Tratt. We went as a group of four and the food was ok but not great - service was so so. A shame. It could offer so much more.

My wife and I came here for a lunch on a recent visit to Swanage. When we arrived we were seated promptly at the front of the restaurant, which was all open as it was a hot day. I had a jacket potato with cheese and beans, which was tasty, but a bit overpriced. My wife had a tuna sandwich and she enjoyed that. We shared a large bottle of water. All in it was around £15 for lunch which was not too bad really.

We visited the daytime cafe (Fortes?) side of this operation for lunch last week on the last day of our holiday to the area and have to say that we found this, and Swanage, to be slightly odd. With two young kids we had earlier stopped at this cafe's namesake (no idea if it's related) by the beach for a drink and had a similarly cool reception and this seems like a town where everybody seems to speak in hushed voices and one could be mistaken for thinking that people with small pet dogs are more welcome in cafes and restaurants than people with young kids. The guy that was looking after front of house may have been a bit harassed but did seem a little dismayed when we said our youngest (10 months) would need a high chair and then seemed to check himself and put his smile back on before politely asking if we'd mind him (quite reasonably of course) removing our push-chair to the unused restaurant area.Once our order was taken all seemed warmer on the service front. The food was okay, not amazing by any standard, I prefer my lasagne to be more balanced as it was very top heavy with ragu so was rather tart and didn't have massive flavour beyond the tomatoes but did taste quite fresh. I just asked my wife how she rated her penne arrabiatta and she said it was nice but not above average. The kid's pizza was again quite nice.When I finally paid the bill the second waiter who looked after us did start enquiring as to our stay and was very helpful with some local advice on local attractions. The service was attentive and polite, quite understated but I actually prefer this to the over-the-top service we've had in some Italian restaurants and at least the place seemed quite straightforward and honest.Not sure we'd visit Swanage again but if we did we'd probably check this place again if only for an early lunch.

Visiting this restaurant during the bank holiday weekend we were greeted by a waiter who acted like it was a hassle every time a customer came in.The food was overpriced for a glorified cafe, although I did enjoy what I ate.A big problem I feel was the smoking customers stood/sat right next to the open doors, allowing the wafts of smoke to blow freely inside. Just like being in Paris, but the food and the atmosphere was worse!

On our last visit to Swanage two years ago we were impressed with this restaurant and the service we received. Things have not changed.The staff are still polite,friendly and efficient and we were pleasantly surprised that Bruno recognised us as old customers.We dined here twice with friends and each time enjoyed our choices from a satisfying menu.The Chef deserves special mention from two of our party for the mussels with cream and garlic!We compliment Bruno,his wife and his staff for making our evenings so enjoyable.

I was surprised to read the negative reviews of this restaurant. I guess every place has it's bad days, but they certainly weren't having a bad day when I visited.The cafe is spotlessly clean and fresh, the seating basic but comfortable, and the staff very friendly and attentive, and although they were busy, service was prompt and polite.The menu is not too complicated; just a good range of pizzas and traditional Italian fare, plus a standard English menu of fish and chips and suchlike. There is also a breakfast menu and a selection of cakes and ice creams. We didn't have coffee, but the smell was wonderful.My friend and I both had pizza and green salad, and it was perfect in every way - crisp, freshly baked and delicious pizza, and newly cut salad - not the tired 'mixed bag' stuff.At the back, the toilets were clean and nicely decorated - always a good sign.I would recommend it, and shall definitely visit again!

we went as part of a group, with a set menu. I would say that the dishes served were probably the cheapest available, and were really disappointing - I think we paid more than doubble what they were worth, and the drinks were really expensiveA disappointing evening all round.

I go for coffee when ever I can! Eaten here a few time too was always top knoch. Recommend to all!

Great cafè, fantastic coffee, can't wait for my next visit

Went to the cafe here, and wished I hadn't. I was hoping for a nice italian coffee and pastry, but the croissant was shrivelled and burnt, and the cappuccino was so over steamed that it burnt my mouth and tasted of not much. And all at the bargain price of 4.25. Never left a negative review on Trip advisor before, but this really was a poor experience. The restaurant next door looked nice, but I wouldn't bother with the cafe.