La Caverna Limited Sit-In And Takeaway Restaurant in West Dorset

La caverns a nice limited seat place to be. Fine dine and wine makes a perfect combination for the day.

Great food good service very helpful and attentive staff really enjoyed it.

Endearingly eccentric. Nice people.

This restaurant came recommended -- a rustic, romantic ambiance and delicious food. I wish I could tell you about the food, but the service was so exceptionally poor, we had to leave. The drinks were delivered to us at an average speed, but we never received bread. I tried to order an appetizer during our drink order, and I was told "I'm not taking food orders yet." I can understand a first-come-first-serve system, but that we couldn't even have an appetizer or the bread that helps define Italian dining strikes me as bizarre. A server walked back and forth and looked directly at our empty table, continuing as if this is acceptable. The moment I realized we weren't being treated like customers was when the specials were presented to us by leaning a chalkboard against a vacant chair. I wish I could recommend this delicious-smelling cozy restaurant, but we were treated like an unwelcome annoyance. --- We were recommended this restaurant - rustic, romantic atmosphere and delicious food. I wish I could tell you about the food, but the service was so terrible that we had to leave. The drinks were delivered to us at an average speed, but we never received the bread. I tried to order an appetizer while ordering drinks, but was told, "I don't take food orders yet." I can understand the first come, first serve system, but the fact that we couldn't even get the appetizer or bread that defines Italian cuisine seems strange to me. The server was pacing and looking straight at our empty table, but he seemed to think that was normal. The moment I realized we weren't being treated like customers was when we were told about the house specialties - with a chalk board propped up against an empty chair. I would love to recommend this delicious smelling cozy restaurant but we were treated like pests.

Absolutely amazingly delicious pizza again tonight ! We will definitely be back next time we’re passing Dorchester Grazie mille!

Had the bianchetti and a pizza. My dining partner had the risotto. Food was great, and there was a vegan cheese option. We shared a tiramisu. The lady managing the restaurant was very sweet and helpful with the food. It wasn't very busy when we went, so was quiet, but the decoration was great.

First experience eating here last night. The food was amazing. The king prawns were outstanding and the pizza was the best we’ve eaten since being on a mountain top in Italy. The wine we chose was also fantastic. To finish off, our bill was under £70; total value for money and will definitely be coming back to try other things on the menu as everything we saw being served to other guests looked equally mouthwatering!! Thank you

Great food and a proper atmosphere. Very well looked after 😊

It's a cute little place. We didn't get to sit downstairs, we had a table upstairs which was ok but we chose this restaurant for the downstairs sitting area. Food for gluten free was limited. Still what we had was good, staff was nice. It was ok, just not an wow experience.

I don't believe the rating reviews here, we eat out twice a week, and this has to be one of the worst! Photos on internet looked cosy and warm atmosphere but in reality, not like this, basement where you eat was very cold and brightly lit, the waitress service, very poor, pour your own wine when plonked on the table, same for black pepper etc. Food average. Wasn't asked if food was okay even. The whole experience very very unfriendly. So bad was the whole experience that we left our wine behind to get home to some warmth. My wife left last, the owner did not realise that their door was jammed to get out, but she could hear the owner mocking her loudly in front of friends or staff for being so cold. Staff agreed with my wife about the cold when paying admittingthey couldn't bare the cold either, anyway a truly disgusting night out. Will never go back.

Lovely food, pre ordered so fast service there, didn't come round to ask if needed any more drinks after the 1st order, had to ask. Young waiter very entertaining. Would return if in the area.

Waiters are great that one blonde boy was amazing, and should get a promotion

All the good reviews about here are true. Excellent food in a small quirky and intimate place. Recommend.

I lovely little Italian restaurant, well worth booking a table if you are in Dorchester as the food is really tasty

We ordered takeaway (collection) of pasta and pizza - they only had one chef but they went the extra mile to prepare our dishes. We are so glad they did as they were all absolutely delicious. They clearly put a lot of heart into their cooking and we would not hesitate to order again!

Had an amazingly good anniversary meal here last night. Really good service with a great choice of very tasty food in a lovely romantic atmosphere. We highly recommend this.

What a wonderful, friendly, cosy dining experience. The staff were very helpful, chatty and kind. The food was simply extraordinary. Fresh, flavourful and we felt really comfortable and welcomed. We highly recommend the bruschetta con fungi trifolati, spaghetti carbonara, and cannoli siciliani (which was to die for!!!). Every bite was absolutely melt in your mouth. The gavi di gavi la merlina is a delectable choice of wine served at exactly the right temperature. We can’t wait to take the rest of the family very soon! Thank you for a lovely dining experience

Great family business serving excellent food

Absolutely amazing as always. Franco is an amazing chef. So consistent best Italian I've ever had!

Small intimate restaurant with knowledgeable and friendly staff. Alison is amazing. Great food, competitively priced. Well worth a visit. Be sure to make a reservation.

Amazing food, intimate atmosphere with reduced tables. Thank you La Cavrerna for memorable evening

As ever, wonderful food, great wine, and the proprietors are wonderful.

Superb food, great wines and awesome staff

Some of the best food we've ever had - freshly made, could not fault! Amazing atmosphere and customer service. Will definitely eat here again! p.s. brilliant music selection also!

Lovely food, lovely owners, booked very early.

Great food! And the most fun we've ever had in a restaurant: Franco and Alison are wonderful hosts and being able to choose only five stars feels a bit mean!

It's one of the best Italian restaurants I have been to! I love small family owned restaurants and I was impressed with the personal touch and atmosphere of this restaurant. The food was amazingly delicious and the service was warm, welcoming and friendly! The candles for my birthday were a lovely gesture! I was really happy to see the mixture of traditional and modern Italian food. I was completely in love with my main cod dish and the processed sugar free flourless cake! I wish more restaurants have such healthy and delicious options!

Great food. Great service, really nice place to go for Italian food.

What a find! Tables were limited for obvious reasons, but didn’t detract from our evening. Alison and Franco were incredible hosts and the food, drink and service was incredible. We had an amazing time and will be back to Dorchester just to visit La Caverna again. Thank you A and F for a wonderful evening - we hope to be back soon!

Fantastic dining experience - the food was incredible, the service was just right and the restaurant was cosy. Perfect for a date night!

We ate here many years ago and had an excellent meal. So as we were staying in Dorchester it was a bit of a no brainer to return. Although nothing wrong or poor, the food and general ambiance was not what we remember

How lucky were we to get a booking at the little Italian jewel on our doorstep. Lovely welcome, awesome meal, perfect night! Thank you so much! See you again soon!

Amazing food, great atmosphere and you feel very welcomed. True Italian food. 10/10!

A little late in writing this review but still haven't forgotten what an amazing evening we had here a couple of weekends ago. La Caverna is the BEST place to eat in Dorchester! Amazing service from the loveliest host and always fantastic food! Have eaten here a few times now and cannot recommend it enough! I hear they're alos doing take away now during these crazy covid times - lucky us!! Thanks La Caverna from Emily and Adam

Lovely food, candle light and attentive service with a smile on a "safely distanced " table.

just superb food from starter to dessert and fantastic people are the owners, it was a pleasure to meet and definitely will go back there if around!!

Amazing food, very nice people and very creative and organized. We had panzerotti and an improvised vegetarian pappardelle. The house wine and the cannoli are wonderful too. Thank you and best wishes, (From the Portugal and England couple)

We had an Excellent evening celebrating my Brother-in-laws Birth last Wednesday. Lovely Italian food cooked to order washed down with excellent wine. Good and friendly service, lovely hosts. Thoroughly recommended

Delicious food, elegantly presented in containers made of card - handy to pop in the oven to reheat a bit after the journey home. Well organised collection system after we had ordered over the phone. Thank you Alison and Franco!

The best takeaway you're going to find for MILES. We know, we looked! The owners of this perfect little place whipped up a proper Neapolitan pizza and a perfect steak (complete with freshly picked rosemary) in fifteen minutes. We were starving, on a long drive, and they were charming. Just go! You'll see what we mean.

Great meal and delicious cannoli 😋

Excellent food, good wine selection. Welcoming staff. Wonderful atmosphere.

We had such a happy evening at this delightful family run restaurant tucked away down a Dorchester side street. It was so welcoming to enter the cosy candlelit premises on a wild winter evening. We were a party of nine and were looked after perfectly by the attentive and efficient staff. The food was all totally delicious and I shall look forward to visiting again. Thank you Alison and Franco.

Fantastic food, great atmosphere, lovely people.

visited here NYE...very good food an service.

What a lovely place, good food wonderful waitress and quite reasonable price

LA Caverns has a well deserved local reputation for excellent food. When I visited last week it slipped a bit. My risotto was good, but not as exceptional as I had before. The previous one was probably the best meal, that I have ever had. They opened at lunchtime just for our large party and looked after us well. When it was pointed out, that one member of our party had a burnt meal, they immediately refunded him. I would still thoroughly recommended this restaurant as one of the best in Dorchester and hope that the slight glitch in the kitchen is just down to the need for unusual staff at lunchtime.

Great atmosphere fantastic food not over priced love it

Superb food and atmosphere at really good value. Thank you Franco, Alison and the team.

The food was excellent, made to order. Friendly and caring staff. Cosy seating.

Wonderful place, food was amazing, staff very friendly. Would definitely recommend eating here. Advisable to book in advance though.

Terrific food, desserts, attentive staff even though the restaurant was full.

I was disappointed! Food nice but not amazing, for the price. Although, the atmosphere and the staff pleasant.

Great food, friendly staff, good experience

What a shame. Had heard great things of this restaurant through friends and being new to the town were looking forward to a stroll down to a friendly authentic Italian. The chef was in the window as we walked up, seeing to the plants but shot off as we walked in (we'd rather hoped for a bit more of a friendlier welcome). No, we hadn't booked, but seemingly neither did anyone else when asked by the senior waiting lady, though she didn't have to check her bookings evidently, just directed people to the various empty tables in not a terribly friendly manner . Food was tasty enough but we just weren't left feeling looked after. On the plus side the younger girl waiting tables was the epitome of politeness and courtesy. Tip : would have been a nice touch to have received a half a lager in a shaped lager glass rather than a half full sleeve glass 🤨

What a gem. Here for work and what a lovely place. Staff efficient, friendly, helpful. Food perfectly cooked better than many meals I have had in italy.. I went back because I had to have more

Ottima cucina, carpaccio buono e delicato, spaghetti alla carbonara da leccarsi i baffi e dessert buoni anche loro. Bravi Franco e staff

Nice food very friendly staff would go back again

Well worth a visit, good food and excellent service. Very atmospheric.

Food: Delicious, fantastic, excellent. Service: Meh.

Always top notch food at a reasonable price.

Our " go to" special occasion and romantic restaurant in Dorchester. Never disappoints.

Great food with cosy atmosphere!

Great atmosphere, friendly service, incredible food! Would highly recommend if you want to treat yourself or others to a brilliant meal out. I will definitely be going back again. It is only a small venue though (down stairs) so you will need to make sure you book in advance as it is gets booked up quickly.

Lovely food, friendly staff, great ambiance. Can't wait to return.

Slightly anxious as first visit on a recommendation ,TOTALLY loved this place.We both had duck cooked to perfection.Great buzz about the place,staff friendly and approachable .Will defo be back and confident to pass on my personal recommendations.

Excellent food, great ambiance and friendly service

Love it - visit about every 3 months when in Dorchester

The food is very tasty,a bit expensive but is worth the money.

The overall experience here is excellent. The menu is vast without being intimidating, with an excellent range of genuine Italian classics with a personal twist. I thought the service was exemplary, each of the waiting staff knew the menu and wine list thoroughly and there was a nice touch to their interaction with our party. The setting of the dining room is lovely, coupling a homely feel with a rustic finish. I would recommend this restaurant to couples looking for a quiet evening as well as larger groups who are celebrating a special occasion. I would also advise booking in advance as the tables are highly sought after.

Excellent family run Italian. Great food.

Superb food and a Great atmosphere.

We had a wonderful evening at La Caverna about 4 weeks ago. I am just making another booking as the ambience, food, Wine & service was excellent. It is not a chain Restaurant & the service is more individual which I think adds to the feeling of being somewhere quite unique. My husband & friend had the steak Rossini & I had the lasagna. Would recommend both!!

Excellent food and service, in a cosy atmosphere. Will be back..

Great meat, lovely place, we will come back!

Excellent food with a great ambience. Attentive staff without being intrusive.

HORRIFIC ... They cancelled our wedding reception 30 minutes before the event.

Great food, good staff and the owner is hilarious. Tad warm in the cellar during the current weather conditions. It's not a cheap night out if you're on a budget.

Fabulous food, friendly staff and nice atmosphere!

Great atmosphere with 5 star food.

Truly wonderful Italian restaurant. I've never been disappointed. This is my go-to restaurant for a nice evening out.

Lovely food, lovely evening with family and friends celebrating a Diamond Wedding anniversary . Spoilt at the end by a rude member of staff!

Nice food and a nice atmosphere! Would dine again.

To be fair the quality of the food for most of our party of 7 was good. I was disappointed with my sirloin, which was very fatty and full of gristle but the rest of the food was really nice. Just a poor cut of meat let it down. The service was a bit of a joke. A really nice waitress who was working her first shift supported by a manageress who seemed incapable of dealing with more than one table at a time. It provided a few laughs for us but waiting 20 minutes for a bottle of wine after asking three times is no way to run a restaurant. It would have been understandable if the restaurant was busy. Not when there were only 3 tables occupied, one of which was a couple who had finished and had left.

Lovely old school italian, steaks are a long favorite and amazingly cooked, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the house wine was really great too, owner gave us a bonus shot of grappa for admiring his poster in the bar too!

I've been to Pisa, Lucca, Florence, Siena and Rome and La Caverna beats them all. Do yourself a favour and skip the chain restaurants in Brewery Square. You'll pay the same amount here and you get a chef from Sicily to cook for you!

I have been coming here for over 14 years. The food is always superb. Tonight the service was not. Too busy to get us a second bottle of wine, too late for the sweet I wanted and at just half past eight run out of many items. No goodnight from the staff as we left. Such a pity!

Top staff. Beautifully designed. High quality food

Great atmosphere, lovely food, friendly and helpful staff. Loved it.

Consistently great Italian food, wonderful welcome, my favourite restaurant

Good food, service and ambience. Portions a bit too generous, couldn't mange a dessert after the main (an excellent tournedos rossini). Would go again. Avoid small corner alcove, cramped, and dampness obvious despite drapes. It is a cellar, but this table was not quite up to the rest.

Excellent evening spent here with my partner. The service was excellent. The food was exquisite and the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. Will definitely be going back.

Always great food & hospitality, love visiting as much as possible !

Amazing food, fantastic service. Can't wait to go back.

Fantastic food, wonderful service, amazing situation. Don't be put off by what you see when you walk past. The restaurant downstairs is magical

Food is always great here plus got engaged in this restaurant back in 2010

This is far and away the best restaurant in the area. Authentic Italian cuisine in a delightful setting, full of character and charm. Alison, front of house, is the perfect compliment to maestro Franco in the kitchen. You will undoubtedly return!