Lilac Restaurant & Wine Bar in West Dorset

On a recent break to Dorset Lilac was the restaurant I was looking forward to the most. Unfortunately Thursday was the last day we were able to eat here that meant we missed out on experiencing the tasting menu which is only served on Friday and Saturday evenings. We still had an excellent meal here. Delicious pre app and a special mention for the pastry chef for a cracking dessert. Local and seasonal cooking is very much on show here. The team here is also stellar. Knowledgeable, efficient and full of good humour. Such an asset to such great staff working for you. Perhaps a slightly broader wine list may be a suggestion but other than that a must visit when in Lyme !

Gem of a restaurant Creative, interesting food using local produce and some wonderful wild harvested ingredients. Stars of show for me were the crab flatbread pre starter ,the crispy lamb with anchovy salad, and the palate cleanser sorbet and goats curd cream.

The most incredible and unique experience. We booked for a special 60th birthday and it was the 2nd week of their new two menu options. We chose the tasting menu as a new and different experience and were blown away! The attention of all the waiters from the start was exceptional and they knew their stuff!! Each of the 7 courses was locally sourced and bursting with new flavours you wouldn’t normally try and in new ways. The offer of a wine pairing with each course would have been lovely also but we just chose a few bottles between the 5 of us - again the waitress took time to explain each bottle, grape, Provence etc. We spent almost 3 hours savouring the menu which included crab, mussels and pork paired beautifully with foraged veg and flavours such as wild garlic and 3 headed onions and meadowsweet. We all throughly enjoyed the experience and had a very special evening. Highly recommend and wish them all the success!

This was the first night that Lilac ran their new two menu options, replacing the previous small plates offering. We chose the tasting menu. The food was exceptional. A plethora of courses which were all different but meticulously prepared and presented. The food was top drawer and, as a Lyme resident, I can safely say is the best that you can have in both Lyme and the surrounding area. Service was attentive, informative and friendly. Thoroughly recommended.

We had the 3 course set menu and were treated with the additional amuse-bouches which made the overall offering feel on par with the longer, more expensive 7 course tasting menu. The flavours were so interesting- herbs that I have never had before such as meadowsweet, and the dishes were beautifully presented. They proved a real talking point throughout the meal. Really innovative flavours and combinations. We finished the meal nicely satisfied but not stuffed. We found the menu excellent value for money. The service was great, especially given the restaurant was full on a Saturday night. Lovely atmosphere and despite a large party being in the back of the room, their position meant that it didn’t affect other diners in esteems of noise or service. I wish I had a restaurant if this calibre is any local! Bravo!

Recently had a meal here at Lilac as we wanted to try somewhere new. It was ok. I would say that the Instagram photos and menu descriptions make it seem better than it actually is and unfortunately the flavours just didn’t deliver properly. Firstly, paperless menu in a place like that, rookie error. Good for planet etc etc but having to sit and scroll through a menu on your phone is bonkers when you are paying so much for the dishes. Traditional paper is good and more social, so why lose it? Menu is mainly vegetarian, but dishes are priced like they are meat/fish. The small plate flatbread was nice, but come on, £11 for 2 mouthfuls? Beetroot tartar was not fresh in the slightest, completely under seasoned & the egg yolk topping was poor & totally lost. It did nothing for the dish. Tempura veg of a carrot & parsnip that had just been deep fried…not very imaginative and throwing a flavour of miso and ginger into your menu is very random & doesn’t fit in at all. Some nice ideas, but for the money, the flavours were just not punchy or interesting enough & the chefs are obviously not quite as experienced as you might think. Nice staff, nice location but won’t recommend or return unfortunately.

Very popular restaurant and decided to book as it was Michelin recommended. There were 4 of us, my sister and our respective husbands. We first chose the wine to be told that it was not available. It is a small and large plate menu and have eaten at similar venues with this kind of style. We ordered starters, which were good, we chose to share the salami dish my husband ordered (it was basically a place of sliced salami, nothing else) and re-ordered another plate as it was so nice but when it came it was a different salami - this was not mentioned at the time, which we thought was unprofessional. When we chose our "mains" we were told the cod dish that 3 of has had ordered was no longer available either. Bearing in mind our table booking was for 7.30pm, it was very early on in the evening to run out of one of the larger non-vegetarian plates available and we were not offered an alternative. Despite these issues, we had a nice evening.

After a gorgeous meal in the summer at the Garden Table we came back to the regular indoor part of Lilac for dinner and were once again very impressed. The depth of flavour on offer is what stands Lilac apart from other restaurants, along with an interesting and wide-ranging selection of cocktails and drinks. My one suggestion would be to expand the rather meagre ale selection: Gyle 59’s local Thorncombe offerings would fit in well here, with their Nettle IPA an able accompaniment to the regular nettle dishes on offer.

Despite our online booking not transferring to the restaurant the staff were so friendly and accommodating. We were given a table after a short wait and had a delicious meal with so many different flavours. We will definitely be back next time we are in the area. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

This is effectively an English take on Tapas. Lovely setting in a cellar in Broad Street which has seen a number of restaurants in there over the years. Certainly hope this one remains and will certainly return. The food was interesting and tasty and beautifully presented by very knowledgeable staff. It was a little pricey given they small plates but some of the more imaginative and tasty food we have tasted in a while. Only minor feedback was that it was a little cool in the restaurant and a bit too much salt in some of the dishes (this is very much about personal taste as we don't have much salt in home cooking so may have been more intense for us). Well worth a visit if looking for something tasty and different.

We had a rare date night after visiting a local art gallery show. Really disappointed with the food- tiny plates- adopted the trendy ‘tapas’ size dishes but charges for a full plate, unseasoned mini potatos with a flavourless butter sauce, very over priced in comparison to other local restaurants. Both left hungry and a couple of hundred pounds lighter. Husband is 6”5 and got put in a alcove where we couldn’t move

We were two couples visiting Lyme Regis and decided to try Lilac for dinner around 8pm. Seated at a cosy table for four and were quickly attended to. Ordered glasses of the house white along with some starters - foccacia, flatbread and pickles - very tasty although the portions were not overly generous. For mains we tried a mix of sea bream, salt cod and bavette (there was only one portion of salt cod left unfortunately) and some accompaniments (cornish new potatoes and carrots). Dishes arrived fairly quickly and the food was excellent although again portions were fairly small so we were glad we had the extra sides as the cod itself came with nothing else on the plate. Overall a delicious meal but felt that some of the dishes could have been slightly larger or had more included for the price.

My husband and I visited for Sunday lunch whilst staying in Lyme Regis on holiday. From the moment we arrived we (including our dog) were made to feel at home. The staff were friendly, professional and knowledgeable and the interior stylish yet welcoming. The Sunday lunch menu is not extensive a handful of starters, a choice of either meat or vegetarian main and a choice of 3 desserts but as long as you are not fussy you are in for a treat as the food is all locally sourced and beautifully cooked. We paid £25 each for our main and desert which I think was excellent value.

Visited for dinner - absolutely lovely staff, the food was excellent, especially the focaccia and the beef short rib. Cocktails were lovely, with some unique ingredients. Will absolutely be back when next we’re in the area.

I was excited to have my birthday at Lilac Lyme Regis and to sample the interesting menu on offer. The small plates are very small and the advice of the staff member was to share various courses. I firmly believe in quality over quantity but I can ensure you they were not for sharing. In fact. I wish I could have shared the over priced bill at the end with others as I left the resturant along with my fellow guests completely and utterly famished. Perhaps I didn't understand the menu, to be fair the food produced was nicely presented but sadly not for me.

Visited on a bank holiday Sunday and they were fully booked but managed to find some space in the outside garden which was great. Food, as always, was off the scale good. This really is the absolute best place to eat in Lyme. Great service and overall a fantastic night’s dinner

Visited Lilac after reading reviews and we were not disappointed. Fabulous relaxed atmosphere with small plates that were all delicious. We couldn't fault anything about the evening and would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Lyme.

We went to Lilac for the Garden Table. This is an intimate dining experience where chef Harriet Mansell personally presents each course. And what an incredible treat it is. The food is absolutely top drawer and is stunningly presented, showcasing Harriet's foraging expertise. Being 62, I have eaten many nice dinners over the years, but reflecting on last night's fayre, I cannot think of a better one. And, to be honest, at the price you're charged it is really good value too. Thank you!

What a phenomenal dinner in the garden of the Lilac Restaurant! Chef Harriet Mansell's ability of curating exquisite food combinations with unusual tastes is simply stunning. The wine pairing was spot on and further enhanced the experience. Nicola, front of house, did an excellent job in introducing her many favourite wines. The whole team in Lilac were very accommodating. Lilac must be on your bucket list!

Imaginative cocktails, knowledgeable warm and friendly staff. Good tapas style eating. Lovely atmosphere and the food was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend.

We enjoyed the Garden Table, a tasting menu of foraged foods offered by the Lilac Chef at the beginning of the week. A delicious exploration of exciting flavours found in the local hedgerows paired with excellent leftield wines. This experience takes place in the small but pretty garden at the back of the restaurant on shared tables. Go with an open mind, don’t expect a polished experience but rather a lovely journey curated by the enthusiastic chefs and wait staff. Excellent food and drink and a fun evening.

Great presentation but okay food. Booked for our anniversary based on other reviews and Michelin guide, but was really nothing special. Quite underwhelming and overpriced. Flavours were good but that's about it. The steak wasn't great quality and barely warm, and the small 2 piece crab ravioli dish was served at room temperature. The dessert was 2 strips of overdone Mille feuille with 4 berries and a scoop of buttermilk sorbet. :(

Fantastic meal with brilliant service. We were a party of 14 and were well catered for. The choice of menu was good and the food very tasty.

Wow. Best Sunday lunch I’ve had in ages. And dog friendly too. I would absolutely recommend. I have the vegetarian option and it was the tastiest thing I’ve had in ages. My husband had the pork belly. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Dined here whilst visiting Lyme Regis for a couple of nights. Had enquired via email if they could cater for a vegan and received a prompt (and positive reply) considering it was during the Christmas hols. The restaurant is both attractive and relaxed. We received a very warm welcome and the chef adapted the menu to suit a vegan (see photo). The dishes were things you wouldn’t find elsewhere. We had a small plate each and shared 2 medium plates, we found this enough to fill us up.

What a fantastic little restaurant!! I took my partner here for his big birthday treat and we had just the loveliest evening. The restaurant was warm, cosy and inviting and right from the start all the staff were fantastic - really knowledgeable and passionate about their particular area. The chap serving the drinks had an infectious enthusiasm, with due cause as the cocktails and the selection of wines to taste were amazing . . .and onto the menu - all the plates we tried were outstanding - delicious and original and generous. Again - the lovely lady serving us was so knowledgeable about the food - so much of if locally sourced and foraged - and it made it even more of a delight. In a nutshell, these guys have got it bang on the nail - perfect, welcoming atmoshere with the best staff and delicious food and drink. We both love our food and looking for great dining experiences, and Lilac is what we always hope to find but frequently never do!! Cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough, for a special occasion, or an informal get together or just a meet up with mates for a drink

Great place , very good food well above expectations, great cocktails and wine , staff we professional and attentive Interior was stylish and modern will definitely return

If you go out to eat for both good, interesting food and nice atmosphere, this restaurant would be an excellent choice for you. We sampled delicious and unique dishes all evening in a comfortable, beautiful, and intimate setting. Wait staff were friendly and professional. Be sure to make a reservation.

We have been meaning to come here for some time and finally made it. It was definitely worth the wait! The food was superb, we had a selection of small plates that we shared and all were delicious.. There was a great drinks menu including the option to have taster glasses of some rather good English wines. Thanks to Nicola and the team for enhancing the experience, we’ll be sure not to leave it so long next time!

Quite simply the best meal we have had in a decade (and we eat out a lot). A great, knowledgeable and passionate team who put their customers first

A must visit if you are ever in Lyme Regis! The food was truly special, a really interesting changing menu that surprised and delighted with each mouthful.

What a wonderful find! The food was delicious, made mainly with local ingredients. We loved the fact that we could share dishes like Tapas. Some of the flavour combinations were unique but really delicious. My husband really liked the suggestion of 3 varied glasses of wine for our 3 courses, one local which he enjoyed, enough to go online to buy some but sadly was sold out! We’ll worth the money spent. Dog friendly, which we needed and the staff were really friendly and attentive.

What an unbelievable dining experience. To accommodate ten of us and sustain the high level of cuisine presented to us is to be commended. From the memorable cocktails to the sublime food it was a dining experience to remember. We worked our way through the Nibbles and Starters before choosing a main, the diversity and quality of all the food presented was truly amazing. A special mention also goes to the staff who were wonderful and of course the chef who should be congratulated. Thanks for making it a special night for all of us, and the comedy show was a perfect end to a great night in picturesque Lyme Regis.

We visited Lilac on the second night of a two day break in Lyme Regis and wow what a wonderful experience! Lilac is a small plates restaurant allowing you to sample many tastes and textures all based around local fresh produce, the chef is frankly a genius, the different dishes were all delicious and beautifully balanced. The front of house team were wonderful and a special thank you to Nicola who made our evening extra special (thanks for the lesson in natural wines 🍷 😋) Everything was perfect from start to finish, made to feel so welcome and everything was delicious and beautifully presented! Thank you for a very wonderful evening xx

Fantastic quality and very atmospheric place. Great quality service. We had the hake, potato pave, and pear and squash salad. All delicious! And we had room for the amazing chocolate nemesis!

One of my favourite places to eat and drink. We’ve recently been for a lovely anniversary meal. Beautiful cocktails to start- hard pushed to find somewhere I like the cocktails as much; delicious range of small plates-everything was great, loved the split pea hummus and pickles, nudi was amazing. Wine flight introduced us to some really interesting new wines. Staff are always welcoming, friendly and make the evening feel brilliant.

Harriet Mansell’s Lilac restaurant and wine bar in Lyme Regis is a must if you staying here. I booked a table a few weeks ago as it was for a birthday meal. We arrived earlier than our booked table so that we could try out of some the cocktails. We were greeted by friendly smiling staff and shown to a cosy sofa area where we enjoyed one of their cocktails. We were not disappointed - imaginative ingredients and very nicely presented too! Lilac offers an amazing menu of small plates to share using seasonal locally sourced produce. The dishes are beautifully presented, full of amazing flavours to treat your taste buds and you can just keep ordering! We have previously eaten at Robin Wylde (which recently closed) and experienced Harriet’s amazing talent for great food. It was lovely to see Harriet, who is always smiling, and have a chat. I hope your next venture (whenever that may be) is as successful as both of the restaurants that we have eaten in to date. Thank you to all of the team for making the evening so enjoyable.