Rachel's in West Dorset

Lucky to get a table on the last day of their season. Far earlier than we would choose to eat but so glad we did, especially as it was such a beautiful day to sit outside. Exceptionally warm and friendly welcome and service. We chose fish and chips and the fish stew. Chips were outstanding and the fish flavoursome with a very delicate batter. The fish stew was outrageously good and I probably bored my partner rigid with saying so after every mouthful. Would happily drive the 4 hours to experience Rachel’s again.

Fantastic little find, arrived a bit late but they found a table and the food was lovely freshly cooked, would recommend

Great for a quick bite to eat after a long walk. Had the mussels - well prepared, fresh and flavoursome sauce. The Salt & pepper squid was very nice too.

I was expecting quality seafood. I had crab salad, whilst my partner had fisherman’s trio (crab, prawns and mackerel pate). Both came with salad. My goodness, I was expecting good quality seafood, but the salads were just perfect too. Fresh, crispy, perfectly seasoned and a perfect balance to the seafood. The chips and bread were good too. We had a table booked for noon and were glad that we did have. All tables were taken. I’m very glad that we didn’t miss out.

The best place to eat and drink around westbay harbour. Never had a bad experience. Vist time and again every time we holiday in westbay.

Very good food - fish soup and seafood platter at reasonable prices. Seating is on benches right by the harbour. The only problem is that they close too early.

Lucky enough to have found this little shack near the beach and what a find!! Ate here twice. The fish and chips are the best I have ever tasted and the Smoked Haddock Chowder is AMAZING!!!!! Well done all at Rachel’s for serving up such delicious food 😋

Huge portions, fresh and tasty. Friendly and welcoming staff. Highly recommended. Will definitely be back.

It’s a been a year since writing a review and whilst Rachel’s gets the best reviews, I can’t help myself to add another 5 star absolute top notch review for staff, food and service. Also a couple of photos to. The rain was pouring and we got soaked sat at the tables but who cares, we had best service and seafood you could wish for. Same quality every time we visit, just yum!

Absolutely delicious. Fresh and great value. We shared the platters and enjoyed every mouthful! Homemade mackerel pate, crab and prawn cocktail were amazing. It made a salad seem so much more exciting! Tempera prawns and giant prawns were so tasty.

Yesterday I visited Rachel's for the second time and my visit confirmed it really is a very special place to eat. We'd booked ahead, which was a good move as there were no unreserved tables left. (People who arrived on spec were advised that a takeaway would mean a wait of up to an hour and it's a testimony to Rachel's well deserved reputation that they were willing to wait, despite all the alternative eateries nearby) As a vegetarian, I had less choice on the menu, but my Greek salad was excellent and I really liked the addition of new potatoes. My seafood loving friend said her Fisherman's Trio was absolutely delicious. We had a very good white wine with our food and espresso afterwards. Service was very friendly and efficient. Even a typical British summer shower that meant we ate part of our lunch in kaghouls with our hoods up couldn't spoil a lovely lunch.

Booked a couple of days earlier. We both had the fisherman’s trio, can’t fault it for quality. The mackerel was excellent, also had crab and prawns on the plate, a delicious salad and good quality bread. Whilst we had drinks, we’d finished them as the meal came and staff offered and then brought us cups of water. Excellent value for money. We could see the sharing seafood platter, looked great, just too much in quantity for us. Staff super friendly. We’re holidaying in Dorset and it will go on the must visit next time. Definitely knocks spots off your fancy restaurants ! Wish I’d taken a photo ..

All I can say is it sooo good, super friendly staff amazing service. Fisherman’s trio was fantastic. Brilliant location over looking the harbour

Have Been many times Have worked our way through the menu ..every Dish a delight It's the place we take friends who come to stay .. Now they ask to go Great food Friendly Staff Great wine etc Lovely location

We've been wanting to have lunch here for ages, this week we eventually made it and worth the wait it was! After phoning to say we were running slightly late, we were greeted by a lovely friendly lady (should have asked if this was Rachel!) Fortunately after a downpour, the rain had just stopped & we were seated at a table looking over the harbour. We both chose a bottle of Hunts cider, one of our favourites, and the Fisherman's Trio. This was simply excellent! Couldn't fault it at all! Beautifully prepared and presented, we enjoyed tasty prawns, crab & smoked mackerel pate. The salad was amazing too...any chance of the recipe for your coleslaw?!😉 All this was served with generous chunks of lovely fresh bread. The gentleman that bought our food was extremely friendly & checked everything was OK on a couple of occasions, it was just like restaurant service, but very informal, relaxed and attentive. Would we return? Try stopping us! Thank you to everyone at Rachel's for a fantastic lunch🙂

We had two platters and they were subliminally magnificent. My taste buds can't remember such delights, if there was a higher rating I would give it.

My wife and I had lunch here we were lucky to get a table. The food and service first class we had fresh lobster salad for £17 how good is that 👌

My wife and I went there for lunch . We had Chowder and mule muniere , glass of white wine To die for We recommend it highly ..

Excellent service at Rachel’s. We turned up on a Thursday lunchtime. All tables were reserved. We asked for a takeaway. Whilst waiting a very nice young lady came and said there was a table available but no umbrella and in the sun. (It was a...

Easy to book over the phone for the following week, got a reserved table in the shade. The food was absolutely delicious, very reasonably priced and excellent cheerful service.

Came here for a Father's day treat, and it did disappoint . Food was topclass piping hot and very yummy. Staff very friendly and could not fault anything . Highly recommended and, but slays book so as not to be disappointed. Well-done Rachels .

Although this is a fast food outlet selling seafood to be consumed on benches outside if not taken away, the quality of its products are of restaurant standard. This was obvious as we watched diners enjoying the line of lobster and chips, scallops and seafood...

Had wanted the seafood platter for a while and boy was it worth the wait, a huge platter filled with exceptionally fresh seafood, salads and dressings accompanied by hunks of fresh bread. well worth the money and at least £40 cheaper than Rick Steins (...

If you are looking for a posh restaurant then this not for you . Basic wooden pup table overlooking the harbour. But if you are looking for a Fantastic fish meal overlooking a scenic harbour in beautiful Dorset sunshine with the freshest fish I have...

Some relatives and I popped here for some drinks and snacks. The staff were very friendly, however many of the items we requested they did not have in stock so was a little disappointing.

Beautiful food! For fresh tasty seafood you mustn’t miss this place! We were very lucky they had a cancellation as they were fully booked for lunch and was able to have the mixed seafood platter for 2 and WOW is the only word I can...

Had a fantastic meal here. I say meal as this is in the ‘quick bites’ section of trip advisor but you can spend a good couple of hours here enjoying the harbour and the weather. We booked a table prior to our visit and ordered...

Rachels should have 3 Michelin Sheds how to cook fab food in a shed. The fish stew was beautiful adorned with aioli and samphire and a delicious herb Parmesan scone presentation is great prawns chunks of fish lovely tomato pepper and onion sauce. My wife...

Lovely friendly welcome from the staff and great service too. Chowder was first class. Highly recommended.

First day open again after winter break...We had seafood Chowder, and a hearty Bacon sandwich.....Heaven! Well worth the long wait since October. Will be back as soon as we can for more! Well done Rachael and team, can't wait for our next visit!

Exactly what I was looking for, small shak, homemade simple sea food! Absolutely excellent!! For fish lovers ; warning, it is not a restaurant, is like a cafe but ticked all boxes for me

Just our usual end of year 'Thank you' to all those lovely people who work so hard at this amazing place. A beautiful sunny last day of the season, busy as always with happy people enjoying the food and harbour side ambiance. An open air...

This place is unbelievable and will put most restaurants to shame. I still can’t believe that they produce such great quality food from such a small place. Fish is always fresh and the butternut squash curry came from Racheals own garden. Staff are always helpful...

Very poor customer experience and very confusing. You are made to call beforehand which I did then arrived and ordered fish and chips. Waited 25mins with my baby after this asked how long it would be and was told “we are just putting it in...

We went to this place with only one thing in mind… seafood!!! We were not disappointed amazing portions the food was divine and so reasonably priced. We shared the prawn platter and dirty fries, then I had the fish cakes which were the best I...

Wonderful seafood at great prices - great service and a brilliant experience. Rachel's is simply fantastic but you need to book in advance to enjoy this amazing cafe

Excellent seafood at realistic prices. We each had the Prawn Platter, which was superb. Next time I'm going to try the Salt and Pepper Squid. Booking is essential.

Rachels is a constant in an ever changing food market whilst others are loosing the plot . This time had her simple fayre fish and chips sounds basic but nothing basic about the quality Light crispy batter with lovely crispy chips cooked in fresh oil...

Always try a get a table at Rachel’s when we are in West Bay. Amazing Haddock chowder. Nobody does anything as good! Always book a table though or you will be disappointed, as it’s so popular.

Managed to grab a hour away from the children to have lunch with my wife. After reading the reviews I was itching to try Rachel’s. We booked the day before…….and booking for a seat or takeaway is a must as limited spaces. Food was fantastic....

Family lunch (I advise you to book, as we did - tables are reserved). As you can see from the photos the meal was amazing. Chips were those of legend. It's the little things like the ice cold wine which was the recommendation and went...

Been coming to West Bay for years and come here every time! Absolutely love it. Food is always excellent. So fresh and delicious. The value for what you get is incredible. They also make some delicious sauces to compliment the fish.

Visited Rachel’s for our annual visit when we visit Poole from Lincolnshire .Food great as always cod loin with chorizo and potato was full of flavour , daughter had fish cakes which were good ,I even managed to try !fish and chips and trio platter...

Booked a table for 4, the food was fresh plentiful and amazing. Service excellent and value for money. The fishcakes were outstanding as were the crevettes and the Fisherman's Trio. So good, booked again the next day for the following week and again..not disappointed. Menu...

Booked a table for lunch, was soooo looking forward to trying a mixed seafood platter, but they hadn't got any left (and on booking, we were told that we didn't need to book the platters in advance), was gutted, but we did get to try...

I don’t know how rachel produces the best food you will ever have from such a small cabin. Complement that with the a very friendly welcome and outstanding service. It’s just the number one place around. We had a combination of dishes as a starter....

We have been here a few times and always have a great experience. We phoned up to book our table a week in advance (advisable as they get very busy). We had the fresh crab sandwiches and the salt and pepper squid with chips and...

We drove specifically to West Bay to try this place which I had seen on Trip Advisor. Food and price were excellent and the staff bent over backwards for us. Highly recommended.Advise reservation. Thank you Rachel and team

Went for lunch yesterday, and as a seafood fan I would happily recommend Rachel's to everyone. I had a fabulous fresh and tasty lobster salad, served with homemade chunky chips and slaw, Hubby had fresh fish of the day, chunky chips and homemade tartar, everything...

Very busy and couldn't get a table but I got a takeaway and went back to caravan. It was excellent loved every bit of it and would definitely recommend.

Just had a fantastic meal for two highly recommended I will be back for more service was also fantastic greeted by a happy smiling face could not do enough for you Remember to book

We were able to book a couple of tables for lunch (all tables are outside). The food was delicious. The only down side was dodging the very hungry seagulls who were circling above us, but they made us feel at one with nature!

In an area where many cafes seems to use disposable cups we made a bee line for Rachel’s when we noticed they served coffee in proper cups. We weren’t disappointed it was a good cappuccino helped by weather that allowed to sit outside.

This place never fails, great food and great service. Fresh fish and accompaniments Along with small but excellent of local beers and ciders. We go whenever we are in the area.

Absolutely loved this place , food amazing and service was great!! Would return within a heartbeat. Wish there was more places around like this .

My sister booked this, halfway between our homes. Very friendly and efficient service, wonderful seafood. I recommend the lobster trio! Only downside is the marauding birds, but hey it is outdoor dining.

Had booked for lunch on Saturday. Table available on time. Food excellent. Service great. Value for money exceptional. Let's keep it a secret! John

We always visit Rachels on our annual visits to West Bay. It is situated in one of the kiosks that surround West Bay harbour. Rachels is the best we have tried, and we are not the only ones who feel this way, it is very...

Delicious and fresh fish and seafood. Chowder to die for! Very reasonably priced. Very popular so get in early!

We had lunch at Rachel’s on a beautiful and sunny Saturday afternoon sat right in front of the harbour. We had the mixed prawn platter which was absolutely delicious with fresh prawns and accompanied by a lovely salad. Thoroughly enjoyed it all!

Fantastic and unexpected - the food was unreal, considering the small compact kitchen the food produced was exceptional. The friendly service was brilliant too as they managed to squeeze us in as we didn’t book. I would recommend to anyone. The best seafood on the...

If you love fish and seafood this place is an absolute must visit. Tastiest and freshest fare possible. Always busy so worth booking in advance and getting a table at midday (their only slot). Heavenly!

Asked for a Crab sandwich to take away as the rain had settled in. We were served a lovely tasting sandwich, with lots of side salad and a portion of chips, all wrapped to take away. Great service and food

We ate lunch on three days with different friends. First lunch was superb, second excellent and third outstanding. Staff very efficient and made us feel welcome. Excellent food, excellent value. Jenny & Dave Guernsey

Called in for a coffee, so taken with the Menu booked a table for Lunch, Absolutely outstanding, Clean and very Professional in their approch to Customer Service. Jess was a delight, nothing was to much trouble she was full of enthusiasm and the Food was...

Despite the rain, we shared a lovely lobster salad served with a generous portion of warm crispy chips, sheltering under the broad umbrellas, alongside a warming cappuccino and hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows. Friendly helpful service with some great food. We will be back,...

Rachels is perfectly positioned next to the harbour in West Bay. it was recommended by the owners of a shop a short walk away. Outdoor seating, with prompt attentive service. The seafood chowder was amazing, with much smoked haddock and salmon. The seafood platter was...

Heard a lot about Rachel's living in Lyme and finally booked a table yesterday. Well it was amazing in the food, hospitality and prices. If only this was available in Lyme Regis....... Rachel you should franchise this in Lyme Regis which hasn't anything like what...

I bought two egg and bacon rolls at Rachel’s on a drizzly Saturday morning. The service was friendly, quick and good. The rolls were generously filled with perfectly cooked eggs, crispy bacon all on fresh rolls. All in all a really good breakfast.

Superb lunch served by staff who are 100% invested in serving beautifully presented and delicious seafood. Thank you!

Fantastic food, lovely staff and very reasonable prices. Had Prawn Platter and Crevettes, scallops and mussel platter between us washed down by Pimms in the sunshine. Sunday lunch doesn’t get much better. Despite being Easter Sunday, only rang for a reservation yesterday and they fitted...

Rachel’s stands head and shoulders above everywhere else in West Bay. Great food, affordable prices and very friendly service with lovely harbour views. If you are in the area you should go. It’s very popular so book ahead if you can or be be patient...

We visited Rachels three times, with one occasions being for lunch. Staff were so friendly giving us tips as to what was good on the day. They also made a fuss of our labrador puppy. The lunch we had was absolutely amazing, both vegetarian and...

We were pleased to book Rachel’s for lunch but slightly less pleased by the freezing cold snap on the day. Still we toughed it out; the fleeting sun made it just bearable. The fisherman’s trio was really tasty and made an excellent choice for lunch....

Hard to believe it's that time of year again. A big thank you as always to each and every one of you who make Rachel's such an amazing place to visit for some fantastic food and service. A few of their delicious seafood curries stashed...

I was recommended to try Rachels as struggling to find good food at a reasonable price (dont get me wrong I'll pay for good food but some in the same area are just not what i wanted or as good) I arrived to be told...

great fish and chips - light batter and tasty chips - really long wait which nearly drove my husband mad

I managed to get a table at Rachel’s and all I can say about the mixed prawn platter is lush, also had the fish cakes yum and hubby had the fish stew with bread and some salt and pepper squid well it all was proper...

We were lucky enough to get a booking for Friday and ended our holiday on a high note. Absolutely delicious nosh attractively presented. Our server was a delightful girl and sorry we didn't get her name. Sitting in the sunshine by the harbour - what's...

I had the smoked haddock chowder and my friend had the fish stew. So yummy. Service efficient and super friendly. Would recommend.

A visit to West Bay would not be complete without a visit to Rachel's. Booking is a must cause last few times had no vacancies . Serving from a beech hut the food is better than any resteraunt and once again went for mixed prawn...

We have been coming to Westbay for about 9 years and always look forward to eating at Rachels. Food is always awesome, staff alway very friendly and helpful Can't wait to est there again.

We rocked up (family of 4) without a reservation (didn't know we needed one) and because it was only one meal, they accommodated us. Of all the crab sandwiches I had during our stay in Dorset, theirs was by far the best and the portion...

Having lost my sister Rachel last year all I wanted to do was eat at Rachel’s whilst on holiday in West Bay. Rachel’s is fully booked months in advance and when I told them why I wanted to eat there they very kindly squeezed us...

Outdoor seating, would be a challenge if the weather is not nice. The kitchen is in a small shed, right by the fishing harbour. Fantastic array of dishes catering mainly for seafood, but also for those who prefer vegan or other. Staff are friendly and...

We booked to have lunch and couldn't get in for a couple days. So definitely book if you can. The food is lovely. Its so reasonably priced as well. The staff are friendly and helpful. The only downside for our visit was the rain. It...

After doing some research for some quality seafood I came across this absolute gem. The food is so fresh and so reasonably priced, the staff were so accommodating and friendly nothing was too much trouble. We visited twice because we loved it so much and...

Organised this whole meal over text! What can I say...great service, fabulous food, very attentive, catered for 17 members of my family all at the same time, parents, vegan, children aged from 5-14 years. Thanks guys! We will be back! All the food was delicious...

We were lucky and managed to order a takeaway of crab sandwiches (each served with a dressed salad & chips) Every mouthful was wonderful. Everything on the menu sounds delicious & great value for the quality of the food. We will definitely remember to book...

Recently book a bench at Rachels, and had the most beautifully presented seafood, with such great colour and flavour! Amazing little find, would have walked past this shack any other time, but now in my black book!

Sure, this place still serves up enjoyable food by the harbour. However, my last visit did not match the experience of previous years. The core ingredients were not of the quality I expected and there was an over abundance of seafood sauce and salad as...

Rachel’s never fails to deliver. Great food, service and value for money. Had the fisherman trio on this occasion and it was most excellent, I particularly like the mackerel pate! Had to add a side of the chunky fries as they are the best! The...

An unplanned visit. Fully booked, but luckily there as a vacancy opened up. Four sets of food (Egg Mayo sandwiches (with lovely salad and chips), Prawn cocktail (with salad), Dorset Apple cake and cream, and "proper fishcakes (with chips and side salad). All Excellent. Cannot...

We have been waiting for a great crab sandwich all week and this did not disappoint. We had an amazing crab sandwich in granary bread. It was fabulous. The added bonus was the delicious salad and dressing and the chunky chips - crispy on he...

Rachel's definitely has the best fish and chips! The batter was light and the fish was fresh. We also had the prawn mix. We devoured it. We did have to wait 45 mins but it was worth the wait, We would definitely go back if...

The warmest welcome from Jess and the team, delicious food and a very refreshing Pimms/local cider. Only sorry we didn’t get chance to return. The weather on Sunday was wet but sitting under an umbrella was perfect

We were very lucky to get a table at Rachel's during our trip to West bay, and we're so glad we were able to! We shared the sea food platter for 2, and everything on it was beautifully fresh and tasted amazing. The staff were...

Do not underestimate the standard of food coming out of a small shack situated next to the marina in West Bay. Our party of four sampled the fish stew which was so fresh and so tasty, we also tasted the tempura prawns and had a...

We had the best time at Rachel's. The team are so friendly and approachable. Absolutely must book in advance and can highly recommend the Seafood Platter!!!

We have been coming to West Bay on holiday for some years now, & always make sure we book a table for lunch at Rachel’s. The food & service are consistently excellent, & for our trip at the beginning of this month, we chose the...