The Botany Bay Inne in North Dorset - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

had an absolutely lovely meal here with my partner. the food was delicious and yasmin, our server was so attentive and helpful, would definitely recommend!

Good food and a good break during our long journey.

1st time visiting lovely staff and the food is excellent

The pub is very nice with a lovely garden staff are very friendly and the food not bad, unfortunately my husband is gluten free and although he ordered a gluten free meal he was unwell by the time we got home!

Had dinner with the family here. Staff are absolutely wonderful and the food is delicious. Atomosphere is comfortable and welcoming. Highly recommend the cottage pie!

MANAGER HAS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS We went there on a Friday night as the place we wanted to go to was busy and we’d been curious about the place. I ordered Jake’s chicken shawarma, it was very mediocre the chicken was quite dry, it was essentially just a naan bread with some chicken and chips. However the people with me had some issues with their food so let our server know and she got her manager. The manager came over to us very confrontational, acted like we were children and tried to deny what was wrong with the food, we weren’t looking for money back or anything just wanted to make it known she acted like we were trying to steal money. Very unprofessional and I can’t see them staying open much longer if they are going to treat customers like that.

Good value pub food. We were very grateful to find the pub was still serving food at 8.30pm on our long journey home. Lovely welcoming and helpful staff. We will definitely come back when passing next time.

15 of us went for breakfast 10 am, had called in advance when we arrived seating was arranged so we could be together, the food was Exellent cooked as individuals requested and nothing was too much trouble. Great value At £10 for a large breakfast with unlimited tea and coffee . We WILL be back! Highly reccomended .

Perfect stop off point for us in our campervan and they very kindly allowed us to stay overnight after a very tasty and reasonably priced meal.

Having clearly stated I was gluten free, they brought me out a naan bread that contained gluten, but they didn't realise until I'd eaten some of it! The pub was practically empty (due to the time of day) so it's not like they can blame if on being busy.

Had 2 course meal and the crumbles are to die for. Friendly staff and great atmosphere. Thank you 😊

We found this lovely inn by way of a traffic detour from the West Country. We found a warm welcome and quick service. The food was tasty and well presented. Thankyou it was worth getting lost to find you. I hope others find you too!

Great value and a really nice breakfast

Visited for the first time today and will be back. I had the pork belly, which was absolutely amazing and I would definitely recommend. Overall fantastic food which was great value, with a warm and friendly atmosphere and plenty of parking and seating (both inside and outside). With kids meals at only £5 for a good sized plate you can’t go wrong.

Since it’s been taken over and refurbished we have visited for breakfast and Sunday Roasts many times. The service is always great, the staff are all very welcoming and the food is well priced and good quality. Would highly recommend to all. It’s so nice to have found a local, dog friendly pub that serves great food all day!

Called in for breakfast on a beautiful sunny Saturday. Excellent service Excellent surroundings and most of all Excellent breakfast, amazing

I sitting here now having the most amazing lunch. The greeting from Shane at the bar was so warm and welcoming and the place looks great from outside in. Toilets clean. Nice list of specials. The tomato soup is probably the best I’ve had and clearly not from a can and the vegan burger was amazing! Smiles all around. Worth a stop on the A31

Good atmosphere and food, staff really friendly and ended up with a cat sticker, would go again.

Now open again...Brilliant breakfast..WELL WORTH A STOP. Menu looked inviting as well.... Don't pass it by....

Impromptu visit on way home. Nice staff, good cheesy chips

Great stop off point for a pee and refreshing orange juice. Toasted sandwiches highly recommended

Excellent food and very good value - the ideal midway point between Weymouth and Ferndown, a group of us meet here regularly and we're always impressed. Highly recommend The Botany Bay Inne to anyone passing by, though for us it's a destination in itself that we constantly look forward to.

Had heard good reports of food and service from friends locally, and entertained friends from Australia for lunch. Their choices were delicious ( fish and chips x2 and creamy chicken curry. My beef stroganoff however was virtually inedible. The ‘beef’ arrived in enormous pieces and the first mouthful was about 30% gristle. I cook a lot at home ( which is one of the reasons we don’t go out to eat much…..I know that the quality of what ever I choose is as good as possible, and trimmed where necessary.) This was very disappointing. However, everything else was excellent and the service was very good too.

We been there for a few times and it was always good.

Having driven by the pub regularly, we'd been intending to drop in for something to eat and we're so glad we did. A wide-ranging menu of pub classics (and a few surprises) and a really nice updated decor. The food is what makes the Botany Bay Inne so good - it really is amazing value for money, with large portions and really well-cooked. The fish and chips is especially good. The staff are friendly and helpful, too and the outside space really lovely and inviting on a sunny day. 'Atmosphere' is marked down slightly as it was quiet post-lunchtime when we popped in and the music was a bit too loud in the restaurant, although this was probably emphasised by the fact it was quieter after the lunch rush, so no big deal really. If you're on the A31 between Corfe Mullen and Dorchester, pop in for some food - it's well worth it.

We called in on the off chance. Great refurbishment, lovely atmosphere and very attentive staff. We sat in the garden which is a sun trap, the interior decor has been upgraded and it very inviting. Dogs are welcome which is great, except the restaurant which is completely understandable. We shared a ploughman’s which was on the specials board. It came with a ciabatta, pate, ham and cheese. It was just right for us for lunch when we were eating a large supper! The roast looked good, we will be back to try it.

We popped into the Botany Bay Inne for dinner on our way home after a day out. The food was delicious (particulary the mint lamb burger) and the young girl (Evie?) who served us was charming and friendly. We wholeheartedly recommend eating there.

We almost missed it but are so glad we didn’t! My husband enjoyed the fantastic chili with guacamole; my Cesar salad had a bit too much dressing but the chicken was lovely and tender. The inn appeared to be recently renovated, clean and smart. There was a lovely terrace but it was a bit chilly when we were there.

Very helpful staff, and a very nice pub

Outstanding food, service and value for money. Highly recommended.

Lovely pub to stop off on the way home from dorset. Got there late but they still served me some nice dinner! Staff where friendly and full of banter.

Lovely food and a real suntrap in the court yard. Food was lovely and service was good.

We wanted to come and try the Botany Bay as a few people have said it’s nice. Sunday 5th of May I called up to ask if they were doing roast and if we had to book a table. I was told they were doing roasts and was serving food all day up until 9pm and didn’t have to book a table. I called back again as I completely forgot to ask if they were dog friendly which is nice to know they are as not many places allow dogs. The second call was half hour before we arrived. We ordered our food and then was told they had no more roasts. We came to the Botany Bay for a roast and they didn’t have any. We had to have a refund and re-order all our food again. The member of staff serving us came across more interested in what was happening down the other end of the bar with all the locals than serving us. Not only that we ordered a child’s chicken nuggets meals as that’s what it says on the menu but was told it was chicken goujons which isn’t a problem but actually the meal was more like southern fried chicken and was too spicy for our child. Our visit today wasn’t very good from the moment we walked in to when we left. Unfortunately due to a bad experience we won’t be coming back and won’t be recommending the Botany Bay to friends or family.

Driving back from Sidmouth to Bournemouth and wanted a dinner stop. We used to go to the Botany Bay 30 years ago and it had a great atmosphere. We are ashamed to say we have not been since! However it was the perfect stop off at the right time. Nice helpful young lady behind the bar and great food which tasted home made. The pie was excellent and the Indian special tasty too. Both well priced and Blue Light Discount on food. Free dessert if order placed before 6pm so we had a couple of sundaes. We were suprised it wasn't busier in the early evening. The only downside was we could hear the staff having a laugh and talking loudly in the kitchen which included a few swear words which wasn't very professional. However this wouldn't stop us returning in the future.

Lovely place, great atmosphere. The staff were very helpful when i needed to feed my baby granddaughter. Strangely the baby changing facilities were in the Gents toilets, but, as adults, we shared the space happily lol (im female). Food was very tastey, i had cottage pie, but i did think a little pricey at nearly £14!. Overall a plesant visit. Thank you x

Fab food fab service fab people

The food is great, but the servie is slow waited and hour for food and hour for dessert, which was ice cream, great food quality for the price. Staff is good and would recommend the colognes and crunchie honeycomb sundae!

Dog friendly! Food was really lovely and great service. Quiet but it was mid week when we visited. Would definitely return. Thankyou 😊🐾🐾

Stopped on our way back from a lovely Sunday dog walk. So pleased to see this place opened and refurbished. We had a delicious meal and great service, dog friendly and welcoming. Will certainly be stopping there again.

Recently done up but still a bit sterile for my taste. Friendly but fish and chips looked enormous but batter too thick and sadly tasteless so neither could finish it. Needs some local nick knacks.

Lovely staff, great food & beer, & the chef cooked some chicken for our dog!

Having been refurbished and newly reopened we popped in here on the way past a few weeks ago. We were that impressed with the high quality of food and service we went back again 2 weeks later. The Sunday roasts are delicious, choose from chicken, pork, lamb or beef. Small or large. The small serving is enough for us with very good portions. My daughter had the Chicken Burger and we've all cleared our plates on both visits. We can highly recommend the Biscoff Sundae for desert its so good you wont want to share it. We will be back again soon thats for sure.

Food was fantastic. Thank you very much

Excellent food and service!! Proper pub food done well, Would very much recommend 👌🏻

Really enjoyed lunch here.The food was delicious, the staff were very friendly and the place was CLEAN.

So impressed by this place. I wanted to get some change, as my daughters tooth fell out and needed some for the tooth fairy… the bar couldn’t help which was fair enough, but one of the employees, Alex, brought me some change, his own personal money. Apart from this they were all very friendly and helpful. Highly reccomend

Now under new management. Good value, tasty food which was nicely presented. Soup of the day, cottage pie, hunters chicken and selection puds

We had our first breakfast at the Botany Bay this morning. The food looked great, tasted great and we will bring returning and trying their lunch menu. Staff were lovely and friendly too. Highly recommend this pub, prices were very reasonable too.

I arranged a lunch after my friends civil wedding, a bit out of the ordinary but they where superb. Food was good, service was excellent. Very welcoming and accommodating Prices also very good We will return without fail. Loved ever minute of it.

We had Sunday roast on mother's day. Made to feel very welcome and the food was plentiful and hot. Particular mention for our waiter Shane who looked after us and was extremely pleasant. Will definitely return soon.

I always love dog friendly pups so a massive 10/10 right from the start! Great service, staff were friendly and engaging, plenty of room between tables so we didnt feel like we were 'shoe horned in' We both chose meals that you dont normally see on a 'pub menu' and both of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals, and were both full! ...and as a side note.. the toilets were nice and clean!

Visited yesterday for Mother’s Day Sunday lunch. The first time since it reopened under new management in January. What a pleasant surprise! We have lived opposite this pub for 8 years and it has changed hands many times. Predominantly because most of those that ran it just didn’t understand the customer base. Now, finally someone that does! It now serves good food all day at a reasonable price. Perfect for locals and passing trade alike. The staff were welcoming and friendly and the Sunday roast came out quickly, was well presented and tasted great. My son had the burger off the main menu and this was equally as good. To the current management if you are reading this: you have this nailed; keep up the good work and please whatever you do don’t be discouraged or tempted to change this back into a Sky Sports party pub (what a disaster that was)!

Had Sunday roast there. Really enjoyed it. Must go again.

We had lunch there on06/03/24. We were very impressed with the food, and staff , service very good.

Great to find it open again. Great value and excellent food.

Happened to stop here as passing, and so pleased we did. Food was fantastic. Large, well presented portions, everything tasted great.

We had their excellent baked potato & salad and fish & chips, both dishes beautifully cooked.

We had a really well cooked meal at the Botany Bay tonight on our way home from Heathrow airport. Excellent pub grub. Thank you team BBI.

Our first visit to the Botany Bay under its new management. We went for lunch. The food was excellent, and the portions were large and well priced. Clearly, they are newly opened with a young management team who are keen to do well, with new staff still learning the job. Overall, we were impressed with the service and the quality of the food, and we will be returning again, perhaps in the evening next time.

The staff were very friendly and all smiled and said hello as we arrived . The menu had a good choice of dishes, the food was ok, its pub grub ! My only small grip, I ordered chicken curry and the menu said creamy, it was more Balti, tomato based, not my favourite. We will come again and try something else.

This was excellent and I would definitely recommend the Sunday carvery. The only reason I've given it 4 stars is the lack of vegetarian/vegan options. The service was lovely, great atmosphere, large car park, food was hot and arrived quickly. Well done to the team as its only been open for about a month.

Great food and good sized portions. Good choices on menu from lighter bites at set times and main meals. I had a special and it was very tasty. My daughter had a jacket potato with Salad at a very good price.

We stopped off for a quick bite to eat, this place has a lovely warm and friendly atmosphere. All the staff were super friendly. The food was amazing. I would strongly recommend the BBQ belly pork bites.

Food at the Botany Bay Inn is excellent, good quality and value. The staff are lovely, welcoming and friendly. Good size coffee mugs. Highly recommended.

Lovely restaurant to stop at on your journeys. Has a really cosy feel. The staff were very welcoming and friendly and the food was amazing, definitely recommend the apple and berry crumble for dessert. Will definitely be stopping here again.

Food here was excellent. Good portions, very tasty and good value. Decent selection of drinks as well.

Very disappointed after this pub has been a local pub to us for years, no Sunday roasts left at 1.30pm and a very large intimidating dog at the bar launched at us and pulled the man off his stool very intimidating so we never stayed shame as the pub looked lovely and inviting, I am a dog owner and have no problem with dogs but this was upsetting and the bar staff did nothing!

Warm welcome from friendly staff - loads of choice on the menu. Gammon was massive and tasty, with good portion of chips and peas.The lasagne was also tasty, rich sauce and a real cheese topping opposed to white sauce and was served with garlic bread and peas. Great traditional, good value pub grub to a restaurant standard.

This is our local pub and we are so pleased it has reopened. We've been up a few times since it has opened again and the food and service are brilliant. I wish the new owners every success. Keep up the good work!!

Great food, friendly staff. Will visit again when in the area.

We attended today for a Sunday roast and it did not disappoint. The pork belly was HUGE and cooked to perfection. it came with cauliflower cheese as standard. I ordered a small and coyodnt finish it all. They also brought extra gravy without us asking for any.

get down here cracking pint and cracking food. nuff said. bosh. new management knows what’s up

I stopped at this place for a quick bite and drink on the A31 before my long drive back home to Luton. I was informed later they had reopened with new management 2 days back. They had a few beers on tap like Underfall, Butcombe which i had never heard of. I ordered a couple of starters Prawn Tempura, Korean Chicken and Pork Belly with zero expectations. I was in for an absolute surprise. The food was clearly on another level beyond normal pub food. The detail and attention given to the food in terms of flavour, doneness and presentation was phenomenal. I ordered an another round of starters purely to be amazed another round. If you are on the A31, do give this place an absolute go. I have added it to my fav places on Google maps.

Booked on 6/11/22 for the 4th December, booking came through as requested and that they will be in touch to confirm. No response to 2 emails and no one answers the phone!!! Cancelled the booking! because

Awful...closing today, so only had one drink and left. Shame...

Came after a dog walk just for some drinks, Took the dog in. Friendly staff and he got a dog treat. Got our drinks straight away. Warm and pleasant area to sit in

Had lovely carvery,friendly staff

First time here food and service was first class. Will definitely be going again.

Absolutely 💯. Can't fault anything from the cleanliness to the food. We'll done. Staff fantastic food excellent would recommend and also go back.

Nice stop along the Road Nice Little garden Good food

Excellent food, and staff.Called in on our way to Southampton, will use again 😀

Called in the staff warm an welcoming, very clean an beautiful food, will recommend to friends if they come to this end of the country

Update your website. We stopped on the way to Devon but the pub was closed. We checked on Google for a return stop, again when we got there it was closed. We had a lovely meal a bit further on at The World's End

Nice interior. Just carvery available.smell of veg very strong. No other food available.staff probs. No kids alternative.

Food was very good but limited choice due to some items not being available

Menu was food that could be cooked by ourselves at home, no desserts, only had ice cream. Would not recommend as food was awful, gravy granules were used instead of home made gravy, they were extremely salty which ruined my meal. Was not offered any discount or replacement. Disappointed with whole experience.

Had a yummy lunch there, food service, lovely setting and great food.

Lovely food, lovely atmosphere & great staff !

The Botany Bay Inne has loving interior inside and out. We were looking forward to coming here as we had heard loving things and was told the food was really good. Unfortunately our experience was very disappointing. We had the roast which was barely warm. Wanted to swap the Yorkshire for Stuffing which we were told we couldn't do. Asked if we could have Stuffing as an extra to be told that wasn't possible, as it allocated to the pork and gammon meals only. The topside beef was very fatty. The staff could have been more attentive and Smiley. Food was very expensive for what it was. We were in and out within 45mins. We also heard 3 more customers complaining before us. We won't be returning.

Wow what a find !!! Passing through from exeter to gosport on our motorbikes and stopped here on the off chance of a coffee, sandwich and use of the loo. Hubs ended up with the beefburger and chips with homemade slaw (he never eats coleslaw...ate the lot). Loved his food. Being vegan i was recommended the butternut squash risotto. One of the best meals out i have had. Roasted seeds, pea shoots and shredded fried leeks were delicious accompaniments and made this meal stand out from anything ive had before. Staff were amazing. Friendly and professional and we couldnt recommend this place highly enough.

Arrived for Lunch with friends from Kent. Had a lovely Lunch at a good price. Very good staff who were very friendly . Meals were great and a very good price, Will definitely be back to such a lovely place.

A lovely well run pub with a surprisingly large car park. Fine choice of ales. Food and service 5*. Will be back

Amazing !! Food was incredible everything was cooked to perfection the staff were equally as incredible as the food very accommodating for picky eaters so helpful and attentive worth every penny we will return and recommend fantastic very happy 😊

Lovely outdoor space, really great staff, we tried chips, nachos, cider and a real ale all delicious. Great experience and dogs welcome.

Just opened inside today. Great Covid control. Lovely welcome. Great food, good portions. Staff we're lovely. Thanks guys!

Nice roast lunch , good portions, tasty and good service .

The Burgers are out of this world

IT DOESN'T LET CAMPERVAN STOP OVER NIGHT 😢😢😢

Got to pay for your own sauces 40p a sachet. Bit of a joke if you ask me

The best food I have ever had in the Pub which was well combined with chilled Bira Moretti. We had Cajun Chicken and Bacon Salad which was delicious with the best Value of the quality food. My cousin had 60z handmade burger which was the juiciest burger he ever had. We had very pleasant time there with friendly service. Recommend!!!Recommend!!!Recommend!!!