The Dorset Kitchen in West Dorset

We had one of the nicest breakfasts we've had for a long time and very reasonable. The ladies who served us were lovely and we honestly couldn't fault anything. Tables were clean (and being cleaned the second someone left) and at one point it was full, which speaks for itself.

Went to Goulds for lunch terrible experience had the chicken and mushroom pie with salad Joke. Pie was just a peice of soggy pastry with a small amount of ingredients inside. My fault I should have demanded my money back. Should have read reviews,what has happened to this old establishment?

Twice I have complained to Goulds’ customer service; twice I have been ignored! The first time I complained about a member of staff who told me that a gentleman would have to sit at my table, as there was no room elsewhere. I told her that my partner and 2 friends were in the store and on the way to the restaurant - she ignored me - we didn’t stay. So 4 lunches lost, although there were tables with empty spaces. The second time, we popped in for lunch and chose chicken and mushroom pie @ £7.95 each. The pastry was soggy, the chicken and mushroom was dry - no sauce or gravy. There will not be a third time!

On a recent visit I was appalled by slovenly attitude. No tables were wiped, only one half heartedly. The table we sat down at was cleared but not wiped. It has some liquid on it and also the seat. The tables just get looked at and left if looked clean. Pre pandemic we had watched in horror as a cloth was dropped on the floor then used to clean the table. The food was barely luke warm. Tasteless looked old and tired. Unidentifiable and not what ordered. Accompanied by a microscopic salad. The one for all loo did not flush. Don't have your lunch here it is filthy. Unhygienic, slovenly, altogether a sickening experience. These waitresses need sharp reprimanded and training in hygiene. Is not tolerable in these times of hygiene vilerance.

The menu was out of date and had items that were unavailable. When we went to order, we had to go back to ask what alternatives family members wanted as there were also things unavailable. A member of staff said ‘what do you expect coming in at 2:30pm when we close at 3!’ to the chef who audibly said ‘f’ing insane’ and was heard by everyone. The lady who brought the food out was lovely but staff in open kitchen were offensive.

Ordered the Steak and Ale pie as per the specials board….cut into the top of the pie….a layer of mushroom presented itself..ugh..mushrooms make me poo and poo…picked my way in and found a few bits ..yes a few small bits of steak mixed in with carrot bits…at the end…went over to the counter…sorry we buy these pies in said the pleasant lady..would you like a piece of paper to send to head office, I shrugged and went off and complained to the pleasant table cleaner…. The pie should be called a steak mushroom and veg pie. Will never return to this establishment on our monthly visitation to Dorchester shopping Regards Tonyg

Not great. I ordered a Jacket potato with cheddar cheese and Wiltshire cut ham, when my food arrived, the potato was cold, the cheese was not nice and the salade was like it was out of a bag and the peppers and cucumber tasted as if they had been sat out for a while.I am disapointed as I was looking forward to trying their food.

17 of us went for afternoon tea for a birthday celebration, the food was superb, service excellent, value for money brilliant, definitely go back again highly recommended

This has to be one of the strangest cafe experiences I've had in a long time. We visited here on a Sunday with our daughter. Our daughter is autistic and struggled with the menu, so we ordered a bowl of cheesy chips for her and homity pies for us. At the till we were told they had run out of chips? So we asked for a plain baguette, just with butter which they did. The homity pie was awful, all potato with a blob of microwaved cheese on top, and soggy pastry, and a 1980's side salad, not nice. The thing that really irritated us were the two male cooks who were constantly doing a two tone whistle and shouting 'sausage' , and then falling about laughing like this was the most hilarious thing in the world, strange and after the twentieth time extremely irritating.. a really odd experience, won't be going back.

I love to shop local in Goulds but their dreary restaurant has not much going for it - "machine" coffee, greasy and poorly flavoured cake. It is popular with pensioners and no doubt convenient but depressimg as hell. Search for chocolate cake made me wish I had not eaten it, wasted calories. This should not be hard!!

Had tuna jacket potato the quality was good but the amount of tuna was very small. It was the smallest amount of tuna I have ever had in any cafe anywhere.

We had an amazing Roast beef sandwich for lunch which was served with plenty of salad garnish and crisps. The staff sere excellent

I went to Gould’s Cafe last week with 10 members of my family, although we were a large group the staff gave us impeccable service, they were extremely friendly and the food was absolutely brilliant! Such a large selection of fillings and you could choose whether you had baguette, sandwich, toasted sandwich or a Panini. They also had other items on the menu but I was extremely impressed by the baguette, it had a generous filling and the salad that accompanied it was so fresh. Possibly the best lunch I’ve had anywhere in a long time!

Indigestion cafe- all I wanted today was a ham sandwich...I got two dry cardboard pieces of so called bread, a bit of butter and two slices of ham. No offer of salad, mustard or anything which might have made it more palatable. Utterly disgusting, sadly I was hungry enough to eat it but my digestive tract may have issues! Presented in a box, a piece of napkin and as dry as can be... won’t be pooping in for a which sandwich again. So miss the Loose Moose who were there before 😢

Whilst visiting Gould’s department store we spotted this cafe and went in for drinks. It is a popular location with locals. It is a bit of a hidden gem as it isn’t obviously advertised. They have a display of the most amazing cakes I have ever seen. We ordered tea and were served by a friendly staff member. Prices were also quite reasonable. There is one toilet which is accessed via the cafe. Enjoyed our teas and would definitely recommend. Will definitely return to try the cakes.

When we’re in Dorchester , we only ever go in this cafe for breakfast as we’ve allways been pleased but today we had lunch and unfortunately we were disappointed. I ordered beans on toast with GF bread , waitress said they only had one Crust left !!!!! I don’t understand why at 12.30 you would run out of GF bread when so many people need GF now . Surely have a loaf in the freezer at least ! For the first time ever I saw beans on toast served with salad !!!!!! Surely not !

This is in one of the very few independent department stores in the country. It’s what you could call”county” . You know, the sort of thing where Burberry doesn’t go amiss and people spend £400 on bedding accessories. So why then when I go in the restaurant/ cafe and order a tea I get a huge cup with hot water and a tea bag plopped in it? Surely a teapot would be more appropriate.

This is a short review as I just popped in here for a cappuccino before returning home after a day out in 'Casterbridge'. As it was nearly empty I was served quickly - in fact the menu in the Dorset Kitchen is fairly extensive so there should be something here for everyone so I may well stop for a meal here on the next trip. The real problem with this cafe in Gould's store is that it is hidden - there appears to be no signs at the front of the shop and a stranger to the area would not know that there is actually a fair sized cafe here until after walking though the front doors - where a sign indicates the layout and contents of the store. They are missing a trick! There is a very clean customer toilet but the external door opens outward which could be a problem for anyone walking past - though there is a warning notice. The cafe has a 5* 'scores on the doors' hygiene rating from West Dorset District Council.

Unfortunately this time of using the Dorset Kitchen, found lady on the till unhelpful. Didn't ask for my Goulds card and when I asked I was met with a not very polite reply of its too late, no cold glasses. No soft rolls at 1.00. Tables not cleared customers doing themselves. The amount of staff I would have thought one could have done it, But only after one noticed me taking a photos was it done.

Visited with daughter and grandchildren for a light lunch. They had sandwich and a bagette with scrummy local ham. We had jacket potatoes and as I needed a gluten free filling it was no trouble to check the ingredients for me. Very friendly and helpful staff. Would visit again happily.

Nice, light and airy, clean and well kept. Good size hot beverages and plenty of choice. I love the cheese scones served warm with butter. Staff are very nice and helpful.

We called in here before a visit to the cinema, always has a good selection of home made cakes and savouries at a reasonable price. Staff are friendly but not overly so. The café is inside the Goulds department store.

Three us stopped for quick lunch. Food looked reasonable price. Served quickly . Food was nice and hot . Drink were in good size mugs . Friendly staff .

We had a lunchtime snack here staff are very good and as they did not have a filling I wanted they made me one up there and then.the sandwiches we had were really well presented on a nice shaped plate with a side salad and some crisps . I thought the prices were very reasonable too a regular latte ( was a large one to me) a mug of tea and a premium sandwich came to £7.70

This is a long established family Department Store in two different locations. The Dorset Kitchen has a good choice of light lunches, snacks, sandwiches and excellent cakes. The staff are friendly and the prices reasonable. They offer a loyalty card with one free drink for every six consumed,. I visit regularly for tea, coffee and snacks.

A smallish shop, but it does have a nice cafe. It was clean and they had a nice selection of food. They do several vegetarian meals which is good.

Lovely cuppas & tea cakes but sadly just 1 loo.....Embarrassing if desperate for loo & someone along time in there.......

Lunchtime snack, the staff made fresh sandwiches for us but like the other I picked from the counter the bread was less than fresh. Staff were pleasant, plenty of space because it was not too busy, high chair a bit sticky but table clean. Danish pastries were OK. Best bit is they sell Luscombe elderflower pop.

Went to luggage section this time and again pleased with choices and service. Prices reasonable and nice not too busy buying atmosphere

You pays your money and takes your chance, this is only my opinion but for the prices, food quality and staff, I would not put it high on my list of eating places. People on a low income would be advised to seek a more hearty meal for these prices.

Very busy area of store. Spotlessly clean.Food looked very appetizing. Orders taken quickly . Well presented and well cooked.

Small cafe in Gould's department store....beats the chain cafes hands down with a nice, clean atmosphere and an excellent wide choice of menu. We chose Welsh Rarebit (delicious and freshly cooked, most certainly not from the freezer) and vegetable soup (ditto). Whole menu looked good. We didn't have room for any of the amazing cakes in the chill cabinet, which included a huge fresh fruit pavlova and a very tempting and very large blackcurrant cheesecake. We'd go back here anytime.

In the centre of Dorchester offering hot or cold snacks. Excellent choice of cakes/tray bakes. Well worth a vist & don't forget to ask for a loyalty card.

Goulds have two shops on the high street in dorchester. There is the ladies & menswear fashion department and perfumery. There's also lingerie and accessories. Upstairs is their cafe 11 very popular with the local customers.

Went yesterday and was impressed. Good selection for snacks and lunch and the staff were really good fun. Not expensive so will definitely go back. Set at the back of the store it was thriving!

the sales staff were very attentive and helpful, very pleasant hour spent on a rainy Saturday buying underwear and clothes in the sale

Quite nice light bites here and very friendly staff. Just right for an afternoon snack and coffee. Omelettes are particularly good.

This has been in the same family for years and I first knew it in the late 60's. Excellent beauty department and good mens' clothes. Also has a separate furnishing store. Middle of the road womens' clothes.

Pleasant place to call in for a coffee and a snack, good value food and quick counter service. Very clean eating area. Convenient town centre location.

I always find staff go out of their way to help. It's nice to have good service and a friendly atmosphere.

We have never had a bad experience from Goulds Resturant. The drinks and the food have always been of high standard.

me and my daughter come here we normally have a drink and cake there really nice cakes friendly helpful staff in great place so you can shop then get a well earned drink

Set within the shop itself the cafe is like stepping back in time in a very nice manner, the staff are lovely and the food is fine, not expensive and honest British Fayre......a bit dated but fun all the same, great for families

A small café in Goulds in South Street with a cafeteria offering hot and cold snacks. pleasant service at reasonable prices. Note Goulds have two stores, both have cafeterias , the other being called "Café 11"