The Gallery Cafe in Purbeck

Having dropped in for a drink and snack mid-morning we were really keen to try lunch - this was clearly not 'just any visitor attraction cafe'. It tells you a lot that mid-week in January we had to wait till quite late in the lunch period to get a table for three! It's not the cheapest place for lunch but like the Smugglers Inn at Osmington you get what you pay for.

This was our first visit and we were pleasantly surprised and rather impressed! We started the day’s visit with brioche buns with bacon and egg for brunch. Hot and tasty. I had an excellent hot chocolate which was dark and rich and not too sweet. My husband had an Americano which he said was good. After exploring the sculptures around the lakes, which was just excellent, we returned to the cafe for a cream tea. We thought this was very good value and again of very good quality. Large homemade scones with plenty of jam and cream and very good tea for £5 a head. The cafe itself is beautifully decorated and is cosy with a wood burning stove. Dogs were allowed in a side room. The service was friendly and efficient. We loved it all and will be back!

This was a very pleasant place to have lunch. The staff were great as was the food. The pate on toast was very filling and the overall price was very reasonable.

Having visited the cafe a couple of years ago on the quest for the perfect Dorset cream tea I was extremely disappointed to find out that it was no longer offered. The deconstructed cheesecake was the equivalent of angel delight with a handful of crumbs on top. I felt robbed for £9 for 4 spoonfuls that didn’t require chewing.

No dogs, no kids (I have 2 20+Yr olds) this place is heaven. Lovely food, some produce from the kitchen garden. Great staff. Fab vibe.

Arriving for lunch today in pouring rain we were turned away because we had the temerity to arrive with children....I respect (but disagree) with not admitting children to the sculpture park (surely better to encourage and educate from a young age...?), but this is a CAFÉ. Surely the sensitive clientele could manage to be in the same space as those under 14 while eating?! Especially since the cafe was almost empty at the time. As arts educators and benefactors, this has made sure we will never offer support to an institution so woefully out of touch. If Messums, and Hauser and Worth, can welcome families, so could you. What poor judgement to care so little about your future supporter base!

Halfway break during our fantastic visit to Sculptures by the lakes and we needed sustenance. After ordering our food, not too long to wait, we took our seats upstairs across the way to the outside balcony(only two tables here and very lucky to get these on first come first served basis). Delicious food and drinks and then ready to explore further.

Found this place overpriced - £9 for an egg mayo sandwich and the manager was rude and unhelpful. They advertise a takeaway service but do nothing to serve these customers. No cutlery available and only plastic cups on a tray outside the cafe. Very disappointing

If you go to the Sculpture park, then take away lunch here is too good an opportunity to miss. Take it into the park and choose from a huge number of lovely spots to dine. The vegetable garden is huge and I expect that all of the salad ingredients are from it. We saw them pick vegetables and take them to the cafe whilst we were there. Whether it's the quiche, the sweetcorn fritters or sandwiches (all great) they all come with a salad which is imaginative and varied. What a lovely place

as only takeaway a little taken aback at cost, but when food arrived, well Wow. The fillings were Stupendous and the Side Salad, Fantasmagorical!

CoVID safe and a lovely, contemporary choice of cafe food. Worth planning to buy it before going into the lakes as as there are lot os picnic spots.

We were on a course and when we stopped for lunch, we were thrilled with the choice of food, the presentation, creative dishes and also the lovely people who served in the Gallery Cafe. It’s worth visiting whether you are on a course or not! Highly recommend.

Fabulous fresh food made with local products with real care and thought. Had two lovely lunches on a 2 day photography course. Wonderful cakes as well. Take a peaceful stroll and enjoy the incredible sculptures and recharge in the cafe perfect day.

Last night was my first visit to Gallery Cafe with friends whom had recommended this 'Oasis'. We were immediately greeted with warmth of not only the Host but the surroundings and atmosphere.The Menu was perfect...a varied thoughtful choice of dishes within the 3 courses using locally sourced ingredients and vegetables 'included' in the price of the main. Every dish was exquisite, taste sensation traditional and a twist as blue vinney cheesecake for a starter!!The Service was excellent... Thankyou....do I want to recommend??? No... because then this hidden Gem will become too popular and i wont be able to rebook!!!😉

I visited here with my mother, so can say with certainty that the cafe and courtyard area, including the gallery itself, are wheelchair accessible, although it is gravelly. We visited on a cold camp November day so the outside area didn't appeal but the inside was lovely with a wood burning stove providing welcome warmth. The staff received us with equal warmth, and were very helpful and friendly. We had tea and cake, the cake being homemade rather than a meal but I would be tempted to try a meal there, the menu was interesting. Price wise it was a little on the high side but not extortionate.

This is a cosy little cafe, the log burner inside was particularly welcoming. We were greeted and made to feel very welcome by a lovely lady. We stopped by ahead of our walk around the lakes for a bite to eat. We opted for the ham and poached eggs on toast which were delicious! We also returned after our walk as we spotted lots of tasty looking homemade cakes. The chocolate brownies were great!The cafe is part of the sculpture complex but you can visit without visiting the sculptures. Parking is plentiful.

We had tea, cake and lunch here whilst visiting the lakes. It’s table service both inside and out.Good selection of homemade cakes and food, of which most of it is grown in the garden. I had the vegetable quiche which had salad with it and it really was delicious.

Stopped for a coffee before we toured the sculptures then returned for lunch. We had a ploughman’s, mackerel and quiche all of which were well prepared and presented. The salads accompanying all the dishes was excellent and varied. The outside seating area is very pleasant. If you get a table on the edge you can admire a sculpture while eating.

Chose coffee and cake, both of which were excellent. There is an extensive lunch menu with a range of drinks as well

We had a coffee and tea when we first arrived then spent several hours strolling around the lakes viewing the sculptures. We then had a lovely lunch with fresh seasonal salads and drinks. Very friendly staff and a good setting for this well-run cafe.

Following on from our visit to to the 'Sculptures by the Lakes', before returning home, we took the opportunity to have a light lunch in the Gallery Cafe.Knowing that all the food served is either locally grown or provided (where possible), and 'started from scratch', we found the menu perfectly adequate for the time of the year and particularly the weather appertaining.The food that we finally ordered was perfectly cooked, perfectly served by polite smiling young ladies, and was perfect for our needs.In addition, the costs thereof were not unreasonable, my being very happy to pay a reasonable price for good food.A perfect ending to our time at 'The Perfect Attraction'

We ordered the picnic lunch and weren't disappointed. The quiche was delicious and presentation was outstanding. Delivered to us on our Island hideaway promptly by two lovely young polite and caring people. Can also highly recommend the cream tea!

lovely place to visit. Good quality food and spacious room. Great place for a cream tea after a walk around the lake.

The staff were all lovely and friendly but things weren't running very smoothly. We ordered two 'afternoon teas' and had finished the food before our tea eventually came. The tea in the pots was stone cold so we then had to wait even longer for hot teas! The sandwich bread for the 'afternoon tea' tasted stale and the crusts were very hard. The scones were rock hard - especially the fruit scone which was difficult to cut and impossible to eat. The stars of the show were the cakes and it was nice that you got to pick your own. At £12.50 per head, we were expecting better quality and much better presentation. The staff were very apologetic and agreed that the food wasn't up to scratch and nor was their service.

The cafe is very nice inside, very clean and the food which were chose was very nice and very tasty, there is a big seating area outside which looked very nice.. Well worth visiting

Good choice of light bites with locally produced food but marred slightly by the service food ok bu5 ploughman’s had loads of cheese but a little more bread would have improved and it took three reminders to get the coffees !

Lovely lunch after a walk around the lakes. My chicken and ham pie was heaven though potatoes suffered from being reheated. Salad lovely. Partners fish and chips excellent though a bit short on chips. Great drinks menu. Very good cheese board. Excellent friendly service.

Visited Sculptures By The Lakes, which was great and so peaceful. Like the idea of the private rooms within the grounds and will look to re-visit and book one of these for a totally relaxing day. We were totally surprised by the visit to the onsite Gallery Cafe, the menu was extensive covering your requirements for whatever time of the day you visit, quality of the food outstanding and such pleasant surroundings to finish our wonderful day out. Well done to everyone one involved.

The Gallery cafe is the amazing little eatery at Sculpture by the lake... I truly can't get enough of this wonderful place. whether for a quick coffee, a delicious brunch, lunch or one of their fantastic supper club events they always come up trumps. The food is always superb with a wonderful vibe let alone its amazing location. If time allows take a wonder around the park, you will not be disappointed.A true Dorset delight.

I'm very fortunate, as this gem is almost on my doorstep. Great coffee, superb and imaginative food with seasonal leaves and herbs straight from their garden. The Cafe has a tantalising view of what's in store when you explore the lakes and there's a log burner for the chilly months. When the weather warms up you can eat al fresco, surrounded by trees and bird song.

This really is a secret lake with a fantastic Cafe, serves fresh produce from its own gardens, great atmosphere with superb food, highly recomended.

A wonderful setting and delicious food. Whatever we’ve tried, be it lunch or dinner, or just popping in for a snack; always been good. Enjoy a walk around the lakes too: the sculpture is truly extraordinary.

We have been down to a couple of the gallery openings and popped in to the cafe for tea and cake afterwards. The cakes are all freshly homemade, the flapjack is delicious and buttery. We sat on the sofa by the woodburner with our pots of tea and admired the other art work. Its a cosy atmosphere and we will definitely be coming down for lunch as sitting watching what the other diners are having makes our mouths water.

We had a wonderful lunch at The Gallery Cafe at Sculpture by the Lakes in Dorset. Set in fabulous Sculpture by the Lakes, The Gallery Café is a place to enjoy a relaxed lunch, in the idyll which is Scultpure by the Lakes, Pallington Lakes in Dorset. Fabulously fresh, vibrant ingredients grown in their own kitchen garden brought a new meanging of 'root to table'. We enjoyed the fabulous Eggs Benedict and Smoked Salmon, which was exceptional. Freindly, courteous service in a romantice, peaceful environment. Would thoroughly recommend it.

Last week I had the pleasure of having my lunch at the Gallery café. I had the asparagus and poached egg with hollandaise sauce. It was delicious well presented and a 'melt-in-the-mouth' experience. No hint of a vinegary after taste often experienced with poached eggs, and the al dente asparagus was perfect. I also had their home made flapjack which was a lovely end to my lunch with a pot of tea.

The Gallery Cafe is in a beautiful and peaceful setting. The cafe is excellent; offering great service and delicious food.

The food is amazing! I have been lucky enough to enjoy this lovely cafe several times now and have found the food superb! The hardest part is deciding what to have. Would heartily recommend the Gallery Cafe to anyone

Love dining here! I have had the delight of eating here on many occasions. The food is fresh, delicious and served in a wonderful environment and setting. Perfect for business meetings and for more intimate catch ups. Lovely selection of choices too. Make sure you reserve a table!

Sculpture by the Lakes is a hidden gem. The Lakes concept is brilliant. To give a sense of scale for some of the larger pieces is sublime. The feeling of happiness is evident in the way the landscape embraces each Sculpture. Inspiring.

Sculpture by the Lakes is a great place to visit with a stunning location. The Gallery café serves lovely food - we've just had lemon curd cake!

We had a lovely lunch here, I ate a trout and cream cheese Ciabatta roll, which was served with parsnip crisps and the most tasty side salad I've ever had! I just wish I could of squeezed in a 2nd visit whilst in Dorset.

Visited The Gallery Cafe today for brunch and was blown away by the high standard of our meals. My husband had what he claimed to be the best Eggs Benedict he has ever eaten. I had the Artist's Brunch (full English) and couldn't believe the quality of the ingredients and the presentation of the plate. The chef, Duncan, has produced Dorset on a plate. Locally sourced ingredients and a relaxed beautiful venue - pure perfection.

Went for a Sunday brunch with my view to The Gallery Cafe. The menu is very well put together, catering for vegan to carnivore. As many of the ingredients as possible are taken directly from the kitchen garden, so freshness and seasonality are embraced as well as giving the kitchen an incredibly low carbon footprint. My Eggs Benedict, which is my favourite brunch choice was perhaps the best I've ever eaten, and I've eaten few! The eggs and spinach were fresh from the garden that morning and the bread was still warm from the oven. Thank you Duncan (chef) & Amanda for a fantastic meal. Can't recommend highly enough.

Arrived for Sunday lunch and was faced with a wonderful chef-designed menu emphasising home and locally produced food. Chose "Egg Royale", a tasty blend of duck eggs, smoked salmon, wild rocket and ciabatta bread, garnished with hollandaise sauce - not your 'average' café food...

The moment you walk in to this Cafe, with it's bespoke designed space, beautiful artwork and sleek welcoming wood burner, you feel relaxed.

Not only is the stunning Sculpture by the Lakes the most peaceful tranquil and relaxing place to spend some time, be amazed at the Sculptures and delight in the stunning gardens, but now they have opened a 'Cafe' ... I should say Michelin starred Restaurant as the food is total perfection! It will exceed all expectations ... everything is locally sourced and I mean locally as they have their own Kitchen Garden where daily the chef Duncan Mackenzie watts collects and picks fresh produce for your dish which is freshly created upon your request! I've eaten here a couple of times and been blown away by my plate of food ... delicious! Even his 'Posh Baked Beans' are homemade as is the Tomato and Brown sauce! Sunday Brunch is a must, but lunches and homemade cakes are also on offer ... they are also licensed so you can have a cheeky glass of wine too! cant recommend enough ...

Went for brunch at the Gallery Cafe on a wet Sunday and what a delicious meal it was, great produce cooked to perfection. The service was very good with a good atmosphere in the cafe surrounded by lovely art. I would definitely recommend going and will be back to try out the lunch time menu

Whether you’re looking for a brief stop to enjoy a tasty home-cooked slice of cake and a cuppa, or are planning a more leisurely lunch and day out at the renowned Pallington Lakes Sculpture Park, the Gallery Café will provide for you. It is set in the utterly peaceful Dorset landscape adjoining the River Frome, and surrounded by lakes and streams which are home to numerous rare species of birds, plants and mammals. We visited on a Sunday morning and were really impressed. The brunch menu had plenty for every taste and the owners have made a point of providing gluten-free options. The Artist’s Brunch was absolutely delicious – locally sourced sausages and bacon, homemade baked beans, eggs that are laid on the premises, and even homemade tomato ketchup and brown sauce. The wild mushroom omelette was beautifully cooked and very generously sized, with a side salad made from leaves grown in the garden. The service was relaxed and friendly but very professional, and the young and talented chef (Duncan) came out and said hello, which was brilliant. One of the best features of the Café is the fact that it’s also a gallery with displays of resident artist Simon Gudgeon’s exquisite sculptures and paintings around the walls.