The Gamekeeper Bar and Restaurant in West Dorset - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

We were staying in Charminster so tried the Gamekeeper for dinner one night. The food was delicious - just what we wanted. But the place was empty (we were the only ones in the restaurant) so it lacked ambience. To be fair, we ate early, so what could we expect but we felt a little conspicuous.

Two friends and I go out for Sunday lunch about once a month and have been to several local places. We have been here twice and this is the best so far. Great choice of meat and vegetables, beautifully cooked. Excellent service and not too noisy. Plenty of parking.

This restaurant doesn’t live up to its reputation. Once the food eventually arrived it was barely warm. The food was hideous and overcooked. The owners were very rude and their attitude is completely unprofessional and unacceptable. I definitely do NOT recommend this restaurant and will NOT be returning.

Only pub on our route, didn’t have very high expectations as the car park was empty. Ordered food , took our drinks into the restaurant which was deserted. Food arrived promptly and was excellent. Just shame there was no atmosphere.

Our little lunch club paid a visit to The Gamekeeper, Charminster, for a midweek meal. Easy to find and easy to access, there is ample parking. A slight slope - navigable by our disabled members - led into a pleasant and light bar dining area. The food was tasty and well-presented, each of us enjoying a different dish with no complaints heard around the table. Worth another visit. 🍌🙂

We have just had the Sunday carvery and what a brilliant meal that was. A choice from eight meats and a host of vegetables. It really was first class. The service from the friendly staff was also excellent. Many thanks.

Super Sunday lunch carvery was excellent choice of 6 meats and vegtables was divine and lovely atmosphere

It’s been awhile since my husband and I have been to the gamekeeper due to husbands unable to eat solid food due to cancer ..My friend and I went today it was just lovely food selection was wonderful so many different veg and lovely selections of meats ..was greeted warmly by 2 young ladies. Give this restaurant a try you won’t be disappointed. Bernie and Jean

Omg the worst pub for food we have been to, the service was awful a young lad who even threw a bill on the table, I had a chicken burger which was the cheapest frozen ones no bun just hard stale bread. It really was shocking

Everything, from start to finish was awful! From the “welcome” from Leon, (we were told he’s leaving), to the end of the meal. We should have left before ordering the food! Dreadful overcooked food, the surf in the surf n turf still had part of shell on & been battered over! Should have known better when we saw an empty restaurant on a Friday night. We did get a small discount but wouldn’t have been worth it for free! Also offered free puddings but after mains that was easily declined. Never again! Save your money & go elsewhere, anywhere is better than here.

We frequently visit this pub because the food and welcome are usually good. However today the member of staff on duty was far from welcoming. We ordered drinks and were told we could go through to the dining room. Eventually the same member of staff came to get our order and he could hardly bring himself to speak to us. The food was slow coming out and not up to the usual standard. When the staff member came to collect the plates he just stood at the end of the table and didn’t say anything just waited until we passed him our plates. The same member of staff had a dirty uniform which is quite off putting in a restaurant. Please take this as constructive comment because we would hate not to be able to use the restaurant as it usually is

Well what a wee gem of a place. Celebrated my mums 80th birthday here and the staff were attentive, smiley and helped make it special. Carvery served multiple meats as well as a vegetarian option. Having the play park stopped the wee ones getting restless after the meal too. Great place and definitely recommended.

Now that's what you call a Sunday roast.

very quiet when we visited but believed to be busy at weekends

Food was plentiful and well cooked.

We'd been on the road for hours, tired and hungry. Thankfully, we'd taken some good advice and booked a table for two at The Gamekeeper. Service was prompt and VERY friendly. In fact, we instantly relaxed and were led to a table by the window, where a candle had been already lit, adding to the cosy ambience of the restaurant area. Now the food. We both opted for the game pie, chips, gravy and veg. We both like to think that we're foodies. In fact, sometimes, we're so arrogant that we ask each other, 'What's the point of eating out when we can cook it better ourselves?' Plus, there are three things that I pride myself on: meat pies, gravy and chips. Well, suffice to say the Gamekeeper chef knocked me into a cooked hat on all three counts! Also, his lemon tart was exactly what you need a lemon tart to be: zesty and unctuous, with just the right amount of sweetness,but not cloyingly so. We had a lovely chat with the lady owner at the end, and are already planning our next visit. A huge thank you from us, to all the Gamekeeper team!

Such a laid back atmosphere. Staff were amazing.

We arrived just as lunchtime food service had closed but they offered to continue and provide us with food. Always great to know especially when so often nowadays premises lack flexibility on food times. Looks like renovation works going on to improve the place.

We booked the Gamekeeper for my 70th Birthday and Kim and Sharon were such a help in making sure it was organised and stress free. The atmosphere was wonderful and there was a place for all the different ages. The garden and the stream kept all ages entertained and cool, the patio area is excellent as was the food and the chef when she realised we had 2 Coeliacs. I wanted my day to be about family, in a family friendly environment and the Gamekeeper family did that for us and even helped when we inadvertently forgot the birthday cake when Sharon rushed out to get us one. Thank you one and all for a perfect day.

Minimal communication from staff including a female member of staff who offered no apology when no drink was provided.

Welcoming, great food, gentle, easy people.

Had some lunch on a quiet Wednesday afternoon, the food was brilliant I would highly recommend the pie and mash. Excited to go back and try the carvery

5 of us had carvery, lots of choice of meats and veg, service was great also! Will definitely be back, highly recommended.

Brilliant ploughman's. Great wifi. Worth the visit.

Just spent the weekend here absolutely fabulous really friendly, food good, host's fantastic, will definitely be back, thanks to Kim and family plus really nice people we met. Well chilled, see you soon 😊

Do visit. Excellent food from an extremely helpful chef& bar staff regards the more strict Coeliac gluten free dietary requirements. Good value for money & lovely riverside gardens.

A fantastic carvery, 7 choices of meat cooked to perfection. Lovely roasties, vegetables and cauliflower cheese. All hot. We sat outside as the weather was great. Tables were impeccably clean. Ample garden, staff friendly.

A fantastic carvery, 7 choices of meat cooked to perfection. Lovely roasties, vegetables and cauliflower cheese. All hot. We sat outside as the weather was great. Tables were impeccably clean. Ample garden, staff friendly.

Too small, the portion was big but tje food wasn't delicious

Forgot 2/10 starters, long wait between courses, no mustard available, eggs and burger not adequately cooked, disappointing!

Friendly service good menu food very good and well presented Definitely worth a visit

Nice hidden away pub with a decent garden. Friendly Team and very happy re vegan food options , wife had the vgn roast and loved it.

Four of us had a carvery here today on the 2pm serving it was brilliant!!! Great food cooked to perfection will definitely return.

Excellent food and service. Catered to your every need. Highly recommend

Food is okay, very quiet midweek.

Invited by family for a 4 person Sunday carvery. Plenty of food and good value in a friendly atmosphere

Food is good, never had a bad meal. In the week a good selection of food on menu . Staff very friendly and helpful .

The food and service here are amazing. They are so helpful and really go that extra mile for you. Really highly recommend the food, the service and the friendliness of the Gamekeeper

Incredible roast with such a great variety of both meat and veg. All cooked to perfection and so tasty! We'll definitely be back.

Sunday carvery is brilliant! Love the meat selection and the roast potatoes are top notch! We use it as a meeting point between our two families so will be back!

Stayed for a week and felt right at home. Great food and accommodation with friendly hosts! Thanks for the welcoming atmosphere! Simply good people running the Gamekeeper. Until next time!

Excellent 👍 meals and good service love Tony and Inga ❤️

Best carvery for miles around , the staff are very friendly, the chef cooks everything to perfection, with care and attention to detail. I would highly recommend a visit.

Oh dear,what a massive disappointment. Dreadful service and even worse food.I won't bore you with the details but recommended you simply DON'T BOTHER!!!!

Yummy food, helpful, friendly staff.

Small bar but good Sunday lunch

Lovely pub with huge beer garden, food was amazing and service was brilliant in particular from our waiter Ashton

Outside was a bit drab and the food was okay. The people were very friendly and the prices reasonable.

A popular local pub/restaurant that we found by accident when driving around the area as we had just purchased a property near by. We stopped for lunch that was both tasty and well cooked. The pub itself is very tastefully decorated and very clean, there is a dining area at the back which leads to an outside dining area which then leads to a large garden with further seating. Although they provide a Sunday carvery we have not tried it yet but have been advised to book in advance.

Good well presented food, well done.

Great spot and lovely staff. I stayed for one night after a work trip and Kim and the staff really made me feel welcome. Will definitely return if I’m back in the area.

Quiet pub, but most are at 2-30 on a Wednesday. Has a very nice beer garden.

Stopped here for dinner to break up our journey for holiday. Not a busy restaurant but waited a long while until our order was taken. When food came, it had obviously been sitting under the heater for a while as gravy had a skin on and mash was dry. Half our veg and extra gravy didn’t come. Basically finished our meals before it came, and when it did it was given to the wrong table who had used the gravy- this was still given to us!! Older gent who served us was inconsiderate and rude, and came across as if we were being an inconvenience! Our 4 year old nephew was served food on an extremely hot plate- not what you expect when you order off a kids menu, just thoughtless! Food was below average. The only person who had a smile on his face and put effort in was the young lad, although obviously under appreciated as the older gent shouted at him when we asked him for our late gravy and veg! Would not visit again.

Wonderful menu which sets high expectations... sadly it failed to deliver. Slow service, tartare sauce in a plastic packet.. food tasted okay but nothing special. Service slow, not attentive.

Absolutely brilliant service, excellent food and great staff. Jasmine was our waitress who had only worked there for a couple of weeks was very friendly and helpful. Would totally recommend the Gamekeeper as somewhere to eat or hust have a drink !

Lovely carvery on a Sunday , always happy to try and accommodate you on the day at late notice if they can . Sharon and Kim are great hosts .

Excellent carvery, especially the pork

We recently moved into the area and this lovely pub/restaurant is just a walk away. Excellent news to us being a little fussy having owned our own restaurant until just recently. Very covid safe, sanitiser must be used before entry and screens/sanitisers all still in place. Fantastic Sunday roasts with a great selection of meats and vegetables, all cooked excellently the Yorkshire puds are out of this world. Perfect background music and the Staff are particularly friendly and very helpful, we feel safe and very welcome. Thank you.

We recently moved into the area and this lovely pub/restaurant is just a walk away. Excellent news to us being a little fussy having owned our own restaurant until just recently. Very covid safe, sanitiser must be used before entry and screens/sanitisers all still in place. Fantastic Sunday roasts with a great selection of meats and vegetables, all cooked excellently the Yorkshire puds are out of this world. Perfect background music and the Staff are particularly friendly and very helpful, we feel safe and very welcome. Thank you.

honestly confused at the other reviews, possibly the worst carvery we’ve ever eaten, weird tasting gravy and carrots are just a start, there wasn't enough ladles for serving so everything was cross contaminated, strange feel to the pub with cats walking out from the kitchen and seemed to be ran by kids and grumpy chefs! when I tried to discuss not paying for the carvery I hadn’t eaten the chef angrily denied anything I said and the landlord told me I needed to watch what I said, despite the fact I had tried to discuss quietly without making a scene for their sake. Would never recommend.

thanks brilliant carvery today 10th April . Choice of 7 meats and 12 vegatables all cooked to perfection, anyone complains about this can only be after a free meal.( Yes people do that!)

Fabulous land lady and good wine 🍷

Had the best carvery we have had in ages, Several choices of meats all beautifully cooked , accompanied by a huge selection of perfectly cooked vegetables all nice and hot delicious gravy as well and a whole assortment of condiments to accompany which ever meats you choose. Could not fault it .

Family birthday meals, all had a cavery and was absolutely amazing. The staff were very attentive and welcoming.

Had a really good evening at the quiz. And the beer is nice and cold. Great landlord and team. Very clean with a great community spirit. Made very welcome

Thank you so much to Sharon and staff for a wonderful afternoon celebrating my fathers 80th birthday celebrations. Sharon was a star with the preparation for the party, nothing was too much. 25 of us had the most delicious carvary and the service was brilliant. Looking forward to our next visit. X

The food was flawless, just not big enough plates, not experts at keeping real ales, and never saw any disabled toilets or parking bays. Couldn't fault staff, very friendly and accommodating

Extremely friendly staff and very welcoming. Fantastic home cooked carvery. Gluten free gravy was beautiful. Nothing too much trouble. Would definitely come back.

Great pub, excellent b&b, stayed for a week, made to feel very comfortable, Kim and Sharon are excellent hosts, food was fantastic - will definitely be back!

Popped in on the off chance on way back from weymouth walking the dog 4 of us and the dog made to feel very welcome, food lovely and generous portions and good value for money Def will be going back

The food here is always excellent. And unusually excellent beer most pus don't seem able to get both right.

Another excellent meal, the food was cooked to perfection. Great service and a very friendly atmosphere.

Very pleasant team made me very welcome. Stayed for a week and had all my breakfasts and dinners there plus a very suitable packed lunch every day. Comfortable rooms to stay in, good beer and excellent food, especially the burgers! Note on Monday and Tuesday evenings the kitchen is closed so it's takeaways in the bar, which was great for me.

Excellent food and service, prices were good as well.

I have been here in 35 years when it was previously the New Inn. Under it's current management it has turned a local drinking establishment into a quality restaurant with excellent food and service.

Absolutely the most wonderful carvery. These guys are underselling themselves as their prices for food and drink are very reasonable and the staff friendly and attentive. We're coming back when I don't have my arm in plaster! Good job! x

What an amazing meal everything cooked and served so spot on red cabbage on the carvery amazing the whole meal well priced wiv ample servings tasted so good my partner barely left anything despite being stuffed a warm welcome awaits wiv food ample loved it defiantly worth a 2nd booking

Smartly presented but fealt lacking in atmosphere although staff were very attentive

This is an extremely friendly establishment that made me and my wife feel very welcome during a week's break in Charminster, Dorset. The food is good with ample portions and the lemon sponge is to die for. A special thank you to Jolene, a new member of staff who was really nice to us throughout the week. Highly recommended.

I can highly recommend the carvery, absolutely delishish

We had dinner here - absolutely delicious food, and a great menu choice. Really friendly staff and fantastic service. Overall thoroughly recommend!

Live local and making effort to eat out locally when time permits around the area to try and support people after lock downs. Yesterday chose here to support and went for a meal at 7.30pm on a Saturday night. Lovely setting, stunning beer garden and good welcome on arrival. Surprised how very quiet it was and felt more happy where we had chosen for tonight. Main course was fast served and unable to fault and was lovely and reasonable value.

What a lovely find ! The Landlord was very accommodating even though he had been left short staffed due to isolation. They managed to fit 6 of us in and the food was delicious. I would definitely go out of my way to return but book next time ! Thanks very much again x

Had a Sunday roast, very tasty, good value and a great pint

Amazing food.. Was very surprised considering it was a pub.. Top restaurant quality! Lovely big garden for little ones... Lovely staff.. Very welcoming.. Definitely will be returning 😊😊😊😊😊

Passed here on the way to weymouth and decided to go back as it looked nice from the outside and we were not disappointed upon arrival we was greeted by the landlord who was friendly and hospitable we had a two course meal and the meal was great but I can really recommend the mushrooms in filo pastry I would definitely go back just for this .The chef even came to check the food was OK 👍so basically fantastic meal lovely staff and all for a great price will definitely go back 😃

Me and my partner stayed for two night and it was wonderful. The food is amazing there, all the staff is very welcoming and friendly. The atmosphere was really nice and great pub would definitely recommend for anyone to go there and we will definitely be back.

We called into game keeper in Dorchester whilst on holiday , we had called on Tuesday but were told no food served only served Weds - Sunday! But it was dog friendly as we had 2 dogs with us. Returned on the Weds 18th Aug...

Six of had a lovely lunch throughly enjoyed it could not fault it.

Absolutely dire! From start to finish. Do not go there.

Lovely + chilled environment, with a menu to match! Was my 1st visit but it certainly won't be the last 👍

Made to feel very welcome..I mentioned I had a nut allergy the staff were very accommodating.The food was very well presented and the staff made sure you were happy with everything.Really enjoyable Definatly recomend

This served lovely food set in beautiful surroundings. Staff friendly and helpful. Would go again

Great place to eat and friendly helpful staff. There on Wednesday 20th party of 7 + babe a 2 dogs thank you.

Random oasis found on an extremely hot day. Big spacious garden, friendly and helpful servers and host and outstanding menu and food. Couldn't resist their dessert served warm with ice cream or custard. Great value for money. The perfect icing to end our 2nd wedding anniversary!

Lovely garden, need to try their 5 meat carvery

Great food..lovely staff and service..and it's dog friendly too.. definitely be back..

Lovely atmosphere and wonderful food, a hidden gem!

Great food good service and very pleasant setting.

Another excellent family meal with generous portions and lovely fresh vegetables. Highly recommended. Good service in a countryside setting. We will be back!