The Poet Laureate in West Dorset

A luke warm Sunday carvery with friends for a shade under £20 a head, very disappointing. Rude landlord wasn't interested in my feedback when paying the bill. Won't be going back.

Chose the Poet for my wife's birthday, it was a very quiet Tuesday evening but still there were a number of people dining there. Food is always freshly prepared and both of our meals were excellent. We often drop in for a drink when out walking in Poundbury and we also had their Christmas menu there this year which was also really good. Well worth giving the Poet a try, they are closed on Mondays. The owners and staff are really friendly people. If you want the Sunday carvery it is definitely best to book a table, it is really popular,

Excellent food. Very pleasant and well mannered staff. Have made a second booking

We were welcomed by the bar staff and shown to a table, given the menus, and drinks orders taken. Food very disappointing, limited menu, 2x meals very nice , but the steak and ale pie and gammon not good. Service then not good, had to call staff over for more drinks and dessert menu. Will not return 😢

Lovely Barmaid, nice atmosphere. Would have like the fire on. It got a bit chilly. Nice food.

We had not been to the Poet Laureate for a while, and were looking forward to a drink and a meal there with friends. What a disappointment it was. The main problem was the service (or lack of!). When we arrived nobody asked for our food order (despite us being given menus and saying we wanted to eat) and when we queried this the barman said he thought the barmaid (who had actually left the premises!) had taken our order. The food was fine - well cooked with good portions, but unfortunately we had to send a pint of beer back as it was undrinkable (this was immediately changed). To add insult to injury as we were leaving the landlord was rather rude about a coat one of our party was wearing - totally unnecessary and totally inappropriate. I used to use this pub regularly - it was vibrant, welcoming and somewhere pleasant to go for an evening drink. It is very sad indeed to see how it has gone downhill, and how it is now lacking in both customer care and atmosphere. It is very easy to gain a bad reputation but very difficult to get a good one back. Sad.

We had a great time here. Staff always friendly

Sunday carvery. 4 people. Fairly cramped seating on a high backed bench. Food was easily edible, but nothing spectacular. There is a large screen for sports, and from the looks of the decoration, it is a Rugby showing pub more than anything. Friendly staff and quick service.

Booked a table for 3 for lunch. Very friendly telephone manner which was so welcoming. Great selection of dishes on the menu and specials displayed on the board. I had Bubble & Squeak, topped with egg and lovely crispy bacon- perfect including lovely presentation. One friend had the same-ditto all comments and my other friend had ham egg and chips- lovely and good portion of chips. We were on a limited time so didn’t get a chance to sample the puds or look at the choice but I’m sure it would all be as good as our meals. Lovely friendly atmosphere, excellent service and nothing was too much trouble to ensure we had all we wished. A proper pub with great food!

Perfect place to enjoy a meal with family and friends DogFriendly.Social business

The food was very bland. Quite expensive too. But the staff were lovely, and nice atmosphere.

Amazing Sunday roast, the landlady was extremely nice and attentive to anything I needed such as drink refills etc. the roast had beef, gravy, carrots, Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower cheese and some other bits that I don't remember but it was all very delicious. I will come back here for a roast for sure if I'm in the area.

Only popped in for a quick pint but nothing snobby about it considering where it is. Dog friendly and had no problem with wellies. A free house so not stuck to brewery beers. Will go again.

Had a simple mixed ploughman's lunch and it was very well presented, tasty and the amount was just right.

Great carvery highly recommended. You will need to book at busy times, we got there at 2pm on a Sunday and there was only one table free. Staff were friendly and cheerful. I had the standard size, they also do small and large. Prices are the same as other carvery pubs nearby.

Visited with friends from Dorchester. This is their local. Lovely pub and great staff. Dog friendly (allowing partner in lol. ) Having visited twice and eaten both times food was great with a big choice. We will return and thank you to the Poet and Chilli for enhancing our stay.

Pretty pub in nice setting, lovely staff, food and drink selection was fine

It has tobe the staff that makes the place! Gemma is a 🌟 star. Always accommodating, friendly and very organised. The cavery is amazing! A fun loving atmosphere aswell!

Great Sunday lunch! Carvery was available in small, average and large ( basically 1, 2 or3 slices of meat) with as much tasty veg as you can fit on your plate. Today's meats were pork, beef and turkey. There was 7 veg options with yorkshires and stuffing. The staff were all friendly and made it a very relaxed atmosphere. The staff were happy to answer questions regarding food intolerances . We will definitely be returning next time we visit family in the area. I would advise pre booking a table. Thank you to you for a lovely afternoon.

Lovely food and friendly service

Ok but difficult to get to the bar because of all the seats at the bar!

Went to lunch with friends and the landlord was very helpful and jovial, the menu was very good and not overpriced, and the food was piping hot,

Lovely pub in Poundbury. Good selection of beers and cider, friendly service and not overpriced. I fancied a snack so went for the starter portion of falafel which was just the ticket. Lovely outdoor seating as well, couldn’t ask for more, we’ll be back.

Not impressed I had hunters chicken. It was so tough it was inedible. They did not charge me when I complained. My daughter had cauliflower and broccoli cheese it was a mush of over cooked veg in a very watery sauce. It looked disgusting. Did mention it but the waiter said he had just eaten some and it was fine.

Just a pub, thought it was going to be posh or rather good food, nothing special, food ok, not the best not the worst. Pub food, didn't have everything on the specials board, didn't have correct veg as per the menu, green veg boiled up and didn't have much taste, broccoli was brown, and over cooked, didn't eat it and never asked if everything was ok, you'd think you'd get asked, should you send the extra broccoli ordered back untouched 🤣Atmosphere not great, staff pretty decent and ok. Don't think I'd recommend or return, as wasn't that great, just ok. Best think my pint of pineapple and lemonade was a good ratio. Mediocre in my opinion.

Nice carvery for a Sunday lunch

Food was ok but not a lot of taste. Doubtful I'll go back. Service was ok. Atmosphere was ok. Sunday lunches were £14.95 for standard which was 2 slices of meat and help yourself to veg. Gravy was very watery. Edible meal but as I've said doubtful we'll return.

We had a reheated roast dinner. Had a Eaton Mess no meringue just cream and strawberry icing sugar on the top. We will not return.

Went there first time for carvery, it was bang on . Meat was beautiful and very tasty and veg cooked perfect.

Great pub with good food options. Love the fish and chip Friday deal.

A great friendly pub. Always made welcome. Great food and service. Great selection of gins, goods selection of beers on tap. Highly recommended. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Lovely welcome, food plentiful and hot, drinks reasonably priced. What struck us most was our host - fabulous guy! In fact, all the staff were brilliant.

Was my first time to have a meal at this pub. Cannot recommend it enough! A little jewel tucked away. All 3 of our meals were delicious! A family run pub who were all lovely! Great decor too.

A super friendly pub, we had our dog with us so checked if ok to go in. The landlord couldn’t be more friendly and welcoming. A super varied menu with reasonable prices , we had a lovely lunch , would definitely go back and recommend to friends etc- thank you

Dog friendly, friendly staff, delicious simple Pub food. Easy parking.

Stumbled across the place by not using the sat Nav . What a Gem great Food (Love the chips) great helpful staff and dog friendly can't Fault it.

Just had a meal with my wife's family i had fish and chips,the fish was the size of a large fish finger and the batter was soggy not at all i expected with a 4.2 rating. That's why I gave it a 3 .

Great food, great atmosphere, really friendly staff.

The food was very good as a gluten free dinner went out of the way for me made gluten free Batter for the fish very good.

Food was fantastic and staff were incredibly welcoming.

Clearly short staffed and we were told ‘the chef was off’. Im afraid i’ve heard that a lot recently. Must be v difficult. Vegetables variable, broccoli and cauliflower cheese dreadfully overcooked. Yorkshires OK. Gravy very watery. Vegetarian option was a piece of frozen flaky pastry with a few thin slices of pepper inside. Ghastly.. greasy. No other food choices,

Nice food and a good atmosphere, with really friendly staff. Would definitely go again.

Last minute booking for the carvery (standard size), they do a small and a large too. Treacle tart to follow and a nicely kept pint of Otter to wash it all down. Great atmosphere, super service. Outstanding experience ! Thanks.

Good carvery here. Just a pub really but good value

Nice people, good service, nice food.

Good friendly service. Spent a relaxing lunchtime there.

Friendly staff, reasonable food. Lacking in atmosphere. Very surprised that it was so quiet on a Thurs just before Christmas. When we were there only one other table was ordering food. A few people were at the bar, we wouldn't go back.

Friendly little pub. Best in poundbury.

Excellent burger and very friendly staff and great service, only let down was lack of real ales due to cellar problems

Very friendly and great food definitely worth the money and a visit if ur visiting family and friends or just on a day out

I haven’t been here for years, but it was convenient to meet up with friends. The staff were friendly and helpful, the food was tasty and beautifully presented, and the prices were reasonable, and we all enjoyed our puddings. Will definitely return especially as I coveted my friend’s honey baked Camembert, but she scoffed the lot so I didn’t get a look-in!

Great fresh cooked food . Very friendly staff

The steak night (Tuesdays) is great value and the meal was really delicious. Very friendly and efficient service. We had a great evening.

First visit, lovely home made food,will definitely return

We had our first Carvery experience today and thought that the everything was extremely well organised and planned like a military operation . Congratulations to all of the friendly and helpful staff . The food was plentiful and delicious . We will be back

Lovely ploughman's and fish finger sandwich will return

Superb pub in the older section of Poundbury. Visited for the first time on Friday evening, and wasn't disappointed. We just had drinks, which were all good, but the food I saw coming out looked very nice indeed. Traditional pub/bar area at the front, and a nice restaurant area to the side. Would definitely go back when I'm next in the area.

Haven't been here for a long time. Good service and nice staff. Enjoyed our food

Made a last minute decision to try the carvery today and so glad we did. The roast beef was stunning and the veg, sauces and gravy were hot and fresh. The staff were all smiling, very attentive and really worked together as a team to ensure everyone was well looked after. A lovely Sunday lunch experience that we will be repeating soon.

The Poet Laureate deserves better marking on the maps of Poundbury! It's a great place to eat. The menu is varied and appetising. Service was cheerful, friendly and easy going. We had a light lunch, although the very reasonably priced starter size half lobster I had made a more than decent midday meal. Well worth a visit. If it was near enough, We'd be there regularly and we'll certainly return if the opportunity arises.

Great service, warm and friendly staff

We had not visited since pre covid. We understand that it has changed hands since. Sunday Carvery was as good (if not better) as it has be in the 10? years we have been visiting. We will be back

This is not the 1st, and definitely won't be the last visit to this fantastic pub/ restaurant. The Sunday carvery is EXCEPTIONAL. We know of no other to rival it. Gemma, Neil, and the chef are all brilliant. If you haven't been, why? Guaranteed wonderful experience.

Nice pub, good real ale and terrific Sunday Lunch

Food was OK. We had a Roast Dinner Carvery. You can choose small, medium or large. Veg was unexciting and the staff were nice. There was an odd atmosphere in there in that I didnt feel comfortable so I wont hurry back. The Carvery area was so small I had to disturb people eating to get past with my filled plate. I still managed to hit my hip on the back of their chair but then I don't walk very well. Pudding was yummy and just enough.

Great food, lovely barman/ chef

Amazing place warm staff lovely food

Lovely fresh food and smashingly friendly staff.

Under new ownership serving a good range of beers, wines and spirits together with an excellent varied menu. Nice peaceful location in Poundbury with comfortable seating inside and outside and capacity for large groups. Parking outside. You should ignore reviews more than 9 months old as it was different owners. It is better, like night and day better. Strongly recommend.

went to a birthday gathering. food was very nice.

My husband and I have enjoyed a friendly welcome when we have been in for a drink, so much so we thought we would book a table for the Tuesday night steak special. Unfortunately the steak was very thin and was tasteless, we have had better from a local locust supermarket, we shall not return.

Excellent meal, asked for something that was not on the menu which was made for me. Nothing to much for them, gluten free meal for one of us. Dad 80 years Old has never had a burger before and loved it here. Asked for fish cooked for dog, no raised eye brows 100% from us all attentive staff and lovely atmosphere. Well done. Can't wait to come back next time we visit.

Excellent food, very friendly staff.

What a cracking local pub. We were a large crowd but Gemma the waitress was amazing. She was fantastic, kept the drink and food coming and us all happy. The food was good, hot and fresh.

Had great fish and chips on Friday only let down was mushy peas a little bit mushy more like a paste . Service was fantastic . Bar . Table will defo be going again . Not a bad pint of Guinness either

Sunday lunch excellent lovely carvery,all staff very good and attentive will be going again soon

Great food, great atmosphere and friendly staff.

A crowd of us pop in for coffee/lunch after our choir session on a regular basis. Staff are friendly & welcoming. Had the soup this week with lovely granary bread. Look forward to trying out the evening menu & carvery. Another great pub to add to the list.

Staff are very welcoming and friendly, vibrant and relaxed atmosphere and the carvery was great. Will be returning agsin soon 🔜🔜👍

Disappointing. Large high chairs round the bar cut the rest of us off. Staff were welcoming, but atmosphere was not.

Good beer with friendly staff. Didn't eat anything at time of visit.

Great service, lovely food and everyone was friendly and welcoming.

We were visiting down visiting family they took us to The Poet Laureate had a great time excellent service staff outstanding.

Went there for a 70th birthday... Great service. They were very accomodating with their menu. All round great day. Would happily go back there for drinks, food or just to socialise. A really friendly pub.

"We Popped in on a Sunday for the Amazing Carvery Meal..... Wasn't disappointed it was delicious!!! Very fresh with lots of flavour... And we Both had to have a cheeky little dessert to finish off.... "FABULOUS! ...You Must Go.....

Good food, good prices, friendly service.

Lovely Xmas meal with unexpected extras thrown in. 12 happy customers.

At last minute my partner booked us in for a carvery at 4pm. We were made to feel very welcome and the food was delicious. There was an atmosphere of warm satisfaction. I have now booked my 60th birthday lunch as I appreciate being welcomed by warm,friendly people.

On arrival we were seated and then told we would have to wait because the potatoes were not ready. We were having a carvery so when we were allowed to get up 40 minutes from arriveing . Quite frankly all I could say was how disappointed I was with the food.The roast potatoes Were not roasted the cabbage was cold and the serving of meat was lacking . Although I was expecting better it wasn't to be .My first visit to Dorchester Disappointed. .

What a great place. Good service and food.

Nice food, staff were really helpful. Would recommend

On a quiet, late October Sunday evening we visited the Poet Laurete for a meal before driving home. It was quiet, but not too quiet, and bright with an old pub feel. We had a burger and sausages & mash. The food was superb and a draught Stowford Press cider to wash it down. We will definitely return again. Definitely worth a visit.

Great place to go and staff very friendly

Very pleased we chose The Poet Laureate to introduce our friends to Dorset life. Food and service excellent. Menu may appear limited but daily options had good alternatives. Also staff accommodating with different requirements. Enjoyed every course, including Dover sole, steak and lamb shank. Very pleased this place has a new lease of life and wish it every success. Will definitely be making regular visits.

Great atmosphere and food and the owners are superb

Very glad The Poet Laureate has a new lease of life. Took old friends there to introduce to Dorset life and not disappointed. Friendly atmosphere and food excellent with daily choices an addition. Staff open to alternative requests. We all enjoyed every course. We wish it every success and shall definitely make regular visits for lunch, dinner or just a drink.

First time for a meal at the Poet Laureate, food excellent, friendly, helpful staff. Well worth a visit. Cannot recommend it enough.

Our new local thanks to Gemma & Neil. Like Barbara Windsor & Sid James. Thankyou!

Food not hot enough, it was self service & not enough waitresses to make sure you saw the menu for sweets & coffee. Did not leave a tip.

Lovely carvery for six. Great food, great service. Staff are brilliant