The best restaurants in Lyme Regis West Dorset South West

On a recent break to Dorset Lilac was the restaurant I was looking forward to the most. Unfortunately Thursday was the last day we were able to eat here that meant we missed out on experiencing the tasting menu which is only served on Friday and Saturday evenings. We still had an excellent meal here. Delicious pre app and a special mention for the pastry chef for a cracking dessert. Local and seasonal cooking is very much on show here. The team here is also stellar. Knowledgeable, efficient and full of good humour. Such an asset to such great staff working for you. Perhaps a slightly broader wine list may be a suggestion but other than that a must visit when in Lyme !

Their website booking service suggested we wouldn't get a table in the dog-friendly area until quite late but we took our chance and walked in and were seated within minutes thankfully. They were amazingly busy, it was Saturday, but mid-March, and the staff were great; still had time for smiles despite being rushed off their feet. The food was fabulous, and we greatly enjoyed our meal.

Great setting but let down by food preparation and wooden cutlery. Yes, the setting is fab overlooking Lyme Regis beach. However, the food prep was disappointing given the high prices. I spent over £15 on 2 teas, a sausage roll and a cake. The sausage roll was good quality (award winning bought in from elsewhere) but they microwaved it to warm it up - a travesty and soggy pastry. And the soggy sausage roll was served alone with no garnish or anything else on the plate or any offer of sauces etc. The cutlery was wooden disposable which just sets my teeth on edge. The tea had too much milk put in it - no choice to do it yourself - a mug of milky tea presented, yuck, not my cup of tea! The waiting staff were pleasant enough but not exactly enthusiastic or bothering to check all was well. Give the high prices, I won’t be back. They’ve got such a fab location and have bought in higher quality food, what a shame they have ruined it with poor food prep, crap utensils and disinterested staff.

We chose this outlet for a fish and chips lunch as it indicated that it does gluten free fish and chips. This turned out to be fish without the batter when we had hoped that they used a gluten free batter and a separate fryer. I hope that they don't just remove the batter after cooking as this will lead to problems over the GF description if experienced by someone with full Coeliac disease. So far as the general standard is concerned I have had better crispier batter with the same for the chips and the mushy peas are a sloppy mix, with far better and the Red Lion Beaminster

I thought we should give this place a try having read the reviews......all I can say is that we must have gone to a different place than they all did. Yes the 'owner' is a nice chap but the other two members of staff were somewhat less engaging. First of all please be advised that the novel aspect of this place is that you get to pour your own beer from taps set into the wall.....initially great fun but this soon turned to frustration as it is virtually impossible to get a full pint as the beer (when we went) was far too lively meaning that you seem to pour away more than actually goes into the glass. .....and there were no staff on hand to help out . So on the night that we went all 3 tables had folks sitting there with half full glasses, each taking turns to revisit the taps and attempting to top their glasses up. Personally I made 4 trips and am convinced I never actually got a full pint......and by the way the beer is pretty good but at £5 a pint is somewhat overpriced....presumably because most of it end up on the floor hence they have factored into the price a huge degree of spillage As regards the food we ordered 2 meals which were both supposedly based on tagliatelle pasta.....both arrived with spaghetti and no comments or excuses were provided. As spag bol goes my dish was underwhelming....cheap, yes but not what I had expected nor wanted. So if you want to pay £5 a pint and spill beer over your shoes and then pick something from the menu which might appeal but acknowledge that something different will most likely be presented then this is the place for you!

A busy pub with limited seating available.l made it seem very crampt but a wide range of drinks available.

We called in for tea and something sweet. After seeing the menu we decided on apple crumbles and waffles. The desserts didn’t disappoint, the drinks were lovely and the staff delightful. Highly recommended.

After walking the coastline we spotted a couple eating fish and chips and asked where they got them from, they replied herbies and I can see why! The fish was absolutely massive and a good portion of chips you couldn’t close the box! Lots of varieties of sauces not that you needs them! Being situated next to another fish and chips stand would be hard enough, I think you stand out as much as they do, we tried theirs later in the week Theirs was tasty but the fish wasn’t as big so you win! Staff were lovely hope to visit again next year

Came to stay in the area for a couple of days so had a takeaway, we were pleasantly surprised at how good the food was, very tasty with great flavours good size portions as well , would highly recommend

Friendly independent small cafe on the main street nice sandwich and cake selection Small seating area inside A small selection of hot food

Lovingly handmade baguettes/sandwiches, made to order, great range of fillings, including vegetarian options, tasty coffee, quirky wooden spoon numbered collection service, blankets outside to sit on, prices very reasonable compared to the extortionate menu at the nearby ‘Swim’ cafe. Highly recommended.

Excellent toasties, pastries and coffee and a sausage treat for the dog. Lovely seating area along the promenade with fabulous sea views.

fabulous fresh fish served by terrific young staff who cant do enough for you.. one of my very favourite places to be.

Really nice breakfast and coffee overlooking the bay.

A very nice hotel at a great location. Friendly staff, good food, lovely gardens.