The best restaurants in West Dorset South West

Awful experience. Asked if they could knock me up a vegan breakfast (they weren’t busy - even beans on toast would have sufficed) but was told I could have a vegan sausage roll. No thanks! In this day and age how arrogant to accommodate for gluten free etc but no option to even have hash browns, beans, tomatoes and mushrooms with toast. Easily done. But no! They have oat milk for tea though? - unbelievable. Cancelled my husbands full English as he didn’t want to eat in front of me. Ending up spending £9 on some toast for him and a tea and coffee. Now at the harvester about to polish off a vegan breakfast - much better service and way more accommodating. Avoid at all costs. Really quite upset about it but hey ho. Won’t be back but at least I can warn others.

When in on a Tuesday and wanted to order pizza like we have done so many times before to be told that I couldn’t have the pizza done half and half as they don’t do half and half on a Tuesday , all I wanted was half cheese and the other half sweetcorn , but the lady said not on a Tuesday , never heard of anything so stupid ever , I have been going to here for the last 10 years but after the experience on Tuesday I will never recommend or return

Originally just popping in for a cuppa, but the bacon smell was too tempting, had a small breakfast, it was very nice and the mushrooms were lovely. Nice bright and clean establishment. Friendly Staff.

Fantastic Sunday Lunch with Exceptional Service We had a wonderful experience this Sunday lunchtime, 18th May. Despite arriving 35 minutes late, we were greeted with such a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The food was absolutely delicious—roast dinners, fish and chips, puddings, and drinks, all fresh, flavourful, and very reasonably priced. The service was outstanding, making the whole meal even more enjoyable. Highly recommend for great food, warm hospitality, and excellent value

Enjoyable evening meal. Helpful staff.

Wishing this pub all the best! Save the Elm Tree Inn!!

We have been getting a takeaway from San Telmo for some time. The quality of food is excellent. Tonight however the battered cod was superb, I don't think I have ever tasted fish that good and so well cooked, absolutely beautiful. Well done to the staff.

I’ve waited 6 weeks to write this review. It’s considered because I know Hospitality has been difficult since Covid. We went to this restaurant to celebrate our 30th anniversary - my partner had chosen it over other restaurants near us in Dorset. It was a fabulous stormy day with great views from the dining room. We were welcomed and given a perfect table - ‘sticky’ - but never mind it’s a big day! Had a lovely glass of English sparkling and then our starters arrived. Mine had congealed food on it, clearly left over from a previous service. The server did a double take too but decided to ignore it…and so did I. (I know that, at this point I should have said something but I just didn’t want to ruin our meal. And, by the way, I don’t think it should be up to the customer to complain, the staff should apologise and replace immediately.) We ordered another glass of wine which just didn’t turn up until we asked again at least 20 mins later. Small things are now accumulating... This is how an expensive meal goes from poor to pitiful. Our mains came (we didn’t mind that it was very slow - it was a Sunday and we were there to enjoy the moment). The additional vegetables were just rock hard. My fish had some unrecognisable ‘innards’ - not roe. We had fully intended to stay for pudding, coffee, dessert wine etc etc but we just looked at each other (30 years of dining out at great restaurants together) and decided to call it a day. We were so deflated… So disappointing. To the restaurant: please take notice of our comments. We want lovely restaurants to go to in Dorset - think about what you’re being told in good faith and up your game.

Recommended this pub for my mums birthday. We were not disappointed. Beautifully decorated pub/Inn. Great reception. Good selection of drinks. The food was outstanding. Served on hot plates. Great service. I ordered we will revisit.

Had a night out with my brother who moved to the area and we happened across the Poet. It has the feel of a real local with live sport, a very decent menu, and really helpful staff. Easygoing and relaxed atmosphere with a "there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet" vibe to it. I'm looking forward to my next visit (to the pub, not my brother).

A disaster to say the least, arrived and told to pick any table, staff seem uninterested. It was quite a cold day and the place was cold and draughty. Food was underwhelming my wife had the fish and chips at £24 fish small with mediocre batter, mushy peas were crushed frozen peas. I had the plaice which was far from fresh and lukewarm as were the vegetables. None of the staff ask how the meal was. I ordered a cheese board was charged £18 for two types of cheese and 7 thin small crackers and a sliver of butter. I have had better fish and chips in our local chippy. Cost for a lousy lunch £111, including a £12 service charge. Also there were 3 dogs in the restaurant which is small and one kept barking. Will not be going again.

A fabulous Sunday lunch with friends and our dogs who were warmly welcomed. We were served by Harry who was friendly, engaging and helpful throughout...even when delivering the bad news that you'd run out of sherry trifle!! We even came back for drinks after a lovely walk along the coastal path. We will return.

Asked for dansak. Got a lemon and cinnamon dish. Not much chicken no pineapple. Not for me