The best restaurants serving British food in East Dorset South West

Visited this lovely pub on the fly whilst in the area. Did not disappoint! Ashley our server was amazing! Went above and beyond too with pregnant wife with allergy as well as super friendly Only wish we'd come earlier in the week so we could have visited again. Highly recommend. Steak & Ale pie was delicious as was cheesecake of the day

I attended for roast on Easter Sunday with my partner and friend. It was busy and we sat in the marquee which was nice. When booking I had informed the restaurant of a serious allergy. On our arrival all staff members were aware and the restaurant was extremely accommodating and helpful. It meant my partner could have a full toast including gravy which rarely happens. We will return thank you.

Honestly this establishment is a shambles. Barred my brother back at Christmas for a false accusation of drugs and told me I wasn’t barred. Today innocently enjoying a drink in the beer garden with some friends to be told my an obnoxious and very rude and argumentative barmaid I had to leave and was barred. I questioned why and was told “I don’t know the landlady wants you to leave” I asked for the landlady to have a chat to understand why and was told she refused to come down and couldn’t provide me a reason. That in itself explains the management of this pub. Iam not even a local and therefore would not recommend visitors here. No doubt there will be another reply of (expecting this review) which as someone who used to run pubs if you’re expecting a review it’s because you know you dealt with the matter inocrrectly 🤣

Food seems greasier, noticed this on the last few visits. So bad sometimes its running out of the box. Small fish is getting smaller too. Shame, as we are about to move on to elsewhere so Herbies 'get a grip' to keep your customers!

We had a wonderful evening, the welcome was warm and very friendly. We were looked after in every way. Three of us had food from the Nepalese menu, all the dishes were delicious and well described from our host. The scampi and chips from the classic menu was also delicious. We would definitely, highly recommend this pub. We can't wait for our next visit !

Dining only, great food and service

Excellent food with good service, slightly pricey for pub food but was warranted as the food was superb. Only downside the ‘pizza terrace’ was a little chilly for our liking.

We are making a point of going to wimbourne just so we can eat here again. Beef pasty to die for, quiche amazing, home made, service amazing!

I go in most days and always have a good experience in there. Whether it’s the badhand coffee, the delicious homemade cakes or the friendly and welcoming staff I always leave with a smile on my face!

Good service and lovely little garden.

Lovely pub, tasty food. A little perturbed at waiting staff petting/feeding dogs during service 🫣

Great food and entertainment. At around £50 for 2 with a bottle of wine and drinks included it is worth paying a little bit more than you would in a pub.

When we moved to the area in early 2020, one of our neighbours told us that Bentleys was his favourite places for a Sunday carvery. Then came Covid and lockdowns, so that we have only now been able to try it out, since its reopening last month. We were very much looking forward to it and, whilst it was OK, it was a little disappointing. Firstly the complimentary hors d’oeuvres. One small rectangular plate was presented to us, but whilst the quantity of what was on there was fine for two, the actual components on it were one chicken skewer, one spring roll and two small, but different, tarts, meaning that, other than the olives and feta, everything had to be cut in half to enable us each to sample everything! The carvery itself was neither the best that I have ever had, but nor was it the worst. I was impressed that the beef was cooked as beef should be, and not cremated, and commented as much to the chef. As this was unusual for a carvery both my wife and I went for it plus some turkey. I have to say that the turkey was very nice, but the beef was rather chewy. Vegetables were OK; I thought that the roast potatoes could have been a bit crispier and the Yorkshire was pretty rock solid. For dessert, my wife chose the lemon meringue which, I think was a good choice, because I went for rhubarb crumble and custard and found the crumble topping to be almost as solid as a pie crust. I'm afraid that it is unlikely that we will be rushing back.

Excellent welcome from land lady Margaret A very talented lady as the decor inside the pub proves. Staff polite and helpful . Very friendly place locals happy to share their enthusiasm for their rejuvenated community Pub. Another local shared how good the food is and from what we saw all looked very tasty with thoughtful presentation. We will be back to eat with friends to support this unique place . No longer called The Drovers now the Cockerel new name new vision new approach

We visited here for lunch and the menu is very good with plenty of choice, however, I ordered the jacket potato with chilli con carne and on the menu it states it comes with sour cream and guacamole. This is the reason I chose that as it was a toss up between that and a toastie with chips! Was very disappointed as it arrived with no sign of sour cream or guacamole, and the potato was so huge, it was hard still round the edges, not how I like my jacket’s at all so ate what I could and left it at that. Certainly would not order that again. I suppose I should have complained but being a typical Brit, I didn’t. I just thought well I know for next time not to order that again. Having said that, it wouldn’t deter me from visiting again as the other lunches i saw coming out looked lovely. Better luck next time!!! It’s a wonderful garden centre though here, recommended.