Dining Out
Dorset's reputation for delicious places to eat grows year by year, with a number of excellent inns and restaurants serving delicious local food nearby.
Pubs serving excellent food:
The Acorn Inn, Evershot - 3 miles 01935 83228
Well cooked food, served in the restaurant or bar. Bar meals also available.
The New Inn, Stoke Abbott, near Beaminster - 10 miles 01308 868333
Traditional pub with cosy and relaxed atmosphere. Really excellent food, good attentive service. Taste of the West Gold Award 2011.
The Chetnole Inn, Chetnole. - 7 miles 01935 872337
Village pub serving good food. Scrubbed pine and Farrow and Ball colours.
The Greyhound Inn, Sydling St Nicholas - 7 miles 01300 341303
Dorset Dining Pub 2010. Good food in a country pub, friendly hosts.
The Half Moon Inn, Melplash - 10 miles 01308 488321
Excellent food using local seasonal produce. Friendly, and owner is chef, Dan Clarke with wife Jen. Booking advisable.
Wonderful Restaurants within easy driving distance:
Little Barwick House near Yeovil. - 7 miles 01935 423902
Excellent modern British food and lovely personal service from Emma
The Wild Garlic, Beaminster - 8 miles 01308 861446
Owned by Mat Follas, winner of Masterchef 2009. Pre-booking essential.
The Riverside, West Bay - 14 miles 01308 422011
Superb seafood restaurant with long established reputation.
River Cottage Canteen, Axminster - 21 miles 01297 631862
Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, where there is also a deli. Friday (or Saturday) Nights at River Cottage are proving a huge success. Check their website for full details.
Hix Oyster House, Lyme Regis - 23 miles 01297 446910
Mark Hix grew up in Dorset, formerly of The Ivy and Caprice restaurants in London.
Summer Lodge Hotel, Evershot - 3 miles 01935 482000
Country house hotel with sophisticated restaurant.
Best Local Pubs:
Fox and Hounds, Cattistock - 5 miles 01300 320444
Taste of Dorset Awards 'Best Pub 2010'. Good honest food with beer on tap.
Talbot Arms, Benville - 3 miles 01935 83381
Home cooked food served most days, except Sunday evening.
Martyn and Susie Lee
