Tried and Tested

Places to Eat in Purbeck

Posted on 6th May 2026 by Leanne Hemingway

Our staff and previous guests have been asked to recommend only the best places to eat in Purbeck. We have only listed those establishments that we have eaten in ourselves. They might represent good quality and excellent value for money or gourmet food and divine locations to relax.

We have handpicked the best eateries that use local ingredients and offer exciting menus. And you can be sure that the quality of service and welcome is what Dorset is renowned for.

Fine Dining in Purbeck

We understand that when you are on holiday you want to spoil yourselves.

Explore the best restaurants in Purbeck, including high-end dining, award-winning eateries, and stylish coastal venues known for outstanding food and service.

The Priory in Wareham

The Priory in Wareham combines a relaxing riverside garden with exceptional service and fine dining. You can enjoy tea or a cocktail on the terrace that overlooks the River Frome.

The dining menu offered us a good selection of choices, which even satiated a member of our party who was gluten free. You can either eat in the garden room (which overlooks the river) or the main restaurant. Lunch can be taken on the terrace which has heat lamps and relaxing music.

After dinner you can enjoy a stroll around the gardens.

Booking is recommended in the summer months, please note that dogs are not permitted.

The Pig at Studland

Part of a high end chain of hotels, the restaurant at The Pig has one of the most stunning coastal views overlooking Studland Bay and Old Harry Rocks.

We enjoyed lunch in the main restaurant, the food was excellent quality and fairly priced. The tables were a little too close for our comfort but it didnt stop us enjoying a lovely day. And of course a stroll along the beach afterwards burns some of the calories.

Booking is essential all year (they also run several themed evenings and proudly source ingredients locally).

Dog Friendly Purbeck Eateries

The Greyhound in Corfe Castle

This famous public house which affords customers a view of the ruins of Corfe Castle actively welcomes dogs in a relaxed setting. Dogs are allowed in all areas including the large pub garden.

The Greyhound offers a large menu with vegan and gluten free options. We have always found the food to be good quality and served in a timely fashion.

Booking is essential in the summer months when the village is very busy with visitors.

Halfway Inn

This olde Inn lies in between Wareham and Corfe Castle on the A35. It has a broad menu and welcome dogs both in the pub and gardens. The garden also has some play items to keep the kids busy.

Gets busy in the summer but people generally turn up and eat.

Our recommended

Family Friendly Purbeck Places to Eat

Explore family-friendly restaurants in Purbeck, with child-friendly menus, relaxed settings, and plenty of options for dining out with kids.

Places to eat with

Locally Sourced Food Purbeck

Locally sourced food is great for the environment and healthier for those visiting Purbeck pubs and cafes. We have some great establishments that serve local sourced ingredients as a priority.

The Salt Pig

The Salt Pig cafes/bistro’s are top of our list of recommended places to eat that source their ingredients locally.

Any seafood will be landed locally and normally same day – whether its fresh Dorset crab or fish – the fayre will be seasonal and responsibly sourced.

The owners of the Salt Pig have an 8 mile meat rule – so you will know that all meat products are raised locally on fresh Purbeck grass and food miles are kept to a minimum.

Swanage Salt Pig – 7A Station Rd Swanage
Wareham Salt Pig – 6 North St Wareham

The Shell Bay Restaurant

The Shell Bay restaurant is located on Ferry Rd in Studland BH19 3BA. It is a seafood restaurant and prioritises fresh local seafood and fish catches.

Lobster, crab and fish is landed at Poole Harbour only a few miles away and the chefs at Shell Bay create culinary delights with this freshly caught fayre – they are particularly known for freshly caught Poole oysters.

Because they source directly from the local harbour the menu will be seasonal and variable
depending on the catch.