If you’re looking for great fish restaurants in Dorset, you won’t be disappointed. Dorset is probably best known for its award-winning blue flag beaches, stunning landscapes and designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But when it comes to local cuisine, its celebrated restaurants continue to attract awards and acclaim, year after year.  

South Dorset, with its breathtaking coastline and proximity to an abundance of fresh seafood, is the perfect location for indulging in some of the county’s best culinary delights. 

Here are just five great fish restaurants you’ll find in South Dorset.

 

Crab House Café, Wyke Regis 

Just a stone’s throw from Chesil Beach, the Crab House Café in Wyke Regis boasts a wide variety of shellfish and seafood, freshly caught within a 40-mile radius from the restaurant’s front door. 

With a mouth-watering menu that would tempt any fish and seafood fan holidaying in the region, this multi-award-winning restaurant is a must-visit. Full of rustic charm and oozing local flavours, this is the go-to place for an authentic Dorset dining experience. 

With local oysters, sea views and their note-worthy Crab House Platter, Crab House Café is the seafood lover’s paradise.

 

Rockfish, Weymouth

Rockfish is an established seafood restaurant chain that has made its mark in several UK holiday resort locations. 

With its roots firmly grounded in providing a quintessentially British seafood experience, Rockfish is known for serving up freshly caught fish that’s often sourced in the local area by way of the restaurant’s very own fishing boat. 

Along with indoor and outdoor seating (depending on the weather of course) and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, Rockfish, Weymouth offers traditional fish and chips, a diverse range of imaginative dishes and a scrummy dessert menu.  

Its casual vibe and picturesque setting make it the perfect spot for a relaxed meal after a day spent exploring Weymouth Beach.

 

The Cove House Inn, Portland

Slated as “a must” on Trip Advisor’s Places to Visit in Portland, this quaint 18th-century pub is the ideal place to enjoy a spot of history while savouring the scenic delights of the South Dorset coastline. 

The Cove House Inn offers a varied menu—which includes vegetarian and vegan options—but also has several fish dishes listed as favourites. 

Fresh, locally caught fish is a highlight of the restaurant’s menu and its mouthwatering  culinary offerings are freshly cooked to order. 

Regular folk nights and Sunday lunches make this unassuming watering hole a respectable choice when it comes to laid-back family entertainment. 

 

Harbour Lights Fish & Chips

Harbour Lights Fish & Chips is a much-loved Weymouth seafood restaurant that offers not only vegan and vegetarian options but also deliveries. While known primarily for its award-winning fish and chips, Harbour Lights also serves up a variety of other seafood dishes, including locally caught fish specials, seafood platters, and shellfish options. 

Situated near Weymouth’s picturesque harbour, this popular favourite considers itself the locals’ chippie and is fittingly involved in various community projects and initiatives. With its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and such chippie staples as curry sauce, mushy peas, bread & butter and gravy, it’s easy to see why Harbour Lights remains a firm favourite among locals. 

A commitment to using sustainable and responsibly sourced ingredients makes it well worth a visit and easily earns it a spot on our list of great fish restaurants in Dorset. 

 

Seabeats Weymouth

With an imaginative menu and a solid reputation as a finalist in the Dorset Food and Drink Awards for Best Seafood, Seabeats offers a unique dining experience in Weymouth. This award-winning eatery focuses on contemporary seafood dishes prepared, once again, with locally caught fish and seafood.  

Located near the picturesque Weymouth harbour, Seabeats combines stunning views with innovative cuisine, making it a favourite among locals and visitors alike. 

Alongside local cuisine, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, you’ll find squid, whole roasted bream with prune, caper, olive and tomato sauce, mussels steamed in white wine, lemon, garlic, and thyme cream, and a trio of fish platter with roast vegetables and dauphinoise potatoes.

Seabeats is an excellent choice for those seeking a modern gourmet twist on traditional seafood dining.

 

Where to Stay in Dorset

If you’re looking for a fun place to stay in Dorset while indulging in some of the best fish restaurants the region has to offer, our celebrated Chesil Beach Holiday Park could be just the location you’re looking for.

With a beachfront location and stunning views of the famous 18-mile-long Chesil Beach, it’s the perfect base for all your South Dorset culinary explorations.

Book a last-minute break and you’ll be just a few minutes away from sampling some of the most delicious, freshly caught gourmet fish dishes you’ll find in the South.