Alongside the beautiful beach and wonderful countryside, one of the big reasons we love Burton Bradstock is the food. It’s terrific.
We are completely spoilt in this village. Directly across the road from Lilac Cottage you’ll find two pubs: The Anchor to the left and The Three Horseshoes to the right. Take the short walk to Hive Beach and you’ll find The Hive Beach Cafe down at the water’s edge and The Seaside Boarding House on the cliff top, both affording quite magnificent views of Lyme Bay.
Below is a complete guide to eating out in Burton Bradstock with a couple of other nearby favourites thrown in for good measure. The village gets very busy at peak times so please book ahead to ensure you get a table.
The Three Horseshoes
Telephone 01308 897259
The Three Horseshoes has a smart, contemporary but cosy feel. Wood burners nestle in Dorset stone fireplaces warming rooms filled with leather armchairs, window seats and exposed beams.The bar has lots of atmosphere and is full of local villagers and holiday makers enjoying themselves. Beware, the restaurant gets busy, you’ll need to book, especially in high season. The reason? The food is excellent, but don’t just take our word for it, The Three Horseshoes won pub of the year in the 2020 South West England Tourism Awards.
The pub is managed by Jaap and Hannah Schep. Jaap was the Sous Chef at the Kensington Marriott and most recently worked with Rick Stein on the opening of his restaurant in Winchester. Jaap uses local produce and keeps things simple to let the quality of the produce shine through, but adds his own award winning twists. The menu regularly changes but favourites include Treacle Glazed Pork Belly and Pan Fried Creedy Carver Duck Breast. If you fancy a light lunch there are a variety of wonderful sandwiches, Baked Goat’s Cheese Salad and ‘The Coastal’ Ploughman’s. They have a large selection of wines, Palmers ales and local cider. This is a favourite with children who love the simple but very tasty Children’s menu. Curly Wurly Tomato Pasta and plenty of colouring in books and pens keep them happy while you tuck into a hearty meal. The front of house staff led by Hannah are friendly, professional and can’t do enough for you.
The Anchor Inn
Telephone 01308 897228
Turn left out of Lilac Cottage, cross the road and you will find The Anchor Inn. This ‘locals favourite’ specialises in fish and seafood caught locally. The Anchor feels like a traditional pub with regular live music and bar skittles in the Stable Bar, where you can enjoy a selection of baguettes, a home made Steak and Ale Pie or a home made Lasagne at lunchtime. There is a wide range of ales and ciders and it is known to put on real ale and cider festivals.The restaurant is award winning and supports West Dorset fisheries, farmers and bakeries. It has a ‘Fresh Daily Specials’ board that will regularly include West Bay crab, lobster, sole and Portland mussels. The Anchor Seafood Platter is quite a feast, follow it with a Frangipani & Berry Tart made by the patisserie chef. Again, the restaurant is busy in high season so be sure to book a table before turning up.
Hive Beach Cafe
Telephone 01308 897070
Sitting right on the beach, the Hive Beach Cafe is exceptional. It is far more than a beach cafe. This multi award winning restaurant specialises in delicious freshly caught fish and shellfish dishes, in a relaxed beachy atmosphere. Enjoy a simple Tempura Battered Cod after a morning swim or Pan Fried Scallops with sauteed potatoes, black pudding and pancetta while staring out over Lyme Bay, then follow with one of their delicious home made cakes. There is something rather decadent about sitting on the edge of the beach in shorts, looking out to sea while drinking Prosecco and enjoying a whole crab. Breakfasts are served until 11.45 each day and include traditional Farmhouse Breakfast, Eggs Benedict or Waffles with Bacon and Maple Syrup. The Hive Beach Cafe has a large selection of drinks from Lascombe juices and ginger beers to Hive Beach cider and ale. There is even beer for dogs and luxury dog treats.The cafe is open in winter from 10am – 4pm, with lunch from 12 noon – 2.30. In the summer months the cafe is open from 9.30am and for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays but check first as opening times can depend on the weather. Dogs are welcome.
The Club House and The Watch House Cafe
Telephone 01308 898302 – 01308 459330
The Hive Beach Cafe has two sister restaurants nearby, The Club House at West Bexington and The Watch House Cafe at West Bay, both are excellent and well worth a visit. The Watch House in West Bay serves fantastic home made pizzas from its wood fired pizza oven, breakfasts, fresh fish dishes and a great selection of cakes from the Hive Bakery. The Club House, on the beach at West Bexington, is a more formal affair with fantastic local cocktails from cut glass tumblers, superb local fish and seafood dishes all served up in a beautiful 1930s ‘members club’ atmosphere. Go at sunset for sundowners and their amazing panoramic views. If you’re lucky you might even see a celebrity chef or two.The Seaside Boarding House
Telephone 01308 897205
The Seaside Boarding House was opened in February 2015 by Mary-Lou Sturridge and her business partner Anthony Mackintosh. Mary-Lou was the managing director of the famous Groucho Club in London, Anthony a co-founder. They have created a taste of exclusive London sophistication on the cliff top overlooking Hive Beach and Lyme Bay. It is an elegant but relaxing place to be. The restaurant and bar have views to die for and are open to non residents all year round. The bar is a proper bar, with mixologists who know how to prepare the perfect Martini cocktail and wine waiters that know their stuff and have a cellar to match. The executive chef is Alastair Little of Frith Street bistro, who delivers what has been described as modern European cooking, and it is very good. Fish Soup with rouille, gruyere & croutons followed by Roast Tranche of Brill with capers & pink fir apple potatoes. It is simple but the taste is always surprising and exquisite. The Seaside Boarding House is a little more expensive, a three course dinner with cocktail and a bottle of wine costs around £65 per head, but if you are looking for a sophisticated (but also relaxed) night out, it’s one you will remember.The Seaside Boarding House is a ten minute walk from Lilac Cottage. Head up Cliff Road and follow the lane to the left.
The Parlour
Telephone 01308 897899
The Parlour is located just outside the village at Bredy Farm. Take the Coast Road toward Hive Beach and turn left immediately after the petrol station up Bredy Road, carry on for a mile or so, take the first left into Bredy Lane and you’ll find Bredy Farm and The Parlour. Bredy Farm is a working farm with cattle, pigs and sheep and if you go in spring, lambs…if you’re lucky you might even get to cuddle one. The Parlour is an Italian oasis in the middle of the farm yard. On a hot summers evening you might even think you were dining out in Tuscany.The Parlour was opened in 2020 by Simon Payne, the former sous chef at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen at the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai. The Parlour offers traditional Italian food with a contemporary twist, amazing Sunday lunches and mouth watering pizza from their traditional wood fired pizza oven. The fresh fish dishes are particularly delicious, delivering an explosion of flavours. A superb selection of aperitifs and wines to go with every dish all go to show that Simon’s experience with Gordon Ramsey has clearly prepared him well for this venture. Dining at The Parlour either indoors or alfresco is a wonderful Mediterranean experience which we are lucky to have right on our door step.
The Post Office & Farm Shop
Telephone 01308 897243
Finally, we are very lucky to have a traditional Post Office and Farm Shop in the village. Selling local produce from Burton Bradstock’s Maydown Farm, there really isn’t a better place to get your Dorset sausages, bacon, eggs and fresh bread & milk for a hearty Dorset breakfast. While you are there they’ve also got an abundance of gifts to take back home for friends and family. Traditional village Post Offices like this one are rare in this day and age, so please do support it and enjoy that Dorset village experience.