One of the questions we’re asked most often is where to eat.
There are some lovely places to eat around West Lulworth and the surrounding villages, from traditional Dorset pubs and relaxed lunches to seafood by the coast and restaurants that are worth getting in the car for.
We’ve put together 20 places we’d recommend if you’re staying at Honeysuckle Cottage. Some are just a few minutes away, while others are a little further afield but make a great excuse to explore more of Dorset.
A little tip before you start: if you’re visiting during the summer or over a weekend, book ahead where you can. The best local places can get very busy.
1. The Castle Inn, West Lulworth
A short walk from Honeysuckle Cottage
If you don’t want to get back in the car after a day exploring the Jurassic Coast, The Castle Inn is probably the easiest choice. It’s right in West Lulworth and an easy walk from Honeysuckle Cottage.
It’s a traditional Dorset pub with a relaxed atmosphere and a good choice of food. It’s also particularly handy if you’ve spent the day at Lulworth Cove or walking towards Durdle Door.
Our tip: Check for current offers before you book. The Butcombe Inns app has previously offered 20% off on Wednesdays, which is worth knowing about when you’re eating out in Lulworth.
2. Limestone, West Lulworth
In the village
Limestone is another option right here in West Lulworth and a good choice when you’re looking for something a little more special.
It’s particularly suited to a romantic evening or a meal to mark the end of a lovely day on the coast. Being so close to Honeysuckle means you can enjoy dinner without worrying about driving home afterwards.
3. The Lodge at Lulworth Cove
A few minutes from Honeysuckle
The Lodge is in a beautiful position close to Lulworth Cove and makes an easy choice if you’re already spending time around the Cove.
It’s a particularly nice option for combining lunch or dinner with a walk along the coast. If you’ve been out exploring all day, being somewhere this close to the cottage is a real bonus.
4. The Lulworth Cove Inn
The closest to Lulworth Visitor Centre
You can’t get much closer to the Cove than this.
The Lulworth Cove Inn is a popular choice for visitors who want to eat after exploring the beach and surrounding coastline. It’s particularly convenient for a day when you’re walking the South West Coast Path or exploring the Cove.
As with most of the places close to Lulworth, booking ahead is a good idea at busy times.
5. The Weld Arms, East Lulworth
A short drive from Honeysuckle
The Weld Arms is a traditional country pub in nearby East Lulworth and one to consider if you fancy getting out of West Lulworth for the evening.
It’s particularly easy to combine with a visit to Lulworth Castle, so you could make a proper afternoon and evening of it.
It’s the sort of Dorset pub that makes getting back in the car worthwhile.
6. The Sailor’s Return, Chaldon Herring
About 15–20 minutes by car
The Sailor’s Return is tucked away in the village of Chaldon Herring and is a lovely option if you’re looking for somewhere with plenty of character.
It’s a little further from Honeysuckle, but that’s part of the appeal. This is one to choose when you’re happy to explore beyond Lulworth and make dinner part of the outing.
7. Crab House Café
On the coast towards Weymouth
If seafood is your thing, Crab House Café is well worth knowing about.
It’s further away than the restaurants around Lulworth, but this is more of a destination meal. If you’re heading towards Weymouth or exploring the coast in that direction, it’s an excellent option to have on your list.
8. Rockfish, Weymouth
About 20–25 minutes by car
For fish and chips or seafood by the sea, Rockfish in Weymouth is a straightforward choice.
It’s ideal for a day when you’ve headed into Weymouth and want to stay near the seafront rather than coming straight back to the cottage for dinner.
9. The Priory, Wareham
About 15–20 minutes by car
Wareham is an easy place to visit from Honeysuckle, and The Priory is worth considering if you’re spending time exploring the town.
It’s a good option for a meal when you’ve combined dinner with a wander around Wareham’s historic streets and riverside.
10. The Old Granary, Wareham
On Wareham Quay
The Old Granary is another good reason to head into Wareham.
Its position on the quay makes it particularly appealing for lunch or an early dinner, especially if you’re enjoying a day exploring the town.
Wareham is also an easy place to combine with a trip to Corfe Castle or the Purbecks.
11. The Quay Inn, Wareham
Wareham
If you’re already in Wareham, The Quay Inn is another option for a relaxed meal.
It’s particularly useful to have a few choices in Wareham because it’s such an easy place to visit from West Lulworth and works well as part of a wider day out.
12. 29029, Wareham
For something a little different
If you’ve had your fill of Dorset pub food, 29029 offers something different.
It’s a good option when you’re looking for Nepalese and Indian food rather than another traditional pub dinner.
13. Al Molo, Weymouth
Weymouth seafront
Al Molo is a good choice if you’re heading into Weymouth and want something a little more special.
With its position by the sea, it’s particularly nice for an evening when you’ve spent the day exploring the town or nearby coastline.
14. The King’s Arms, Dorchester
About 25 minutes by car
If your plans take you into Dorchester, The King’s Arms is one to consider for lunch or dinner.
Dorchester makes a good day out from Honeysuckle, particularly if the weather isn’t behaving itself, and there are plenty of places to combine with a meal.
15. The Kitchen at Sculpture by the Lakes
Pallington
If you’re visiting Sculpture by the Lakes, make a day of it and allow time for something to eat.
The setting is a big part of the attraction, and this is one of those places where the restaurant works particularly well as part of the wider day rather than simply somewhere to stop for food.
16. The Saxon Arms, Stratton
Near Dorchester
The Saxon Arms is another traditional pub option near Dorchester.
It’s one for those days when you fancy getting out into the Dorset countryside rather than staying close to the coast.
17. The Brace of Pheasants, Plush
A Dorset country pub
The Brace of Pheasants is further afield, but worth knowing about if you’re looking for a really good country pub and don’t mind a drive.
This is more of a destination for dinner rather than somewhere you’d choose simply because it’s close to Honeysuckle.
18. Meram Kitchen, Dorchester
Dorchester
If you’re looking for something different from the usual Dorset pub menu, Meram Kitchen is worth considering.
It’s a good choice for Turkish and Mediterranean-style food and gives you another option when you’re spending an evening in Dorchester.
19. The Greyhound Inn, Corfe Castle
Combine it with a day at Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle is one of our favourite places to recommend for a day out, and The Greyhound Inn gives you another reason to stay into the evening.
It’s a particularly good option if you’ve spent the day exploring the castle and the village rather than rushing back to Lulworth.
20. The Thimble Inn, Piddlehinton
A little further afield
The Thimble Inn is another traditional Dorset pub worth knowing about if you’re happy to explore a little further.
It’s the sort of place to put on your list for another evening when you’ve already seen the obvious local sights and fancy discovering somewhere different.
A few tips for eating out in Lulworth
Book ahead. During the summer, school holidays and weekends, the most popular restaurants can fill up quickly.
Don’t forget the pubs. Some of the best meals around Lulworth can be found in traditional country pubs, and they’re often a much more relaxed option after a day walking.
Think about where you’re going that day. If you’re visiting Corfe Castle, Wareham, Weymouth or Dorchester, it can make sense to eat there rather than driving back to Lulworth and then going out again.
Check opening days. Smaller independent pubs and restaurants sometimes have different opening patterns outside the main season, so it’s always worth checking before setting off.
Ask us. If you’re staying at Honeysuckle and aren’t sure where would suit you, just ask. We’re always happy to point you towards somewhere we’ve enjoyed or that we think will suit what you’re looking for.
Staying near Lulworth Cove?
Honeysuckle Cottage is a 300-year-old thatched cottage in West Lulworth, just a short walk from Lulworth Cove and perfectly placed for exploring the Jurassic Coast.