The charming seaside town of Weymouth is a hotbed of culinary delights, where the vibrant foodie scene complements its stunning location on the Dorset coast. Diverse gastronomic experiences await in establishments ranging from charming seaside shacks serving sustainable seafood, to cosy bistros and pubs in Weymouth offering local produce cooked to perfection.
In this article, you'll find some of the top eateries and hidden gems in Weymouth, in addition to well-loved restaurant chains. Indulge in mouthwatering dishes such as Dorset cream teas, traditional fish and chips, and world favourites such as Italian cuisine or Indian dishes. These must-visit Weymouth restaurants form the basis of an unforgettable foodie trip to the seaside – a blueprint for a taste-bud-led Dorset holiday!
Of course, some nights you might just want to whip up something quick yourself, and for that, you'll need an inviting kitchen in which to work your chef-like magic. Check out our fantastic selection of Weymouth cottages, whose kitchens will have you sautéing, stirring, seasoning and savouring in no time!
Cottages in Weymouth
Skip to:
Independent Weymouth restaurants
You could visit a different Weymouth restaurant every day for a fortnight, and still have lots left to discover. Whether you're looking for a tasty weekday lunch, a slap-up celebratory meal, a quick bite on a shopping trip, or a long and luxurious Sunday lunch, these diverse Weymouth restaurants cater for every whim. Read on for the best restaurants in Weymouth where you can be sure of a flavourful experience to satisfy your holiday hunger.
Hamiltons
With an exquisite menu and equally alluring location, Hamiltons is a place which frequent visitors to Weymouth make a point of stopping at for sustenance. The comfortable and cosy interior is complemented by its perfect beachside location, and the menu features meat dishes, locally caught fish and tempting desserts.
In summer, you can eat alfresco kerbside; if you're looking for somewhere where you can admire views over Weymouth Bay while tucking into a meal cooked to perfection, you can't go wrong at Hamiltons.
Restaurant Les Enfants Terribles
Locally caught fish is the order of the day at this immaculate seafood restaurant, where the meals are embedded with the 30 years of culinary experience of head chef, Eric Tavernier. Settle down in the elegant interior, make your selection from the seasonally changing menu, and wait in anticipation for the arrival of your expertly cooked and titivated meal, which is sure to look as good as it tastes.
One for a special celebration, or 'just because', here, you can give into the temptation of the fresh oysters from Poole, the handsome dressed crab from Portland, and the variety of the seafood platter. With fish from the local fishermen, the daily specials showcasing the best of Dorset's seafood won't disappoint.
Catch at the Old Fish Market
A feature in the prestigious Michelin Guide is an accolade deservingly bestowed on Catch at the Old Fish Market, a destination seafood restaurant which offers a sea-to-plate dining experience using local ingredients plucked from the waters of the surrounding Jurassic Coast.
Dishes of sustainable seafood offer a guilt-free meal, to be consumed within the Grade II-listed building, which has long been at the heart of Weymouth's fishing community. Soak up the harbour views as you devour your tasty lunch on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, or book in for an evening treat for your taste buds.
The Dorset Burger Company
Pivoting away from the omnipresent seafood delights purveyed by restaurants in Weymouth, we turn our attention now to the Dorset Burger Company, which does exactly what it says on the tin. Plump and delicious, handmade, 28-day-aged Aberdeen Angus beef burgers with toppings to suit all tastes are top of the menu, which also features pork and chicken burgers, alongside meat-free options that are equally delectable.
The independent restaurant is based across the road from Weymouth Railway Station, making it the perfect choice if you're on your way in or out of town. Dog and child-friendly, there's no standing on ceremony here, and disabled access means everyone can enjoy homemade burgers with family and friends.
Popular chain restaurants in Weymouth
Sometimes, when you're in a new place, you just want the assurance of a familiar restaurant, where you can order your favourite meal and know exactly what you'll be served. Weymouth is not short of big names and is home to some of the most well-loved restaurant chains in the UK. Here are a few you may have heard of.
Nautico Lounge
Restaurants belonging to the Lounge chain have been popping up across the UK since they were founded in 2002, and have endeared themselves to diners with their eclectic and cosy interior decor, and the promise of an undeniably tasty meal.
Nautico Lounge is the branch you'll find in Weymouth. Set in an atmospheric old post office, and complete with a little garden, you'll feel right at home as you make your selection from the familiar menu.
Beefeater Weymouth
If you're in Weymouth on business, or perhaps looking for a quick bite to eat somewhere you can get quick service and a good value meal, look up Beefeater Weymouth. This branch of the popular steak restaurant comes with no surprises. It's big and modern, and the menu is packed with its trademark steaks and burgers, as well as classic British favourites.
Turn up first thing and get your day off to a good start with their unlimited cooked breakfast, or unlimited continental breakfast. It makes the mouth water just thinking about it.
Harvester Weymouth
Another option for fans of the familiar is Weymouth's Harvester restaurant, the Spyglass Inn. This family-friendly eatery caters for all your tummy-rumbling needs, from breakfast, right through to dinner. They even offer takeaway, to round off their full complement of services.
All main meals, which range from sticky ribs and rotisserie chicken to healthy balanced bowls, come with unlimited side salad. You might like to work up an appetite for your feast with a walk along the beach from the main town of Weymouth, as the Spyglass Inn sits just north-west along the coast in Overcombe.
Weymouth cafes
When a light bite or a coffee and cake is on the cards, Weymouth cafes step up to the mark, with cosy interiors, delightful outdoor spaces, and a delicious offering to help you indulge any culinary craving. Think beautifully moist cakes, freshly baked scones, doorstep sandwiches and the smell of coffee ... mmm.
EBIKE Cafe @ Deheers
One of the best cafes in Weymouth for fans of battery-assisted pedal power, EBIKE Cafe @ Deheers is an unmissable pitstop, not only for E-bikers, but also walkers, shoppers and four-legged friends. This child-friendly Weymouth cafe has a 'Little Trikes' menu to satisfy smaller appetites, and a seasonal menu for adults which is heavy on healthy ingredients, whipped up into deliciously nourishing meals.
Hearty brunches, paninis and smoothie bowls vie for your attention on the menu, alongside light bites and a selection of cakes, which go oh-so-well with a coffee. The building houses not only the cafe but also an E-bike shop and repair centre, the whole venture promoting healthy living and a sense of community. There's outside seating overlooking the old Weymouth Harbour, and takeaway is also available.
Crab House Cafe
A unique atmosphere awaits at Crab House Cafe which overlooks the coast at Portland. Unpretentious, yet serving quality local seafood in an idyllic location, the cafe has its own oyster farm just a stone's throw away. Few meals are more locally sourced than that!
Whether or not the sun is shining, the outside dining space with sheltered areas offers a connection to the environment which you'll relish while your stomach thanks you for your discerning choice of eatery.
Cafe Oasis
Cafe Oasis lives up to its name, sitting at the eastern end of Weymouth Esplanade, serving drinks to quench your thirst and food to more than satisfy your hunger. By day, it's a lovely, relaxed cafe where you can sit inside or outside and admire the views. By night, it transforms into a stylish bar where you can watch the sun go down while enjoying a delicious meal.
There are occasional music evenings and events throughout the year, so keep an eye out and don't miss out if there's something on while you're in the area.
The Good Life Cafe
With views out to sea to admire while munching on finger sandwiches and homemade cakes, The Good Life Cafe is up there with the best cafes in Weymouth for afternoon tea. Collecting positive reviews aplenty online, visitors to the cafe rave about the Dorset cream teas, welcoming atmosphere and excellent breakfasts, in addition to the varied lunch menu which caters for all tastes.
Its desirable location overlooking Weymouth Bay makes it well placed for a quick pit stop during a day at the beach.
Custom House Cafe
Weymouth's Custom House Quay is the location of the eponymously named Custom House Cafe, whose reputation proceeds it when it comes to breakfasts, lunches, coffee and cakes. The historic building perches right beside the harbour, and when the sun is shining, there are few places more pleasant to while away an hour than sitting at one of the outside tables and watching the world go by.
Their fried breakfasts are the best thing to wake up to on a holiday morning, and throughout the day, their menu makes sure no stomach goes rumbling.
Weymouth pubs
When a hearty British meal washed down with a pint is the only thing that will make a dent in your hunger, it's time to head for one of Weymouth's well-renowned pubs, many of which are also dog-friendly watering holes. Here are a few which entice the locals as much as they tempt the visitors. For more options, take a look at our blog about the best Dorset pubs.
The Ship Inn
Perched on Weymouth's harbourside, the Ship Inn makes a welcome stop after a day on the beach or some time on the water. A Hall & Woodhouse pub, it has an atmosphere which makes you feel right at home, with oak beams, wood panelling and ambient lighting encouraging you to sit and relax for a few hours as you treat yourself to a social evening of good food and drink.
Dorset-brewed Badger beer will keep those with a nose for a good pint very happy, while coffee and cake are on the menu if you're after a quick post-lunch pick-me-up.
The Spice Ship
It may sound like a bougie Indian restaurant, but the Spice Ship's name is a misnomer, as the food and atmosphere here is unmistakably that of a traditional British pub. With lunch options including favourites such as gammon and eggs, scampi and chips, and a BLT baguette, and evening fayre like sausage and mash, hunter's chicken and rump steak, the menu will be familiar to most and you'll have no trouble picking out your preferred pub grub.
The pub is located outside Weymouth town, in the suburb of Preston, but it's ideal if you're staying out that way, or if you're on the hunt for a warm and welcoming pub in which to spend a few happy hours. Regular live sport and live music will keep you entertained, and keep your eyes peeled for their weekday deals, such as kids eat for £1 or burger nights with £1 drinks.
The Red Lion
Bearing a traditional pub name, and housed in a traditional brick building, the Red Lion is a welcoming space for families and four-legged friends. You can be assured of a filling meal here, washed down with some good beer or whatever your choice of tipple. Pitch up outside on a sunny day and soak up the convivial atmosphere of eating al fresco, Mediterranean style.
Burgers, fish and chips, sandwiches, salad and traditional puddings are on the menu – an establishment that is known as 'the lifeboat man's pub' for its proximity to the base of the Weymouth RNLI.
Weymouth fish and chip shops
It takes but a slight whiff of vinegar floating on the sea breeze to get the mouth watering for fish and chips, and as luck would have it, Weymouth steps right up to the mark when it comes to the quality and quantity of its fish and chip shops. We'd hazard a guess that you're never more than a few hundred metres from a portion of deep-fried goodness! Here's where you'll find the best fish and chips in Weymouth.
The Marlboro
The self-professed number one fish and chip restaurant and takeaway in Weymouth, The Marlboro has earnt its right to brag through years of loyal service to its equally loyal customers. The third-generation family-run business has been keeping the town in fish and chips for 40 years, and there's no sign that its services are going to diminish in popularity.
It's not just fish and chips on the menu – choose from a range of traditional meals including curry, pies, chicken and sausages, and opt to take away or eat in, depending on your mood ... and the weather.
Bennett's Fish and Chips
Another Weymouth fish and chip shop with a longstanding history, Bennett's Fish and Chips has been in operation for over 30 years. You can find their permanent headquarters set beside the historic harbour, while their chip truck heads off around Dorset to bring fresh fish and chips to a wider audience.
Sustainably sourced fish, frozen at sea to lock in the flavour, ensures a wonderfully fresh taste which is sure to keep you coming back for more.
Rockfish Weymouth
For a fish-and-chip experience that's all about the fish itself, make a beeline for the esplanade where you'll find the Weymouth branch of Brixham-based Rockfish. Their fish comes pretty much directly from their boat or is selected fresh from Brixham Fish Market at dawn to be served up in their Weymouth seafood restaurant the very same day at lunchtime.
Here, you can satisfy your hunger for traditional fish and chips, or head off-piste, and plump for scallops, prawns, whitebait, oysters or the succulent catch of the day.
Weymouth world foods
Whether you're looking for a takeaway, or want to sit down for a special meal and tease your taste buds with flavours from around the world, Weymouth has a takeaway or world-food restaurant to suit you.
Shalims Balti House
Shalims Balti House is found in the heart of Weymouth, a first-class Indian restaurant where you can eat in or take away. The colours and flavours of the authentic dishes will transport you to exotic climes, while the stylish lighting and elegant decor make it a special place for a celebratory meal, or date-night treat.
Vegetarian and vegan dishes complement the meat and fish options, and the service is impeccable. You'll leave feeling replete and indulged, having had an evening to remember. If you're looking for Indian dining, Weymouth serves up the best here!
Oliveto
Classic Italian charm is found in the dishes and hospitality of stunning Oliveto, a fine-dining restaurant in Weymouth's former pier bandstand. With glorious sea views, you could be forgiven for thinking that you've been whisked away to the Mediterranean, and the flavours you'll find in your food will further reinforce the fantasy.
Fine food and fine service are something you can be certain of here, and for a special meal, you won't be disappointed.
Mona's Thai and Asian Cuisine
An intimate restaurant with few tables, Mona's Thai and Asian Cuisine is a gem of a find if you're looking for special places to eat in Weymouth. You only have to glance at the reviews of diners to see that superlatives are the only way to express the quality of the food here. Booking is advised, and once you've secured your spot, you can look forward to sampling Asian dishes at their best.
Don't worry if you miss out on a table, though, Mona's also offers takeaway, so you can tuck into your favourite Thai dish from the comfort of your Weymouth holiday cottage!
Sambo
Sambo Brazilian restaurant is all about the rodizio, a style of service unique to Brazilian churrascarias. Rodizio is Portuguese for 'rotation', which is a good description of the way varied freshly cooked meats are rotated past the tables, and served directly to you, carved steaming straight from the skewer.
Load up your plate from the hot buffet and salad bar, and sit back as the waiting staff meander amongst the tables, bringing you delicious meat after delicious meat. Using a traffic-light system with a red and green card, you can pause or start the service at your leisure. It's a wonderful window into a Brazilian traditional service, right here in the heart of Weymouth.
Nicetta
When only a pizza will cut the mustard, Nicetta should be your destination of choice. Promoting an authentic Italian experience, the handmade pizzas, created with the finest ingredients, will have you dreaming of Tuscany at the first bite.
The Italian cuisine isn't limited to pizzas, though. Appetizing pasta dishes and hearty salads offer a tempting choice – perfect for a lunchtime or evening when you don't fancy cooking yourself.
Pascal's Brasserie
When a certain je ne sais quoi is what you're after, Pascal's Brasserie will be right up your street. A quirky, informal French restaurant close to the harbour, Pascal's is unique and delightful. Pascal, himself, hails from France and pours authenticity into his dishes, which include fish soup, tartiflette, duck and other classic French meals. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can pay a visit whenever the French fancy takes you.
The restaurant takes a break over winter, and it's best to book to avoid disappointment. Definitely seek out this diamond when you're looking for places to eat in Weymouth.
Map of places to eat in Weymouth
Stay with us in Weymouth
If the places to eat in Weymouth that we've mentioned above have got your mouth watering in anticipation, why not book a stay nearby and take full advantage of the town's foodie destinations? Spend your days relaxing on Weymouth Beach, browsing the shops, wandering along the esplanade and soaking up the atmosphere by the harbour. Take a look at our selection of holiday cottages in Weymouth by clicking the button below.
Cottages in Weymouth