We have spent many a' day in Dorset Tea-rooms, then decided to write about our favourites.   We don't think you can beat a lovely cup of tea with a slice of Dorset Apple cake on a summer's day, but then, that is only our opinion.   We may have added a few other Tea-rooms/ Cafes/ Eating places from the surrounding area.

 

 

All these Tea-rooms/ Cafes/ Eating places have been visited at least once within the last 12 months.   'The Gist of the Place' is only the opinion of ourselves as paying customers; it is not our intention to perturb the custom of any said establishment on the merits of its business, merely to inform the reader of our findings.   The onus is on the reader to decide for themselves.

  Arne Café.

A great location for nature or walking, a large group of Sika deer and various species of birds can be viewed from the purpose built bird-hides within the nature reserve. Quench your thirst at the café whilst the kids are visiting Arne Toy Museum next door.

Arne Café, Arne, Nr Wareham.

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Good

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Fair

Locality.

Excellent

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Fair

Local Products.

?

Disabled Access.

Yes

 

   Arne Cafe, Arne nr Wareham.


  Birdsnest Buffet Car.

 A must for all steam train lovers. Enjoy the excitement of steam with the smell of coal as they stoke the boiler. Step back in time with a mug of tea and a sticky bun whilst the whistle's blowing and the flag is waving for these Purbeck Flyers.        

 

Birdsnest Buffet Car, Swanage.

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Good

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Fair

Locality.

Excellent

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Excellent

Local Products.

Yes

Disabled Access.

Yes

 

 

Birdsnest Buffet Car, Swanage Railway Station, Swanage.


Caffe Espresso

A lovely Italian style caffe in the centre of Sturminster Newton; a quaint little Dorset village that can be either busy or extremely quiet, depending on the time of day. Besides the refreshments, they have a great display of art ‘for sale’ or you can while away the hours with the word games that are free to play.

 

Caffe Espresso

 

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Excellent

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Good

Locality.

Excellent

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Good

Local Products.

Yes

Disabled Access.

Yes

Caffe Espresso, High Street, Sturminster Newton.

 


 

 Café Royal

An average greasy spoon café, hidden off a side road, near to the bus station. It was a welcome break on our coach trip. You'll be transported back to the 70s with this place, waiting for your bacon sandwich whilst playing on the one armed bandit.

Café Royal

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Good

Value for money.

Excellent

Service.

Fair

Locality.

Good

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Good

Local Products.

?

Disabled Access.

?

 Café Royal, Coach Park, Bridport.

 


Clipper

The ‘Clipper’ is on the 1st floor of the Dolphin Centre, Poole, as suggested it conveys a nautical theme and is very popular with OAPs and younger. It is well staffed and reminds you of a 30s café with the staffs style of uniform. If you’re shopping in Poole, the shear volume of customers gives it a good recommendation. A full menu with vegetarian options.

 

Clipper

 

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Good

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Good

Locality.

Excellent

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Excellent

Local Products.

Yes

Disabled Access.

Yes

The Clipper, Dolphin Centre, Poole

 


 Courtyard Tea Room at the Model Village.

A lovely little courtyard, not far from the castle and off the main road. Loads of character, with the model village and a giftshop. Apart from welcoming nippers and kippers, they have a great menu with a tea room policy. Ps, no traffic wardens.  

Courtyard Tea Room and Model Village  

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Excellent

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Good

Locality.

Good

Accessibility

Good / Fair

Character.

Excellent

Local Products.

Yes

Disabled Access.

?

 

 Corfe Castle, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset.

 


   Cliff Hanger Café.

Visit 'Highcliffe on Sea', as the café suggests, it is situated on the cliff top. Great scenic views of the sandy beach below and on a clear day you can see the Isle of Wight and the Needles light house. With ample parking and its al fresco seating area, you can chill out on lazy summer days.   

Cliff Hanger Café.

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Excellent

Value for money.

Fair

Service.

Fair

Locality.

Excellent

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Fair

Local Products.

Yes

Disabled Access.

Yes

 

 Cliff Hanger Cafe, Waterford road,   Highcliffe. 

 


    Crumbles Café.

 The minute you receive your coffee, you're greeted with a smile in the form of the froth having a coco smiley face. It's this little thing that sets most places apart and shows that they care about your custom. Although the Ashley road is busy, it is ideal for shopping and very central between Poole and Bournemouth.  

Crumbles Café

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Good

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Good

Locality.

Good

Accessibility

Fair

Character.

Good

Local Products.

?

Disabled Access.

No

 

   Crumbles Cafe, Ashley road, Parkstone, Poole.

   


 

Harbour Café.

West Bay is a picturesque fishing village with plenty of character. An enjoyable day crabbing of the quay for the kids, you can't miss the Harbour Café that is situated in the very centre. So you can eat and drink whilst you're taking in all the activity of the fishermen and tourists.   

Harbour Café.

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Excellent

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Good

Locality.

Good

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Excellent

Local Products.

?

Disabled Access.

Yes

 

Harbour Cafe, West Bay, Weymouth.

 


 

Hive Beach Café

Drawn by the Jurassic era, this National Trust car park gives great access to the pebbled beach for walks, swimming, fishing or soaking up the sun. Never leave a pebble unturned, we were told, because you don't know what's been fossilized beneath. Hive Beach Café has won awards and makes a great retreat for a dry throat or an empty stomach, local fresh fish is always on the menu.

 

Hive Beach Café

 

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Good

Value for money.

Fair

Service.

Excellent

Locality.

Excellent

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Excellent

Local Products.

Yes

Disabled Access.

Yes

Hive Beach Café, Burton Bradstock, Nr Bridport

 


 

    Samritz Café

This café has a good reputation being situated in the centre of Poole. It can and does get very busy; it has good access and an alfresco garden at the rear for those hot sunny days. Although most of the staff has Mediterranean origins, they cook a really great English breakfast.

 

Samritz Café

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Good

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Good

Locality.

Excellent

Accessibility

Excellent

Character.

Good

Local Products.

No

Disabled Access.

?


Samritz Café, High Street, Poole

 


South Deep Café

With views across Poole Harbour, you can while away the hours watching the tide go in and out or admire all the sea craft within the marina. As the reeds do a Mexican wave with a slightest breeze and seagulls paddle near a sandbank, you can digest the atmosphere and gather wash with a lovely cup of tea. Dogs are welcome.

 

South Deep Café

 

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Good

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Good

Locality.

Excellent

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Excellent

Local Products.

Yes

Disabled Access.

?

 South Deep Café, Parkstone Bay Marina, Lilliput, Poole

 


Stewart’s Coffee Shop

This is quite a large café within the Stewarts Country Garden Centre complex; supplies for your garden are in abundance. You can get seeds, kill weeds, buy chairs, grow pears, split peas and cream teas.   Relax and enjoy your visit; animal enclosure, picnic area and a great Xmas display at the end of the year.

 

Stewart’s Coffee Shop

 

The Gist of the Place

Overall Impression

Excellent

Value for money.

Good

Service.

Excellent

Locality.

Good

Accessibility

Good

Character.

Excellent

Local Products.

Yes

Disabled Access.

Yes

Stewart’s Country Garden Centre, God’s Blessing Lane, Broomhill,

Holt, Nr Wimborne   BH21 7DF