Festive Foodie Highlights

Get your tastebuds tingling this Christmas. We’re big advocates of Dorset’s foodie scene and enjoy nothing more than delicious dining – Dorset style. Here are some foodie events, producers and restaurants offering something a bit special this December.

Open just 12 months ago on Portland is the Beekeeper Food Shop, where you will find local meats, dairy goodies, fresh vegetables and arts and crafts from Portland. You’ll find them at Victoria Park DT5 1GB where you will also want to visit their adjoining café, the almond traybake is amazing!

Chesil Beach Café has fast become a favourite coastal spot for locals and visitors alike, the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood, sea views and relaxed beachside vibes.

This December, the team are spreading plenty of festive cheer. Join them on Sunday 7th December for Christmas Carols by the Coast, with Laura Edwards and her quartet performing all your favourite classics – with a few fun twists! Expect beautiful vocals, mulled wine and homemade mince pies to get you in the festive spirit.Then, on Thursday 19th December, the celebrations continue with Christmas Baubles & Bublé, an evening of seasonal sparkle, great food and good company.

If you’re a lover of fizz then why not check out some of the Dorset wine producers for that celebratory glass or two. We spotted the small batch wine producer Little Waddon Vineyard, which has two open afternoons, one on the 7^th and the other on the 21^st December. Enjoy a glass of their mulled wine with a homemade mince pie and come away with chinking gift bags. Find them near Portesham DT3 4ER.

For special suppers, take a look at Soulshine or their newly opened sister café bar, Goose and Badger on South Street, Bridport. Both venues often host themed dining nights; they sell out quickly so don't waste any time with booking your place.

Close by in Burton Bradstock is The Parlour restaurant, if you haven’t been before you’re in for a treat. Expect Italian-influenced dining at its best! Whilst offering a great menu all year through they also host supper nights: check out ‘A Wild Game Feast’ planned for 13^th December.

For Dorset produce be sure to seek out the Salt Pig, an urban farm shop, cafe, butchery, deli and restaurant that screams local food at its best. Check out their meat boxes - perhaps you’ve just found where to order your Christmas food! You can find the Salt Pig at various locations in the Purbecks and Portland: here

Let's not forget Upwey Wishing Well, which won Gold for the Best Tearooms at the prestigious Dorset Tourism Awards earlier this year. They will be hosting not one, but six festive event dates this month. Choose from a Christmas David Bowie tribute, Christmas Brunch with the Grinch, Frozen Queens brunch and disco and Christmas Wreath workshops! For more info visit their website. 

If you are heading to Poole for the Christmas Maritime Light Trail then you are spoilt for choice with foodie venues. New (ish) to the Quay is La Mia's Mediterranean restaurant. If you're a fan of the 90's then you won't want to miss their Ultimate 90's Christmas Music Bottomless Brunch on 14th December.  

Perhaps you are looking to celebrate a plant-based Christmas. Whether you follow a vegan diet or not we should all make a point of visiting Twelve Eatery in Bournemouth. Rave reviews surround this place, so it's no surprise that they won Gold for Best Restaurant Experience at the recent DMB Tourism Awards. You can find them at The Triangle, Bournemouth.

For more on foodie hot spots in Dorset please visit: https://www.resortdorset.com/pubs-restaurants/