Chesil Beach Cafe - Dorset’s Seafood Gem
22 July 2025
Chesil Beach Café – Abbotsbury Beach
Tucked down a winding lane beyond the subtropical gardens of Abbotsbury, you'll catch glimpses of the legendary Chesil Beach, sometimes hard to tell where the sky ends and the sea begins. Follow the track a little further, and you’ll reach the sweeping stretch of Abbotsbury Beach, well loved by fishermen and walkers - and now, by food lovers too.
Back in 2024, Sally Allan, a familiar face on Dorset’s foodie scene, opened the Chesil Beach Café, a dream years in the making. We first met Sally at a local fish festival, where she was serving up knockout seafood from a humble stall. That spark of passion grew into something bigger: a permanent, seaside café that’s fast becoming a destination in its own right, and a place to be seen.
Expect a warm welcome from Sally, whether you’re after a cracking flat white or a crab sandwich like no other. The fish finger butties (pictured below and bigger than my daughter's face) are the stuff of legend: flaky fish in light, crispy batter, stuffed generously into a crusty ciabatta-style roll…need I say more?
Other standout dishes include a hearty seafood chowder, crispy whitebait, moules marinière, and Sally’s homemade sausage rolls, all made with fresh, local ingredients and a whole lot of love.
But Chesil Beach Café is more than just a great spot to eat. Over the summer holidays, Sally’s creating a real scene, hosting chill-out music sessions on Sundays (see the music events below for more info). Grab a newspaper (yes, they’re provided), find a sunny spot, and sink into a day of laid-back coastal leisure.
One not to miss event is the foodie workshop on 17th August. Sally will be teaming up with celebrated chef Mark Hix for a seafood special full of crab-cracking fun, one for the diary if you’re serious about your shellfish.
Good to know:
- Parking is £1 per hour (card or cash)
- Public toilets available
- Dog-friendly walks stretch right along the beach
And if you call yourself a foodie but haven’t tried Sally’s menu yet… well, you’ve got yourself a little trip to plan.
Join us for laid back daytime chillout sounds, happening every Sunday this Summer! Bloody Mary's, Sunday Newspapers, whilst eating delicious and fresh seafood by the beach. What's not to like?!
Get your dancing shoes on for an evening of singing and stomping to Loose Rock by the sea! A 4 piece band formed of 2 electric guitars, bass and drums playing Indie, Rock and Pop, covering hits over the last 4 decades! Loose Rock will be playing their first set at 7.45pm followed by a second set at 9.15pm.
We shall be serving up an optional two course meal feast of CBC's Lobster Mac 'n' ...
Mark Hix will be joining us at Chesil Beach Café! I (Sally Allan - Owner of Chesil Beach Café) have had the pleasure of working with Mark for a number of years now and I'm excited to announce that he will be coming to the café this August for a fun and interactive experience crab cracking. Further details to be confirmed, so save the date and watch this space!
Join us for an evening with 'The Hooked' - a band from Dorset bringing the Golden Age of Rock and Roll into the 21st Century. Dubbed to be the next Leggomen!
As a 4-piece made up of piano, drums, bass and guitar, these guys blend 50s boogie blues with the raw power of 70s rock. Their unique sound resonates across generations.
Oh yeah the stones on Chesil will be jumping!
The Hooked ...Please share or leave a comment
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