Chesil Beach Cafe - Dorset’s Seafood Gem

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.

Sorry, no events found – it's possible that the events have now passed.