Bridport Restaurants
Beach and Barnicott Restaurant and Bar - 6 South Street
Located in a splendid Grade II listed Georgian house, the Beach and Barnicott was nominated ‘Best Restaurant in Dorset’ in the 2006 Dorset Magazine Awards. During the 18th century, it was rented and used as a pharmacy by Methodist Doctor Giles Roberts, a chemist who developed the formula for a revolutionary new ointment known as the ‘Poor Man’s Friend,’ a cure for aches, pains, gout, etc.. Today the premises, situated in the town square, are magnificently decorated and sympathetically in keeping with the period. The restaurant and bar are situated over three floors with four historic dinning rooms atmospherically enhanced with original antique furnishings and dozens of lighted candles. The menu offers fine English dishes with a Mediterranean twist and a fully licensed bar providing draught lagers and ales, bottled beers as well as wines and spirits. The very popular freshly made Beliniano coffee is available along with excellent teas and hot chocolate. The Beach and Barnicott is open all day from 10am Monday through to Saturday.
The Riverside Restaurant - West bay
Listed in all of the major guide books the Riverside received the coveted Taste of Dorset Restaurant Award in 2008, organised by Blackmore Vale Media and sponsored by Humphries Kirk Solicitors. High praise indeed as this particular award recognises the restaurant that serves the best food in Dorset with a specific emphasis on locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. The menu changes daily in accordance with what is available from the local landings and market. In the kitchen, head chef George Marsh is assisted by Tony Shaw and Amy Moss, whilst Nick Larcombe oversees the quality and purchases of all fish and shellfish. Meat and vegetarian dishes are also served, however, the wide choice of fish and seafood can include anything from crab, langoustine, lobster, mussels and oysters, black bream, brill, cod, lemon sole, Dover sole, sea bass, skate, John Dory, halibut, monkfish and squid. Starters might consist of devilled sprats with a salsa verde mayonnaise or Riverside crab and scallop chowder. Mains include popular dishes such as grilled turbot fillets with a confit of fennel and celery and a rich shellfish sauce or a Lyme Bay Dover sole simply grilled on the bone with sea salt and lemon. All deserts are made on the premises by talented pastry chef Amy Moss, with sweet ricotta heart with Kirsch cherries and crispy pancake straws and blood orange jelly with rhubarb ice cream and shortbreads being just a couple of the many favourites available. There are wines to compliment all menus and these are carefully selected by Nick Forbes and Joe Taylor. The Riverside now boasts a new lounge and dining area extension which is ideal for private parties of up to 30 people whether it be for a business meeting or for a special celebration. Weddings too can be catered for with seating for up to eighty guests or buffet style for over one hundred. For even larger numbers a marquee can be erected on to the river frontage.
The Bridge House Hotel - 115 East Street
The Hermitage restaurant is located within the Bridge House Hotel, a fine town house that resides next to the River Asker. It was built in 1760 to receive a religious order of dissenting ministers and converted to a hotel in the 1980′s but still retaining many of its original features. With a reputation for quality and value, menus are based on fresh fish and local produce, however, the restaurant can also offer exciting and diverse dishes from around the globe. There is a daily a la carte menu as well as a chef’s table d’hote menu for regular guests and selected on the day. The restaurant holds a full license and the bar stocks a good range of beers, wines and spirits as well as low, non-alcoholic and soft drinks. The Hermitage Restaurant can also cater for business meetings, private functions, birthday and anniversary celebrations.
