13 Lyme Regis Restaurants and Cafes That’ll Leave You Hungry for Seconds

From Lyme’s seafood restaurants where the fish comes fresh from Lyme Bay, to innovative veggie wholesomeness that’ll impress your tastebuds, Lyme Regis restaurants and cafes are dynamic and delicious.

So for an authentic taste of coastal Dorset, book yourself a table at one of our favourite Lyme Regis places to eat listed below. We’ll meet you by the window seat.

All the Lyme Regis restaurants and cafes featured here are independently selected by our editor. Naturally, we try hard to be accurate but please always check before visiting because these are unusual times and things can change.

The Eddy by Millside is a real foodie gem, tucked away beside the quaint Town Mill in the creative heart of Lyme Regis. Expect some of Lyme’s freshest seafood on the menu, much of which is served with a twist to make each dish unique.

From innovations like the incredible Fruits de Mer platter to traditional plates like Lyme Bay Lobster and local Whole Cracked Crab, it’s all sourced from Dorset suppliers. Ninety percent comes from within a 20-mile radius, such as Beer Fisheries and Wet Fish Shop, so eating here feels good for the planet too.

To wash your meal down, The Eddy by Millside restaurant offers local craft ales and beers from Lyme Brewery, just across the street, and wines from Lyme Bay Winery, as well as delicious local spirits.

If you’re not a fish fan, the menu also has locally-sourced meat dishes, and vegetarian and vegan options too: the meat comes from nearby Antons Butchers in Colyton and the fruit and vegetables from Trill Farm.

The details:

• Main course price £22-£30
• Vegetarian and gluten-free options
• Dog-friendly
• Kid’s menu available
• Comprehensive wine list
• Weekend private hire available
• 1 Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, DT7 3PU
• Website: https://www.themillside.co.uk/

Opening hours:

Wednesday to Friday: Lunch 12pm – 2pm

Tuesday to Friday: Dinner: 5.30pm – 11pm (last table bookable at 8pm)

Pic Credit:

The Eddy by Millside

Robin Wylde is a brilliant Lyme Regis restaurant from West Country born chef, Harriet Mansell, who competed in BBC2’s Great British Menu in 2020. The restaurant’s name is a pseudonym for the rich, local countryside fare expertly served by Harriet and her team.

Robin Wylde started life as a successful pop-up restaurant in Lyme Regis, finding its permanent home in the town centre just before Covid struck. Since then, the restaurant has made waves in Lyme Regis and been recommended in the Michelin Guide and the top 100 restaurants in the UK by Hardens.

However, Harriet has announced she will be closing Robin Wylde in autumn 2023 after four successful years, so catch a booking at this sought-after dining spot which showcases the finest wild produce from the area while you still can.

Harriet – who also owns Lyme Regis restaurant and wine bar, Lilac – has insisted it is not the end.

A spokesman said: “We are planning a new chapter and direction for Harriet and the team. There are lots of exciting events, opportunities and plans afoot – including a project that is very close to Harriet’s heart. So stay tuned for more details.”

The details:

• Nine-course tasting menu £95
• Wine pairing £45
• Vegetarian and gluten free options are available on request, although Robin Wylde does not offer a vegan menu. Specify any dietary requirements on booking
• Listed in Hardens and the Michelin Guide
• Robin Wylde, Silver Street, Lyme Regis, DT7 3HR

Opening hours:

Dinner sittings at 6pm or 6.30pm for a 9.30pm/10pm finish
Summer opening dates for the final nights of the restaurant’s acclaimed nine-course dinner tasting menu are:
June 15, 16, 17, 29, 30
July 1, 13, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29
August 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 26, 31
September 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22 and 23

Pic Credit: Robin Wylde

Say ‘hola’ to The Strawberry Tree – a Lyme Regis restaurant where you can savour ‘slow Spanish food’ in the form of delicious, authentic Spanish tapas and pinxtos (small tapas dishes).

Traditionally, tapas is served as an informal meal, without courses, that guests share whilst connecting and chatting with one another. And it’s this idea, of bringing people together over good food and wine, that is the core vibe of The Strawberry Tree.

The restaurant’s founders, Ed and Giselle, are two Spanish food lovers; Giselle is a Gibraltarian and has spent much of her life living and cooking in Andalusia in southern Spain, coming from a line of chefs in her family. Ed lived in Madrid for around 15 years until 2012, when he moved to Dorset in the UK.

The sample menu is split into ‘de la huerta y mar’ (from the garden and sea) and ‘de la pastura’ (from the land) and includes Smoked Cod and Chive Croquettes, Chickpea Fabada Stew with Smoked Chorizo and Morcilla, Roasted Leeks, Romesco Sauce and Almonds and Roasted Roots and Beets with Dukkah and Honey. Naturally, there is also a selection of Spanish wines and beers.

As well as sit-in dining, The Strawberry Tree also offers pop ups in venues around Dorset, Cook and Dine days where you learn to cook Spanish food, plus Tutored Tasting experiences.

The details:

• Monatadito (mini tapas served at the bar) £2.50 each, larger dishes £4-£20
• Vegetarian friendly and vegan options available
• Lunch is short tapas and coffee and cake, dinner is full tapas menu
• Outside seating in summer in the Garden Bar
• Takeaway options on offer
• Private dining and cookery classes available
• The Strawberry Tree, Town Mill, Mill Lane, DT7 3PU

Opening hours:

Monday: Lunch 11am-3pm, Dinner 6-11pm
Tuesday and Wednesday: Closed
Thursday to Saturday: Lunch 11am-3pm, Dinner 6-11pm
Sunday: Cookery classes

Pic credit: The Strawberry Tree

When you’re weekending in Lyme Regis, Town Mill Bakery is the perfect place to stop off for freshly-baked organic sourdough loaves, coffee, pastries and cakes. If you want something more substantial, pop in for brunch, which is served until 2.30pm.

Tasty options include smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, Turkish eggs and a ‘Baker’s Breakfast’, which includes Cumberland sausage, poached eggs, roasted cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, house mixed beans and sourdough toast.

A hearty selection of toasties, curries and soups are also available for the post-breakfast crowd, but the Bakery  closes at 2.30pm so get there early if you don’t want to miss out.

Outside you’ll find a cute covered courtyard terrace, where dogs are welcome. And if you’re thirsty, they also serve a selection of local ales and ciders.

The details:

• Organic bread from £3.50, cake from £2.80, full brunch menu available
• Walk-ins only
• Pre-order bread and pastries
• Vegetarian and vegan options available
• Children’s menu available
• Dogs welcome in outside covered courtyard
• Named as a Local Gem in the Good Food Guide 2023
• The Town Mill Bakery, Units 2&3, Coombe St, DT7 3PY

Opening hours:

Monday: 8.30am-2.30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday: Closed
Thursday to Sunday: 8.30am-2.30pm

Pic credit: Town Mill Bakery

Founded by Dorset-born Mark Hix MBE, award-winning chef, food writer and one of Britain’s most eminent restaurateurs, The Oyster & Fish House perches proudly above Lyme Regis, offering stunning views of The Cobb and the Jurassic Coast below.

Once inside, you’ll enjoy some of the best local produce, sustainable fish and seafood caught off the Dorset coast, often from Lyme Bay itself. The menus are created by Mark and change twice daily, depending on what the fishermen have brought in.

You can also support local Lyme Bay fishermen as you dine by choosing the ‘by-catch’ option, a fish caught unintentionally whilst fishing for other species of sea life.

Expect wine and beers from local breweries and vineyards, including Lyme Bay and Castlewood.

For an extra special experience, book a Kitchen Table experience with Mark Hix at his home in nearby Charmouth. Enjoy a six-course lunch or dinner with wine, a signed cookbook, recipes brochure and goodie bag of local produce for £225 per person.

The details:

• Mains cost between £14-£35
• Vegetarian and gluten-free options available
• Comprehensive wine list
• Dog-friendly on outside terrace with sea views
• Special Kitchen Table experience with Mark Hix £225pp
• The Oyster & Fish House, Cobb Road, DT7 3PJ

Opening hours:

Mondays: Closed
Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm-9.15pm
Sunday: Lunch 12pm-3.15pm (last booking 2.15pm),
Dinner 6pm-9.15pm, Drinks, snacks and oysters still available throughout the afternoon

Pic credit: The Oyster & Fish House

Lyme Regis has some cracking pubs and one to check out is the Rock Point Inn (a dog-friendly pub with rooms) in the harbour, with its terrace overlooking the sea – a sweet spot on a sunny day.

Even if the weather isn’t great – we’ve been there during a storm – it’s ideal for hankering down inside with a drink, many of which come courtesy of St Austell Brewery, who own the pub.

While there are many pub favourites on the menu, such as pies, curries, steaks and burgers, a must-order here is the fish and chips. They are mighty good! And if you’re veggie, you won’t miss out: Rock Point serve a special veggie fish and chips made from banana blossom and coated in St Austell Ale batter.

The details:

• Main dishes from £10
• Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available
• Children’s menu available
• Sunday roasts available
• Dogs-friendly
• Terrace with sea views
• Nine stylish bedrooms above the pub, including three which are dog-friendly
• Rock Point Inn, 1-2 Broad Street, DT7 3QD

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday: 11am-11pm, food served lunch 12-3pm,
Dinner 5-8pm (9pm Fridays and Saturdays)

Pic credit:

Rock Point Inn

Not far from the beach on Bridge Street, family-run pub The Pilot Boat offers a bright, modern dining experience in a Grade-II listed inn.

Recently refurbished by the local brewery, Palmer’s Brewery, it is now a cool contemporary hangout for a night out or bite to eat in the colourful restaurant. Or have drinks on the fabulous roof terrace on balmier nights.

Go there for locally-caught fish, tasty pasta, fresh pizzas and delicious grills, most of which are from local Dorset suppliers. You’ll also find an extensive drinks menu, including a wide range of cocktails to help your meals go down a treat.

For those looking for Lyme Regis accommodation by the sea, The Pilot Boat has three boutique rooms above the pub.

The details:

• Mains cost between £11-£24
• Vegetarian and vegan friendly
• Gluten-free and dairy-free options available
• Dog-friendly
• Roof terrace and beer garden with sea views
• Three boutique bedrooms for those staying over

Opening hours:

Monday-Sunday 9am-11pm for drinks, food is served 9am-9pm

Pic credit: The Pilot Boat

If you’re searching for a delicious coffee and cake pitstop, hearty start to the day or you want a wholesome homemade organic picnic lunch, look no further than the Good Food Café and Deli, an independent family-run affair in the heart of Lyme Regis.

Step inside for hot cooked breakfasts and brunch, decadent cream teas, sticky pastries, homemade cakes, healthy smoothies, and organic homemade soups to eat in at a window seat.

Alongside the dine-in options, there’s also a deli selling freshly-baked pies, which come courtesy of West Country award-winners Chunk and Tom’s Pies.

You can also buy local quiches and tarts, freshly-made baguettes or sandwiches packed with Lyme Bay crab or homemade hummus, and a selection of delicious local cheeses. Grab a selection and make for the beach.

The details:

• Cakes from £2.50, sandwiches and pasties £8.50, cream teas with scone £5.95
• Vegetarian-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options available
• Cream teas available
• Good Food Café and Deli, 21 Broad Street, DT7 3QE

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm

Pic credit: Love Lyme Regis/Good Food Cafe

A few steps from Lyme’s sandy beach, with views of the Cobb and Lyme Bay, you’ll find the Harbour Inn – a relaxed family-run pub where the food is great and the welcome genuine.

Run by Mark and his mother Sue, the Harbour Inn is a great spot to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat as the sun sinks over the sea. Expect freshly-cooked, homemade food from an experienced kitchen team who’ve been cooking at the Harbour Inn for over 10 years.

For lunch, the plates come piled high. From a range of filled baguettes and sandwiches to mains such as Lyme Bay hake and Harbour Inn fish pie.

The dinner menu is just as good boasting Cornish mussels in white wine sauce, lobster and prawn cocktail, slow-roasted shoulder of Dorset lamb or the vegetarian dish of the day. The Harbour Inn also offers a kid’s menu and a traditional Sunday lunch between 12-2pm.

The details:

• Mains range from £10 to £24
• Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options on request
• Children’s menu
• Sunday lunch menu available
• Dog-friendly
• Terrace with sea views
• Harbour Inn, 23 Marine Parade, DT7 3JF

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday: 11am-10.30pm with food served 12pm-2.30pm for lunch and 6-9pm for dinner

Pic credit: Love Lyme Regis/Harbour Inn

Turn up the heat with Lal Qilla, a Lyme Regis restaurant that brings the best of Indian, Asian and Balti cuisine to locals and visitors alike.

Centrally located in the town for more than 20 years this is definitely the place to head for a little heat. With a friendly and attentive team ready to welcome you for lunch or dinner, Lal Qilla serves a variety of options loaded with ingredients and flavour, including Tandoori, Balti, Jalfrize, Biranies and Bengal dishes.

La Qilla specials include Garlic Chilli Masala with chicken or lamb, Shahi Badami (an almond cream dish), or marinated Lemon Chicken or Lamb, among others. There is also a wide selection of veggie dishes to choose from.

The restaurant itself is cosy, clean and comfortable should you want a table inside or you can order a take away and enjoy La Qilla’s flavours at home. If you do choose to dine, make sure you bring your own booze.

The details:

• Main dishes start from £8.50
• Vegetarian and vegan options
• Takeaway available for orders over £20
• La Qilla, 61 Broad Street, DT7 3QF

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday: Lunch 12-2pm, Dinner 6pm-11pm

Pic credit: TripAdvisor

On a sunny day in Lyme Regis, there is no better place to be than Swim, a beachside cafe with epic views across Dorset’s rugged Jurassic coast.

Food is served here from sunrise to sundown so visit for coffee and breakfast in the morning, freshly-caught crab sandwiches from 12pm-4pm, or salads, burgers, meat and fish dishes from noon until late.

Highlights include Teriyaki salmon skewers, sticky Korean wings, vegan nachos for sharing, prawn curry and fish of the day, caught locally in Lyme Bay.

Visit for ‘Relish Wednesdays’ and you can grab a burger and drink for £16. Cocktails are also 2 for £16 so pop in for a sundowner.

The details:

• Dishes range from £9-£25, breakfast served until 11am
• Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available
• Children’s menu available
• Dogs-friendly
• Swim, Marine Parade, DT7 3JH

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday 9am-11pm (breakfast served until 11am)

Pic credit: Swim

Tom’s Lyme Regis, Marine Parade,

DT7 3QJ

If it’s a la carte you’re after, especially for a special occasion, book a table at Tom’s Lyme Regis, a family-run restaurant near the beach which has won numerous awards since it opened in 2020.

Menu highlights include Tom’s Fish Board, a locally caught sharing platter for two which includes Dorset blue lobster, rock oysters, crab salad, Lyme Bay scallops, Lyme Bay prawns, salad, chips and sourdough (£130 for two people).

Lobster surf and turf, fillet of seabass, Dartmoor fillet steak and the breaded Daily Catch are the other tasty dishes served here.

For a taste of Tom’s without the higher price tag, visit between 5pm-6pm for a two-course early bird menu for £28 per person.

At lunchtimes, crab sandwiches, steak and chips and bouillabaisse fish and shellfish soup are also on offer.

Drinks are also local, with sparkling wine from Castlewood Vineyard – just six miles from the restaurant – and a selection of local beer and ale from Lyme Regis Brewery.

The details:

• Dishes range from £9-£130 (for two person sharing platter)
• Vegetarian options available
• Listed in Hardens and has a AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence
• Tom’s Lyme Regis, Marine Parade, DT7 3QJ

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday in summer, 9am-8.30pm, closing earlier on Sundays at 3.30pm

Pic credit: Tom’s Lyme Regis