Sue Quinn, author of Easy Vegan, has rustled up a lip-smacking range of plant-based dining options in Dorset that are perfect for full or part-time herbivores
The White Post, Rimpton
This is the perfect destination when carnivores and herbivores want to dine together. Award-winning chef patron Brett Sutton offers plenty for meat lovers but veggies are superbly catered for. The menu is ever-changing but past dishes have included tandoori cauliflower with roasted cauliflower puree, cauliflower bahjees, golden raisins, rose, yoghurt and coriander. You can stay the night in rooms above the restaurant if you like, or enjoy spectacular views of the lush countryside from the terrace.
Mad Cucumber, Bournemouth
Bournemouth’s first vegan café is a chilled out place to chow down on everything from coffee and cake through to simple, bistro-style meals. Dishes might include soup with homemade garlic bread, patties of the day served with brown rice and salad, mushroom stroganoff with a ‘creamy’ sauce, or enchiladas stuffed with black beans, red pepper and other goodies. Check the website for details of regular live events including open mic sessions, music, poetry and other performances.
Tierra Kitchen, Lyme Regis
The fact that this eatery is vegetarian is almost beside the point, as its modern take on local, seasonal and organic produce appeals to everyone. Created by Mark Evans, formerly of Bristol’s Café Maitreya, twice named Restaurant of the Year by the National Vegetarian Society. I love the sound of the Applewood Cheddar Tart Tatin and vegans will adore dishes like the Mezze Platter with Tierra hummus, falafels, sweet cucumbers and olives.
The HiVe Café, Weymouth
This family run café is a dedicated vegetarian eatery and has quickly won a huge fan base. The pick-and-mix mezze counter is very popular and always has vegan options among the savoury pastries and salads. Other dishes include vegan falafels, veggie burgers, veggie paninis, as well as homemade cakes. Enjoy your meal in the light and airy café (with a wood burner going when it’s chilly) or outside in the pretty courtyard garden when the weather is fine. They also sell divine local honey.
Brassica, Beaminster
This Beaminster eatery, founded by award-winning chef Cass Titcombe and his wife, Louise Chidgey, isn’t exclusively vegetarian but as the name suggests, they’re devoted to vegetables – and really know how to cook them. All the produce is seasonal and sourced locally wherever possible, and many dishes are Italian inspired. This is delicious, sophisticated and modern food offered at very reasonable prices.
La Fosse at Cranborne
Everyone who makes a booking at this charming little restaurant with rooms is asked about their dietary requirements, and chef patron Mark Hartstone superbly caters for vegans and vegetarians while sticking to his focus on local, seasonal produce. Vegan menus have previously included dishes like beetroot bahji, stir-fried vegetables and mung bean coconut curry, and mushroom stuffed with garlic greens and polenta.
More…
• Best restaurants in Dorset: Whether you’re looking for fine dining, pub food, a romantic meal for 2 or a taste of something from further afield, eating out in Dorset really has something for everyone. Here’s our guide to the best local restaurants and pubs.
This article was updated by Martha Griffiths in August 2021.
