The Marquis of Lorne

A pretty 16th-century house plays host to this sweetly run restaurant, situated in a prime spot overlooking the small square of this characterful Dorset town. Inside, the bright, colourful décor adds to the endearing feel, with its countryside shabby-chic style. The concise, Mediterranean-inflected menu moves with the seasons to show off excellent produce, delivered with a palpable simplicity and textbook technique by the confident kitchen team. If you want to go all-in on the Brassica brand, visit their homewares store, Brassica Mercantile, across the road.

With its stunning clifftop location and menu packed full of delicious seafood, this bright and airy restaurant really makes the most of its seaside setting. It's housed within a long-standing yet fresh-looking hotel, while the restaurant itself sports a subtle maritime theme and retro touches – on a warm day, head straight for the terrace, with its spectacular views over the Jurassic Coast. While the menu is varied, it's hard to overlook the prime fish and shellfish, with dishes such as whole roasted brill spotlighting the quality of the ingredients.

With its idyllic village setting, honey-hued stone and thatched roof, this 15th-century inn could have been taken straight from the front of a postcard. The chocolate-box picture doesn’t change when you go inside, as fresh flowers, beams and a roaring fire wait to greet you – along with a smiling team behind the bar, of course. A concise seasonal menu is chalked up on the blackboard and may feature such rustic, flavour-forward dishes as turbot with smoked bacon and wild mushrooms. Pair the hearty food with a local beer or well-priced wine.