Food & Drink

Find the best places to eat and drink in Swanage – from cocktails on the beach to dinner in a castle.

One of the things that lures visitors back to Swanage and Purbeck year after year is the variety of great places to eat and drink. Grab breakfast at a beach-side café, go traditional with fish & chips for lunch, and dine in style at one of the area’s top-rated restaurants or pubs.

With a range of family-friendly options and more grown-up dining options, there’s something to suit every taste and budget.

For a memorable culinary experience, pick up some of Dorset’s local produce from the local delis and markets to cook up your own feast, or sample some fresh seafood at one of the more unique restaurants, such as Durlston Castle, or the nearby quirky Pig on the Beach in Studland.

Categories
Food & Drink Restaurants Takeaways

Pizza

(credit: Igor Ovsyannykov, via pixabay)

Dine-in & takeaway

Find your new favourite pizza place in Swanage – from sit-down authentic Italian cuisine to indulgent Friday-night takeaway.

These pizza restaurants and takeaways in town offer a delicious taste of Italy by the English seaside.

La Trattoria

This family-run restaurant in the heart of Swanage also offers pizza and pasta takeaway.

Italian restaurant la Trattoria on Swanage's High Street
La Trattoria

La Trattoria’s 11-inch pizzas are made to a family recipe, with a handmade Italian tomato and fresh herb base sauce.

Customise a traditional margherita pizza or choose from popular toppings such as fungi, piccante, rucola and la reine.

The dine-in menu also has a range of pasta and pasta al forno dishes, along with various sides, breads, olives and desserts.

🐾 Sorry, no dogs (except outside where there may be a couple of street-side tables available)

  • ℹ️ View the menu on La Trattoria’s website: www.latrattoria.co.uk
  • 📞 Pop in or phone to make a table booking or arrange a pizza collection: 01929 423784
  • 📍 12 High Street, postcode: BH19 2NT

Gee Whites

For a simple, tasty pizza with fantastic bay views, visit Gee Whites on Swanage’s stone quay.

Pizza & fish & chips at Gee Whites

Choose from a half-size pizza (6 inch) or whole (12in) and enjoy al fresco dining at this busy spot.

There’s a broad range of menu options here, including seafood and fish & chips, making it a great option for families with different tastes.

Pizza options include traditional margherita, vegetarian and pepperoni, and specialties such as ‘hot carnivore’ and ‘mighty meaty’, and are served on wooden board with various side options as extra.

Tables are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Gee Whites is popular with visitors arriving by boat – you can get a water taxi from your mooring to right outside Gee Whites. (Water taxi number: 07802 480139)

🐾 Well-behaved dogs welcome

  • 📍1 High St, Swanage BH19 2LN
  • ℹ️ Find out more and check out the menu: geewhites.co.uk
  • 📞 01929 425720

Takeaway only

Grab a pizza take-out for a picnic in the park, beach-side bite or to bring back to your home, holiday let or campsite.

A popular place to sit and enjoy a pizza or fish & chips takeaway in Swanage is on the sloping lawn of Prince Albert Gardens and amphitheatre at the southern end of town. It’s close to many of Swanage’s restaurants and bars and has great views over Swanage Bay.

Coastal Crust Pizza

Coastal Crust Pizza offers weekly takeaway nights around Purbeck, as well as event catering, with more frequent pizza nights in spring and summer.

Their Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas are made with locally-sourced ingredients and handmade dough & sauces from their Swanage-based mobile catering trailer, which is open seasonally at the following times and locations:

  • Thursdays – At The Globe Inn pub’s car park on Bell Street, (postcode BH19 2RY) between 5pm – 8pm
  • Fridays – Pizza takeaway from the Coastal Crust Swanage HQ between 5pm – 8pm (call or message to pre-order for collection)

Regulars on the menu include classics like margherita, marinara and pepperoni pizza, alongside more intricate flavours such as the ‘nduja honey hot one’ and a BBQ chorizo pizza.

The mobile pizza van also runs various pop-up dates throughout the year – check the latest menus and find out more about catering for your wedding, private party or corporate event on Coastal Crust’s website: www.coastalcrustpizza.co.uk/

Pick up a loyalty card to start earning points towards free dips, garlic bread, pizzas and desserts.

The best way to see where Coastal Crust Pizza will be next is to follow them on social media:

Old Brick

The Old Brick opens seasonally for takeaway-only.

Pizzeria The Old Brick on Swanage High Street
The Old Brick

It offers pizzas and sides in conjunction with The Ship Inn, next door.

Keep an eye on updates on its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OldBrickPizzaCompany

Dino’s

Dino’s fast food restaurant is set in the centre of Swanage, close to the beach, arcades, main pubs and shops and right next door to Swanage Museum.

Takeaway fast food Dino's in Swanage
Dino’s Takeaway

In addition to pizza, Dino’s sells a range of other fast food items for takeaway including hot dogs, burgers, doughnuts and churros.

There’s a small amount of bench seating in the square outside Dino’s and the adjacent fish & chip shops.

Rainbow Kebab

Swanage’s only kebab shop also sells pizza for that late-night nourishment.

Outside the Swanage kebab shop, Rainbows on High Street
Rainbow Kebab

Toppings include vegetable, seafood, Hawaiian, meat feast and BBQ flavours, with sides including garlic bread and cheesy chips.

Order in the shop, on the phone or online for collection or local delivery.

Find Rainbow Kebab on High Street next to Masala Indian restaurant.

Pizza outlets in Purbeck

If you’re visiting a nearby area of Purbeck try these pubs, restaurants and social clubs that serve either eat-in or takeaway pizza:

Old Harry bar pizza menu (picture credit: Old Harry Bar Instagram)

Old Harry Bar, Studland

This volunteer-run social club in Studland serves stone-baked pizzas and drinks, and holds regular, popular events.

Located opposite Studland Stores, it’s open every day during summer between 5pm – 11.30pm (closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays in winter).

There’s a pool table and darts board here, and it’s a short walk to Middle Beach and South Beach.

ℹ️ oldharrybar.co.uk

Seasonal flatbread (picture credit: The Pig Hotels Instagram)

The Pig – On the Beach, Studland

Enjoy The Pig’s drop-in ‘outdoor eats’ with their wood oven flatbreads and sourdough pizzas.

Flatbreads are topped with seasonal ingredients sourced locally and from their own kitchen garden, with extra nibbles, sides, sweet treats and drinks available.

View The Pig’s Wood Oven menu here: www.thepighotel.com/media/56536/wood-oven-2905221.pdf

Stone-baked pizza (picture credit: The Greyhound Inn, via Instagram)

The Greyhound Inn, Corfe Castle

The Greyhound pub in Corfe offers a seasonal takeaway menu, which starts around Easter time throughout summer.

Stone-baked pizzas can be customised to your taste and include Italian classics alongside unique flavour combinations such as shredded BBQ brisket, red onion & jalapeño and mozzarella BBQ pulled pork & shredded rotisserie chicken.

Order takeaway pizza and other items from the menu, which you’ll find on the pub’s website: greyhoundcorfe.co.uk

The Italian Kitchen & Street Pizza

Street Pizza (picture credit: Italian Kitchen Instagram)

Dine-in at The Italian Kitchen on Wareham Quay or order to pick up a takeaway from The Italian Bakery on North Street.

Pizza can also be delivered within a three-mile radius.

Check out the takeaway menu, which includes street burgers & fries and various weekday deals at  www.theitaliankitchendorset.com/street-pizza

Find out more about the restaurant at www.theitaliankitchendorset.com or call 01929 550066.

 

Wareham Pizza and Kebab

Wareham Pizza and Kebab serves a range of pizza, garlic bread, burgers and doner kebab & wraps.

You can now order online for collection from the takeaway located on South Street, across the road from The Horse & Groom pub: warehampizzaandkebab.com

Categories
Food & Drink Restaurants Takeaways

Indian Restaurants

Butter chicken curry (picture credit: Golden Bengal)

Enjoy authentic Indian cuisine from three different Indian restaurants in Swanage.

All offer takeaway and delivery within a certain radius and are conveniently located in town close to shops, bars and other amenities.

Masala

Restaurant & takeaway in Swanage town centre with rich Indian/Bangladeshi flavours

Outside Swanage's Indian restaurant Masala
Masala

Masala is the most central of Swanage’s Indian restaurants, located on High Street next to the White Horse pub.

It’s also just a short stroll from the beach if you want to combine your meal with an evening stroll, and close to several of the town’s other bars and restaurants.

Masala offers a 10% discount if you collect, or free home delivery over £15 to Swanage & Langton. For deliveries further afield, call to discuss.

Menu

Pick up a takeaway menu from inside the restaurant, or from the menu holder on the wall outside if it’s closed.

Opening hours

  • Sunday – Thursday – 5pm – 10pm
  • Fridays & Saturdays – 5pm – 11pm

Contact details

Golden Bengal

Indian restaurant on the edge of town

Offering dine-in, takeaway and delivery, the Golden Bengal is situated on the edge of Swanage – you’ll spot it as you drive in to town. It’s on the right just past Harlees fish & chip shop.

The Golden Bengal is also right opposite the Globe Inn, so you can stop for a drink while you wait for your takeaway to be ready.

Outside Swanage's Golden Bengal Indian Restaurant
Golden Bengal

Menu

The menu in the window showcases the range of Indian cuisine on offer at the Golden Bengal.

Alongside a selection of chicken, meat and prawn curry dishes there are vegetarian options, a selection of starters & sides, and smaller portions of both Indian and English dishes on its children’s menu.

The Golden Bengal also offers a set menu of a choice of starter, main and sides for either two or four people.

Indian Restaurant menu in window of Swanage's Golden Bengal
Golden Bengal menu

Opening hours

  • Daily – 5.30 pm 1- 11.30pm

Contact details

  • 📍 343 High Street, BH19 2NW
  • 📞 01929 427012

Nihal Spice

Takeaway & restaurant on High Street

Nihal Spice Indian takeaway on Swanage's High Street
Nihal Spice

Alongside familiar favourites including biriyani, balti and karai dishes, Nihal Spice offers chef’s specials, all ranging from mild, medium to hot in flavour.

There’s also various English dishes such as chicken & chips and omelette.

Nihal Spice is located next door to restaurant Castaways, opposite restaurant & wine bar Tawny’s, and just up the road from the Red Lion pub.

(credit: Nihal Spice)

Opening hours

  • Daily – 5.30 pm 1- 11.30pm

Contact details

  • 📍69 High St, Swanage BH19 2LY
  • 📞 01929 422229 / 01929 423388

More Indian restaurants & takeaways in Purbeck

Slightly further afield in Wareham you’ll also find the following restaurants at which to sample some Indian cuisine:

(picture credit: The 29029)

29029

Nepalese & Indian restaurant & takeaway in Sandford

DaruChini

Dine-in & takeaway in Wareham town centre

Monsoon

Restaurant & takeaway next to Wareham Station

Categories
Food & Drink Restaurants Takeaways

Chinese Restaurants

Swanage Chinese restaurant and takeaway the Dragon Inn
The Dragon Inn

There are two Chinese restaurants in Swanage, both situated on High Street.

The Dragon Inn offers both takeaway and dine-in service and is located in the centre of town, close to many of Swanage’s other restaurants and bars, and is a short stroll to the hills and the beach.

Wok Chef is a takeaway-only service situated slightly further up High Street, close to The Black Swan pub.

Find out more about Swanage’s Chinese restaurants on their respective pages:

  • The Dragon Inn – Dine-in or take away from The Dragon Inn
  • Wok Chef – Takeaway Cantonese & Malaysian food

More Chinese restaurants & takeaways in Purbeck

You’ll find further Chinese food options nearby in Wareham:

  • Pandada – 📍33 North Street, BH20 4AD 📞 01929 550214
  • Lotus – 📍19 East Street BH20 4NN 📞 01929 556469
  • KW – 📍16B South Sreet, BH20 4LT 📞01929 556396
Categories
Cafés Food & Drink

The Cabin

Sign for beach café and bar The Cabin in Swanage
The Cabin café on the beach

The Cabin is a friendly, family-run beach café & bar situated on Swanage Beach, popular with holidaymakers and locals alike.

With views across the bay’s water and golden sands, it’s the perfect spot to have a hearty breakfast, light lunch or just wile away some time with a drink in your hand.

There’s seating on the prom, right by the strand, as well as tables set slightly further back in The Cabin’s tiered seating area, giving panoramic bay views. Sit out and enjoy the sun or take a break in the shade in The Cabin’s booth seating or under a sun umbrella.

Some of The Cabin’s most popular items on the menu include their seafood basket and fresh crab salad.

This busy little café is also fully licensed and stocks a range of wine, gin, beers and ciders. You can also order a refreshing jug of Pimms to share with friends on a warm day.

Note that due to its location The Cabin’s card machine can have a patchy connection, so take some cash just in case.

The Cabin has a hand-sanitising station, so you can wash-up before eating after exploring the beach.

Menus

The Cabin opens at 9am for breakfast each day, where you can choose to go for a Full English or simple egg or bacon bap, or fuel your onward beach walk with a cup of coffee and slice of Dorset apple cake.

Breakfast finishes at 11am, with the main menu starting at 11.30am, which offers a range of options including toasted sandwiches, burgers, seafood and salads.

Sun-beds, beach chairs, windbreaks & parasols for hire from The Cabin
Hire beach seating & parasols from The Cabin

Sun lounger hire

Extend your visit to The Cabin by hiring a sun-bed or beach chair from the café to enjoy on its very own stretch of beach.

Relax to the sound of the waves knowing that delicious food and a refreshing drink is on hand.

You can also hire windbreaks and parasols to provide shade – just ask one of the team at The Cabin.

 

Opening times

The Cabin is open seasonally from 1 April – 30 September.

Breakfast is served daily between 9am – 11am, when the menu changes to its main lunch menu from 11.30am.

British flags flying on Swanage beach outside The Cabin café
The Cabin’s flags mean they’re open

Tables are non-reservable and in peak holiday season there may be a short wait to be seated as it’s a popular place for both locals and visitors.

Naturally, due to the nature of The Cabin’s outdoor location, opening times can be weather-dependent. In the case of heavy rain for example it may be closed.

Closing times may vary according to the weather, but you’ll be able to see at a glance from along the beach whether The Cabin is open as it will have its Union Jack flags flying.

Location & parking

📍 Burlington Rd, Swanage BH19 1LW 

How to find The Cabin

The Cabin is set just below The Grand Hotel and close by to The Pines Hotel, about half way along Swanage Beach.

The Cabin café below the Grand Hotel in Swanage
The Cabin

If you’re spending the day at the seaside, or visiting town for the day or on holiday, you simply need to walk along the beach or promenade from the town centre till you reach The Cabin. It’s easy to spot, situated just past the stretch of colourful beach huts beyond Ocean Bay Watersports.

Parking

Parking on the nearby residential roads may be tricky as these are used by locals and residents of The Grand Hotel, but you can park in town and walk up the beach or via the roads – there are two pathways down to the beach from Burlington Road (both with steps).

Step-free access is via the promenade.

North Beach Car Park is the closest long-stay car park to The Cabin.

Contact details

Keep up-to-date with The Cabin by following them on Facebook, or call for any enquiries:

Categories
Food & Drink Restaurants

Castaways

Café & restaurant Castaways on Swanage's high street
Castaways

This family-owned restaurant on Swanage High Street is a friendly, welcoming space serving a range of plates from traditional fare to the more unusual.

With a convivial atmosphere, the staff are attentive and the menu changes with the seasons.

We don’t do fast food, we do good food as fast as we can!

Expect starters such as prawn cocktail, homemade paté and deep-fried brie with red onion chutney, and hearty mains such as Hunters’ Chicken wrapped in pancetta, beef lasagne or steak & chips, alongside lighter options like the asparagus & spinach quiche or poached fillet of salmon with parsley sauce.

Beef chateaubriand to share (credit: Castaways)

If you want to share, Castaways’ decadent fillet of beef chateaubriand for two is a must-try. It’s served with a béarnaise sauce, sautéed potatoes and vegetable medley.

For afters, keep it savoury with a cheeseboard or choose from a selection of desserts from the sweets board.

Castaways is a popular spot for diners, especially during peak summer and for pre-show meals at The Mowlem, so booking in advance is recommended. It’s also a great choice for your evening meal if you’re staying at the Purbeck House Hotel, which is a short stroll along High Street.

Outside of the busy summer season, Castaways offers various seasonal special menus, such as their Winter Special three-course menu, which includes a glass of house wine or soft drink, for £22.95, and their indulgent Christmas dinner menu with all the festive trimmings.

Castaways also has a children’s menu with something to suit every young person’s taste. There’s the familiar favourites such as macaroni cheese, scampi or cod & chips and chicken breast nuggets, or if your small person fancies something from the main menu, you can request a half portion for 50% of the menu price.

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available at Castaways.

Fresh mussels sign on Swanage High Street
Fresh mussels at Castaways

Opening hours

Castaways is open throughout the year as follows:

  • Tuesday – Saturday – From 5pm
  • (Closed Sundays & Mondays)

Contact details

Call to book a table at Castaways:

  • 01929 288338
  • 07879 707179 (Out Of Hours)

Follow Castaways’ latest updates and check out their most current seasonal menu on social media:

Location in town & parking

📍 67 High Street, BH19 2LY

Find Castaways along High Street, close to The Red Lion pub, Smith’s Antiques and opposite Tawny’s wine bar.

There’s some on-street parking available immediately outside Castaways, as well as a little further up High Street toward the Methodist church, however most Swanage car parks are just a short walk away.

The closest short-stay car park is at Co-Op, which is free after 7pm. Long-stay car parks nearby include Broad Road and Main Beach (Victoria Avenue) car park.

Castaways location on High Street (credit: Google Maps)
Categories
Food & Drink Restaurants Takeaways

La Trattoria

Signage for The Tratt and Candleworld in Swanage
la Trattoria

La Trattoria in Swanage has been a firm favourite in town since it first opened its doors in 1970.

This popular Italian restaurant on High Street serves authentic Italian food in its two distinct dining rooms – the cosy, romantic restaurant side and the light, bright bistro side with its doors that open out onto the street in the summer months, meaning you can have a different experience each time you visit.

Italian restaurant la Trattoria on Swanage's High Street
La Trattoria

La Trattoria – or ‘The Tratt’, as it’s known by locals – sources ingredients locally where possible and its menu caters for everyone from kids to vegetarian and those wanting to sample some seasonal fish or seafood.

The friendly and welcoming family-run establishment specialises in simple yet delicious Italian cuisine such as a simple fungi or piccante pizza, and traditional cannelloni, pasta ragu and lasagne.

For a three-course meal there are plenty of starters and desserts to choose from, including bruschetta or caprese salad to start, and an indulgent tiramisu or chocolate torte with gelato for afters.

You can view la Trattoria’s dine-in and takeaway menu on its website: https://www.latrattoria.co.uk/menus

Booking a table in peak seasons is recommended as the restaurant does get busy for both lunch and dinner.

La Trattoria is situated in the heart of Swanage, surrounded by various local pubs. It’s also a just couple of minute’s walk from the beach and The Downs, making it the perfect spot for a bite to eat after a long walk.

Contact details

Book a table by calling or online via la Trattoria’s website

Categories
Butchers Cafés Farm shops Food & Drink Restaurants

The Salt Pig Too

Outside The Salt Pig Too, Swanage, with takeaway coffee
Grab a takeaway coffee

Salt Pig Too is a thriving independent café & restaurant, butchery and urban farm shop in the heart of Swanage town centre and just a short stroll from the beach.

The sister business of The Salt Pig in Wareham, which opened its doors in 2010, Swanage’s very own Salt Pig opened its doors in 2018.

Serving seasonally-inspired dishes, Swanage’s Salt Pig restaurant can seat 50 people and all ingredients are locally-sourced where possible.

(all images courtesy of The Salt Pig’s Instagram)

With a strong commitment to animal welfare, provenance and responsible rearing practices, The Salt Pig proudly sources all its pork, lamb and beef within 8 miles of both premises, and fresh fish and shellfish are delivered daily.

The Salt Pig’s own family of rare breed Mangalista & Berkshire pigs are kept on local heathland and woodland and have famously appeared on the BBC’s Countryfile programme.

Butcher & meat boxes are also available via The Salt Pig’s butchery and can be ordered online ready for collection from either farm shop.

(pictures credit: The Salt Pig)

Opening hours & contact

Opening times

The Salt Pig logo

The farm shop and restaurant in Swanage is open as follows:

  • Monday – Wednesday – 8am – 6pm
  • Thursday – Saturday –  8am – 11pm
  • Sunday – 8am- 4pm

Contact details

Call to book a table or follow The Salt Pig’s social media for their latest news and updates:

Location in town

📍7A Station Road Postcode: BH19 1AB

Centrally-located on Station Road, Salt Pig Too is a stone’s throw from the beach, The Mowlem theatre & cinema, and all of Swanage’s main shops and amenities.

There is a small amount of short-stay on-street parking on Station Road itself, which is handy if you’re popping in to collect your butcher’s box or visit the urban farm shop.

There are two short-stay car parks a short stroll from the café (Mermond Place & Co-Op) and two long-stay car parks within a five-minute walk of Salt Pig Too (Broad Road & Main Beach car parks) if you’re staying for a quick coffee, lazy brunch or hearty dinner.

The Salt Pig Too lotion in Swanage (credit: Google Maps)

Catering

The Salt Pig team can cater for your wedding or event at any location across Purbeck.

Event catering (picture credit: The Salt Pig)

They’ll work with you to come up with your perfect menu, whether that’s a hog roast at a big family BBQ, canapés at a work meeting or even a private party.

Weddings will be given an extra special touch with a dedicated food & drinks wedding planner.

No menu design is too big or too small – you can request a special afternoon tea, rustic outdoor buffet or full sit-down dinner.

The Salt Pig regularly caters for businesses in the area including the RSPB and the National Trust.

For catering enquiries, visit The Salt Pig’s website: www.thesaltpig.co.uk/outdoor-catering/

The Sandy Salt Pig

The Sandy Salt Pig, Studland
Sandy Salt Pig

The Sandy Salt Pig is a new mobile food trailer based at Middle Beach in Studland – the perfect accompaniment to a seaside stroll.

Warm up after your walk with a breakfast butty & hot drink on a crisp winter day or stay a while and brunch by the beach on a warm afternoon.

Sandy Salt Pig opening times: Daily, 9am -4pm

Salt Pig pop-ups

The Forgotten Salt Pig

Salt Pig mobile catering at Tyneham village
The Forgotten Salt Pig mobile snack van at Tyneham

This mobile catering van can often be at Tyneham, where facilities are otherwise limited.

Typically, Tyneham hosts the Forgotten Salt Pig through the summer, serving hot & cold drinks, and light bites such as sausage rolls and sweet treats.

(Note that at Tyneham it’s cash-only payments due to there being no signal in the abandoned village.)

The Artful Pig

You’ll find this pop-up at artist collective & gallery Sandy Hill Arts in Corfe Castle.

Stop for a snack here as you browse the art and craft at The Boilerhouse Gallery or visit Corfe Castle Railway Station.

Sandy Hill Arts holds regular live music and arts events, including a range of workshops for both adults and children. Find out more online: sandyhillarts.co.uk

The Salt Pig, Wareham

Find the original Salt Pig on North Street in Wareham:

  • 📍6 North Street, BH20 4AF
  • 📞 01929 550673
  • 📥 wareham.saltpig@gmail.com
Categories
Food & Drink Restaurants Takeaways

Dragon Inn

Swanage Chinese restaurant and takeaway the Dragon Inn
The Dragon Inn

The Dragon Inn is one of two Chinese takeaway restaurants in Swanage.

Located centrally on High Street, near to the White Swan pub, the Dragon Inn offers both takeaway and restaurant dining.

You can call or pop in to order your takeaway, or order online or via an app, where you can view menus.

Find out more via their website: https://mealmap.co.uk/laihoswanage/

📞 Contact number: 01929 425237

Opening hours

Dragon Inn is open six days a week as follows:

  • Monday – Sunday: 5pm-10.30pm
  • Tuesday: Closed

Location & parking

📍 15 High St, Swanage BH19 2LP (at the former Lei Ho premises)

There is a limited amount of free one-hour on-street parking outside the Dragon Inn.

Alternatively, the nearest car park is just around the corner.

Dragon Inn location in Swanage (credit: Google Maps)
Categories
Food & Drink Restaurants

Chilled Red

Outside the circular Chilled Red restaurant building in Swanage
Chilled Red

Chilled Red is a primarily seafood restaurant in Swanage – a hidden gem tucked away in a small courtyard behind the town’s main high streets.

It’s well-known for its high-quality European and British dishes in an intimate setting, and for its friendly, attentive staff.

The restaurant, which serves a regularly-changing set menu for lunch and dinner, also has vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free options, as well as further options such as steak, lamb and duck.

Example dishes include halibut with a lobster sauce, mixed seafood jalfrezi, venison steak, and fresh lobster caught from Swanage Bay.

Opening hours

Chilled Red is currently open for evening meals as follows:

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings from 6pm.

Location

📍 Tilly Mead, 1-5 Commercial Road, Swanage BH19 1DF

Chilled Red logo on the restaurant windows in Swanage

You’ll find Chilled Red down a pedestrianised lane in the centre of Swanage.

It’s on Commercial Road, which is home to a number of other local businesses, such as Chococo, Swanage Bay Fish and Java Independent Coffee House.

Access is via a short alleyway from either High Street (near the library) or via Institute Road by McColls’s newsagents.

Contact details

Call or pop in to book a table at Chilled Red.

(Note that Chilled Red doesn’t have a website).

📞 01929 426066

Categories
Cafés Food & Drink Shopping Shops

Chococo

'Chococo - the Purbeck Chocolate Co.' cup
Hot chocolate at Chococo

Tucked away down a little Swanage side-street you’ll find award-winning Chococo – a family-run, handmade chocolate company that began life right here in town.

Swanage is the home of Chococo’s first chocolate house, which has now expanded into a shop & café, with further premises in Winchester, Exeter and Horsham.

It’s the perfect place to stop for a hot chocolate and brownie on a chilly afternoon, a refreshing gelato on a summer’s day, or to purchase a special chocolate-themed gift.

There’s seating both downstairs and upstairs in the café next to the adjoining chocolate shop, as well as a small amount of seating in the lane outside. Upstairs you’ll also find a small children’s area with colouring activities.

In addition to Chococo’s signature chocolatey baked goods and specialty drinks, there’s also a range of other items on the menu, including local Dorset tea, scones and toasties.

As well as the Purbeck chocolate company’s firm favourites, such as their beautifully handmade chocolate bars & slabs and delicately decorated boxed chocolates, Chococo also creates seasonal and occasion products. Gifts can also be personalised for the recipient.

Can’t choose between your favourites? Why not put a hamper together, or buy a subscription as an unusual gift for a foodie friend?

Chococo also often holds fun chocolate lolly-making workshops in the holidays – keep an eye on Chococo’s Facebook page for updates, or pop into the shop to find out about any upcoming events.

(Pictures all courtesy of Chococo)

Chococo has won over 100 national and international awards over the years since its inception in 2002 and boasts a tempting range of flavours from traditional favourites like Dorset sea salt caramel to its award-winning gin collection.

Popular chocolates include ginger, honeycomb, raspberry and bandanna & cinnamon, along with various novelty chocolates for the perfect edible gift.

Many of Chococo’s chocolate products are naturally vegan, but there are is also a special vegan-friendly range of chocolates available made using oat milk.

Opening hours

  • Monday – Friday – 9.30am to 5pm
  • Saturday – 9.30am – 5.30pm
  • Sunday – 10am – 5pm

Location in town

📍 Commercial Road, Swanage, BH19 1DF

Commercial Road is pedestrianised and accessible both from Institute Road (the alleyway opposite The Mowlem) and from High Street via the passageway between JJ Moore’s butchers and Swanage Library.

It’s also a stone’s throw from the beach as well as all of Swanage’s central shops and other amenities.

Contact details

Explore Chococo’s products and other chocolate houses on their website, or call to place an order for collection.

Categories
Food & Drink Takeaways

Wok Chef

Outside Chinese takeaway Wok Chef in Swanage
The Wok Chef

Wok Chef is a Chinese takeaway located at the top end of Swanage’s High Street.

Serving popular Cantonese and Malaysian takeaway food, Wok Chef is open throughout the year – check their Facebook page for opening times and current menus.

There’s generally a small amount of parking in the street immediately outside the takeaway, or in nearby residential areas.

The Wok Chef is close to The Black Swan pub and the Swanage Legion, so you can stop for a drink while you wait for your food to be ready.

There’s also a Spar shop close by for any drinks or snacks you might need to accompany your meal.

Contact details

Signage outside Chinese takeaway Wok Chef, Swanage
Wok Chef takeaway Chinese food

Simply pop in to place your order or call in advance for collection at a time to suit you.

Check the Wok Chef’s Facebook page for further information including seasonal opening hours and current menus.

Categories
Cafés Food & Drink

Love Cake

Outside Love Cake Cafe in Swanage
Street-side seating

This busy little, family-run café on Swanage’s High Street is a popular spot for everything from celebration afternoon teas to hearty breakfasts, from light lunches to main meals – and of course: cake.

It’s a short stroll from Swanage Beach and all the town’s main shops and amenities – perfect for a bite to eat after a swim or to grab a takeaway coffee and cake to take on your beach walk.

The fully-licensed café uses locally-produced Dorset ingredients and suppliers where possible and even has a little in-store deli where you can pick up local chutneys, biscuits, chocolate and more – or ask them to put together a hamper for you or as a gift.

Love Cake’s in-house bakery can also create bespoke cakes for your special occasion – simply get in touch with your requirements.

The café often holds special themed and seasonal evenings – keep an eye on their social media pages for the latest.

And you may see them and get a chance to sample special menus at certain local events, such as at Rollington Barn for Purbeck Art Weeks.

Opening hours

Love Cake is open every day between 9am & 5pm.

Time may differ at certain times of the year, with special evening openings, for example, for seasonal special nights.

Check in online on their website or socials for the latest updates.

Contact details

Raspberry and macaroon dark chocolate tarts by Lovel Cake catering at PAW
Takeaway chocolate tart with macaroons

Booking a table here in advance is advised, especially during busy seasons.

There may be parking on the one-way street outside (max one hour), but if not the café is almost equidistant to Co-Op and Mermond Road car parks, as well as long-stay Broad Road car park.

The Bear

Check out Love Cake’s sister business in Wareham – a cosy, stylish refurbished 18th Century coaching inn –

It’s a hotel, restaurant, café and function venue.

The Bears’ 11 bedrooms are charmingly named after famous bears -including Paddington, Pooh and Rupert.

Function rooms include an intimate library setting for up to 14, or main function room which can seat 40+.

Find out more on The Bear’s website: www.thebearwareham.co.uk

Categories
Food & Drink Restaurants Takeaways

Fish & Chips

Fish & chip restaurant on Swanage Beach
Battered sausage, chips and a great view

A visit to Swanage isn’t complete without the time-honoured English tradition of beach-side fish & chips.

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Categories
Food & Drink Pubs

The Ship Inn

Outside of The Ship Inn in Swanage
The Ship Inn

In the heart of town, The Ship Inn is a great place to wile away a couple of hours for drinks with friends or a hearty meal after a day at the beach.

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Categories
Food & Drink Pubs

The Black Swan Inn

The Black Swan, on Townsend Road and High Street, Swanage
Find the Black Swan on the corner of High Street and Townsend Road

The Black Swan pub on Swanage’s High Street is a locals’ and visitors’ favourite for its great food and relaxed vibe.

Continue reading “The Black Swan Inn”
Categories
Pubs

The Red Lion

Frontage of Swanage's Red Lion pub

Situated in the heart of Swanage, The Red Lion pub is a traditional family-run establishment serving local beers, ales and hearty, old-fashioned pub grub.

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Categories
Food & Drink

Restaurants

Peach pudding and ice cream, Swanage Grand Hotel

Whether you’re looking for somewhere special for a lazy brunch, or a quick, hearty bite to fuel a day exploring the Isle of Purbeck, Swanage has a great range of restaurants, cafés, pubs and takeaways.

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Categories
Food & Drink Pubs Venue hire

Pubs

People walking past the Anchor Inn and Swanage library on a sunny day
Anchor Inn

There’s a great range of pubs in Swanage, from gastropubs to go-to music venues, and from your traditional log fires and wooden beams for that cosy atmosphere to waterfront bars with stunning sea views.

Continue reading “Pubs”

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