Crab House Cafe

Superb seafood with views to match

While most chefs talk in food miles, the team at this coastal restaurant count in metres for much of their seafood‑centred menu.

Despite the name, the star attraction at Crab House Cafe is actually its oysters. Grown just a short paddle from the restaurant’s tables – at the on‑site oyster farm – the prized bivalves are fabulously fresh and plump. Make like a local and slurp them, au naturel, from their shells.

What’s not cultivated in‑house is sourced as locally as possible. Most of the seafood is landed at nearby Weymouth and Poole, veg comes from local growers, and milk and cheese via The Open Air Dairy in Littlebredy.

Crab House Cafe owner Nigel Bloxham (who sourced fish for the likes of Keith Floyd before opening his own restaurant) favours native fish species, prioritising sustainability over trends.

The daily menu is supplemented by a long list of specials which makes deciding what to order quite a challenge. Classic dishes, such as turbot hollandaise and roasted lemon sole, vie for diners’ attention with creative compilations such as baked red mullet with golden beetroot and cauliflower.

Pair your pick with a glass of Dorset wine – the Bride Valley Chardonnay is a marvellous match for almost everything on the menu.