For over 70 years, The Lobster Pot has been a cherished destination at Portland Bill, sitting adjacent to the famous lighthouse on Dorset’s stunning World Heritage Jurassic Coast. This family-owned restaurant and café combines spectacular panoramic sea views with traditional British seaside fare, from their legendary cream teas and fresh crab sandwiches to hearty full English breakfasts and crispy fish and chips. Whether you’re finishing a coastal walk or spending the day exploring this dramatic corner of England, The Lobster Pot offers both comfort and culinary satisfaction with every visit.
The Restaurant Menu at The Lobster Pot
The restaurant menu at The Lobster Pot celebrates classic British seaside dining with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients and traditional recipes that have remained unchanged for generations. The menu caters beautifully to breakfast lovers, lunch seekers, and those craving afternoon tea with a view.
Starting with breakfast, The Lobster Pot serves up a Full English Breakfast that visitors consistently praise for its quality. Thick bacon, quality sausages, perfectly cooked beans, mushrooms, and hash browns arrive piping hot and generously portioned, making it an ideal way to fuel up before exploring Portland Bill. The restaurant opens early at 9:30 AM daily to accommodate breakfast seekers, with special winter offers including buy-one-get-one-half-price on all hot breakfast items from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
The seafood offerings showcase the best of what Dorset’s coast provides. The restaurant’s Fresh Crab Sandwiches have earned legendary status among locals and tourists alike. Made with locally caught crab meat served on your choice of fresh bread, these sandwiches are a must-try, though pricing sits around £13.95. The Portland Crab Salad offers another delicious way to enjoy this local specialty, featuring generous portions of fresh crab with crisp greens and accompaniments. For those who prefer their seafood battered, the Haddock & Chips delivers flaky fish with light, crispy batter served alongside properly blanched chips and peas for around £14.95 to £19.05 depending on portion size.
The Whole Tail Scampi served with chips and peas (£15.95) features well-battered scampi that diners describe as absolutely delicious. Fish and Chips can be ordered in a lighter version for £11.95 during Friday specials, making it perfect for those wanting a smaller portion. Other seafood selections include the Salmon Fillet, which comes well-prepared and pairs beautifully with sides of chips or salad.
Beyond seafood, the restaurant menu includes comfort food favorites that satisfy every appetite. The Chicken Burger features two pieces of fried chicken and comes with chips and salad for around £12.95. The Halloumi Burger caters to vegetarians with grilled halloumi, fresh vegetables, and a choice of sides. Sandwiches and baguettes span from classics like Bacon, Brie and Cranberry to Club Sandwiches, all served with generous portions. Sausage & Chips and Ham, Egg and Chips round out the mains, offering straightforward British classics executed well.
The Lobster Pot is genuinely famous for their Dorset Cream Tea, which has earned recognition from local radio stations as the best in the South region. The secret lies in their unique scone recipe, unchanged since the business began over 70 years ago. These substantial scones are made fresh daily on the premises and served with local Dorset clotted cream, jam, and traditional loose leaf tea. The cream tea service also includes traditional finger sandwiches and delicious cakes, with the option to add bubbles for £5 per person. For those wanting just the tea service, expect to pay around £2.95 per person for a pot of tea.
Desserts include Chocolate Fudge Cake (around £3.95), Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice cream (£6.50), Dorset Apple Cake featuring local apples, and Toffee and Honeycomb Cheesecake as a special. The Gooseberry Pie, made to an original family recipe, occasionally appears on the menu but sells out quickly when available. Ice cream sundaes provide a refreshing finish, especially on warm summer days.
The takeaway kiosk outside offers ice creams, hot snacks, confectionary, and fresh drinking water for dogs, making it perfect for walkers who want a quick refreshment without sitting down for a full meal. The restaurant is fully licensed, serving wine, local beers, and cider. A draught cider (1/2 pint £2.95, pint £5.75) provides a crisp accompaniment to meals.
Food Delivery Options and Making Reservations
The Lobster Pot offers both takeaway service and accommodating reservation options, making it easy to enjoy their food whether you’re dining in or grabbing something to go. The restaurant accepts takeaway orders, with the outdoor takeaway kiosk providing a convenient spot to grab drinks, snacks, and ice cream without entering the full-service restaurant.
For reservations, you can call the restaurant directly at 01305 820242. Booking ahead is highly advisable, especially during busy periods like weekend afternoons, bank holidays, and summer months when tourists flock to Portland Bill. The restaurant welcomes group bookings and coach parties, making it suitable for organized tours or family gatherings. Sunday lunch bookings are particularly recommended as the restaurant fills up quickly.
During the festive season, The Lobster Pot offers a special Christmas menu available on selected days (Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) from early December through mid-December. The Christmas menu features two courses for £25.95 or three courses for £29.95, with alternative dates available for large groups. Boxing Day bookings are accepted, making it a wonderful option for post-Christmas celebrations.
While The Lobster Pot doesn’t currently offer delivery through third-party apps like Uber Eats or Deliveroo, their takeaway service ensures you can still enjoy their food. The restaurant has introduced a new event catering service, perfect for parties, corporate events, or special celebrations. Contact them directly to discuss catering needs and pricing.
The dining experience at The Lobster Pot includes both indoor restaurant seating with full waitress table service (capacity approximately 90 people) and extensive outdoor seating areas that allow customers to soak in the stunning panoramic views of the Jurassic Coast. The outdoor areas are dog-friendly, and the restaurant provides fresh drinking water for pets. The restaurant is fully air-conditioned indoors, ensuring comfort regardless of the weather.
The atmosphere can be quite lively during peak times, with the indoor space taking on a bustling café vibe. For those seeking a quieter experience, the outdoor bench seating offers fresh air and equally impressive views. Note that the restaurant adds an optional service charge to bills (typically 10%), which some visitors find unexpected, so it’s worth checking your bill carefully.
Payment is accepted via credit cards including Visa and MasterCard. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible with disabled parking, accessible entrance, bathroom facilities, and seating. Baby changing facilities and high chairs are available, making The Lobster Pot genuinely family-friendly.
Location, Hours, and Getting to The Lobster Pot
The Lobster Pot is magnificently situated at the tip of Portland Bill, immediately adjacent to the famous Portland Bill Lighthouse on Dorset’s World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
Address: Portland Bill, Weymouth, Dorset DT5 2JT, England Phone: 01305 820242 Email: [email protected] Website: thelobsterpotportland.co.uk
Operating Hours:
- Open 7 Days a Week, All Year Round
- Monday through Sunday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Food served all day (times may vary seasonally)
- Breakfast available from 9:30 AM
- Closed annually from January 13-17 for maintenance
- Christmas closure: December 23-25
View The Lobster Pot on Google Maps
The Lobster Pot sits on Portland Bill Road at the southernmost tip of the Isle of Portland, making it impossible to miss when visiting the lighthouse area. The location is just a short drive from Weymouth town center (approximately 10 minutes) and close to the Olympic sailing facilities at Portland Harbour.
Parking is available in a large public car park operated by Dorset County Council, located directly opposite The Lobster Pot. Parking fees apply at approximately £2 per hour, with payment required during daytime hours. The car park provides ample spaces for cars and coaches, and public toilets are conveniently located nearby. For those using what3words navigation, the location is identified as states.edit.skylights.
The restaurant is situated in an outstanding natural location on the dramatic Jurassic Coast, one of England’s most stunning coastal areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views from both inside the restaurant and the outdoor seating areas are simply spectacular, overlooking the English Channel with uninterrupted vistas toward the horizon. On clear days, you might even spot seals swimming in the waters below.
For visitors arriving by public transport, buses run from Weymouth to Portland Bill, though having a car provides more flexibility for exploring the wider area. The location is popular with walkers tackling the South West Coast Path, which passes directly by The Lobster Pot. Many hikers plan their routes to include a stop here for refreshments, making it a natural rest point along the spectacular coastal trail. Dog walkers are particularly welcome, with the outdoor seating accommodating four-legged friends (dogs should be kept on leads due to the proximity to cliff edges).
The Lobster Pot building may have changed since its establishment in the late 1940s, but the family’s commitment to quality, value, and excellent service has remained constant through three generations. The gift shop attached to the restaurant offers a range of souvenirs, local products, and Portland Bill memorabilia, providing a convenient spot to pick up mementos of your visit.
Whether you’re making a special trip to visit Portland Bill Lighthouse, exploring the walking trails, birdwatching along the cliffs, or simply seeking one of Dorset’s most scenic dining spots, The Lobster Pot delivers an authentic British seaside experience. The combination of fresh local ingredients, traditional recipes perfected over 70 years, friendly service, and those unforgettable coastal views makes every visit memorable. Just remember to arrive early during peak season to secure your table, or phone ahead to make a reservation and guarantee your spot at this beloved Portland Bill institution.
