In East Dorset, about 10 miles inland from Bournemouth, the sleepy market town of Wimborne Minster has quietly become a foodie destination, highlighting the best culinary offerings of the local area. Central to the historic town is its medieval church, visible from many of its winding streets, but this quaint location also serves up plentiful pubs, bakeries, cafés and restaurants.
A wonderful mix of established old favourites and fresh, innovative new spots means that over the last decade or so, Wimborne has firmly established itself as a place that champions small businesses, artisanal producers and local ingredients, all the while flying under the radar. While many flock to Lyme Regis and Burton Bradstock for their renowned culinary offerings, Wimborne has so far escaped such a rush, instead fostering a crowd of those in the know who return for more.
Having grown up in the area, and going back to visit often since, the change, while gradual, has been noticeable. Take the award-winning Eight Arch Brewery, which in 2015 returned brewing to Wimborne after almost 80 years, or Deans Court, a Georgian country house, hidden away beyond the Minster, which opened a courtyard café bringing homegrown produce from beyond its garden walls onto customers' plates.
Awarded Dorset’s Town of Culture for 2026, Wimborne’s theme for this – ‘Bridging the Past and Future’ – is also fitting in encapsulating its food and drink scene. Take a stroll through the square, and up along its narrow streets, keeping an eye open for these favourite spots.
Delis
East Street Deli
Established in June 2020, this award-winning deli has rapidly become a staple for artisanal cheeses, charcuterie and local produce in Wimborne. Located on East Street, this deli stocks a curated selection of Dorset independents, such as Bad Hand Coffee, The Real Cure and Little House Dorset (the Dorset sea salt truffles should go straight in our basket). Beyond the curved glass shopfront, you’ll find husband and wife duo, Claire Warren and Simon Butler, behind the counter armed with tasters of their cheese of the month and plentiful recommendations.
Address: East Street Deli, 41B East Street, Wimborne BH21 1DX
Website: theeaststreetdeli.co.uk
Fluffetts
This rustic and unassuming deli is stocked to the brim with Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire produce at farmers’ market prices. It’s the perfect place to stock up on local honey, chutneys, sauces and oils. In the middle of the small shop you’ll find stacked cardboard trays of free-range eggs – for which the Fluffetts Farm is famed for, with their hens laying over two independent family-run farms on the edge of the New Forest and Cranborne Chase.
Address: Fluffetts, 3 Quarterjack Mews, Wimborne BH21 1DS
Website: fluffettshome.co.uk
Restaurants
The Wimborne Pig
For a sophisticated lunch or dinner, the Wimborne Pig is your port of call in Wimborne. This blue-fronted, cosy restaurant serves up modern British fare that highlights the best of seasonal ingredients and locally sourced meat and fish. Try the garlic, chorizo, and lime tiger prawns to start, and then opt for the honey-glazed pork belly with fennel seed crackling and a red wine jus, or the golden, twice-baked South Coast cheddar cheese soufflé and caramelised red onion chutney.
Address: The Wimborne Pig, 26 West Borough, Wimborne BH21 1NF
Website: thewimbornepig.com
Bear
Craig and Michael – the two best friends behind the Bear brand – notably opened their first Southern England outpost in Wimborne last year. The small chain has a run of successful Antipodean-inspired stores in the Midlands. Tuck into the chilli cheese brioche and a cup of steaming coffee while soaking up the surroundings of the Grade II listed building and a patio space that was once home to an old glassblowing building. Pin for a fun and relaxed brunch spot.
Address: Bear, 71 High Street, Wimborne BH21 1HS
Website: bemorebear.co
Levantine
Down a quiet lane, opposite the Minster, this compact restaurant welcomes you in with its eye-catching green-framed exterior and mouth-watering aromas. Its eastern Mediterranean-inspired menu includes the likes of shakshuka, Persian ghormeh sabzi, chicken shawarma flatbread and homemade baklava. Pick a selection of its mezze sharing plates and dig in with family or a group of friends, while enjoying the friendly service and relaxed atmosphere. Sitting outside the front of the restaurant on a sunny day further evokes holiday vibes.
Address: Levantine, 3 Church Street, Wimborne BH21 1JH
Website: facebook.com
Number 9 on the Green
For a lunch or cream tea with a view, head to Number 9 on the Green. Facing directly towards the striking architecture of the Wimborne Minster church, which houses a chained library with books dating from the 1300s and onwards, this restaurant has a picture postcard white and blue front, framed by blooms. While its afternoon tea is a highlight (pre-booking is required), the toasties use sourdough from local artisan BakeHouse24 and drinks include Sandbanks bitter and Dorset Purbeck cider, as well as Eight Arch brewed in town.
Address: Number 9 on the Green, 7 Cook Row, Wimborne BH21 1LB
Website: number9wimborne.com
Cafés, coffee shops and bakeries
Deans Court Courtyard cafe
You could easily miss this charming café situated down the end of Deans Court Lane, but it would be a mistake. Housed in a converted 1930's garage, Deans Court Courtyard Cafe, is a delight for the eyes and the tastebuds. On a sunny day, grab an outside table among the flowers, beside its homeware store in an old squash court, and feast on dishes and bakes inspired by seasonal pickings from Deans Court’s kitchen garden. Their salads are a standout.
Address: Deans Court, 2 Deans Court Lane, Wimborne BH21 1EE
Website: deanscourt.org
Little Pickle
Overlooking the Stour River, Little Pickle café located in the grounds of the Walford Mill Crafts – a home for artists and craft workshops – is an idyllic place to enjoy a spot of brunch, lunch or simply a coffee and cake. You might even spot swans swimming idly by on the river as you tuck in to a farmers plate of pork and sage sausage roll, maple coleslaw, pickles and homemade chutney or the freshly made oozing cheese and marmite scones. Look out for its ‘garden toast’ on the specials board – a guaranteed delight.
Address: Walford Mill Crafts, Knobcrook Road, Stone Lane, Wimborne BH21 1NL
Website: littlepicklewimborne.co.uk
Malthouse Bakery
Tucked away down a little lane, this family run bakery is modest but punches way above its weight. Open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, it’s best to get there early as you can expect a queue for the takeaway only bakery, and for the favourites – sticky toffee cinnamon rolls – to sell out. Before you know it you’ll come away with your arms full of brown paper bags heaving with scones, brownies and fresh bread, from their wood-fired oven.
Address: Old Malthouse Bakery, Wimborne Minster, Wimborne BH21 1LJ
Website: facebook.com
Sonder Coffee
A popular spot for coffee, catch-ups and co-working, Sonder Coffee has been a hit in Wimborne since it opened its doors in 2023. Light and airy, the café is situated in a Grade II listed building on the corner of Wimborne’s high street, making it a chilled spot to watch the world go by. Dog friendly, you can expect to see some of the town’s finest pooches in tow as you sip on your flat white. It’s a great example of a modern twist on a historic building.
Address: Sonder Coffee, 48 High Street, Wimborne BH21 1HT
Website: sondercoffee.co.uk
Bars and pubs
The Butcher’s Dog
You would be forgiven for thinking you were in a corner of south-east London when you step into the Butcher's Dog bar, thanks to its stacked beer board and hip vibe. With 14 taps of craft beer and real ale on the go, finding a thirst-quenching pint is easy work. Pull up a seat at one of the beer barrel tables or a stool beside the bar, and on a Thursday night you can grab a bite from the Flaming Peaches food truck pulled up outside.
Address: The Butcher’s Dog, 6 East Street, Wimborne BH21 1DS
Website: butchersdogdoreset.com
Ten Bottles
For a cocktail, Ten Bottles on Church Street, is the destination. Its dark blue facade and low lighting inside a Grade II-listed venue provide the sophisticated mood required for sipping on an old-fashioned. The independent wine and cocktail bar also has an array of small plates, charcuterie and cheese to enjoy alongside a tipple. Settling in a cosy corner and working your way through the curated wine list and cocktail menu is an evening well spent in this slick spot. If you fancy a pint after though, across the street sits the Oddfellow Arms – billed as Dorset’s smallest pub.
Address: Ten Bottles, 9 Church Street, Wimborne BH21 1JH
Website: tenbottleswimborne.co.uk
Eight Arch Brewery
Wimborne is not short of pubs, but if you fancy going straight to the source, stroll over to Eight Arch Brewery, where its taproom doors open every Friday and Saturday – a tradition that began in 2015 when “those in the know” would pop down for a pint poured by the brewery’s founder, Steve Farrell. Named after the eight arches at nearby landmark Julians Bridge, the brewery’s line up includes hoppy IPAs, crisp lagers and toasty stouts. A rosta of food truck pop-ups adds to the lively atmosphere.
Address: Eight Arch Brewery, 1, Stone Lane Industrial Estate, Wimborne BH21 1HB
Website: 8archbrewing.co.uk
Renoufs
Having started off in Westbourne in 2015, Renoufs now has five wine bars across Dorset and Hampshire. Its second opening was in Wimborne and the bar, housed in a charming Grade II listed building off from the town’s main square, provides a rustic yet polished venue for quality cheese, charcuterie and wines. In fact, they take cheese and wine very seriously here, with an expansive list of blue, soft, firm and washed-rind cheeses. Stacked boards are also available, plus a dessert board for those with a sweet tooth.
Address: Renoufs, 9 West Borough, Wimborne BH21 1LT
Website: renoufswinebars.co.uk
The Anchor Inn
A 10-minute drive from Wimborne town centre, in the pretty village of Shapwick, you’ll find the Anchor Inn. Beautifully presented and finely crafted dishes using ingredients from local suppliers are the mode at this bucolic pub. Its vegan mixed grill combines char-grilled celeriac and kohlrabi steaks with rustic fries, dressed rocket, green peppercorn and red wine sauce, while its Sunday roasts are a popular pick. In the summer, a wood-fired oven in the garden offers up delicious fresh pizzas.
Address: The Anchor Inn, The Anchor inn, West Street, Shapwick, Blandford Forum DT11 9LB
Website: anchorshapwick.co.uk