Crab House Café

Honestly, 3rd year in a row we have been here and it never disappoints. Once again we were lucky enough to get the table for 2 next to the pass, so we saw everyone else’s dishes as well as our own. Crab and sardine starters were superb, my wife’s stuffed sole was great, my lobster came in a bowl of the most delicious liquid I have ever tasted. It’s great to find a seafood restaurant that just does seafood, and there are always multiple things that temp on a changing menu. You will need to book ahead (we took a guess when we would be sailing in to Portland and adjusted our trip to make sure we could be here). If you love seafood you will love this place. And every single person we interacted with here were professional, enthusiastic and friendly.

Been coming here for over 20 years, since it was Abbotsbury Oysters, love the food, the oysters, the atmosphere and great service too. Friendly atmosphere, I recommend booking to guarantee a table. Plenty of seating areas to chose from and some are also dog friendly. The menu is full of choice which makes decisions difficult!

Never disappoints! Hits the spot every time! Outstanding choice, value, food, location, service and atmosphere. Food is incredible. This is a very very special place. You can feel it as soon as you walk in. There is no other restaurant like it. My absolute favourite in the whole of the UK.

Fantastic varied menu, incredible wine list, beautiful setting and amazing staff. The food was sensational and every member of staff was so friendly, attentive and professional. Highly recommend this lovely place.

My wife and stepsons took me out for my birthday dinner. Fantastic food, great service and absolutely perfect ambience. Lovely rustic chic and brilliant food. The only disappointment was my wife's bellini. Tasted great but presentation was a bit off. Food still gets 5 stars because it was absolutely phenomenal. We came all the way from Southampton just off this meal and we were not let down at all.

This place is amazing, the atmosphere the staff the restaurant deco & the food is fantastic. Recommend to book & go, if walk in then no chance of getting a table. Good quality sea food is served here. All we ate was delicious & really very good. We ate oysters, Lobster & the spicy Japanese Crab

Had dinner here yesterday and it was incredible! The food, the service and the atmosphere were all top notch! The staff were all lovely and really accommodating, and couldn't do enough to make sure we had a memorable meal. The food was so so good - I had the half crab with no idea of how to crack it, but the waiting team helped me out with some tips, and I got there in the end! Would definitely recommend!

We went for lunch unplanned at the last minute and were totally blown away by how perfect and fresh every single dish was. The staff are all genuinely lovely people as well. A very rare 10 out of 10 dining experience. My wife and both spoke about how delicious the food was all the way home and would highly recommend this restaurant. We had the spicy crab, soul fish, scallops with wild garlic butter and some delicious oysters. Followed by a trio of desserts. Every dish was fantastic! All the other dishes coming from the kitchen looked equally as delicious.

Can't fault this place! Staff are very friendly and accommodating, the chef can be seen moving about prepping dishes, ordering daily fish and checking on patrons. The ambience is lovely, quaint and warm. Fresh fish of the day can be seen in the front window, skilled chefs are working away and a couple of water tanks for the live seafood are visible from the dining room. I had a crab soup which was surprisingly delicious, similar to a lobster bisque. Fresh bread started us off, warm from the oven and soft inside. I chose a special of the day, the fish was tender and flavourful, melting off the bone and infused with lemon and capers. My partners dish of hake with risotto was absolutely delicious, something I'd order if I were to go back. All In all a lovely dining experience in a scenic location. Make sure you book to avoid disappointment!

Just fantastic food. You need to eat here.

One of the best crabs I've ever had, with delicious samphire and twice cooked chips. Loved trying my father's curry - light heat, delicious fish and perfect portion size. We had 15 for lunch, and everyone loved it.

I have often wondered, living in the south west, why there are so few seafood restaurants around our coast? There are a few yes, like the Oyster Shack at Bigbury and Riverside Restaurant and the Hive beach cafe further down the Dorset coast and Porthminster in Cornwall but generally far too few, which is an odd thing. Is it to do with the English reserve or dislike by too many of fish and seafood, or is it the climate? Anyway, here is a really good example of what I mean and what we need more of around here. It's moved on from the small shack of a few years ago on the edge of Chesil Beach and is now a bigger place altogether but they have managed to retain the charm and character of the old. Fish and seafood is served simply, fish is often whole, oysters, crabs, scallops are available and more with late catch items on the blackboard. Plenty of outdoor tables and car parking. Mediterranean feel and good for a day out when the sun is shining. Does what it says on the tin and does it brilliantly.

Superb views, food, staff. Speacial place. All fish locally caught and the menu changes daily

Very good, fresh fish. Lots of variety and always something a bit different. Chef and staff are all very friendly. Quite expensive but deffinately worth it!

I cannot believe we had lived in the area for 5 years before we discovered the Crab House Café, thanks to a Sunday supplement review of the 10 best beach cafes in the UK. Apparently, it has been an oyster farm for many years and the café was added around 2005. We booked for lunch and had a fantastic fresh cooked seafood meal and have been back for more, plus recommended it to others who have had similarly good experiences. It is not posh outside or inside, looking like a beach shack outside and a café inside, but that adds to its charm and means you do not have to dress up to eat there! The staff are friendly, the presentation on the plate is delightful and the food superb. Last time we were there we met a couple who drive from Bath several times a year to eat there. The menu is changed on a daily basis and is dependent on what fish and shellfish has been caught/brought that day. You need to book well in advance during the holiday season, particularly at the weekends. There is outside wooden seating for sunny days. In terms of price expect around £40 per head for two courses including drinks.

Absolutely amazing food the best seafood i have ever had !!! Any one who likes seafood should go its worth the travel