The Ibberton - North Dorset

My family and I visited Ibberton while in Dorset, as we often do. The restaurant was warm, cozy, and beautifully decorated for Christmas. The food was delicious, and we were pleasantly surprised to find a charming little jewellery cabinet made by a local lady, with proceeds going to charity.

This charming country pub offers a good selection of food and ales. They are open from Thursday to Sunday. The only downside was that they had run out of many desserts when we visited earlier in the day. The waiting staff kept informing us of unavailable options after we had made a choice, which was a bit frustrating. It may be better if they let customers know what is unavailable upfront. Despite this small issue, the staff were friendly and the location was lovely, especially with the fragrant roses in the garden on a sunny evening. We would definitely consider returning as the pub is also dog-friendly and has a moderate price range. Overall, we recommend it, although fans of old books may prefer The Crown.

Quiet location, nice gardens and friendly staff. The real star is the food regularly changing menu, all freshly cooked (so expect a short wait while you relax and enjoy the surroundings). The small plate starters are tasty and fresh, main courses well presented and beautifully cooked. If it’s on the menu look no further than the monkfish scampi, but everything is good. The side salads are a joy, fresh and well dressed without being overpowering, and the homemade tartare sauce the best I’ve tasted.

A fantastic meal. We each had three courses and thoroughly enjoyed them all. A small but interesting menu. Highly recommended.

What a lovely surprise. A proper local pub with wonderful food and a warm and friendly atmosphere. I would make a special effort to return to this pub.