“A rich tradition of farming, growing and food production and the combination of great soil and nearby coastline make Bridport and West Bay the ideal destination for all lovers of great food and drink.”
If you’re a foodie (or even if you’re not) you cannot fail to be impressed by the incredible selection of award winning local food and drink producers that exist in and around the town.
Bridport is home to a wealth of independent businesses, which keep the high street buzzing and have options to suit every purse and palate. Among these are local butchers, bakers, green grocers, health food shop, delicatessen and many many more. The town’s street market, which takes place each week on both a Wednesday and Saturday adds to the variety, while a Farmers’ market can be found at the Arts Centre on the second Saturday of each month.
Just outside the town there are fabulous farm shops with cafés that are open all week to enjoy. Whether you’re shopping for something delicious or looking to source a delicious treat that is unique to West Dorset to take home you are sure to find it here.
Commonly found in local waters:
Fish:
- Bass
- Mackerel
- Pollack
- Dover Sole
- Mullet
- Bream
- John Dory
- Monkfish
- Plaice
- Dabs
- Whiting
- Skate
Shellfish:
- Crab
- Scallops
- Oysters
- Lobster
- Prawns
- Mussels
- Whelks
“Making products from scratch means we rely on great suppliers and the Bridport area produces first-rate food in abundance”
Caroline Parkins, owner Leakers Bakery
There are great places to eat out at too – sit down meals in the comfortable surroundings of a hotel or restaurant, a drink and a meal in one of the many pubs or eating al fresco at one of the West Bay’s beach kiosks, will satisfy most culinary cravings. Locally sourced ingredients of fish, meat and produce dominate most menus.
The town supports its farming community and local food producers by hosting the annual Bridport Food Festival in June and the Melplash Agricultural Show in August, using the produce in local restaurants and pubs, selling it in local shops and on the celebrated market – so you will find delicious delicacies wherever you go.
If you enjoy your food, pick up a copy of A Guide to Food & Drink, In and Around Bridport, produced by the Bridport Local Food Group. This handy pocket-sized free guide features the full range of food businesses in Bridport and is a must for the hungry visitor! Available from the Bridport TIC and local food outlets.
Traditional Dorset Apple Cake
- 12oz/340g self-raising flour
- 6oz/175g butter
- 4oz/110g soft brown sugar
- 3 cooking (preferably Bramley) apples, cored and chopped into chunky pieces 3 eggs
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp mixed peel or zest of a lemon or orange Milk to mix
- 1 tbsp caster or demerara sugar for topping
Method
- Rub the butter into the flour until mixture looks line fine breadcrumbs.
- Add the apple chunks and the soft brown sugar and stir.
- Add in the beaten egg, spices and mixed peel and mix together.
- Put the mixture into a greased 9 inch/23 cms cake tin, level the top and sprinkle
the sugar on top. - Bake in a moderate oven 180C/350F/Mark 4 for approximately 1 hour until
golden on top. - Leave in the tin for a few moment then remove to a wire rack.
Eat on its own with a cup of tea, or serve for pudding with custard.
Ten Great Tastes to Try
Be sure to taste these Bridport food favourites…
Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese
A strong blue contender for lovers of blue cheeses.
Local real ales
Choose from selection of award-winning real ales from Bridport’s Palmers Brewery.
Classic Cuvee
Visit a local vineyard and sample the sparkling local Classic Cuvee.
Dorset Oggie
The county’s answer to the pasty.
Lyme Bay fish & seafood
Superbly cooked at local restaurants.
Dorset Knobs
Crunchy round biscuits made for cheese.
Dorset Apple Cake
A rich sponge cake made with apples from local orchards.
Dabinett Cider
Naturally fermented Dabinett Medium/Dry Cider.
Dorset Naga Chilli
One of the world’s hottest!
Dorset Warmer Salami
From local Shortlisted Best Food Producer in the BBC’s Food & Farming Awards.