Trencherman’s Awards 2024: Dorset restaurants shortlisted

So it will come as no surprise that many of the local restaurants are representing Dorset in the prestigious Trencherman's Awards.

The coveted awards celebrate the very best of the southwest and allow gourmets to champion their favourite chefs, restaurants, hotels, dining pubs and front-of-house teams.

After thousands of nominations in the first round of voting in the Trencherman’s Awards 2024, Trencherman’s Guide readers have had their say:

Best Trencherman’s Restaurant:

• The Clockspire Restaurant and Bar, Sherborne
• The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis
• Tom’s Lyme Regis, Lyme Regis

Best Trencherman’s Hotel:

• Alexandra Hotel and Restaurant, Lyme Regis

Best Trencherman’s Pub:

• Three Horseshoes Pub & Kitchen, Burton Bradstock
• The Acorn Inn, Evershot

Best Trencherman’s Chef:

• Harriet Mansell, Lilac Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Mark Hix, The Oyster & Fish House

Best Bar List:

• The Club House, West Bexington

Best Front of House Team:

• Tom’s Lyme Regis, Lyme Regis

Award for Creativity and Innovation:

• Lilac Restaurant & Wine Bar, Lyme Regis

Best Trencherman’s Newcomer:

• Catch at the Old Fish Market, Weymouth
• The Clockspire Restaurant and Bar, Sherborne

Massimiliano Mannella, the general manager of the Clockspire Restaurant and Bar in Sherborne said: "Of course, it is a massive achievement for us. We are so proud to be there, we are super positive."

The manager of The Acorn Inn in Evershot Natalie Legg is thrilled to be shortlisted. She said: "The competition is really tough so we are excited and pleased to see we have been shortlisted.

"We will be anxious to see if we will make it to the next stage. You just hope for the best but there are lots of people on the shortlist so we will just keep doing what we are doing, serving good food, and hope we are in the next stage because that would be the cherry on top."

Mike Naidoo, Executive Head Chef, Catch at The Old Fish Market said: “We’re delighted to be involved with the Trencherman’s Guide, it really showcases the best of the best in the south west.

"We’re very pleased with our Best Newcomer nomination and hope that it shows the amazing sustainable seafood available here in Weymouth at The Old Fish Market. We’d love it if our local community voted for us, as well as guests from further afield.”

The Acorn Inn in Evershot (Image: The Acorn Inn)

This final round of voting closes at 11pm on Wednesday, February 21. The finalists will be revealed on Tuesday, February 27 and the winners announced at the grand prizegiving and supper at historic Bovey Castle on Monday, April 29.

Last year more than 30,000 votes were cast and four Dorset establishments made the grand finals with Dorset's Crab House Cafe in Wyke Regis winning Best Front of House Team.

To vote for your favourite restaurant, visit trenchermans-guide.com/awards