The Retreat or The Plantation? Where to eat at Marsham Court

Two places to eat here, and they’re built for different evenings. The Plantation Restaurant does breakfast and a proper three-course dinner with orders between 6pm and 8pm. The Retreat Bar and Eatery runs all day with sea views, sofas and a menu you can dip in and out of, and it’s the one that welcomes dogs. Here’s how to pick.

The two side by side

The Plantation, for breakfast and dinner

Breakfast is a freshly prepared full buffet, continental and English, from 7.30am to 9.30am on weekdays and 8am to 10am at weekends, with those times running later through the summer. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose free and diabetic options are all there, and if you can’t see what you need, ask the team and they’ll sort it.

Dinner is served between 6pm and 8pm: three courses from a table d’hôte menu that changes daily, cooked by our own chefs with locally sourced ingredients. It’s £28.95 per person, £15.45 for children aged five to eleven, and children of four and under eat free when two adults are dining. A recent menu ran to salmon fishcakes, roast English lamb and seabass, with chocolate sponge or mango panna cotta to finish. Vegan and vegetarian choices are always on it.

The eight o’clock finish is the thing to plan around. If you’ve been out for the day, this is a restaurant you come back for rather than wander into late. Book on 01202 552111, and there’s a sample menu on our Plantation Restaurant page.

The Retreat, for everything else

The all-day menu runs from midday to 8.30pm, and until 9pm in summer, with lunch through to 3pm and dinner from 5pm. It’s the room with the sea views and the outdoor seating, and it’s where you end up if you want lunch at half past two or a burger at seven without dressing for dinner.

The menu covers sandwiches and wraps from £7, deli-style options like the fish finger ciabatta and the croque monsieur from £10, light bites from £4.50, mains from £11 including fish and chips, gammon steak and a Greek salad, and burgers from £13.50 with beef, Cajun chicken and a vegan sweet potato and black-eyed bean version. Sides start at £3.75. There are vegan alternatives across much of it.

It’s also the dog-friendly one, with its own Doggy Menu, and it’s set up for anyone working, with table-top chargers and plenty of power points. A discretionary 5% service charge is applied to purchases here and shared across the whole team. Have a look at the Retreat menu before you come down.

Afternoon tea, and a drink before dinner

Afternoon tea is served in The Retreat daily between midday and 5pm: homemade delicate sandwiches, mini cakes, scones with jam and clotted cream, and your choice of tea or coffee, at £20 per person. A Dorset Cream Tea is £8, and you can add a small bottle of Prosecco for £8. Gluten and lactose free, vegan and diabetic versions are all available, so just ask.

It does need 24 hours’ notice, so it’s one to book the day before rather than decide on at half past two. Ring 01202 552111 and choose option 4, or see our afternoon tea page.

Bar O’Clock runs every day between 5pm and 6pm with 25% off drinks, which lands neatly before a six o’clock dinner sitting. It doesn’t cover hot drinks, large bottles of wine, Champagne and Prosecco.

One thing worth knowing

On quieter nights, dinner may be served in The Retreat rather than opening the main Plantation Restaurant. The same kitchen and the same menu, just a different room, and we’ll tell you when you book. It tends to happen out of season, so if the Plantation dining room specifically is part of the occasion, do mention it and we’ll let you know what to expect for your dates.

If you’re not staying with us

Dining may be available to non-residents as well as hotel guests, depending on the venue, the service and the date. Ring ahead rather than turning up, and we’ll tell you what’s possible on the night you’re thinking of.

Booking a table? The Plantation and The Retreat is contactable on 01202 552111, with afternoon tea on option 4.