Quayside Bar & Kitchen — Restaurant in England

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Quayside Bar + Kitchen in Weymouth for the third time, and once again, I was blown away by the exceptional quality of the food and the delightful atmosphere. This restaurant, nestled by the harbour, continues to impress with its delectable dishes, attentive staff, and breathtaking views of the boats passing by in the sun.

To start our culinary journey, we decided to indulge in a variety of appetizers. The Portland Crab Cake, plucked from the specials board, was an absolute gem. The succulent crab meat, perfectly seasoned and delicately cooked, was encased in a crispy golden crust, offering a delightful contrast of textures. The dish was elevated by a tangy homemade sauce that complemented the richness of the crab cake, leaving a tantalizing burst of flavours on the palate.

Two of our party opted for the Portland Scallops, and they were nothing short of extraordinary. These plump, juicy scallops were seared to perfection, creating a delicate caramelized crust that sealed in their natural sweetness. Each bite was a symphony of buttery richness and oceanic freshness, making it a true delight for seafood enthusiasts.

For the adventurous soul among us, the Cornish Mussels were a revelation. Served in a fragrant broth, each mussel was plump, tender, and brimming with the essence of the sea. The broth itself was an aromatic masterpiece, infused with herbs and spices that enhanced the natural flavours of the mussels. It was a starter that left us longing for more, and they eagerly savoured every last drop.

Moving on to the mains, we were spoiled for choice with the tantalizing options presented on the specials board. The Fillet of Seabass, delicately perched on a bed of Portland Crab Cake, was a symphony of flavours. The fish, flawlessly cooked to achieve a moist and flaky texture, paired harmoniously with the richness of the crab cake. The tomato butter sauce provided a luscious backdrop, infusing the dish with a burst of tanginess that elevated every bite.

The Fillet of Hake, accompanied by a sumptuous fondant potato, was a masterpiece in simplicity. The perfectly cooked fish, tender and flavourful, effortlessly melted in the mouth. The fondant potato, golden and crispy on the outside, revealed a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth interior that was nothing short of heavenly. This dish showcased the expertise of the kitchen, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine through.

One member of our party opted for the whole Lyme Bay Plaice, a dish that embodied the essence of coastal dining. The delicate flesh of the plaice was expertly grilled, resulting in a dish that boasted a tantalizing smoky flavour. The lemon parsley butter drizzled over the fish added a zesty brightness that beautifully complemented the mild sweetness of the plaice. It was a dish that transported them to the seaside with every delectable bite.

Another standout option was the whole Sea Bream, grilled to perfection and accompanied by sundried tomato. The fish, fresh and flaky, had a delicate flavour that was heightened by the smoky notes imparted by the grill. The sundried tomato added a burst of sweetness, infusing the dish with a Mediterranean charm. It was a delightful marriage of flavours that left them craving more.

Although only two of us had room for dessert, we were not disappointed. The Biscoff Cheesecake with Vanilla Ice Cream was a sweet revelation. The creamy, velvety cheesecake had a subtle hint of caramelized biscuit that added a delightful crunch. Paired with the smooth, fragrant vanilla ice cream, it was the perfect ending to a memorable meal.

Beyond the exceptional food, the staff at The Quayside Bar + Kitchen deserves special mention. From the charming owner Roger, who took our order at the bar, to his cheeky son Mike, who added an extra touch of warmth and hospitality, the service was impeccable. Their passion for their craft shone through in every interaction, making us feel like cherished guests throughout...

Sadly a disappointing visit on this occasion. Have visited a few times for lunch or early evening meal and always enjoyed the fresh crab/lobster/seafood. Booked for an evening meal and seated quickly. Restaurant extremely busy due to the lovely weather. Given our menus and special board but before we’d even glanced at them the waitress wanted to take our order. She said she didn’t want to rush us, but there was a party of 14 in and it would be a good idea to get our order in first. As a harbour side restaurant I would have thought they’d be used to this?. Disappointing menu. No seafood except crab salad or mussels. I’m not a big ‘fish’ eater so nothing on specials board for me. Starters were ‘ok’….nothing special. My main of creamy salmon penne with garlic bread was literally awful! Garlic bread looked like it was from Lidl and was raw, and the creamy salmon was bland, watery and pretty shy of salon. Parker’s Parma wrapped cod looked about a week old, dry, shriveled and inedible. We didn’t eat the meals, and on complaining was told we’d only be charged for the drinks and starters. On paying they actually also took the starters off the bill so no complaints there. I understand the restaurant was busy, and they had a large group in, but that’s no excuse for the quality of food. To be fair I’ve had better ready meals.

Update on owners response…..from reading your replies on previous negative feedback this is the exact response I expected. Maybe after losing power for two hours, it may have been better to cancel some bookings rather than compromise service and quality?…..I hope more people read your replies. You come across as a very unapologetic owner, whose only interest is hearing the tills ring…..shame. Oh, and if you took the time to check your socials, you’d see I’ve left plenty of positive reviews, with pictures,...

We visited Quayside Bar and Kitchen in Weymouth today with our family. The place has a lovely atmosphere — it's warm, the views are nice, and at first, everything seemed to be going well. Service started off polite and smooth.

Unfortunately, it went downhill once the food arrived. I ordered a minute steak, which turned out to be extremely fatty — and I don’t like fat in a steak at all. Strangely, after stepping away briefly to the bar, I came back and saw other diners with steaks that looked much leaner and better prepared than mine. It felt really unfair.

We didn’t want to make a fuss, so my husband ended up eating the steak, and I had a few of his mussels. Still, we thought it was worth letting someone know the steak just wasn’t up to standard, especially for the price. When we told our waitress, she acted like this kind of complaint was totally normal and said she’d speak to the manager. A lady eventually came over — not with concern or understanding — but just tossed a menu at me and told us to order something else. We said no, we didn’t want anything else. Then she snapped the menu away and said, “Well, you should’ve said something before you ate it all.” It was incredibly rude, and honestly, it ruined the whole experience. We just wanted to leave at that point.

I’ve seen other recent reviews with similar complaints, so it seems like we’re not the only ones who’ve had this kind of treatment. It’s really sad. When customers take the time to offer feedback, especially without making a scene, the least the restaurant could do is listen and respond with some professionalism. Instead, it felt like they were more interested in defending bad service than fixing it. If you’re charging high prices, the food and attitude need to reflect that — and right...