Rise Cafe: West Bay, Dorset

It's rare that you will find two foodie posts back to back, however I am a firm believer in sharing places with good food and good vibes, so it simply couldn't wait. Although the Rise Cafe and Bar isn't particularly hard to find, being just a "hop skip and a jump over the bridge" at West Bay (if you hit the parade of beach huts you've gone too far!) it is what I would call a hidden gem. Tucked away on it's own little island lined with festoon lights and brightly coloured flags, Rise is a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of beach traffic, offering a range of food and drinks to suit your mood- from coffees and cocktails, to breakfasts and burgers, with locally sourced ingredients, it is the perfect spot no matter what time of day. And as somebody who has become a regular visitor, I say it with the utmost confidence...

If you ask me, when it comes to any sort of cafe or restaurant the interiors are equally as important as the food itself- because who wants to feel uncomfortable when tucking into a bowl of salt and pepper squid, right? Luckily, Rise has got it nailed. The decor is what I would call "scandi" with an expected nod towards costal-chic (given it's seaside location!) the walls are wooden clad and there are plants and patterned textiles as far as the eyes can see, with menus and messages scrawled across chalk boards it is a very welcoming atmosphere.

As I mentioned before, I have become a rather frequenting visitor of Rise Cafe, making it my mission to sample the entirety of their menu because everything tastes so good. We all know I love a breakfast (just take a look at my TikTok and you'll know what I'm talking about!) but thanks to this little gem I am swiftly becoming a bit of a seafood enthusiast also... I have recommended the calamari (with a side of truffle fries of course) to everybody I know, as well as the beer battered fish and chips, with the Prawn Makhani Curry being next on my "to try" list. And although I'm not much of a coffee drinker myself, I've been told that these are also second to none...

As well as an extensive food menu, the cocktail selection at Rise is delightfully different and is definitely worth a look- my personal fave is the Cherry Bakewell but let me know what yours is when you've visited for yourself. However if cocktails aren't for you don't despair, because the bar is fully stocked with beers and spirits, which I'm sure the friendly bar-staff would be happy turn into your favourite tipple!  

The moral of the story is, if you're taking a trip down to the Dorset coast and are in need of hydration, something good to eat and a cozy place to stop, look no further.