August 2025 by Loulou
Lovely food as always we come on holiday and visit every year ?
August 2025 by Stephanie Britland
Our visit to The Dorset Soldier was disappointing overall, though there was one standout positive, the excellent play area, which is great for keeping kids entertained.
Unfortunately, the rest of the experience didn?t measure up. Service was indifferent at best; bar staff had to be called over each time and there was little effort to engage or smile.
The food was a real letdown. The kids' pizza was dry and, shockingly, had been cooked the night before and reheated in foil. When we raised this, we were told there were no replacements available. Instead, we were offered an extra scoop of ice cream, but when I explained that my daughter doesn?t eat ice cream, we were met with a shrug.
The hunters chicken was dry and consisted of a few slices rather than a proper chicken breast. Wraps were mostly salad and wrap with very little meat, and no one came to check how the meals were.
It?s a shame, because with better food and more attentive service, this could be a fantastic spot, especially with that brilliant play area. But sadly, it?s not somewhere we?d return to based on this visit.
July 2025 by David L
This is obviously a local but everyone was friendly to us, being from elsewhere. The landlord was particularly cordial. The food was good pub grub - I had the Stilton and bacon burger, and it was delicious. Other comments here said the portions were small, so on that basis, I ordered a starter: pesto and hummus. The portions are NOT small and I'm afraid I couldn't finish my burger. The only criticism is when we were ready to order dessert, as so often happens, the servers vanished. Finally, the lady in the green dress helping to organise the quiz night saw that we were waiting - with dirty main plates not collected - so she went in search of a server.
July 2025 by Naomi Nicholson
We were so excited to finally sit down, rest our weary legs, and enjoy a fresh, hot cup of coffee served in a real mug! This simple pleasure was perfectly complemented by a plate of steaming hot bacon, eggs, sausages, and beans, absolutely delicious. Five stars for a truly tasty and satisfying meal, our first proper one in over five days, and the first enjoyed sitting at a real table, with actual knives and forks.
To top it all off, when we went to wash our hands, we were treated to lovely toiletries. We all left the ladies' room smelling like flowers, laughing and exclaiming, ?Ooh, I?ve washed my hands and I smell nice!?
This was exactly the pit stop we needed on our way home from the Isle of Wight Festival 2025!
June 2025 by Mark Barnes
basic pub grub. Great badger beers. sullen service.
June 2025 by Ramon Fox
The second time we were in, the food was very good.
June 2025 by Michele Louise
Went for Lunch yesterday to Dorset Soldier Corfe Mullen as have done many times. The steak in the baguette was tough. Also the profiteroles where still frozen in the middle. Did complain to young waitress politely, She told the Chef. Waitress was told to apologise and she said because it was a set menu they couldn't refund but offered a replacement pudding or drink, which I refused. Would of been nice if the Chef apologised instead of sending poor young waitress to deal with the problem. Won't be going there again.
May 2025 by Sue Scott
Had a lovely lunch today. The food was very nice at reasonable prices, serving staff were polite and professional. Would definately come again and highly recommend
May 2025 by Amy Sheen
Horrendous service, very rude young staff. Served put of date condiments which ruined the entire meal. Steak was severely over done. When questioned about the out of date condiments they become very aggressive and dismissive. Landlord eventually agreed to take the steak meal off the bill. Paid for the bill we started to walk away and the young chap who had too much to say muttered for us not to come back. Completely out of order. We was a party of 6 adults and 3 children. The children refused to eat the mains. The adults didn't enjoy the mains. Alot of food was left. They couldn't understand that someone with an autoimmune disorder could get ill when eating out of date food/condiments. Would give this place a zero if I could. We also ordered ice cream for the children, considering the ice cream was £4.25 I was fully expecting more than a quarter scoop. I have never known such arrogance from teenage staff members. Disgusting behaviour and even worse food. AVOID!!!
May 2025 by Susan Heath
Good service. Good food. Good prices. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
May 2025 by Cristiano Hoffmann A. Menezes
A true gem in Poole!
Recently, I visited The Dorset Soldier with my family, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and outstanding service from the staff. Everyone was extremely attentive, helpful, and welcoming, making us feel right at home.
The pub is conveniently located and easy to find, with ample and accessible parking ? a big plus for families. The atmosphere is cozy and traditional, offering that classic British pub vibe with a special touch of hospitality.
For families with children, The Dorset Soldier is simply perfect. The outdoor playground is fantastic, providing endless fun for the little ones while parents can relax and enjoy a drink. It?s always great to find a place that considers the family experience, and in this regard, they absolutely nailed it.
As for the food, I can only praise it! I tried the Fish and Chips and the Carbonara, and both were delicious. The Fish and Chips were outstanding ? fresh fish, perfectly crispy, and very flavorful, paired with well-seasoned chips. The Carbonara was creamy, with an incredible texture and a taste that clearly shows the care put into its preparation. The portions were generous, and the prices were very reasonable for the quality provided.
The pub also offers a great selection of drinks, and my friends and I enjoyed trying some of the local beers ? all well served and perfectly chilled. The indoor space is well maintained, with a typical pub decor and a spacious hall, while the outdoor area is a perfect spot to enjoy sunny days.
Moreover, it's evident that the owners care about providing a complete and enjoyable experience for their customers. The attention to detail and willingness to accommodate special requests make this place truly stand out.
I highly recommend The Dorset Soldier to anyone looking for an authentic British pub experience, with great food, a family-friendly environment, and dedicated staff. We will definitely be back!
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May 2025 by Alan Tink
Welcoming staff and locals. Couldn't have wished for a better visit.
April 2025 by Mary Spreadbury
I ordered the cottage pie on the lunch menu, I couldn't believe what came the smallest dish with a slither of mash not even browned , hardly any mince about 6 chips and cold peas . I should have sent it back but were with a group of people I didn't know that well so didn't want to cause a fuss. I won't be going back
April 2025 by Steve Noel
Excellent food that was promptly served by lovely staff. My wife had the Hunters chicken and myself the Stilton burger. Definitely rates highly on the pub grub scale.
April 2025 by Carolyn Millward
Good value. Lunchtime visit , the staff were helpful and friendly.
