Fisherman’s Workshop

I stumbled across this place whilst trying to find the Post Office (it’s between the post office and Argos) — immediately I was attracted by it’s rustic charm. Bily is very friendly and entertaining. The fish was fantastic — very fresh, simply cooked to perfection. So why have I rated it low? The prices !! Fish ranges from £12 for cod haddock up to £16 for sea bass and £30 for a lobster. Starters are about £8. However the main course prices DO NOT include veg — another £3.50 for re-​fried potatoes and £3.50 for a watery side salad (a salad spinner would have fixed this), so the cheapest main is £19 !!! Puds (Bread and Butter Pudding, Cheesecake, Eton Mess are £5.00) and although wine starts at £12, these were not available so we had to settle on a £18 bottle of Pinot Grigio (which retails at £4.50). Total cost for 2 people was £75 for 3 courses and a bottle of wine, which I think is very excessive. Whilst the fish is excellent, the side orders and pud was nothing great. For me, this was worth half of what I paid — 2/​3rds absolute top — £75 was way too expensive, and I would not return again. It hurts me to write this review as Billy is a really nice guy — easy going and entertaining. If he sorts his pricing out he could be much more successful, but he can’t get away with Rick Stein prices in what is a shack! (although I like the shack and informal atmosphere) I left dissapointed that I’d paid way over the odds –Sorry Billy.

If you visit Dorchester, then visit Billy the Fish! A fishmonger for day, and a restaurant by night, Billy serves up great fish and great entertainment in the heart of Dorchester. Very casual café style dining, great fish and friendly welcome. The restaurant is open Thurs — Sat. Billy will usually show you the fish before you orderf, and there is little in the way of a set menu — just whatever the boats have brought in, swerved however Billy and his team feel like cooking it. Don’t miss this place.