The 1859 Pier Cafe & Bistro in Purbeck

Dropped by for lunch and saw the plates of delicious food for other customers and my toastie sandwich with salad was just as lovely. My friend had prawn salad which was a beautifully presented and she loved it. So much so we made the restaurant our final meal of the week destination and I wasn't disappointed when I ordered prawn salad too( I love pepper and didn't mean to shake that much on it!) . Too stuffed for dessert 😢. My friend had the fish selection and couldn't complain about it either. Beautiful setting and should be open other nights too as this is a secret that needs enjoying during the summer 🌅

Brilliant service, clean tidy bathrooms, food was perfect, will certainly book for next holiday, so nice to have polite, helpful staff

Surprisingly good restaurant on Swanage Pier. You have to pay to get on the pier but NOT if you say you're going to the restaurant. Food is somewhat on the dearer side but very nice. Our bacon and brie baps were extremely nice, as was the coffee.

A gem of a cafe! A delicious breakfast and coffee before a walk on the pier. This is a really good cafe with a little tourist shop at one end. The staff are friendly and there’s lots of choice on the menu. Well worth a visit.

Great lunch Sat outside looking over the seafront/ harbour. Lovely and sunny.Food was tasty and well presented. Great find.

This was our second visit. Spotlessly clean, staff very helpful good choice of food and good value.I would say you will not be disappointed at all, well worth a visit.

Fantastic as always.. great food and welcoming service, always a place I like to eat in when visiting Swanage.

We got the steam train to Swanage and after reading some reviews decided to eat at The 1859.We sat outside which meant that we had to go in to order instead of having table service.The food was good and one of the better meals we had on our trip, the portions were a good size and everything was presented really well. Each of us (family of 5) ordered something different and we all had clean plates. The seafood basket I can definitely recommend.The location is lovely and you could sit all day and people watch with views over the bay.I would have given 1859 five stars if it wasn’t for the lack of table service outside and the attitude of a couple of members of staff during our visit. Nothing particular but they were a bit snappy and could have definitely been more understanding to not only our needs but other people around us too

There are always a few favourite places you collect in your travels. This is one of mine. Superb location in the seaside town of Swanage. Great view that just leaves you chilled. There is food which is above average but really sitting with a coffee or beer looking across the bay is where it's at. Nice people and loads of outside seating. What could be better. Well actually they should stop people parking by the cafe and blocking the view.

Best mussels everHad a lovely family meal. (2 adults 3 kids) Made to feel very welcome by the attentive staff. Cannot recommend the mussels enough. They were soooo good. Burgers are huge. Fish basket was everything you want by the seaside. Great location. Fully recommended