This restaurant, coffee shop, tea rooms has nice decor but is far from welcoming. Surly staff, not particularly warm and on a Saturday morning the selection of cakes and pastries were tired looking. We had a hot drink and toasted tea cakes and whilst the tea cakes were good, the butter appeared to be rationed. All a little pricey too.... More

Tonight, we have been to the Engine Room at Poundbury for a wonderful meal. We have been many times for an excellent lunch, but they now open on Friday & Saturday evenings too. The food is fantastic, and at £25 for 3 courses, it is punching well above its weight for quality and choice of food. Thoroughly recommended!

We booked late and were blown away by not only the world class presentational standards of the food but also the quality and taste. The whole experience is to be repeated. Poundbury is a delight to live on and to be able to frequent such a place by foot is a significant attraction. The CHEF's skills need to be experienced.

I will not be returning to the Engine Room until they have improved their Health & Safety standards. Last weekend their waitresses looked scruffy, wore dirty aprons, long hair that was not tied back, quite frankly the place was a mess! There was a long wait before we got the menus then another 15 minutes before our order was taken.... More

This is near to perfect meeting place from breakfast to afternoon tea . Food is of the highest quality large portions served with great taste. A joy to visit in a great locationnwith delightful staff

Went late afternoon and waited over 20 mins for 2 coffees, a coke, tap water and a brownie cake. The restaurant was not busy but the two more mature members of staff who were running the drinks side of things were hopeless. In 20 mins I watched 6 drinks come out made by a woman who looked under pressure, rushing... More

My dining experience was based upon a group reservation that had sole use of the Engine Room. The staff were polite and attentive, greeting guests with the agreed range of drinks. The layout of the restaurant made best use of the space to accommodate our group. The menu was chosen in advance and in my case the duck leg was... More

The food portions are large and the quality is good but there is little for vegetarians other than salads, omelettes and quiche.

large bistro cafe/restaurant in poundbury at the garden centre i have been quite a few times this year as it is local, but we have a lot of new places now so they need to up their game. BTW this place has 2 ranks on TA...engine room and THE engine room so TA should combine the 2 has they are... More