
The Baker's Arms
Quick info
About The Baker's Arms
On Dorchester Rd in Poole, The Baker's Arms is a pub serving casual European dishes across several distinct dining rooms. A fixed price lunch menu runs to two or three courses, with the prawn cocktail served with large prawns among the starters and apple and blackberry crumble a recurring dessert, often as a mini pudding course. A signature burger sits on the wider menu alongside cask ales and lagers. Sunday roast comes with vegetables served in a separate help-yourself bowl. Dogs are permitted in the dining areas, and on-site parking includes an electric car charging bay.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · On-site parking
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Has changing table(s)
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention apple and blackberry crumble, sunday roast, fish pie / fishfinger sarnie mixed and prawn cocktail starter.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention apple and blackberry crumble, sunday roast, fish pie / fishfinger sarnie mixed and prawn cocktail starter.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast draws the most repeat praise, with reviewers citing turkey and lamb roast options, generous help-yourself veg, and one calling it "the best roast I have had for years." Close behind, the apple and blackberry crumble comes up again and again as a standout pudding, alongside dishes like the slow cooked beef shin, katsu chicken rice bowl, and prawn cocktail starter on the fixed price lunch menu. Several also mention the signature burger and a tasty pie, and one coeliac diner found the experience relaxed and easy. Staff draw consistent praise for being attentive, with one server specifically remembered for securing app deals and swapping in a tiramisu when a dessert ran out. The dog-friendly, multi-room layout also gets repeated approval. One reviewer, however, flagged a weaker experience with the fishfinger sandwich, an underwhelming pizza, and tartare sauce lacking punch, though they said the place deserved another chance. A couple of reviewers also returned after previously having a bad experience years ago and found things much improved.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast draws the most repeat praise, with reviewers citing turkey and lamb roast options, generous help-yourself veg, and one calling it "the best roast I have had for years." Close behind, the apple and blackberry crumble comes up again and again as a standout pudding, alongside dishes like the slow cooked beef shin, katsu chicken rice bowl, and prawn cocktail starter on the fixed price lunch menu. Several also mention the signature burger and a tasty pie, and one coeliac diner found the experience relaxed and easy. Staff draw consistent praise for being attentive, with one server specifically remembered for securing app deals and swapping in a tiramisu when a dessert ran out. The dog-friendly, multi-room layout also gets repeated approval. One reviewer, however, flagged a weaker experience with the fishfinger sandwich, an underwhelming pizza, and tartare sauce lacking punch, though they said the place deserved another chance. A couple of reviewers also returned after previously having a bad experience years ago and found things much improved.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Very good fixed price lunch at the bakers arms last week Nice decor inside and plenty of seating out, although a bit of road noise. A very good menu with good selection on the fixed price £22.95 for 2 courses or £24.95 for 3 courses. We both had the prawn cocktail starter (with lots of large prawns) I had the lasagne (very tasty) and my husband had the fish pie. For the mini pudding I had the banoffee cheesecake and my husband the apple and blackberry crumble. Good parking as well as an electric car charging bay. We'll definitely return!”
- Google user
“Haven't been to the Bakers arms for some years after a bad experience, so decided to give it another try. Absolutely spot on. Very friendly welcome, signature burger was very tasty and plentiful, the apple and blackberry crumble was amazing 😍 Well done to the chef and their team.”
- Google user
“First the good Lovely atmosphere - great looking inside - staff were lovely - crispy chicken starter was good Cocktails (tropical something) was lovely and beers tasted fresh. Now not so good Others have mentioned - the fishfinger sarnie needs work, fish not tasty, in a baguette :) sorry bread works better, tartare sauce was lacks punch - see grasshopper Poole for how it’s done Pizza looked looked anaemic - sorry - needs more tomato sauce and extra couple of minutes in oven Food was reasonably priced though. Don’t let this out you off - We will be back for roast - This place deserves another chance”
- Google user
“A beautiful venue with food to match. This was a very pleasant find when looking for a place to eat that also allowed us to bring our dog. It felt like walking into a tardis, so many different areas all beautifully presented. A large number of tables available but felt quite intimate due to the layout of the 'rooms'. The food was equally varied and very good. Portion sizes were generous throughout the meal. Staff were also super helpful and attentive. A great find and definitely will be returning when in the area.”
- Google user
“Couldn't fault this place. Finally a pub that's doing it right! Booked at last minute. Waitress was nice and attentive. Great options for the kids. Roast dinners were exceptional. Best roast I have had for years! Top notch guys.”
Highlights
“Historic pub serving a range of casual European dishes and serving cask ales and lagers.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Trivia night
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Free parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Delivery
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Romantic
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 4
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Dining options· 3
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Trivia night
- Family-friendly· 1
- Has changing table(s)
Location
Bars near The Baker's Arms
- The Blackwater Stream4.01,8583.6 mi
family meal value for money, staff chatting instead of serving, limited outdoor vaping area
- Kings Arms Wareham4.56873.7 mi£10–20
sunday roast, burger, well kept ales
- The Worlds End, Almer4.42,0124.3 mi
fish and chips, gluten free lamb, asahi on tap
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Baker's ArmsReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.33,513 | — | £20–30 | apple and blackberry crumble, sunday roast, fish pie / fishfinger sarnie mixed |
| The Blackwater Stream | 4.01,858 | 3.6 mi | — | family meal value for money, staff chatting instead of serving, limited outdoor vaping area |
| Kings Arms Wareham | 4.5687 | 3.7 mi | £10–20 | sunday roast, burger, well kept ales |
| The Worlds End, Almer | 4.42,012 | 4.3 mi | — | fish and chips, gluten free lamb, asahi on tap |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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