Surrey


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/04/Dorking_Kate-Chapman_5580.jpg" alt="Dorking town sign" class="wp-image-39722" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/04/Dorking_Kate-Chapman_5580.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/04/Dorking_Kate-Chapman_5580-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/04/Dorking_Kate-Chapman_5580-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/04/Dorking_Kate-Chapman_5580-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/04/Dorking_Kate-Chapman_5580-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/04/Dorking_Kate-Chapman_5580-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Photo credit: Kate Chapman</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>It might be well known for the iconic chrome cockerel on the town roundabout (if you know you know), but picturesque Dorking is also a historic market town with a bustling High Street. Renowned for its scenic beauty, indie antique shops on West Street, and the nearby <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/denbies-wine-estate-dorking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denbies Wine Estate</a>, it’s also a great place to visit for a bite to eat. If you’re searching for the best places to eat Dorking has to offer, you’re in for a treat. Dorking’s pub game is strong, but mentions must also go to its mix of eclectic independent eateries. We’ve picked our favourites – do you agree?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arto"><a href="https://www.artorestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arto</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/02/Untitled-design-7-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Arto Restaurant in Dorking" class="wp-image-64353" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/02/Untitled-design-7-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/02/Untitled-design-7-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/02/Untitled-design-7-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/02/Untitled-design-7-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/02/Untitled-design-7-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Arto Restaurant in Dorking. <em>Photo credit: Arto / Facebook</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Arto is the kind of family-run restaurant every high street wishes it had. Serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes from brunch through to dinner, the menu features crowd-pleasers like slow-roasted Greek lamb shank, seabass with garlic and capers, and Portuguese-style piri piri chicken. Cosy, welcoming and reasonably priced, it’s an easy win for relaxed family get-togethers. No wonder it&#8217;s among the best places to eat in Dorking.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-watermill"><a href="https://www.thewatermill-dorking.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Watermill</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45.jpg" alt="The Watermill in Dorking, Surrey" class="wp-image-48689" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>You can’t miss this prominent pink pub-restaurant located in the village of Pixham, just outside Dorking. It is well-known for its scenic location at the foot of Box Hill and has a cosy interior with open fires and a garden terrace view. Food wise it’s upscale pub grub with highlights including &#8220;Stix&#8221; and Small Plates and delicious grazing options like crispy pork bites, charred halloumi, and chilli &amp; lime king prawn skewers. The Sunday roast feast is also seriously good. Booking essential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sorrel"><a href="https://sorrelrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sorrel</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/Sorrel-CREDIT-Paul-Judd-Food-Photography-sorrel-downstairs.jpg" alt="Sorrel restaurant in Dorking, Surrey" class="wp-image-30590" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/Sorrel-CREDIT-Paul-Judd-Food-Photography-sorrel-downstairs.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/Sorrel-CREDIT-Paul-Judd-Food-Photography-sorrel-downstairs-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/Sorrel-CREDIT-Paul-Judd-Food-Photography-sorrel-downstairs-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/Sorrel-CREDIT-Paul-Judd-Food-Photography-sorrel-downstairs-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/Sorrel-CREDIT-Paul-Judd-Food-Photography-sorrel-downstairs-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/Sorrel-CREDIT-Paul-Judd-Food-Photography-sorrel-downstairs-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sorrel restaurant in Dorking. <em>Photo credit: Paul Judd</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Dorking’s esteemed Michelin-starred spot on South Street is located in a 300-year-old former school and is run by Chef Alex Payne and owner Steve Drake. The restaurant features two floors, including an intimate first floor with kitchen views and a ground floor with a fireplace. Famous for a seven-course &#8220;Discovery Menu&#8221; for lunch, while dinner is exclusively nine-course with top-tier produce like Orkney scallops, Hereford beef, and seasonal British vegetables.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abinger-hatch"><a href="https://theabingerhatch.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abinger Hatch</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/The-Abinger-Hatch-Surrey-SimonBrittany-03-08-2024-Zoe-Mills-Photography-371-1000x665.jpeg" alt="The Abinger Hatch" class="wp-image-65069" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/The-Abinger-Hatch-Surrey-SimonBrittany-03-08-2024-Zoe-Mills-Photography-371-1000x665.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/The-Abinger-Hatch-Surrey-SimonBrittany-03-08-2024-Zoe-Mills-Photography-371-800x532.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/The-Abinger-Hatch-Surrey-SimonBrittany-03-08-2024-Zoe-Mills-Photography-371-400x266.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/The-Abinger-Hatch-Surrey-SimonBrittany-03-08-2024-Zoe-Mills-Photography-371-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/The-Abinger-Hatch-Surrey-SimonBrittany-03-08-2024-Zoe-Mills-Photography-371.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Abinger Hatch, near Dorking. <em>Photo credit: Zoe Mill</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>This independent, family-owned pub and restaurant is nestled in pretty Abinger Common, just outside town. It oozes rustic charm, with a wisteria-clad frontage, cosy log-burning fires and a lovely garden for al fresco dining, complete with a tipi. On the food front, they’re at the top of their game – quite literally – as a recent finalist for Best Game Restaurant/Pub at the Eat Game Awards. Other highlights include hearty homemade pies and delicious wood-fired pizzas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aroma-ristorante-italiano"><a href="https://www.aromadorking.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aroma Ristorante Italiano</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/Aroma-Ristorante-Italian-Dorking-1000x667.jpg" alt="Aroma Ristorante Italian in Dorking, Surrey" class="wp-image-65071" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/Aroma-Ristorante-Italian-Dorking-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/Aroma-Ristorante-Italian-Dorking-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/Aroma-Ristorante-Italian-Dorking-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/Aroma-Ristorante-Italian-Dorking-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/04/Aroma-Ristorante-Italian-Dorking.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Photo credit: Aroma Ristorante Italian / Facebook </em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Fancy an Italian? Head to this highly rated, family-run spot on West Street, known for its authentic homemade cuisine, stylish interiors and warm hospitality. Expect freshly made pastas, pizzas and seafood, with favourites including carbonara, bruschetta and standout seafood dishes.</p>



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Five of the best places to eat in Dorking

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