The Rusty Duck

Unit H, The Heath, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 8QL, United Kingdom
+44 7455 808284
$$$ Cafe
(32 Reviews)
Price Range £10–20

Discover the charm of The Rusty Duck, a delightful café nestled in the serene rural setting of Puddletown, Dorchester. This hidden gem is not just a café; it's an inviting retreat where locals and visitors alike come to indulge in quality food and unwind in a relaxed atmosphere. With its eclectic décor and friendly service, The Rusty Duck captures the essence of a quirky café that's a must-visit after exploring the nearby Puddletown Forest.

The menu, although compact, showcases a wonderful selection that caters to various tastes. Start your culinary adventure with the delightful Duck Fingers at just £12.50—a signature dish that perfectly encapsulates the café's creative touch. For those looking to indulge in something lighter, try the Plough Duck Salad or the Yellowfin Duck Salad, both available for £9.50. And don’t overlook the comforting sides like the Cheesy Chips or the classic Coleslaw—simple yet satisfying accompaniments to your meal.

But it’s not just the food that keeps patrons returning; it’s the warm, welcoming vibe that The Rusty Duck emanates. Mark Armitage describes it as an “excellent quirky café” where the “friendly service” makes it a perfect stop for a meal after a walk. Joe praises the “best loaded chips” he's ever had, and the dilemma of choosing from the “amazing” cakes adds an exciting twist to every visit. The café's atmosphere is further enhanced by the smiles of the staff who take pride in their work, ensuring that every guest feels at home.

For families and pet owners, The Rusty Duck is incredibly dog-friendly, with a special canine menu that makes it a perfect stop for all members of your family—furry ones included! Jo Jhanji mentions the “great value for money” and highlights that breakfast is served all day, making it easy to find the perfect meal at any hour.

Whether you're cycling through the picturesque countryside or simply seeking a cozy spot to relax, The Rusty Duck promises memorable experiences with its exceptional service and mouth-watering menu. As Mike Isaacs puts it, it's the ideal cycle stop with “amazing coffees and cakes” that will leave you planning your next visit before you even leave.

So why not take a detour and visit The Rusty Duck? You’ll discover a place where good food, quality service, and a welcoming ambiance blend together to create a truly delightful café experience. Don’t miss out on this rural treasure next time you're in Dorchester!

Service options
Outdoor seating
Kerbside pickup
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Coffee
Quick bite
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Tourists
Payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free parking lot
Parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Sunday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

32 Reviews
Mark Armitage

31 Aug 2025

Excellent quirky café, somewhat off the beaten track, in a lovely rural setting near Dorchester. Great food and friendly service with an extremely chilled vibe. Great place to call in at after a walk in the nearby Puddletown Forest.

Joe

24 Aug 2025

One of our favourite places to eat! The food is clearly good quality and well prepared. Probably the best loaded chips I've ever had and decent portion sizes! The only problem I have is deciding which cake to have as they all look and have tasted amazing each time!

RosieJ

15 Aug 2025

Lovely cafe/tearoom had cheese ploughman's and shared a bowl of their divine loaded chips. Super friendly staff helpful and efficient will definitely go back !!

Mike Isaacs

25 Jul 2025

This is now a regular cycle stop , perfect location greet value , amazing coffees and cakes. Above all friendly atmosphere, just a perfect stop Mike

Stuart Malcom

08 Jul 2025

Superb gem of a place, great staff and welcome, fresh and exciting food and drinks offered. Top quality and facilities. All clean and even the restrooms/toilets were a credit (always a tell tale!). You must visit!! We cycled and they even filled out water bottles . Thank you Rusty Duck

Jo Jhanji

29 May 2025

Fantastic cafe…beautiful setting with plenty of free parking. Great menu, with breakfast served all day. Good value for money, excellent food, great quality and lovely staff. Super dog friendly, even has a little canine menu

Join the The Rusty Duck Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.