The Secret Garden Cafe
Wholesome flavours,
made fresh every day!
Step into The Secret Garden Cafe, a relaxed, welcoming spot in Dorchester where great food comes first. Our menu is built around fresh ingredients, bold flavours and plenty of choice, with something for gluten-free, veggie and vegan guests, alongside a few carefully chosen meat options so mixed groups can feel more welcome than ever.
From laid-back breakfasts to satisfying lunches, everything is made with care and served without fuss. Our gluten-free waffles remain a firm favourite, alongside freshly baked cakes, hearty classics and a few signature dishes that have become part of the Secret Garden experience.
Whether you’re meeting friends, grabbing a coffee or settling in for a proper bite to eat, The Secret Garden Cafe is a place to slow down, relax and enjoy good food done properly.
“Happiness is finding out there are Vegan & Gluten-Free options”
Our Menus
A whole lot of YES!
Our menus are built around choice, flavour and food that feels worth sitting down for. From relaxed breakfasts to satisfying lunches, everything is prepared fresh and served without fuss.
You will find familiar favourites, a few bold newcomers and plenty of options designed to work for mixed groups. Whether you are after something light, something hearty or just a good coffee and a bite on the side, there is always something to suit the moment.
Whatever you fancy, there is a good chance you will find it here.
It's not all about the food...
Freshly ground coffee & gloriously delicious loose leaf tea
Great food deserves a proper brew. Our coffee is freshly ground to order, while our loose leaf tea range offers something a little more relaxed, with plenty to explore beyond the usual.
From a rich, aromatic espresso to a comforting pot of tea, every cup is served with the same care as the food. If you fancy something different, our bold Builders Brew delivers a proper pick-me-up, while Jasmine Poached Pear brings a softer, more delicate option when you want to slow things down.
Short on time? Everything is available to take away, so you can grab your favourite and be on your way without missing out.
What They Say...
- Jemima
21 Mar 2026Perfect coffee and yummy food I love this café! The coffee is amazing, my mum even said that it’s the best coffee she has ever had! The breakfasts are delicious (yummy hash browns!) also the chips at lunchtime are amazing! I go here fairly regularly with friends and family. It’s great that they do gluten free as so many in my family are coeliac and it’s often hard to find restaurants that cater for this. I’m also veggie, so it’s perfect that they have an extensive veggie menu! My daughter really loves the waffles too - a yummy treat. Lovely atmosphere and great food - highly recommend.read moreread less×
Jemima
21 Mar 2026Perfect coffee and yummy food I love this café! The coffee is amazing, my mum even said that it’s the best coffee she has ever had! The breakfasts are delicious (yummy hash browns!) also the chips at lunchtime are amazing! I go here fairly regularly with friends and family. It’s great that they do gluten free as so many in my family are coeliac and it’s often hard to find restaurants that cater for this. I’m also veggie, so it’s perfect that they have an extensive veggie menu! My daughter really loves the waffles too - a yummy treat. Lovely atmosphere and great food - highly recommend.Diane Collins15 Mar 2026Met with friends for a mid-week lunch. Great service, lovely veggie food choices. We enjoyed jackets + sandwiches, coffee, teas + cakes. All tasty. Gluten free choices too. Dog friendly, accommodating my little spaniel. Pleased to have visited this cosy, independent, cafe.read moreread less×John hotston07 Mar 2026I will only use this cafe when in Dorchester. The staff are welcoming. The Dorset Apple cake is the best I have ever tasted. Well worth a visit. They are dog friendly.read moreread less - vikkajam
27 Oct 2025Friendly cosy cafe for a delicious lunch Friendly staff, lovely food with generous portions and a cosy vibe! We ordered the Brie and cranberry Panini which we would recommend along with a side of chips and garlic bread. Staff were welcoming and friendly. Thanks for a lovely lunch!read moreread less×
vikkajam
27 Oct 2025Friendly cosy cafe for a delicious lunch Friendly staff, lovely food with generous portions and a cosy vibe! We ordered the Brie and cranberry Panini which we would recommend along with a side of chips and garlic bread. Staff were welcoming and friendly. Thanks for a lovely lunch!amanda fleming13 Oct 2025This place is really quirky and quaint. It had a lovely atmosphere, the two ladies serving were very welcoming and made sure we had everything we needed. As an allergy sufferer it is wonderful to find a place that offers gluten and dairy free options that are good. There was an array of different milks on offer and the menu had choices. The only downside to me is that it is fully vegan so if you had someone in your party who wouldn’t enjoy vegan alternatives then it’s probably not for you. We had breakfast which was lovely, the best gluten free bread that I’ve come across! And there were a couple of options for gluten and dairy free cakes, more option for just gluten free alone. Definitely a place to visit and I will be coming backread moreread less×
amanda fleming13 Oct 2025This place is really quirky and quaint. It had a lovely atmosphere, the two ladies serving were very welcoming and made sure we had everything we needed. As an allergy sufferer it is wonderful to find a place that offers gluten and dairy free options that are good. There was an array of different milks on offer and the menu had choices. The only downside to me is that it is fully vegan so if you had someone in your party who wouldn’t enjoy vegan alternatives then it’s probably not for you. We had breakfast which was lovely, the best gluten free bread that I’ve come across! And there were a couple of options for gluten and dairy free cakes, more option for just gluten free alone. Definitely a place to visit and I will be coming back - David (Mose)26 Sep 2025A lovely little cafe hidden away off Charles Street, very handy for the car park. Mid morning we went in for a drink and cake. I had Black Americano and my wife black tea. Both were excellent, the tea being leaf tea. Dorset apple cake and coffee and walnut cake were our choices. Both were excellent, freshly made and light. The breakfast and lunch menu is Vegan and vegetarian,with some appetising choices, even for us carnivores! Not overly busy at 11.30am but there is outside seating in the finer weather.read moreread less×
David (Mose)26 Sep 2025A lovely little cafe hidden away off Charles Street, very handy for the car park. Mid morning we went in for a drink and cake. I had Black Americano and my wife black tea. Both were excellent, the tea being leaf tea. Dorset apple cake and coffee and walnut cake were our choices. Both were excellent, freshly made and light. The breakfast and lunch menu is Vegan and vegetarian,with some appetising choices, even for us carnivores! Not overly busy at 11.30am but there is outside seating in the finer weather.nicola taylor
24 Sep 2025Fantastic gem of a place We booked here for my husbands birthday..I love coming to this place, for the super friendly, cool, chic vibe, dog friendly and for the delicious vegan options. Hubby had panini and chips..wow! Super generous portions..we could have shared the chips, but I had chips too, with my utterly delicious, med veg quiche and coleslaw. I had trouble eating all of it but didn't want to waste any of the gorgeous food. We also bought cakes to take home. Again, vegan and delicious. This is my go to eatery now. Would totally recommend this place.read moreread less×
nicola taylor
24 Sep 2025Fantastic gem of a place We booked here for my husbands birthday..I love coming to this place, for the super friendly, cool, chic vibe, dog friendly and for the delicious vegan options. Hubby had panini and chips..wow! Super generous portions..we could have shared the chips, but I had chips too, with my utterly delicious, med veg quiche and coleslaw. I had trouble eating all of it but didn't want to waste any of the gorgeous food. We also bought cakes to take home. Again, vegan and delicious. This is my go to eatery now. Would totally recommend this place.Brendan Hampshire20 Sep 2025This is a great little cafe, can get fully booked at busy times, so book ahead of time if you you don't want to risk disappointment. It's all vegetarian and vegan, with good gluten free options. They do great coffee.read moreread less - Jay Campbell06 Sep 2025Food lovely. Lots of vegan and veggie options.
Would recommend.read moreread less














