Restaurant, Farm Shop, Urban Cafe and Butchery Nestled Across The Purbeck Hills
Our ethos is that food consumed should be from where you're from, utilising the ecosystem to which we are situated. We can proudly say that all our Beef, Lamb, Pork & Game comes from coastal cliffs, wetlands, heaths woods and small farms - with high levels of stewardship - located within 8 miles of our Cafes. The Isle of Purbeck has so much to offer with diverse habitats and we want others to taste the difference of eating local.
We pride ourselves with provenance and community, we give back what Purbeck gives us. We only use meat that is from within the Isle of Purbeck and the bays that surround us.
We want our community to embrace and taste what is on our beautiful doorstep.
Our Story
Our owner James has spent his entire working life in the Purbecks, working at Steeple Leaze Farm for 14 years prior to establishing The Salt Pig. He now keeps over 300 Mangalitsa x Berkshire pigs. He is an accomplished cook, with a particular expertise and passion for barbecuing!
The Salt Pig opened its doors for the first time in 2010 in the Saxon town of Wareham by James. In 2018 The Salt Pig opened its door to its second home - The Salt Pig Too - in the seaside town of Swanage. Following on from the success The Salt Pig and James brought to the area, soon came The Forgotten Salt Pig in the Forgotten village of Tyneham and The Secret Salt Pig at Careys Secret Garden in 2021. In 2022, we were proud to open The Sandy Salt Pig at Middle Beach in Studland. Another new venture is The Salt Pig At Holme For Gardens in 2023 where you can buy local produce from the farm shop! Our most recent ventures in 2024 are The Salt Pig Putlake Adventure Farm in Langton Matravers AND Pebble Pig at Chesil Beach, Dorset Wildlife Trust Welcome Centre.
In 2016 James won 'Food & Farming Hero 2016' and he subsequently went on to write a monthly article for Dorset magazine in 2017.
"Quality and provenance is at the heart of our business and our ethos is to be able to provide people with quality food from their local surroundings at an affordable price, and being able to show people what is available on their doorstep." (James Warren; Food For Thought 2017).
We look forward to welcoming you at one of our 8 establishments or an outdoor catering event of ours.
Countryfile 2018
James and The Salt Pig featured on the BBC Countryfile Winter Special that was broadcast on 4th February 2018. Matt Baker and his team filmed our Mangalitsa & Berkshire pigs on the RSPB Nature Reserve at Arne and they interviewed James and Nick Ford who supplies our Kimmeridge Bay crab and lobster.
The program illustrates how we are championing local producers and how farmers, shepherds, fisherman, and food producers still manage business as usual even during the harshest winter months.
Where to Find Us
An Enormous Thanks to Our Clients Reviews
Richard Jarret
"Sausage roll and salad at its finest!! This was a bit of an impromptu find on a grey day over a holiday in Dorset, and what a welcome surprise. The feel of the restaurant with a little butchery at the front is warm and welcoming."
Cath Steward
"Two fantastic evenings with superbly cooked pork chops, crispy kale, fennel puree with daupinoise. Inspired and delicious grilled flavour. Love the staff who are always special, See you soon again and again "
David Roberts
"Absolutely fantastic experience. The food was excellent. Fresh. Local. Tasty. But it’s the chef and staff who make the whole thing an amazing experience. Friendly and passionate about food. Highly recommended."