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
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.
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!
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. See below where you can find us!
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! You Can't Miss Us!
Thank You So Much For Our Customer Reviews
Thank you Pete and Nickie!
"Friday of August bank holiday was a great time to visit for a meal. Both starters, mains, and pudding were absolutely fantastic. Lovely bottle of wine too But the evening was made by the attentive and empathetic staff who really looked after our every need. Thank you so much to Mitch, Ella and Rachele you made a good evening a special one"
Thank you Anita!
Salt Pig Too is a fantastic casual dining/bistro restaurant. They specialise in local produce with a short changing menu and specials. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and there is some proper talent in the kitchen. We had BBQ tout which was cooked to perfection and amazing smoked and slow cooked beef short rib (my husband said it was the best he had ever had…!). The chef, Gareth, came out to explain how to cook the beef, what a star!! If this is your sort of thing go there, it’s the best for miles around!!"
Thank you Al!
"Top Drawer. Having seen the cafe and butchery online I wanted to visit with my wife when we were in the area. Impressed would be an understatement. The set up is smart but fitting, but the key is the people. Friendly staff, without being over the top. Service exemplary, swift not rushed and checking that all was well. Literally a culinary masterpiece. And my son works in a Michelin starred kitchen. It was that good. Definitely worth a visit".