HIX Oyster & Fish House

The restaurant is like a delightful tree top lodge where you can sit gazing down at the beautiful Seaview below. 

The food was glorious. Everything was very simple yet perfectly delivered. 

It was our 10th wedding anniversary and the fact that fireworks were laid on just made it even more unforgettable.

The only sour note was finding the lovely hard working young staff do not get the lions share of the 10% added service charge. Shame on you Mark Hix. 

Very average service, going through the motions but adding no value. Consequently expensive for what it is.

Food is simple, tasty ,well presented and so local that you have to ask yourself why do we not have more places like this. The view down onto the harbour and sea is the cherry on top.

A perfect Spring sunny day gave the most amazing impression on arrival on the terrace for drinks … a definite wow factor looking out over Lyme Bay and the Cobb. Lovely welcome from staff and prompt service of drinks and taking our order. We decided on mains and puds although I started to regret this when I saw starters arrive on neighbouring tables. We enjoyed a fresh, warm dorset mini-loaf of bread whilst waiting for our order. My crab was beautifully presented with the mayo dip secured between his claws! I was given the option of having it dressed but opted to go for it whole and the pleasure of the meal was tucking in with all the tools and breaking open the claws to extract succulent really fresh meat. My partner chose the pollock which was a generous portion of well cooked fish, but he was disappointed in the sauce which he thought was a little watery. As we were driving we chose bottles of ale and cider, the latter served in a traditional pot mug. Whilst the food was reasonably priced we did consider drinks to be a little on the pricey side ( cheapest wine £6.00 per glass ). Instead of dessert we decided to share a cheese plate as the descriptions of the local cheeses sounded intriguing. Sadly it did not live up to expectations .. a rather average cheddar and an uninspiring blue served with a very dry crisp roll and water biscuits … seemed a bit of a travesty when Dorset produces excellent cheese biscuits ! Overall a very pleasant lunch, in a fantastic location. Would try again however … perhaps on a feast or tasting night if staying in the area mid-week.

A group of us were staying in Bridport for a Saturday evening reception and 4 of us decided to venture to Hix for lunch. What an absolute treat! Buzzy atmosphere, stunning views of the Cobb, beach and sea and the food, well, could not fault it. Service was amazing starting with an in depth conversation with my husband regarding wine (us ladies had a lovely bottle of Prosecco in the mean time) resulting in a tasting to decide. Staff were very friendly and couldn’t do enough for us. Starters of cuttlefish croquettes and cider cured sardines hit the spot perfectly and whole John Dory for main was the best I have ever tasted. I also have on good authority that the scallops and black pudding were melt in the mouth delicious. Hix fix jelly for dessert resulted in us all having the real cocktail (a must if not driving) on the veranda to end a perfect lunch. Needless to say we all left feeling very fuzzy and warm and glad we had opted for a cab to take us back to our hotel. Definitely recommend for great food, amazing views and yummy cocktails. Only wish we lived nearer!

Although it isn't the cheapest restaurant in Town, Hix Oyster & Fish bar offers a good range of well prepared and presented fish dishes and the service is second to none in the area.

28th July 2011- Really disappointed. Went to Mark Hix's two years ago for lunch and were overwhelmed by the location and really enjoyed our food Fish pie and Mackeral…also a fabulous frozen berry and hot white chocolate dessert. Service was relaxing and pleasant. We went a few weeks ago expecting something special once again. In particular as mark Hix writes and offers so many innovative recipes in so many sunday supplements. (Why not put more on your menu) the starters were amazing but as a main we unfortunatly choose cuttlefish. and chorizo..a new experience we thought. Worst ever. Never had it but found it un edible-. It was crunchy!!!tasteless, I was sick in the early hours. Not wanting to spoil the evening I didn't mention it until the end of the meal when the head waitor asked us if we enjoyed it. He described that the texture should be like squid…far from it. When advised the kitchen he was told that nothing is passed through unless its perfect. In that case we won't be coming back… The service charge was taken off the bill as compensation but we walked away hungry and disappointed Have noticed that reviews have been fairly negative over the past year we ignored them. Shouldn't have!!! The only redeeming quality was the the head waitor who made a huige effort to try and put things to right…an asset to the place!!!

I chose to take my dad here for Fathers Day as it has beautiful views over one of his favourite bays and he loves good food. I have been to Mark Hix's restaurants in London before and loved the food and the atmosphere so felt sure this wouldn't disappoint. And yes the food was delicious. We started with wonderful starters, mine was a very tasty seafood cocktail. One of the best I have have ever eaten to be precise. We then both ordered fish (lemon sole and bream) which were cooked to our liking with a choice of different accompaniments. All very tasty, along with a great bottle of wine. The desserts were also up to scratch and have a very fresh fruity feel to them. I had the lemon and ginger nut cheesecake, but was also tempted by the buttermilk pudding with blood oranges. Im sure the restaurant is busier on a sunny afternoon, it was actually fairly quiet when we were dining so the atmosphere did leave a little to be desired. However, as previous reviewers have noted, service is indeed lacking. After paying the bill in cash they were a reluctant to collect the money leaving me in that awkward position of being left sat there and almost expected to leave the remaining £15 odd as a tip! Well after that service I wasn't prepared to be quite the generous! I also felt they were fairly slow in topping up our glasses of wine during the meal, leaving me to keep bending behind me and doing the honours myself. Slightly embarrassing especially for a special occasion and whilst I'd been raving about the Hix restaurants prior to the meal. Overall I think this restaurant could be a fabulous little place if they keep up the delicious food but work on the service too! After all it has views to die for and an area that needs a great fish and oyster restaurant!

Good food complimented by a fantastic setting and view over the coast. It is however a shame that the staff were uninterested in their customers (on a relatively quiet night), not asking if we needed anything else and didn't bother to ask if we enjoyed our meal, either when we finished or when we paid (and regrettably left that tip). …COME ON GUYS, it's just standard practice and good manners!!! It gives the impression that you don't give two hoots about your customers, the place you work in or the food you serve …should the customer feel privilaged to eat at Hix? There is obviously a good chef downstairs producing some really great food but one or two staff members with their straight unfriendly faces ruin the rest of the experience. …Not the treatment that you expect from a well rated restaurant in a small local community. Wouldn't go there again due to this which is a shame because the food and location is good. Next time we will spend our money in Lula, Chez Cuddy or the Riverside in Bridport where the service is as equally good as the food.