Dog-Friendly Potted Lobster Bamburgh: Our Visit & Review
We first heard about The Potted Lobster on The James Martin cookery programme when the Hairy Bikers visited
- August 13, 2026
So we found ourselves in Bamburgh with Henry and Bandit, and we thought we’d give it a go.
With a reputation for fresh, locally sourced seafood and a dedicated dog-friendly section, it sounded like the perfect spot for dinner after a day out.
The Potted Lobster consistently ranks among the top dog-friendly restaurants worth trying in Bamburgh, thanks to its high-quality seafood, relaxed atmosphere, and welcoming attitude towards dogs.
Here’s how it went.
If you’re staying for more than one meal, start with our Bamburgh holiday cottages for dogs before planning where to eat.
Booking & Practical Info
Thinking of going?
Here’s what you need to know:
📍 Location: The Potted Lobster, Front Street, Bamburgh
🕛 Opening Hours: 12 PM – 9 PM every day.
📞 Booking: Recommended: call ahead or book online.
🐾 Dog-Friendly? Yes, in the left-hand dining area.
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Arriving & First Impressions
The Potted Lobster was right next door to our room at the Victoria Hotel on Front Street, and we immediately liked the menus displayed outside.
They were perfect for having a quick nose before heading in.
We’d booked in the afternoon and were lucky to get a table because it was filling up fast by the time we arrived.
There’s a small outdoor seating area, which we imagine is excellent in summer, but being February, everyone was inside.
The décor is marine-themed, with blue walls, whitewashed wood, and lobster illustrations.
Even the plates had blue lobster designs, which was a nice touch.
A chalkboard specials board listed extra seafood dishes, and the whole place had that cosy but lively feel of a well-run, independent restaurant.
Inside, there’s a clear layout:
- The reception is to the left as you walk in.
- The main dining area is to the right (for non-dog owners).
- Dog-friendly dining section to the left (where we were seated).
There were already a few other dogs lying quietly asleep under tables, and the staff were brilliant from the start, welcoming, chatty, and straight over to meet Henry and Bandit.
The Menu & Ordering
The menu is heavy on seafood of course, but there are non-fish options like rump of lamb and Northumbrian sirloin steak, so even if you’re not a seafood fan, there’s something for you.
We started with the Gambas Pil Pil (£14), big shell-on king prawns in garlic and chilli sauce, served with chunky bread.
There were five prawns each, and they were big, so the value for money was there, I’d say.
For mains, we shared the Shetland Mussels (£27).
They came in a white wine, cream, shallot, garlic, and parsley sauce, with crusty bread on the side.
The mussels were spot on, and the sauce was rich but not too heavy.
I ordered more bread and totally killed my diet, for one day, anyway.
We also ordered Truffle and Parmesan chips, but to be honest, they weren’t for us.
They were way too strong, and we just couldn’t get away with them.
Liane had 2-3 glasses of red wine for drinks, and I had a few shandies.
The drinks menu had plenty of local beers, ciders, and cocktails, but we kept it simple.
Service & Atmosphere
The service was top-notch.
Even though the place was busy, the staff were on it, checking in at the right times without hovering.
We also had a good laugh with some of them, which always makes for a better night.
By 9:30 PM, things had quietened down, with just a handful of diners left finishing their meals.
It felt relaxed, one of those places where you could easily sit without feeling rushed.
Dog-Friendly Experience
A big win for us was the dedicated dog-friendly section.
Some places claim to be dog-friendly but only let dogs in one or two awkward spots, whereas here, it felt properly set up for it.
Henry and Bandit settled comfortably beside the table, and there was plenty of space, so we didn’t feel like they were in the way.
The staff made a real effort with them, which is always a plus.
No Room for Dessert
We looked at the dessert menu, but by the time we got around to ordering, our top two choices were already gone, probably because we’d booked quite late.
Ultimately, we decided to skip dessert, which was no bad thing after what we’d had, supposedly being healthy!
We came back the other way, and Henry was fascinated with these big guys!
Would We Go Again?
Absolutely.
We’d pair a meal like this with one of the Bamburgh dog-friendly luxury cottages if it were another special occasion.
The food was top-quality, the service was spot on, and they’re genuinely dog-friendly.
They know Bamburgh is full of visitors with dogs, and they’ve created a restaurant that welcomes the whole pack.
It’s not the cheapest place, but it was also our anniversary, so who cares?
For fresh seafood, great service, and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s worth every penny.
If you’re in Bamburgh and want a cracking meal where your dogs are welcome, The Potted Lobster is 100% worth a visit.
Especially if you’re mixing in some of the more relaxed pet friendly things to do around Bamburgh that aren’t just your typical “dog day out.”