Dunster is a bustling village comprised of several restaurants, pubs and tea rooms, plus a varied range of independent shops. Many of the shops in Dunster are open during traditional hours of 9 am to 5 pm, although hours are often extended during the summer season. Conversely, some shops may also reduce their opening days and/or hours out-of-season.

There is a tourist information centre in Dunster, just beside Dunster Steep near the public car park at the far end of the village from Ruffles Cottage.

Minehead is the nearest town, approximately 1.5 miles from Dunster. Here you will find the larger supermarkets and petrol stations (Tesco and Morrison's are both situated on the outskirts of the town and have long opening hours), most major high street banks with cash machines, plus a range of other shops throughout the town.