The Best Restaurants in Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom (2025)

Our second visit to Kesarum, and it won’t be our last. Maresh greeted us with such warmth and made us right at home from the start. As other reviews have mentioned this is a small team of three running the whole restaurant - two out back and one on front of house. Working flat out, we still felt that everything was attentive and nothing missed. Food was exquisite and intricately plated, the wine pairings were great and Maresh explained the plating of each dish as it came out. Best vegan dining experience in this part of the world, by a long way! Menu changes several times a year. They recommend 2 - 2.5 hours for 3 courses which we found to be about right, the whole experience was very relaxed and warm.

Absolutely amazing food, the best I’ve had since living in the UK for four years, and I’ve tried an array of Indian cuisine. I can’t wait to come back and try other items on the menu! My girlfriend who’s from the UK also loved everything so it’s great for everyone.

Kesarum is an incredible restaurant. The food is an absolute taste sensation. We were completely in awe of the flavours of the dishes, the combinations of flavours were like nothing we've tasted before, every bite was savoured. The cocktails and mocktails were equally delicious and beautifully presented. The hospitality was second to none and our host lovely and knowledgeable. He took the time to explain to us the history of the dishes, which we found fascinating and added to the whole experience. I highly recommend Kesarum and am looking forward to our next visit.

Restaurant AO by Daniel Rogan, nestled in the serene Sunnyfields Farm in Southampton, is an absolute gem that promises an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment you step through the doors, you are greeted with warm hospitality and an atmosphere that exudes both elegance and comfort. The food at Restaurant AO is nothing short of spectacular. Each dish is a masterpiece, crafted with precision and a deep understanding of flavours. The ingredients are fresh, locally sourced, and beautifully presented, making every bite a delight. What truly sets Restaurant AO apart is the passionate staff. Their enthusiasm for what they do is evident in every interaction. They are knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely dedicated to ensuring that every guest has a remarkable experience. From thoughtful wine pairings to detailed explanations of each dish, the service is impeccable. In summary, Restaurant AO by Daniel Rogan is a must-visit. The combination of phenomenal food, exceptional service, and a beautiful setting makes it a standout choice for any occasion. Highly recommended!

We decided to travel down to Southampton to experience this up and coming chef. Daniel Rogan, whose father has three Michelin stars, clearly has some serious skills in the kitchen and a great pedigree. We arrived at the farm location. It was interesting driving the not made for off road car in the dark across the mud/gravel entrance to the farm. I was expecting to hit a pot hole but everything was smooth sailing. We parked up and found the entrance. A very unassuming wooden door. Upon entering we were greeted with a lovely smile from front of house. We were shown to our table which gave us an audience view of the open plan kitchen, like all the other tables. Overall the food was exquisite. And at £110pp can't be beaten for value, especially when comparing to London prices. Although this was not Michelin starred, if Daniel keeps going like this it surely must be in his future. The restaurant itself did feel like a village hall, but then you're on a farm. Not sure what other reviewers are expecting. Normally I go through each of the dishes but you can see the menu and all you need to know is that each dish complemented the preceding dish well. The Old Winchester Cheddar was our favourite, and the dessert was well worth waiting for. Service was good enough. Some servers way friendlier than others (shout out to the lovely blonde lady with glasses - sorry I can't remember your name!). We overall had a great experience. It was worth the 90 minute drive from London. I'm going to keep an eye on the seasonal menu changes and come down again to see how it's progressed.

Absolutely delightful Spanish restaurant with exquisite cuisine! I've been a frequent visitor since 2021, and every time, the experience has been unforgettable. The highlight of the menu is undoubtedly their Spanish seafood paella mixed with meat – it's a heavenly blend of flavors that tantalize the taste buds. The service is impeccable, and the ambiance is charming, making it a perfect spot for a memorable dining experience. Highly recommended!

Went for an early meal 6pm. Couple of artisanal beers👍 had Paella Valencia, wait time 40 mins as advised by waiter. It was excellent. Lots of mussels, clams, prawns and small pieces of chicken, peppers, rice etc. For a cold wet evening in Southampton could not fault it 😊

My family loved this place, I came here for my dad’s birthday and the staff were all so friendly. Angel greeted us as soon as we entered and sat us down. The food was delicious. The lamb shank was so tender I’m still thinking about it. Thank you angel for the amazing experience. It was truly the best . Definitely recommend and will visit soon.

Good food. Highly recommend pork ribs and seafood rice. No need to reserve. Not very quiet but suitable to talk.

Top notch service, brought my partner here for her birthday for a meal, hotel and breakfast! She said she felt like a princess cause she was treated like royalty! Staff was extremely accommodating, parking was limited and small a tab difficult but staff member moved their own car in the rain for us! Cannot recommend any higher, 15/10 amazing!

We had our anniversary here and they treated us so well. We were looked after the whole time and the culture was wonderful. Me and my partner had starters, mains and desserts here and all dishes were so wonderful. The waiters are very approachable and considerate staff. They were humoured and conscious. I would highly recommend you eat/drink here! The prices they charge are very reasonable. Thank you Ennio’s for having us tonight!!!

Stayed here a night before our cruise in December with a parking space reserved. Professional and friendly staff with a warm welcome. Had lunch and breakfast and the food was excellent. Lovely spacious room with a view over the ferry port.

Brilliant Sunday lunch. Very welcoming, service outstanding and food was delicious. Only negative is parking. Fees at surrounding car parks are expensive. But definitely worth the visit. Can’t comment on the rooms as we only visited the restaurant which was lovely! We will most definitely be visiting again.

Great food, friendly staff, and a lovely atmosphere. A great choice for any occasion!

Great meal with great service from Tom. We started with the oysters and then proceeded to try everything we could. The souffle are phenomenal, the catch of the day, a sea bass, was delicious. The chateaubriand cooked perfectly, but in the UK they don't season it, so if your from the states before to ask for extra extra season or some sea salt from kitchen. One of best restaurants in a hotel we had during our travels and a big thank you to Tom who really took care of us, Would visit again!

Really wonderful food, a treat, a destination with comfort, class, lounge, huge selection of drinks with a lovely long bar. All tastefully decorated for Xmas. Was so busy having fun that didn’t take too many pictures of the food. Thoroughly recommend oysters, Lobster Thermidor & Hake. Service spot on.

Great, very relaxed evening dining in. Characterful decor, plenty of space for larger groups with a large room available upstairs. Food was tasty and filling. Wholesome but just lacked a little something for me (just personal preference, hence 4 rather than 5 stars for food) but would still recommend. Save space for desert! Staff were extremely welcoming, happy, friendly and accommodating. Great evening meal out.

What a Wonderful Restaurant! The food was amazing and the service above and beyond. I went with my family a party of nine they accommodate us without any problem. The food was completely fresh and well made. The pizza, risotto, pasta, and Homemade Tiramisu were DELICIOUS. The server treat us fast, efficiently and all the request that we asked were on point. The Restaurant was clean and very cute. Overall you have to stop here to enjoy a great evening.

Went for a family dinner. The restaurant itself is aesthetically very charming and the staff were warm and helpful. Margherita was delicious, generous size, good balance of sauce and the dough was nice and light. Nice glass of red or 2 to finish with. Everyone enjoyed their dishes and service was very fast. Would visit again.

What a great restaurant! A really warm and authentic feeling atmosphere from the moment you walk in, clearly a family run business. The staff are excellent, very attentive and keen to provide an outstanding service. The menu has a great selection, with plenty of choice and several specials on offer depending on what is available fresh that day. The prices are exceptionally reasonable, and the food is of very good quality. The portions are generous, and there is very little to fault. On the Sunday we visited, the restaurant was unusually quiet, but I imagine even on a busier night you're likely to get a space as there are many tables arranged over two floors. They seem happy to accommodate larger groups also.

Lovely authentic Italian restaurant with a few seats inside. Best to reserve a table to ensure you get a place. Fully recommend the handmade pasta with very delicious spices and herbs. The pizza garlic bread was also amazing, and the service is also lovely.

Came here pre covid and loved it. Visited again last night and have to say it was exactly as I remembered, food was lovely, well priced, really tasty and good sized portions. The service was top notch, nothing too much trouble. Honestly one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve been to in the last 20+ years and we’ve already said next time we’re in Southampton we will definitely be eating here again

Seven of us dined at Piccolo Mondo tonight and all of us thoroughly enjoyed every dish we had, clearing the plates of three courses each. The fries were a favourite between us, so unbelievably crunchy in the best way. The young brunette girl serving us was fabulous, she was very attentive and helpful with everything! Well done to her!

Second time visiting this restaurant and have had a wonderful evening on both occasions thanks to the wonderful hosts and marvellous chefs. Incredible food, authentic and comfortable atmosphere and attentive service. 100% recommend to all :)

Gorgeous spot for a date night, with attentive staff and a homely atmosphere, guaranteed to make you feel at home. You have to visit here, the menu and drinks are unbelievable!

Such a great place for yummy food, amazing ambiance, and incredible service. We didn’t take many food shots but HIGHLY recommend the arancini and spinach side. So affordable! Yummmmm

We arrived and found that our table was in the centre of the bar area which was great fun. There was a fun vibe and we were close to the live music. There were lots of staff on shift and we were served very fast. Throughout the evening the team were on hand and the food service was great. There were lots of wine options and we were pleased with our selections. We ordered lots from the taps menu, and it was delicious. The steak strips and the squid were my favourite. The live music was really good, the pianist and the singer were great. Great to have live music while you eat. Good selection of puddings. Great place for a party.

Food was absolutely delicious, Also shared a few puddings on this visit, The warm brownie was sensentational and the baklava was yummy. Always guaranteed an amazing meal. Lovely small restaurant with a casual atmosphere, perfect.

This place is lovely. A real gem. Its low key and unassuming. The food is great, the staff fantastic and it's very reasonably priced. I had mixed souvelaki, and my wife had moussaka. Would come again and recommend to others. They don't take plastic so will need to have cash or bank transfer. Also they are busy so will need to book

The food was great, we went with the Meze. Some of the dishes came out a little too quickly. It would have been a bit nicer if 2 dishes were brought out with a little more space in between instead of one dish every 5 minutes. However that being said, the food was all lovely and we will be returning.

What a lovely restaurant! Beautiful pork ribs, beef blade and cheesecake Fantastic place

This was an amazing meal! We had the mixed grill platter to share! Amazing size! And the taste was simply incredible! Definetely recommend! This was a last meal out just the two of us! Next month will be 3 ♥️