The Best Restaurants in Hampshire, United Kingdom (2025)

Kyoto Kitchen is a wonderful place to enjoy Japanese cuisine. Located in Winchester, it offers a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that sets the stage for a great dining experience. The menu is thoughtfully designed, with a focus on fresh ingredients and creative dishes that balance traditional flavours with a modern touch. Each dish is beautifully presented, showing great attention to detail and care - and the food was delicious. The service was exceptional—staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to help, making sure you feel looked after throughout your meal. Whether you’re marking a special occasion or just want to enjoy a quality meal, Kyoto Kitchen is a fantastic choice. It’s the kind of restaurant you’ll want to visit again.

A Taste of Japan in Winchester – Kyoto Kitchen I had heard about Kyoto Kitchen, and while I was in the area, I thought it would be a great opportunity to check it out! My daughter and I managed to book a table on the same day, which was relatively easy despite not being locals. Entering through the hotel, we passed by the bar area before stepping into the main dining space. The atmosphere was both summery and refined, with a unique layout. There was only one central pathway, giving the impression of entering a grand hall, almost like a castle. The tables were arranged on either side, and at the heart of the room stood a striking center piece—a large kimono - its presence commanding attention like a king in a courtroom. To my surprise, there was another dining area designed in the style of a traditional Japanese sushi bar, where guests could watch the chefs prepare fresh sushi. The delicate fabric dividers between the rooms reminded me of Japan, adding to the authenticity of the experience. I was seated in the banquet area, opposite a stunning vegetable art display spanning the entire wall. It created an incredible blend of indoor and outdoor elements, stimulating the senses in an unexpected way. For my meal, I ordered the Winchester Sushi Rolls, as recommended by the waiter. This dish featured fresh salmon, mango, cucumber, and seaweed, topped with goji berries and a horseradish sauce. The combination was delicate yet flavorful—refreshing with a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. I also had Wagyu Gyoza, garnished with edible flowers, which was incredibly fresh and beautifully presented. The service was excellent, and the entire experience truly transported me to Japan. Winchester is fortunate to have such a gem of a restaurant, and I hope they continue to support their talented chefs. This is a must-visit for sushi lovers and anyone looking for an authentic Japanese dining experience.

Had an absolutely wonderful birthday meal here. All the staff (especially our lovely waitress, Momo!) were incredibly attentive and the food itself was absolutely superb. If you’re looking for authentic Japanese food in a fancy (but not posh/snobby) environment then this is the spot~

I continue to be impressed with Kyoto Kitchen. This was our fourth visit, and hopefully, it's not our last! I love how the menu changes and getting to try new things each time. Stylish, accommodating, and affordable.

What an amazing find this evening . Thank you so much to my wonderful husband to be for treating me to a really romantic evening and dinner again. We will both definitely be back in the near future

We visited the Porterhouse for our mother's 80th birthday and had a brilliant meal. The staff and management couldn't have been more helpful and attentive, including setting up balloons and organising the birthday cake (which we were permitted to provide ourselves with no issue that it would mean no dessert orders!). The steaks were perfectly cooked, starters and sides all great (probably the best Steak Tartare I've ever had) and the chips were insanely crispy! Easily the best place to eat Steak in Winchester.

Great steak restaurant. Lovely staff and great fresh produce. Good wine selection and great steaks 🙏 Great for larger groups too

Great steak, fairly good service and atmosphere. I had an excellent steak, with good quality sides. It was well prepared, with great flavour and is generally much better than you get in an average steak restaurant. The location is central to the city, so parking is a challenge, but I would say it's worth the trip, finding a space and walking to the restaurant. I had and would certainly recommend the T-Bone, it really was very good.

What an amazing place for lunch! One of the best restaurants we’ve been to in a very long time. Service excellent, food delicious and an ambiance to savour and enjoy. Thank you Ivy and our server, Cameron, we had a wonderful lunch. We were given surprise birthday cakes to celebrate our birthdays, such a lovely touch. A meal to remember. Can’t recommend it enough.

The Ivy is a great place to eat with unusual food on offer. I had whisky barrel smoked venison tartare to start and goose, turkey, and duck shepherd's pie for my main. The staff were very attentive. My only complaint is the acoustics are very poor and we had to shout across the table in order to have a conversation. It is a popular place as it was packed on a Monday evening a week before Christmas.

Lovely decor and the staff were friendly. A shout out to the toilets for being stylish and very clean. Food wise, the starters were delicious, squid and arancini are definitely recommended but the mains left a little to be desired. However, the chocolate / celebratory bombe on the other hand was amazing and the staff even wrote us a sweet message. I'd go again to try other food from the menu and would try the afternoon tea or the cocktails. 4.5/5 + £££

One word; Amazing 👏 I ordered the roast and I was always sceptical because I love the old pub but was pleasantly surprised my only gripe was as i was eating I saw someone get the beef 😋 and got food envy 😅 nevertheless the roast was succulent, potatoes crisped to perfection and everything was moist and super tasty. Don't get me on the desserts. I could sit there and eat them all day. Sticky toffee pudding 🍮 is intense flavour on the mouth

Walk in on a Sunday and was accommodated very easily. Sunday roast was lovely (it is not often my husband clears his plate - but he did here) staff are very polite and professional. Will definitely be back for goatfest

This place is beautifully styled, and the food was lovely. The atmosphere was fresh, bright, and relaxed. Even the restrooms were spotless and well-designed. The dishes were served with great care, and the chef did an excellent job with each one. This place is worth visiting, and I'm happy we chose it.

The food was amazing! We had the chicken and mushroom pie and pork with parma ham and mushroom sauce, both absolutely delicious. Staff was very friendly, polite and welcoming! Would recommend 100%!

Good atmosphere and seating with very good staff and service. Food was to a high standard and arrived quickly with a wide choice on the menu. Reasonably priced.

Just Popped in for a quick snack like a sandwich or something with family but the menu looked so good we ended up having a fantastic Steak and chips, the home made pie was amazing, the home made shepherds pie was DeVine. Staff very friendly, good array of drinks , the pub is dog friendly and has a lovely atmosphere.

The Fox: A Warm & Welcoming Gem! We had a truly lovely family lunch at The Fox. The crackling open fire instantly made us feel at home, creating a wonderfully cosy atmosphere. The staff were exceptional – so kind, helpful, and attentive. My gammon, egg, and chips was cooked to perfection, and my partner raved about the delicious IPA. Even the kids' sausage, chips, and beans was a generous and tasty portion. Highly recommend for a delicious meal, friendly service, and a truly welcoming pub experience.

Limited menu but very good food. Delightful people. Very welcoming atmosphere. Popular lunch destination for locals and rightly so. Good value. Will go again. Soon.

Just returned from a Sunday lunch meet up, catch up with friends. First time visiting the Fox inn definitely not the last … Friendly attentive staff, good atmosphere, reasonable priced, the food was absolutely delicious, fantastic !! Would definitely come back again.

What an amazing place for lunch! One of the best restaurants we’ve been to in a very long time. Service excellent, food delicious and an ambiance to savour and enjoy. Thank you Ivy and our server, Cameron, we had a wonderful lunch. We were given surprise birthday cakes to celebrate our birthdays, such a lovely touch. A meal to remember. Can’t recommend it enough.

One word; Amazing 👏 I ordered the roast and I was always sceptical because I love the old pub but was pleasantly surprised my only gripe was as i was eating I saw someone get the beef 😋 and got food envy 😅 nevertheless the roast was succulent, potatoes crisped to perfection and everything was moist and super tasty. Don't get me on the desserts. I could sit there and eat them all day. Sticky toffee pudding 🍮 is intense flavour on the mouth

Lovely decor and the staff were friendly. A shout out to the toilets for being stylish and very clean. Food wise, the starters were delicious, squid and arancini are definitely recommended but the mains left a little to be desired. However, the chocolate / celebratory bombe on the other hand was amazing and the staff even wrote us a sweet message. I'd go again to try other food from the menu and would try the afternoon tea or the cocktails. 4.5/5 + £££

The Ivy is a great place to eat with unusual food on offer. I had whisky barrel smoked venison tartare to start and goose, turkey, and duck shepherd's pie for my main. The staff were very attentive. My only complaint is the acoustics are very poor and we had to shout across the table in order to have a conversation. It is a popular place as it was packed on a Monday evening a week before Christmas.

This restaurant is absolutely amazing! I have been there twice now with my family and I will definitely be coming back. The service is always impeccable and the waiters are very polite and attentive. Both the food and wine menus are brilliant and offer something for everyone at a fair price. The food itself is delicious and authentic Italian cuisine. I would happily try everything on the menu and I am certain that I will love it all.

Delicious, authentic Italian food with nice decor and friendly staff. The dishes taste fresh and there's a good range of dishes to choose from. The spinach and ricotta cannelloni is my particular highlight, their pizzas, risottos and seafood dishes are also excellent. I can also recommend the tiramisu or afogato for dessert. Lovely selection of wines and coffees too. Decent, reasonable prices. I've had a number of lovely meals here now and would recommend it to anyone. A real asset to the town.

Easy to book on line initially, warm welcome, seated upstairs. Given time to review menu. Lots of choice on menu, checked we were happy with everything throughout the meal. Food was very good. Well done to everyone involved.

This was our first visit to La Piccola - Italian Restaurant and we were delighted by the friendly staff, the atmosphere and the delicious food. The portions were generous and I’m looking forward to the leftovers. We will definitely be back.

I live local but had never heard of the old forge before. I came here for my Christmas work do and I loved it. Had such a festive vibe. The food was amazing along with the service. I have recommended to family and friends since then and today visited again. Again the food, service and atmosphere fabulous. They do not rush you between courses either like some places do. I recommend the scallops and the pork belly. I definitely will be coming again.

Had a lovely meal at The Old Forge last night with family. Food was great all really well prepared and great flavours. We all a great time. Service was excellent from Rosie who was very kind and had a laugh with us. Starters was a 3 for £15 of small plates and a bread board. Beef croquettes wear super flavourful and the sweet potato hummus was amazing. Chicken burger in my picture was very juicy and the chili Jam and coleslaw inside tasted great. Trio of deserts was shared between three portions were bigger than we expected and was presented really well. It's on the more expensive side for a pub but food is definitely worth it.

Great food, lovely staff and a really nice atmosphere. We had the roast to share which came with half a chicken, beef and pork belly which was very tasty and plenty of food to share. The desserts were delicious too

Food was delicious and fairly priced. Pibs had a lovely warm and cosy atmosphere! Although we could have done with an extra light above our table 🙈👍🏻 Our waitress Holly was excellent!

If we could give this pub 5 stars plus then we would!! Found this pub on google search whilst on a visit my family. We all decided to give it a go after reading the reviews and we were not disappointed. The food was absolutely delicious, every course perfectly cooked, very flavorsome, and well presented, absolute top compliments to the chef. The service was very good, our food arrived in a timely manner and was served with a smile, it was a great experience and we would highly recommend.........we are definitely going to come back when next in Winchester. Fabulous experience.

Fantastic choice of lunch venue. From placing a booking to leaving was perfect. The staff are so friendly and welcoming. Everything we chose to eat was exceptional. Proper country pub home cooking at its best. Even the toilets were a pleasure to visit. Thanks so much for an awesome experience.

Came for lunch on a week day, wasn't expecting too much but given the car park was nearly full and the pub was quite busy I had better expectations and I wasn't wrong, the team were friendly and helpful. They have a good range of beers and drinks, the wine was of a good standard too. The show stopper was the food, I had venison, my wife the chicken, both dishes were delicious, frankly I could have eaten anything listed on the specials board, we left very happy!

An incredible place - the best cheese scones since cheese scones were invented, and a host of other tasty things to have with a good coffee! Customer service goes beyond great… if you sit outside in the cold there are infra red heaters, hot water bottles and blankets to keep you toasty. Inside is great too. Even the toilet has piped tropical birdsong and a nice aroma. How’s that for attention to detail? I enjoyed a long and enthusiastic conversation with the chef/owner about his exciting plans to trial Sunday roasts. A richly deserving recipient of my “Go there at once” award :-)

What a hidden gem! I don’t often leave reviews, but this place truly deserves recognition. We visited Romsey for the first time yesterday and, by chance, stumbled upon the Cork & Bean. We stopped for a drink, and the attention to detail and wine knowledge was outstanding. It impressed us so much that we decided to return for dinner—and I’m so glad we did! From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel incredibly welcome, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. We opted for the cheese and charcuterie sharing board for two, and it was absolutely delicious—truly a standout experience. It’s a real shame we live an hour away because this place has quickly become my new favourite venue. Whether you’re after coffee and cake, wine, or pizza, the atmosphere and overall vibe had us buzzing with excitement. We’ll definitely be back, most likely with the kids in tow next time, but the passion and love behind this little haven really stood out. Well done to everyone at Cork & Bean, and thank you for making our child-free night away so memorable!

Lovely venue with wide range of brunch dishes. The sourdough, smashed avocado & poached eggs was generous. But egg whites & yokes were not cooked as whites slimey near yokes. I didn't complain but would if happens again. Deserve a 2nd visit as very busy so could of been a one of. My friend had eggs benedict & were OK.

Incredible food! There were so many things on the menu that looked great, I'll have to come back! And such a cute setting as well, all the staff were lovely.