The Best Restaurants in Hampshire, United Kingdom (2025)

Absolutely fabulous place. Staff exceptionally attentive. Food excellent. Exceeded our expectation. Great atmosphere. A celebration of my 80th Birthday. Champagne Hi Tea.. Even provided small cake with candle beautifully decorated.Will definately come back again. Not not just for an occasion. A lasting memory.

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

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.

Stopped here by chance and it was our lucky day. A large choice of speciality teas, cakes and scones were on offer. I had Bread Pudding which was moist, beautifully spiced and full of fruit. The Japanese wild cherry tea was so nice and I could get more than 4 cups from the pot and extra hot water provided. Hope to go back when next in this part of the country. Went back and it was just as good. Really friendly staff and great food and drink.

Visited after a lovely walk along the river. The local watercress pesto panini and the watercress and cheese scones were lovely. The service was friendly and the outside seating area was a lovely bonus. We will definitely be back to sample the Dorset ice cream, extensive tea menu and cakes!

Always seems to be busy whenever I come here which tells you a lot. I’m very particular about how I have my tea and as such, I rarely opt for tea when I’m out and about but the tea here is fantastic. The food is great too, the cakes and pastries especially, and the staff are always friendly and welcoming.

I've been dropping into this pub on and off for many years. It is a historical place with lots of charm, in a beautiful setting in the Itchen valley. Needless to say it's a great place to end up after a walk. It's a cosy, welcoming place. The staff are lovely and helpful, and nothing seems too much trouble. The food is hearty and a good standard. The garden is lovely on a good day. It's well worth a visit, even if you just drop in for a drink. May it continue to be a joy for years to come!

Always go here for a local dog walk and then either beverages or a meal. It's always busy and always friendly. Good food and drink cozy atmosphere what more could you ask for with it's lovely surroundings.

Beautiful old style pub. Great food. Brilliant service. Stunning location. I took my mother here for lunch. She has many happy childhood memories of this pub when some of her family owned the pub (she’s 85 years old). Charlie served us and was super friendly. He was more than happy to listen to my mother tell him about the pub from years ago. It really made her day. THANK YOU CHARLIE. You are credit to the pub. Definitely recommend this place.

This is a great pub to visit during the summer, when you can sit outside in the sun and enjoy the tranquility of the English countryside. The garden is pretty and nicely kept, and you can see the crystal clear river Itchen close by. Just beyond the pub garden is a really lovely walk over a bridge and along the river, where you can observe the beauty of nature. The staff here were helpful and accommodating. It's everything a country village pub should be.

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.

My daughter took me here for my 60th birthday present. On arrival the restaurant knew it had been my birthday a few weeks ago, but still wished me happy birthday. There were four of us eating and we all chose the gourmet set menu. The menus are being changed Monday so they will have new names. They asked us about food allergies. Two of us are gluten free and to complicate things I can't eat crustaceans. This was no problem to them and they adapted the food when ever necessary. The food was exceptional and the waiters took time to explain exactly how each dish had been prepared and what the ingredients were. The food came at a nice pace. When we had our penultimate dish, the Winchester Roll, they served this with fresh wasabi. The flavour of this was fantastic. I would certainly come back and eat here again. I really want to try their vegan set menu next time.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

Loved loved LOVED it here.....We booked in for the bottomless brunch (late afternoon) It wasn't that busy but still good atmosphere. The food was fabulous...the cocktails were nice and plentiful.What made our visit was our waitress Abby she was very attentive and friendly an asset to the team.

Turtle Bay is always a great vibe, and I’m find the food and drink never fail to deliver great flavours. I’ve been several times over the years and I have always had an enjoyable visit. My recent visit was good, albeit the service was a bit slow and things did take quite some time. The food however was excellent, and I would highly recommend the Jerk Salmon - it was sensational. The cocktails are great, and if you catch them on 2-4-1 they are a bargain. The Reggae Rum Punch is always a winner. If you’re looking for some flavoursome food and good drinks, Turtle Bay is always a great shout.

Our server Chris was very attentive, extremely polite and happy in his job. Which is lovely to see. He catered to all our needs. He is an asset to turtle bay. Good staff are very hard to come by and he is certainly a worth looking after. The food and drink were perfect 👌🏼 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A place filled with lots of bustles, happy hours with a good selection of cocktails. Sweet corn fritters were excellent but not for those who cannot tolerate spice.

Elegant! Lovely decor, wonderful service, delicious food and a great wine list. We went as a group of 4 for a 2/3 course lunch and there was nothing to fault. It was our first time dining there and we will certainly be back. It was great to have some seasonal game choices on the menu.

Had a Sunday roast. Yorkshire puddings and roast beef were very good. No gravy with meal or horse radish. Had to ask for gravy and horseradish. Vegetables were very bland and uninspiring. Main course took around 25 mins to arrive. Sat by window which was quite chilly. Starter and dessert very good.

We both chose to dine from the prix fixé menu (which also included a Botanist gin! ). Very reasonably priced for less than £20 for the two course option. I always look at the dessert option first - so I chose the treacle tart. For mains I had the couscous with aubergine and harissa. It was delicious - just the right amount of spice and very colourful. The tart (very generous portion !) with salted caramel icecream was really nice. All the staff were pleasant and friendly - our server in particular (didn't catch her name). Will definitely come back again when in Winchester.

Came here on a Friday late lunch after enjoying a day in Winchester. They offer some good 2 and 3 course deals, but we had our heart set on the chateaubriand steak. We ordered this and the baguette with dips to enjoy while waiting for the steak to be cooked. The place is very spacious and nicely laid out, with an open plan kitchen upstairs. Staff here are very good. Our meal was very good paired with a good red wine as well. The only criticism is the mark up on the wine. But this is something that happens everywhere. Overall a brilliant late lunch here🙂

The food was absolutely delicious—well beyond my expectations! (The photo doesn’t do it justice.) The service was equally impressive, with attentive and friendly staff who made the experience even better. We’ll definitely be coming back and can’t wait to bring family and friends along!

Popped in here after reading reviews and WOW it didn't disappoint..We asked the young lady serving us for her recommendations and she suggested the burger. I have to say, as a big burger fan, this was the nicest I have ever had. I want to drive the 40 odd miles it is from us just for the burger alone! Neither or my partner could finish it, it was SO filling. We were gutted to be full because it was so tasty. Next time we won't have starters so we can scoff the whole thing! Starters were amazing too. Overall a lovely place seeped with history. The thatched roof makes it so cosy as does the open fire. Definitely our fave pub meal and when we have some respite we'll be back! Definitely a place for a romantic meal so a respite visit only :)

Very welcoming staff, who were particularly great with our kids (5&8yrs). The food options were fabulous. All good, was delicious. Good selection of wines & beers. Board games available [Also, as we'd rung ahead to confirm, we were also able to stay overnight in our camper (big carpark & quiet throughout the night)]

We showed up without a booking, on a sunny Saturday when the kitchen was about to close. The staff could not have been more accommodating. The food came fast and was delicious. Would highly recommend.

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!

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.

Beautiful pub, stunning view and amazing food! Thanks so much to the chef for having so many gluten free options - I was absolutely beside myself to be able to have gluten free fish and chips! One of the best meals I have had in a very long time. The pub itself is beautiful, relaxing and elegant at the same time. Already planning a return trip in the summer where we can sit outside. Thanks to all the staff for a great meal and chilled afternoon.

Lovely pub by the pond! Luckily we came here on a sunny warm day absolutely beautiful. Cod supreme was so delicious but the starters were even better for me. Fried cauliflowers and croquettes are must tries! They have so many gluten/dairy free options plus it's a dog friendly place 🐕 Service could be faster but it was packed so understandable.

Love coming here after a dog walk or for a nice meal with family and friends. Great food and great staff. Cozy and warm and dog friendly. Lovely big garden too overlooking the big river 😀

Lovely and cozy pub with friendly staff and the food is great. Good menu options and always fresh produce and presented beautifully and very tasty. Great portion sizes. Dog friendly.