Updated on 07 March 2023
One of Britain’s most historic ports, Southampton is now a bustling city, home to some quarter of a million residents and, in case you didn't know, some excellent food. Take a walk past the marina or through the city centre and you’ll find that there are lots of great places to eat in Southampton itself, from comforting gastropubs to thoughtful veggie cafes.
Though there aren’t any Michelin star restaurants in Southampton, there are some quality restaurants in the surrounding area. Places to eat in Southampton city centre tend to be more relaxed and casual, but what the city does, it does well - wood-fired pizza, smart bistros and excellent upmarket brasseries. A number of restaurants in Southampton Harbour also boast gorgeous views across the marina and out towards the English Channel - perfect for a romantic date night or a few sundowners with friends and family.
Our list also includes a few Southampton restaurants in Ocean Village - the heart of Southampton’s seafront and marina district. Ocean Village Marina has become famous for hosting the starts and finishes of some round-the-world yacht races, but outside of sailing season it’s also home to lots of great bars and restaurants. We’ve picked out a few of our favourites to hang out in with a glass of wine and a plate of something delicious.
If you want to look beyond our favourites, check out our full restaurant listings for Southampton - you can narrow down the list by price point, cuisine, ambiance and more, and even check out a map with locations of all the restaurants.
28 Oxford Street Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3DJ
Open all day, every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the White Star Tavern is the reliable gastropub that every town needs. Pub classics and chunky sandwiches mingle on an accessible menu, and the Sunday roast is excellent too.
Unit 3, Moresby Tower, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3LG
One of the best restaurants in Southampton’s Ocean Village, The Olive Tree delivers easy going Mediterranean fare throughout the day, but there’s plenty of room for a celebratory dinner too, with oyster platters, sharing steaks and magnums of fizz.
Unit 7 Admirals Quay, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3LN
Classic Italian plates with a gorgeous view overlooking the Ocean Village Marina - Figurati covers all bases from casual catch up drinks to celebration meals. The restaurant does an excellent Sunday roast as well, and there’s a hefty cocktail list for those who enjoy aperitivo with a view.
74 London Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 2AJ
Despite the sleek, black interior of this fine-dining joint, AO still manages to embody a rustic and homely feel. Serving up a ten-course tasting menu, chef patron Daniel Rogan has created a masterpiece with fresh and seasonal ingredients.
22 Bedford Place, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 2DB
Southampton locals can count themselves lucky to have this Mauritian kitchen on their doorstep. Lakaz Maman is run by MasterChef winner Shelina Permaloo, and she cooks up island treats like samosas, prawn, ginger and coriander fritters, and a classic chicken and prawn bol renverse.
63 Onslow Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 0JL
There’s always something happening at this Bevois Valley community pub, whether it’s art exhibitions, live music or open mic nights. The food is traditional, comforting gastropub fare, but it’s done extremely well, and The Rockstone is child and dog-friendly too, so it makes a lovely weekend hangout.
80 Bedford Place, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 2DF
Award-winning pizzeria Popsi’s has been slinging pizzas in Southampton since 2018, and quickly became a fan favourite thanks to simple, exceptional dough and quality toppings. The stone-fired oven uses renewable energy too, so you can eat pizza with a clean conscience.
Town Quay, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2AR
This lovely little authentic tapas spot is right by the ferry port, so it makes a great stop off point for a bite to eat as you get on or off the ferry. The menu covers all bases, from small nibbles like tortilla, spicy prawns and sardines a la plancha to big paellas and suckling pigs to share.
130-131 High Street, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2BR
One of Southampton’s top rated Indian restaurants, Coriander Lounge has all the charm of a neighbourhood curry house, but the menu celebrates authentic Indian cooking. The menu itself is pretty extensive but a roaring-hot tandoor in the kitchen means the restaurant specialises in delicious, charry tandoori dishes.
5 Maritime Walk, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3QT
A sister site to the excellent Jetty in Christchurch, Dorset, this gorgeous, modern, harbourside spot celebrates the best of freshly-caught British seafood with dishes like crab croquettes and seared scallops with smoked eel celeriac. A huge curved terrace hangs right over the water’s edge, and there are also glass pods for those who want to eat outside with protection from the elements.
A stalwart in the city's fine dining scene, Ennio’s is tucked away in an old Victorian warehouse overlooking Southampton Water. The menu is packed full of timeless, luxurious Italian dishes, delivered by friendly, attentive staff, and the wine list is suitably enormous, with some rare vintages available too.
Ironside House, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3TN
Another classy Mediterranean spot, Bacaro’s cicchetti small plates and harbour-side views have made it extremely popular throughout the week. That goes for Sundays too, when Bacaro knocks out an exceptional Sunday lunch. Keep up to date with Bacaro’s events page for happy hours and live music nights.
33-34 Oxford Street, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3DS
Fresh, locally sourced ingredients and classic European cooking has made the Oxford Brasserie a bit of an institution in Southampton. Tables spill out onto the pavement in the summer months, making this a great place to luxuriate with a plate of food and a glass of wine.
121 East Street, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3HD
Bright, colourful Mexican food at extremely reasonable prices - it’s no wonder Mexifun is so popular in Southampton. The menu covers tacos, nachos, rice bowls, enchiladas, quesadillas and hefty burritos, packed with your choice of beef brisket, pork pibil or ancho-marinated chicken.
25 High Street, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2DF
This modern plant-led Indian bistro has made a huge splash in Southampton. The Kesarum team is just three people, and together they create some real magic, showcasing the potential of creative Indian plant-based dining, served alongside a smart cocktail list and vegan wines.
Fancy visiting another south coast stalwart? Take a trek east and check out our list of the best restaurants in Brighton, from beachfront cafes to city centre fine dining institutions.
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