Best restaurants in Southampton

From proper fish and chips to brilliant Mauritian food from a MasterChef winner, Southampton has some great restaurants worth shouting about.

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.

Mexifun

Mexifun

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.

Under £30
Mexican
Ennio’s Southampton

Ennio’s Southampton

Town Quay, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2AR

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.

£50 - £79
Italian
Popsi

Popsi's

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.

Under £30
Pizza
The Jetty Southampton

The Jetty Southampton

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.

£50 - £79
Fish
Figurati

Figurati

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.

£50 - £79
Italian
AO Southampton

AO Southampton

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. 

Over £80
Modern European
SquareMeal UK Top 100
Lakaz Maman

Lakaz Maman

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.

Under £30
Vegetarian
Vegan
Coriander Lounge

Coriander Lounge

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.

£30 - £49
Indian
La Regata

La Regata

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.

£30 - £49
Tapas
Spanish
The Rockstone

The Rockstone

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.

Under £30
Pubs
British
The Olive Tree Southampton

The Olive Tree Southampton

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.

£30 - £49
Mediterranean
White Star Tavern & Dining Rooms

White Star Tavern & Dining Rooms

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.

£30 - £49
British
Kesarum

Kesarum

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.

£30 - £49
Vegetarian
Vegan
Indian
Bacaro Southampton

Bacaro Southampton

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.

£30 - £49
Mediterranean
Oxford Brasserie Southampton

Oxford Brasserie Southampton

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.

£30 - £49
Modern European
British

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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