Bar pub in Southampton

“- Delicious fresh food - Probably the best staff you will find anywhere who walked us through all the food we ordered and gave us options to remove certain ingredients if it doesn't suit us”

“Absolutely gorgeous food, we love the HB, it's our favourite pub, we've been visiting for years. New owners are lovely, they've put their own spin on the place and the menu but it still has all the charm of a proper old English pub. Perfect evening, incredible food and an exceptional welcome.”

“We visited The Shoe as a group of ten for a Sunday Roast. There was a short wait while the staff prepped our table between services that gave us a chance to order some drinks at the bar. We were soon seated and the staff were quick to make us feel welcome and take our orders. We were given some delicious home made bread with very tasty olive oil and basmalic vinegar. A really nice touch. There was a choice between pork and beef and a vegetarian option, I chose pork. There wasn’t a long wait and our roasts were served. The portions were really very generous and many of our party actually struggled to finish ! But it was a delicious roast with plenty of roasted vegetables, meat and individual portions of steamed veg. The highlight for me was the homemade stuffing. A few of our party ordered puddings and these were also good sized portions. Friendly, attentive service and lovely country pub atmosphere. Will 100% head back again for a roast and to try the rest of the menu.”

“Had an amazing time at Turtle Bay for bottomless brunch for my friend’s hen do! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was buzzing and the drinks started flowing quickly. A special shoutout to Eloise, who made the whole experience even better. She was incredibly efficient, always making sure our glasses were topped up without us needing to ask. She was also friendly and genuinely warm, checking in with us regularly and making sure everything was spot-on. The food was delicious and the cocktails were fresh and strong — you definitely get good value for money. Would absolutely come back again. Thanks again to Eloise and the Turtle Bay team for a brilliant brunch!”

“Nice pub with a good selection of ales and cidar. Quirky decorating gives it an unique atmosphere. Fair warning, there are quite a few stuffed animals around.”

“We enjoyed an overnight stay at this lovely hotel. Our ground floor room was delightful and spotlessly clean, with tea and coffee facilities. Parking was easy too. The breakfast, which was made to order, was great and the staff very friendly and helpful. We would definitely visit again!”

“This is by far the best Restaurant we have been to for a very long time the host Max was fantastic his hospitality was 2nd to none his partner Karen was absolutely brilliant the food was also fantastic. The whe evening spent with friends was amazing.”

“Lovely meals, nicely presented, friendly staff and a cosy atmosphere. Will be booking again”

“Excellent local pub with a very old fashioned pub vibe. Went on a Thursday for an event and the pub were doing Thai curry. Really tasty and so fresh and clean! Great friendly service and very busy - a good sign! I think they do food once a week at least, it’s not every night.”

“Very good balanced food. Really delicious and probably one of the best Nigiri Unagi we've ever tasted. Reasonable prices for good quality clean food. And the service was spot on.”

“Great little place. Been here 5 or 6 times over the years. Friendly staff, and good value for money steak. I really hope they never close down or change too much.”

“Great local pub in Winchester. We were 4 adults and 1 child, and we had 2 burgers and 2 Sunday Roast. I had the burger and it was DELICIOUS!!! Friendly and polite staff as well, the atmosphere was cosy, the decor is really lovely. Well done St James Tavern!”

“I want expecting much having been disappointed on a previous visit (beer past it's best). Was happily surprised to see the pub buzzing - 4 ales on, the 3 I tried all in excellent condition, great Thai food (a regular feature) & live music downstairs. Good mix of locals, tourists & music lovers.”

“Great atmosphere great people . I lost my wallet inside the pub and emailed to check . Immediately replied and returned once located . Hidden gem of the city .”

“Have walked to this pub many times since moving to Bishops Waltham 2 years ago. Staff are very friendly and have made us feel at home on every visit. Have eaten here a as a couple & with friends and the food is always good, especially Sunday lunch. On our latest visit there was a pop up kitchen and we thoroughly enjoyed our Tapas, which was excellent value, the Banana Brioche pudding was delicious. It has become our go to local even though it's a 2 mile walk from home.”

“Lovely local pub with a great range of real ales that change on a regular basis but there is one that's always on tap! Swordfish! Nice tasty dark(ish) ale”

“We visited Lucky Lychee in Winchester on two consecutive weekends, travelling all the way from London—and it was absolutely worth it each time. The satay beef and chicken were true standouts. Juicy, tender, and marinated to perfection, each bite delivered layers of flavour that were both rich and deeply satisfying. The meat was cooked just right, striking a balance between succulence and char-grilled depth. The grilled aubergine, courgette & fresh broad bean Malay yellow curry was another highlight—comforting, aromatic, and full of warm, layered spices. The vegetables were beautifully grilled, adding a smoky depth that balanced the gentle heat and creaminess of the curry. It paired perfectly with rice and had that cozy, soul-satisfying quality that makes you want to go back for more. The watermelon & cucumber salad with crispy pork cracking was a refreshing counterpoint—light, crunchy, and perfectly balanced. The watermelon was incredibly sweet and juicy, cutting through the richness of the pork crackling with a clean, fresh burst of flavor. We also really enjoyed the char siu pork—beautifully roasted, with a sweet, savoury glaze and just the right amount of caramelisation. The texture was spot-on: tender, juicy, and packed with that classic smoky flavour. The beef rendang with red pickle was another standout dish. The rendang was rich and deeply spiced, with melt-in-the-mouth beef, and the accompanying red pickle added a bright, tangy contrast that cut through the richness perfectly. One dish that truly surprised us was the sesame prawn toast. Unlike the standard versions you find elsewhere, Lucky Lychee’s featured lemongrass, adding a zesty, refreshing twist. Light and crisp without a trace of oiliness, it was a clever, modern take on a classic starter. Even the desserts were a delight. We tried the banana spring rolls, which were golden and crispy on the outside, with warm, sweet banana on the inside—simple, comforting, and very well executed. The cheesecake with pandan was especially memorable: fragrant, creamy, and subtly tropical. It’s a rare find in the UK and a must-try if you're looking for something a bit different to end your meal. Lucky Lychee serves up food that’s fresh, thoughtful, and full of heart. Every dish feels crafted with care and intention. No wonder we made the trip two weekends in a row—it’s that good. Whether you're local or coming from London, this spot is well worth the journey. Highly recommended.”

“We popped in for a meal and were pleasantly surprised. The food was well-cooked and tasty, and the service was friendly and welcoming; a really nice atmosphere overall. It’s the kind of place that’s easy to miss as you pass by, as it’s not immediately obvious it’s a restaurant from the outside. While we did feel the prices were a little on the high side for what you get, we still had a lovely time and enjoyed the experience.”

“We go there every week, I've celebrated birthdays there, it's always wonderful! Wonderful attention, wonderful food and quality / price! Have you tried their ramen? It's just amazing too. There's only one thing I never get to know, and that's the recipe for hot barbecue sauce, heck guys! I would die for that hot sauce!! We will be back soon! By the way, if you want to try something different and originally from Korea... Try the plum Soju + asahi beer, ask the employees how to prepare it, are you ready for something so delicious?”

“We had a Christmas lunch here for 20+ people and everything was perfect. The food was superb, the service outstanding and the atmosphere great. Whenever we have been here we have always had a great time and they cater for gluten free options. Thank you.”

“We love this place! Last visited nearly 10 years ago so it was a must on this trip… and it didn’t disappoint. Great service, lovely atmosphere & decor. Fantastic food.”

“Very pleasantly surprised by this kebab. Staff was friendly, the place is pretty, and the food was amazing. Quite a few vegetarian options. I will definitely be back to get more comfort food!”

“We were looking for a carvery and was recommended The Forge by a friend. First time here and they did not disappoint! The meats and veg were lovely, generous portions and cooked well. The puddings were astounding, I had the brownie and ice cream, it was unreal! Just look at that presentation, it made me say "wow" when the waitress brought it over. We had 2 drinks 2 meals and 2 puddings all for £37, I think that's an insanely good price! The atmosphere was really nice as well, we had a great night, thanks! 5/5* would 100% recommend!”

“I had my 30th birthday organized by this restaurant, and I was truly amazed! The set out was beautiful, and the atmosphere was lovely. The service was outstanding, and the food was delicious. The portion sizes were generous, and the overall experience was brilliant. I couldn't have asked for a better celebration!" ---”

“Food is amazing. But attention they have two boards not just one. And one board have much more interesting food then another. Somehow they forgot to mention so we lost the opportunity to experience the best food.”

“My husband and I enjoyed a delicious Sunday lunch here yesterday. Food and service were perfect. We have already booked to come again in December.”

“This is a diamond hiding in plain sight! A perfect cozy and comfortable restaurant. Food is just right with lots of flavour and variety. Staff are welcoming and friendly with right right amount of interaction and interest. I've eaten here a few times now and have not been disappointed. Outdoor, covered eating space or roomy warm interior. Many drink options to choose from ales, cocktails, spirits and wine. For a privately owned and run local restaurant this is somewhere I would always recommend and when possible (as not local) eat at.”

“Great food and lovely venue. Very friendly service from Fran & Lewis, they brought the vibe. Definitely coming back soon as the menu is massive and has lots of great options!”

“Just awesome. I’m sated and happy. Excellent value for money and cracking service. Try the white sangria. Get the jug!”