The 30 Best Bistro in Southampton

“Wow, wow ,wow, the food is amazing, good friendly staff, nice setting.”

“Wow!! What a wonderful lunch we had. Beautiful setting, excellent service and exceptional food, what more could you ask for ! I have no hesitation in recommending this restaurant.”

“Really enjoyed dining here! The staff made us feel welcome, and the food was top quality. Perfect place for a family dinner or a casual night out.”

“The Artisan in Southampton is a hidden gem for those who appreciate great food, coffee, and a cosy atmosphere. The café has a warm and inviting vibe, making it a perfect spot to relax or catch up with friends. The menu offers a fantastic selection of freshly made food, pastries, and artisan coffee, all prepared with high-quality ingredients. The staff are friendly and welcoming, providing excellent service. The interior is stylish, with a mix of modern and rustic décor that adds to the charm. Whether you're stopping by for breakfast, brunch, or just a coffee, The Artisan is a great choice. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a relaxed and high-quality café experience in Southampton!”

“It was a dreadful wet windy and fairly chilly day but we had booked a gathering of friends and I had to go out! We had a warm welcome. Very good Christmas meal quickly served which was also good value for money. No roast potatoes kept hot for ages. These, together with lovely veg were hot and fresh. They also managed to sort our 11 bills separately with no hassle. I'd definitely go again”

“Amazing food, atmosphere and well priced. Would definitely recommend.”

“Food is fantastic. The decor is very authentic and looks stunning. Looking from the outside isnt much to be lured in by but you will be pleasantly surprised. Bar staff are very friendly and are always willing to help. Great selection of food and drink. Food is amazing, also great for just grabbing drinks. There is a basement area which has live music everyweek, with some of the best talent Southampton has to offer. There are also so cushioned seats downstairs which are very comfy accompanied by more stunning features and a second bar. Brilliant location, cross the road and your in ocean Village. Brilliant place to drink on the weekends, don't turn up too late as the bouncers are very strict on letting people in past a certain time.”

“Absolutely outstanding! Mevalana Turkish Kitchen is a hidden gem. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm smile and genuine hospitality the staff couldn’t have been friendlier or more attentive. The food was incredible everything tasted freshly prepared and bursting with authentic flavor. The grilled meats were tender and perfectly seasoned, the bread soft and warm, and every side dish felt homemade. Portion sizes were generous without sacrificing quality you definitely leave full and happy. The atmosphere is inviting and vibrant, with a lovely mix of cozy and lively. Whether you’re going for a casual dinner or a special evening out, it’s the kind of place that instantly feels welcoming. I can’t recommend Mevalana enough — 5 stars across the board for food, service, and ambiance. We’ll definitely be coming back!”

“It's our first time visiting this restaurant in Romsey, easily accessible from bus station up around the corner which was convenient for us travelling by bus, entering via the garden which must be enjoyable under good weather though it's not yesterday. Atmosphere inside was quite cosy as it was an old house I supposed, we sit near the fireplace, it would be great in colder months when they lit it up with real woods sitting there; as to food choice, always good to choose from the menu, be sure to download their new app, check in every time when you dine there, you'll get a reward via the app & have all your activities in the app for you to remember with, we have ordered few plates to share with & a bottle of prosecco to enjoy, dessert to finish. Hope they would consider opening one in Southampton High Street area, so that we can go & enjoy whenever we desire.”

“It’s been 10 years since my last visit. Lovely food and atmosphere, staff were welcoming , kind and respectful. We had a great time !”

“Came across River Bean and Bar by chance Great find. Quiet while we were there early afternoon. Friendly staff. Good menu but can recommend very tasty fish finger roll. Will visit again soon”

“Had a very comfortable two day stay at this small and centrally located hotel. Rooms are clean, beds comfy, and bathrooms well appointed. A good selection for breakfast with a semi buffet and a la carte dishes included. Lovely large courtyard at the back to sit outside during the summer months. Service was very friendly and accommodating. Elsa in particular at the front desk was very welcoming and helpful.”

“We found this place while attending a gig in Southampton. Absolutely WOW. The place looks fantastic, the staff were very friendly, order was taken super quick and food served shortly after. The steaks are superb, the BBQ burger is one of the best I have ever had. Then came the shocker, the price? I had to check as I thought I had been undercharged but no. 2 meals were really less than £35.00 including service charge. Why is this place not rammed?”

“Myself & my family visit this pub regularly and it doesn’t ever disappoint. We are a family of 4 and always feel warmly welcomed and enjoy spending time here. The staff are all very welcoming and attentive and always trying their best to please the customer. It’s a wonderful, family run pub and we will continue to support them for a long time yet. Thank you so much to everyone at The Fox & Hounds who always make our visits a real pleasure. Highly recommend.”

“Last minute decision to eat lunch here after spending morning on a boat. Great spot for a sunny day with outdoor seating and amazing views. The place immediately sets a relaxed vibe. Fabulous welcome by the very charismatic DM Nathan. He was very friendly and accommodating (we forgot to book beforehand), there was 6 of us, incl 2 hungry, excited kids. Food was well presented, very tasty. We have chosen lobster from specials, it was fab. Kids had pasta with meatballs and pizza, both lovely. Staff were all in good mood, friendly, very busy. We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon and definitely recommend this fab place. Many thanks to all.”

“The shared appetizer had super craveable items like the fried small fish and calamari. The pasta was super tasty with excellent bacon. The staff was very attentive and mindful for us! The restaurant itself was also quite cozy and had a bit of a rustic feel to it.”

“this was our first visit to Harpers steak house in Southampton and we were not disappointed! From the ease of booking online to receiving the bill at the end everything was exceptional! The staff member, Driton was extremely friendly and welcoming, making us feel at ease as soon as we arrived. The food was absolutely delicious, one of the best steaks we have had in a restaurant in a long time! Not only that but each course came out quickly, was a good portion size and hot! We would definitely recommend Harpers and will certainly be returning.”

“This place is great, the coffee is really good, and the food is really nice in particular the new Mett sandwich ! I am very happy it has opened again.”

“Not just saying it but these burgers are the best ive ever had. And the pork is cooked to perfection with lovely crispy crackling. Must be tried!!!!”

“Me and a friend booked a table in the late evening for some drinks and it was great! Had a fab time and really impressed as I haven’t seen The Boathouse since it’s been rebuilt. So popular but good music, able to talk, good vibes. Recommend the lychee martini, insane. Thanks to Sissy and Bronwyn for such a warm welcome and being massively attentive to us! And credits to the chef (Rhys?) for saying hello and telling us a bit about the place and food. Superb!”

“It's like what a school kitchen should be - good quality healthy food at a reasonable price. Yeah you serve yourself, may need to queue and it can get quite loud with all the crowds but I'd still go again whenever I'm in Southampton!”

“Absolutely love this place. The landlord is a Torquay fan which is slightly off putting, but the hospitality is second to none, in fact it’s very hard to leave.”

“After years of buying expensive, disappointing, greasy pizzas from the large chains I thought I'd try somewhere local. Now my new favourite pizza place! Service was great. Pizzas were fresh, tasty and full of flavour! Such a great variety of flavours on offer and great value. Highly recommended!”

“The cocktails were impressive—each one better than the last.”

“Food and breakfast are good and they have a lot of options for me. White and brown bread, jam croissants (not the best), scrambled eggs, eggs, all the other stuff of the traditional English breakfast. Shame that espresso it’s an extra but illy coffee so it’s very good”

“Get the ribeye steak and fries with Diane sauce! Absolutely amazing! Fish and chips were equally as good as the fish was fresh and light with the batter! Fries were big fries of tasty goodness- not soggy or burnt. Just perfectly seasoned with the right amount of crispy on the outside! Thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant at the Novotel. Service was wonderful as well and there weren't that many people in there so it was quiet and easy to hear conversation with my husband! Absolutely stay here and eat at their restaurant.”