The 30 Best European cuisine restaurant in Southampton

“Was a surprise for my wife for her birthday and our anniversary. Food was fantastic. Service great. Atmosphere could have been nicer, but tbh it was probably because we were the 1st customer of the evening.”

“We went for dinner and as a vegetarian there was plenty of options, I had bibimbab which was full of flavour and delicious. My partner had beef bulgogi rice which he enjoyed. The staff were friendly and the restaurant is lovely. Thank you. :)”

“Great food freshly cooked lovely friendly service. A perfect breakfast”

“Booked dinner for two on a Sunday evening and we had a really nice time, the waiter was really entertaining and the service didn’t seem rushed. A quiet and friendly atmosphere”

“Melo has become my favourite restaurant recently . They have amazing food . Great customer service and atmosphere . I highly recommend it to everyone . The food gets served in good time. Good portion sizes and freshly baked and served bread . They have delicious freshly squeezed carrot juice which I really recommend you try it . Their baklava is soo good !”

“Great food, stunning building and fantastic service. One of the best meals in Southampton”

“Just what Southampton needed! Every single course was so beautifully thought out and I couldn’t really fault any of it. The highlight for me was the textures of chocolate dessert. A lovely venue too.”

“Great food, reasonably priced with very friendly and helpful staff. I had the chickpea, butternut squash & coconut curry, which was delicious and a decent-sized portion. The ice-cream was also yummy.”

“Had a very enjoyable meal for Mothers Day. My Mum's seafood platter looked incredible. The waitress was very helpful and informative, especially in regard to my Mother-in-Law's gluten allergy. We had a very cozy table tucked away from the main restaurant. A very nice night all round.”

“We booked a multi day Yorkshire Dales trip with On Foot and it exceeded our expectations. The On Foot team was very responsive, helpful and always answered my, albeit many, questions. I am so appreciative of their attention to detail. They provided detailed guides for the walk including gps tracks and those made us feel more comfortable and safe. The local contact, Shaun, was also very helpful and kind, checking in with us each day to see how we were doing, encourage and provide tips. They also booked table reservations for us at great restaurants and we were happy to have these as some places were fully booked. We are already thinking about our next trip with On Foot!”

“Decided to have dinner here after a show at the Mayflower. Had some starters, pasta and shared a dessert. The food was amazing, heavenly soft ciabatta with pesto, sauce in seafood pasta was delicious and one of the best tiramisu we've had in the UK. Will definitely be back to try specials! The atmosphere was also nice, with soft quiet music and gentle light. Service was good, we felt cared for but not overly, which I always appreciate. It's a great place for a nice dinner with a date or a mate, highly recommend to try.”

“As a Polish person, I have to say – this is really delicious, authentic food. Big respect”

“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.”

“Me and my partner had a very pleasant experience. The place was very cosy vintage music Hungarian atmosphere, the owners were very welcoming, and the food was stunning! Everything so delicious from starter to dessert. You can even take away if you can’t eat all the food. We are a bit far from Bournemouth but we will definitely return whenever we are around the area, and we will definitely recommend to anyone! ❤️”

“First of all I would rate the food. It is freshly made with quality fish and produces. And you can tell that it is made by a single person in the kitchen and served you at the same time. That alone is one of a kind that is really hard to find in the UK. He mainly serves the students around the area, very friendly. I have eaten here a couple of times and the food has been one of the best sushi I have eaten. The price is definitely on the cheaper side given how good it was. If you just want a unique experience, a homely setting, a regular and familiar sight of asia cultural then this is where you want to go. The place isn't very big and isn't made for big parties so is more suitable for table of 6 or less I would say. And expect the food to come out not as quick as there is only one person serving. I will be here often :)”

“The lovely team at River Rat really went above and beyond for my mams wedding. They let us come round to decorate the day before, the food was amazing and because of their attention to detail the night was perfect. Thank you so much”

“Excellent restaurant located in Lyndhurst town, really interesting menu and the quality of the food was very high. Had the garlic prawn starter and reggae ribs as well as the seafood linguine and finished off with a great Affogato desert which came with a shot of disaronno. The cocktail menu was also really good with some excellent choices and quirky cups. The interior was well decorated with plenty of Knick knacks to catch the eye.”

“Having walked the streets of the beautiful village of Ringwood, many times, had coffee and eaten in almost every place, I have no idea, how I missed this little spot! Insignificant from the outside, but step inside and you will be treated to a taste of Italy! You know from the moment you walk through the door, that this will be a good experience! Clean, authentic, genuine Italian business with Artisan food and wines to showcase Italy’s beautiful produce. Having not eaten there before, I opted for the dish of the day which was a safe bet. A beautiful pear and pecorino ravioli. A simple, humble dish, what could go wrong? Well, absolutely nothing! In fact, all my expectations were exceeded and left me yearning for a next visit. Super little place, great atmosphere, really good food and lots of goodies to treat yourself to enjoy at home. Melt in the mouth pasta, bursting with flavour. Simple ingredients where the produce is respected and the food speaks for itself. Great for lunch, I am sure dinner is just as good and with some great quality wines, specialist collections, you can’t go too far wrong.”

“What incredible service. We went in for our daughter’s 13th birthday party. 10 kids two adults and the staff were incredible! I have been to a lot places but it’s been a very long time since I have had service like we received this evening. Management you should be proud of the guys you have there. If you want good food, reasonable price and an absolute bargain with Tesco vouchers then head here. Thanks again”

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Hidden Gem in the Heart of the New Forest From the moment we arrived at Woodlands Lodge, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism that set the tone for an unforgettable stay. The customer service was exceptional—every request was met with genuine care and efficiency, making us feel truly valued. The food was a standout. Dining at the Cattlegrid Restaurant was a delight, with each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. Whether it was breakfast on the terrace or a cozy dinner indoors, every meal felt like a treat. The staff were incredibly friendly, striking the perfect balance between attentive and relaxed. Their local knowledge and cheerful demeanor added a personal touch that made our experience even more enjoyable. Our room was lovely—tastefully decorated, spotlessly clean, and wonderfully comfortable. Waking up to views of the surrounding greenery was a dream, and the peaceful atmosphere made it easy to unwind. One of the biggest highlights was the direct access to the New Forest. Just steps from the hotel, we found ourselves immersed in nature, with scenic walking trails, wildlife spotting, and endless opportunities to explore. There’s so much to do around the area, from charming villages and pubs to cycling routes and historic sites. Whether you’re after adventure or tranquility, Woodlands Lodge is the perfect base. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a relaxing escape with top-notch hospitality and the beauty of the New Forest right on your doorstep.”

“Christmas Day lunch here. Expensive as you would expect on such an occasion but delicious and well worth it.”

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

“Outstanding food. There was a dedicated vegan menu and we were blown away by all three courses. Service was perfect; friendly and attentive but not intrusive.”

“Lovely place. The food was lovely. The staff genuinely really nice & seemed to love their job. A little wait for food but expected on a Saturday night.”

“The atmosphere is incredible, and the food is truly delightful—especially the steak and prawn fajitas, which I would rate 10/10. Even the salad was impressive, with moist chicken and fresh-tasting lettuce. The service was excellent and prompt. Overall, it never fails to impress each time I dine here.”

“Busy with golfers enjoying a drink and breaky. Just drinks for us though”

“A very great restaurant in my opinion. As a party of one, I'm treated no different than any other table. I had chicken tikka, followed by chicken Muli (not pictured). The staff don't bother you too much like other restaurants do, but are still attentive to guests. There was a perfect amount of time between courses. Not too little that you're still full from your starter, but not so long that you get bored. I just sat for a bit before paging, because I didn't want to leave, and I didn't feel like I was being pushed out, which was nice, as some restaurants just want to get you out as soon as possible. Families seem to like it here, of all ages too. Would recommend, and have recommended.”

“The food here was absolutely mouthwatering. The service was outstanding from all staff. Very friendly, polite, helpful and professional.”

“Great food and decor. Attentive and polite staff. A lovely place for a meal in Romsey. Didn’t have the full menu available but what they did have was very well made and flavourful. A bit noisy due to the bar and restaurant being connected but that’s to be expected in a bar/restaurant venue on a Saturday night. Overall I would recommend The Olive Tree.”