Pub in Southampton

“Great old pub in one of the nicest villages in the area. There are ancient barrows, a Norman church and great walks nearby. The staff at the pub love dogs - they even have a hosepipe if your pooch is very muddy. Food and service has always been great - it's a perfect place to stop for lunch after a good walk.”

“Traditional village pub. Staff are very friendly. Food is amazing & good value. They do an amazing roast dinner on a Monday night. Ate here every night of our 4 night stay in the area, there was no need to hunt for another place to eat! Varied menu with daily specials, brilliant!”

“We had an excellent Sunday lunch at Waterloo Arms. The roast was delicious! The pub is traditional and a lovely setting. Also reasonably priced. Highly recommend.”

“Visiting on a short break for our wedding anniversary. We hadn’t booked but luckily they squeezed us into the outdoor area which is LUSH. So beautiful. Food incredible! Thank you”

“We stopped for lunch in this proper cosy pub with a thatched roof and log burning stove in the heart of the beautiful New Forest just before Christmas. There were locals propping up the bar (always a good sign), the staff were really friendly and attentive and the food was delicious. Highly recommended.”

“From the moment you approach The Hinton Arms—its honey‑coloured stone façade framed by climbing ivy—you know you’re in for something special. Stepping through the heavy oak door, you’re enveloped by an atmosphere that effortlessly balances laid‑back country charm with a touch of contemporary flair. Exposed beams stretch across the ceiling, while soft Edison bulbs cast a honeyed glow over plush leather banquettes and rustic farmhouse tables. A crackling fire in the corner adds a cosy warmth, and tasteful art prints alongside fresh greenery bring a welcome splash of colour. It’s the sort of place where you immediately want to settle in, linger over a drink and soak up the ambience. When it comes to the menu, The Hinton Arms truly shines—starting, of course, with its signature burgers. These aren’t your run‑of‑the‑mill pub patties: each is a masterclass in texture and taste. The patty itself is a perfect medium‑rare—juicy, pink‑flecked and beautifully seasoned—nestled in a pillowy brioche bun that’s been gently toasted so it holds together without ever feeling heavy. Toppings are fresh and inventive: crisp baby gem lettuce, vine‑ripened tomato, and a tangy house‑made pickled slaw that cuts through the richness, while a slick of smoky chipotle mayo ties everything together. With each bite, you get that glorious interplay of melt‑in‑your‑mouth meat, soft bun, and bright, zesty crunch. But the true showstopper of our evening was the pork belly. Presented as thick, succulent slabs, the meat was slow‑braised until it literally fell apart at the touch of a fork. Its top layer—glazed with a honey‑soy reduction—crackled to a perfect crisp, providing a sublime textural counterpoint to the lush, unctuous flesh beneath. The accompanying apple‑and‑cider chutney was the ideal foil: sweet yet tart, cutting through the pork’s richness and lifting each mouthful to something transcendent. For a lighter counterbalance, the prawn and avocado salad offered an elegant, refreshing interlude. Jumbo prawns, poached just right, were firm and plump, their ocean-fresh sweetness enhanced by a bright lime and coriander dressing. The avocado was impeccably ripe—creamy and buttery—diced alongside ribbons of cucumber and dressed micro-greens, all finished with a whisper of chilli oil for just a hint of warmth. It felt simultaneously indulgent and virtuous, a testament to the kitchen’s skill in balancing flavours and textures. Across the board, the meats at The Hinton Arms are a testament to precise cooking and top‑quality sourcing. Whether it’s the beef in the burgers, the pork belly’s tender flakes, or the plumpness of each prawn, every protein is treated with respect and cooked to absolute perfection. Service is equally attentive: knowledgeable staff guide you through the menu, offering wine pairings that complement rather than overpower. In short, The Hinton Arms isn’t just a pub—it’s a destination. From the inviting interiors to the standout burgers, the heavenly pork belly and the artful prawn salad with its creamy avocado, every detail has been thought through. If you’re looking for a dining experience that combines rustic warmth with refined modern cooking, look no further. Highly recommended—5 out of 5.”

“Great pub and the food was great. Proper pie which was delicious. Asparagus and pea linguine was equally tasty. Well priced to. The roast garlic potatoes and bacon mad a lovely small plate.”

“Amazing bar staff that made ordering really fun. A large (ish) group of us went for drinks on the weekend and had an amazing time. Lovely cocktails and a fun indie vibe to the decoration.”

“First time back to The Sam's in 15 years or more. What a transformation from what it was. Great pub, Good sports area. Reasonable priced andFantastic gardens with benches. And of course Freya?. Will definitely be back with the family for a meal”

“Cool! Lively pub with plenty of room to sit with your gang or maybe plot a Tudor uprising. Service was polite and efficient even though it was pretty busy. Barmaid took the time to welcome us and chitchat a bit. The atmosphere and history are pretty real but they don’t live off their reputation it’s still a good pub even without the history. I think my favorite thing was sitting in the second floor balcony looking down on everything.”

“Great little alehouse.Nice to have something different also had wine as my wife isn't a real ale drinker all at a great price was a Sunday and weather was inclement so very quiet inside otherwise probably would have been buzzing.”

“One of my first pub experiences and I have been coming back year upon year. It has changed hands over the years but is a quality boozer. Love the South western.”

“We havelllƙn't been to The Cricketers Inn before, had no views from friends or family and briefly looked at a couple of reviews before booking three adults and two small dogs in for Sunday Lunch. When we got to the pub, we were faced with our first challenge - the car park was packed. Lucky for us, we found the last available slot. We'd been told that our table was in the bar area because of the dogs and, as so often happens. expected to be sat in a 'rougher' part of the pub. Not so here. The location was quiet, spotless, roomy and rather pleasant - as was all areas of the Pub. The service was excellent throughout with friendly, courteous and efficient staff. All that's left is to review the food. I was pleasantly surprised. The pork, which I selected, was loin and not belly as many pubs now serve and the vegetables are served separately. My two fellow diners chose lamb which many pubs have dropped from the menu on cost grounds. All three meals were well presented with generous portions and extremely flavoursome. All three of us (and the dogs) ⁷ùjǰhighly recommend you book your Sunday Lunch at The Cricketers Inn in the near future.”

“This is a great place with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and high-quality, delicious food. I’ve tried several different dishes for both breakfast and dinner, and every time the meals have been excellent and very tasty.”

“I only went to this establishment because my friend Sam works there, and as always his service was amazing. However I stayed and returned for the burgers. The burger sauce they use is honestly the best one I've ever had and it brings the burgers to the next level. I don't live nearby and I spend an unhealthy amount of time thinking about the burgers. The atmosphere and service are 10/10, they're quick and the food gets to you speedy and steaming.”

“Came for a friend’s birthday and did bottomless brunch. Food was wonderful, drinks were amazing and service was even better. Beth made sure the drinks were flowing, absolutely fantastic service, thank you! We had a great day!”

“We had a party here last evening and had the venue to ourselves, was an amazing night! With incredible service and unbelievable food. Definitely would recommend this place to anyone who asks! Thank you guys”

“Had two tomahawk steaks, ribs and a rib eye. Food was fantastic and the staff were very helpful. A great spot for a birthday dinner”

“I had my birthday lunch at La Regata, and it was truly a wonderful experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with beautiful Spanish décor that made the meal feel extra special. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made me feel genuinely celebrated on my birthday. The food was absolutely delicious – every dish was full of flavour, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. The tapas selection was especially impressive, with a great variety to suit all tastes. La Regata exceeded my expectations, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to spend a special occasion. I’ll definitely be coming back – highly recommended!”

“The Alma Inn is a strategically well placed on my bicycle ride to Winchester from Warsash. I had a £8.95 breakfast where you help yourself and can eat as much as you can! Drinks like tea and coffee are extra . The customer service was fantastic especially from Amina who served me. She was very efficient with her lovely customer facing skills and resolved the issue with the till to enable me to use my £15 gift voucher. She took my coffees to my table. The manager was very good as well. Keep up the good work. Only issue is the pub could do with a make over .”

“Have been in here a few times and never left a review so I thought it was time. Great little pub with an above average menu. Dog friendly and seems to be a good mix of locals at the bar and others eating.”

“Best roast ever. Chose the roast lamb and cooked to perfection. Get more than your 5 a day veg served. Can't rate the roast highly enough. Lovely staff, courteous and very professional. A visit is a must.”

“I have been meeting a friend here for lunch once a month for a few months now. The menu is really interesting to look through and lots of great things to choose from. Everything we have eaten at the Salmon Leap has been delicious and we look forward to going back next month. The staff are always welcoming and friendly and the food and the atmosphere are both terrific.”

“I've been visiting this place on and off for 20 years. Always a good time at The London. Relaxed, friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome without judgement, the security staff do a good job of looking out for any potential issues and dealing with things if needed. I'd like to see a greater variety of cask beers but then I'm more of a craft ale drinker and appreciate that's not what the venue is about. The entertainment is always enjoyable and you cannot beat some 80/90s 'Guilty Pleasures'. I've never stayed there or been for food during the day, but have heard positive comments on both.”

“Such a lovely place to come and get lunch /dinner with friends or family. They have a lovely spacious garden and some playing equipment for the kids to enjoy. They also have a lovely Tractor in the garden which you can sit on and enjoy. :) The food was tasty and definitely worth coming for! They also do a wide range of gluten free options which was very good for myself. They also have a kids menu and have good options and the portion sizes are good. I would recommend visiting! ☺️”

“Great experience, great food, and the gentlemen serving effortlessly tag teamed the meal. We split the ploughman, the lamb and mint pie of the day, and the chicken katsu curry. On the pie, while the lamb filling was tasty, it was the tender crunchy crust that stole the show for me. The curry was very flavorful, without being spicy, over crispy fried chicken (comes with thinly sliced hot pepper on top if you want a little kick!) And what can I say about The Duke's ploughman - can confirm it's big! Little bit of everything, mix and match pickled, fresh, creamy, crunchy, soft, savory, salty. Perfect to nosh with a few friends over drinks. Only downside that despite being listed as a sharable, when the server brought it out he didn't give any individual plates and we had to ask. But really that tiny misstep was the worst thing all night. Charming pub, a variety of drinks and food to match.”

“Great pub if you are into Rock and Metal music. Drinks prices are good and it has a large upstairs area with second bar and pool table.”

“This place was recommended by Dany our taxi driver when we mentioned we wanted to go to a pub. I understand why! I had the fish n chips and everything was soooo amazing! Chelsea was so sweet and helpful! I wish we were staying here longer just so I could come here a couple more times”

“Amazing from start to finish! Our waitress,, Elena (not sure I’ve got her name right!) was absolutely delightful, nothing was too much trouble, even clearing up my eggy mess for me!! I had the full breakfast which was cooked to perfection with an apple juice and coffee. 10/10 highly recommended!”

“Went in for my partners birthday, took him for food and drinks and it was fab! Great service, great drinks and recommendations. Was still very quiet when we were in there, I think we were 1 of 3 tables sat down but atmosphere was still good and waiters very friendly! Deffo recommend!”