Southampton – home to heaps of history, captivating culture and maritime memories. Whether you’re visiting before a cruise, enjoying a weekend getaway, or looking for a memorable dining experience as a local, the choice of best restaurants in Southampton is impressive.
From fine dining and stylish gastropubs to independent gems and global flavours, Southampton offers something for everyone. In this guide, we highlight the best restaurants in Southampton for all occasions, showcasing the city’s culinary diversity and must-visit dining spots.
Best restaurants in Southampton: your complete guide
Whether it’s affordable pizza you’re after or an upmarket brasserie, Southampton’s restaurants suit every taste.
Dancing Man Brewery
Ocean Village has several of Southampton’s best restaurants all in one convenient location. One of those restaurants is Dancing Man Brewery.
Part old English brewpub, part Deep South eatery, Dancing Man Brewery holds the title of ‘Best Pub in Southampton’ thanks to an array of modern hoppy and traditionally inspired ales.
The drinks are only half of the appeal though, with themed menus that change twice a year featuring all sorts of indulgent treats. Whether you’re a fan of brews or tasty bites, it’s well worth a visit.
Ennio’s
If it’s upper crust Italian dining you’re after, Ennio’s is another of Southampton’s restaurants that is undoubtedly one of the best in the city. Facing directly onto the waterfront, the menu offers everything from delicious antipasti to perfect pasta. Given the location, the main speciality is a beautiful array of seafood.
Even better, Ennio’s doubles up as a boutique hotel, with 10 5-star rooms situated directly above the restaurant.
Piecaramba!
You don’t have to spend big to enjoy some of the city’s best grub. Piecaramba! is one of the most unique restaurants in Southampton city centre, serving up delicious pie and mash combos in a setting inspired by comic books. As per the owners, Piecaramba! intends to “reinvent” the world of pie and mash.
If you’re having a lazy day at the hotel, you can also get their pies delivered too.
Café Thrive
Vegans rejoice! Café Thrive offers up an entirely plant-based menu at an affordable rate. The company tagline is the belief that “good food shouldn’t cost the earth”.
As for what’s on that menu, you’ll find plenty of nutritious salad options, meat-free burgers and loaded fries, while to drink you can enjoy an organic smoothie or dairy-free milkshake. A great place to drop into during the day for lunch while you explore the city.
It’s a Pizza Thing
No list of the best restaurants in Southampton would be complete without instructions on where to find the best pizza in town. That honour goes to It’s a Pizza Thing – an independent eatery that started as a mobile pizza truck with a wood-fired oven but now has an indoor space.
If you need an endorsement of how good this place is, you simply need to look online at the reviews. Whether you’re on Tripadvisor, Google Reviews or any other site, It’s a Pizza Thing carries universal 5-star approval for its great food and equally attentive service.
Visiting Southampton? Get there with Southern
Southampton’s dining scene is varied, exciting, and always evolving. Whether you’re after a Michelin-worthy experience, a relaxed gastropub meal, or flavours from around the world, the city has it all. Use this guide to plan your next meal and discover why the best restaurants in Southampton are earning attention far beyond the south coast.
With plenty of great restaurants in and around Southampton, the food scene in this part of the south adds to what is already a great weekend break location. As for getting there, hop on one of the many trains to Southampton running daily from all parts of the UK. Accessible, hassle-free and cost-effective for all the family, book your tickets today with Southern.