Food & Drink and Places to Eat in The New Forest

Here in The New Forest we are proud of our strong tradition for local produce and particularly our food and drink. Whether you are a keen foodie or simply love to enjoy a meal out, there is a real wealth of choice on offer to you…

Enjoy a variety of cuisines including traditional English fare, Italian, Thai, seafood specialities and French dishes.

Fresh, local produce
 

Take a piece of The New Forest home with you by buying some of our fresh, local produce from one of our regular farmers’ markets, or from our town markets held across the New Forest at Hythe, New Milton, Lymington and Ringwood.

Sample our locally made cheeses and dairy products at farm shops, such as Hockey’s Farm, or visit local suppliers as part of Hampshire Fare’s open days. Our local farm shops are also on hand to offer local meats, homemade breads and cakes and locally produced drinks and treats. Some of our farm shops also have on-site cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy light lunches or a spot of tea and cake.

Taste the fine ales from our micro breweries at Downton, Lymington and Linwood or from the popular Ringwood Brewery on one of their regular brewery tours. Enjoy the wines of New Forest-based Setley Vineyard, between Brockenhurst and Lymington.

Many of the pubs in the New Forest, and also restaurants, feature local produce as part of their daily menus. Be sure to look out for the New Forest Marque when browsing our listings or when visiting places. This marque indicates that the produce used has been sourced locally and sustainably or grown by certain criteria within the New Forest area.

Local food and drink can also be sampled and bought from the stalls and food tents that form part of the annual New Forest & Hampshire County Show in Brockenhurst or at the Lymington Seafood Festival in August. You can also celebrate our wonderful food and drink with us during our New Forest Food and Drink Fortnight. The next Fortnight will be in autumn 2020, so make sure you keep an eye out for exciting updates about mouth-watering events you can't miss. 

Award-winning dining in our pubs and restaurants
 

From award-winning dining at The Montagu Arms, through to five star dining at Chewton Glen, there are a wide range of pubs and restaurants in the New Forest that will offer you an award-winning experience.

Many of our restaurants offer an AA rosette (and even two or three) and again, fresh, local produce is often high on the menu. Look out for local specialities including venison and pannage pork or the garden to plate offering at The Pig Rooms and Garden Food.

Did you know that some of our hotel restaurants also have close connections with some fantastic celebrity chefs, including James Martin? James, and other celebrity chefs often take part in cookery demonstrations at Chewton Glen, near New Milton.

Fine dining and tasty dishes
 

Our restaurants in the New Forest offer a wide-range of dining options to suit all manner of palettes whether you are looking for a romantic meal for two of for a group of people. There are also private dining options available at some of our luxury hotels including Lime Wood, Chewton Glen, Careys Manor and Rhinefield House Hotel.

Look out for themed food and drink evenings at some of our hotel restaurants throughout the year where you can sample certain styles of cuisine, watch cookery demonstrations or perhaps enjoy some gin, whiskey or wine tasting.

Cafes, tea rooms and afternoon tea
 

For a more relaxed dining experience, why not rest your weary feet in one of the cafes or tea rooms in the New Forest? You will find cafes and tea rooms dotted around most of our larger towns and villages including quaint historic buildings through to seaside locations offering spectacular views over the coastline. Many of our cafes and tea rooms also have areas with outdoor seating, perfect for a sunny day in the forest!

Afternoon tea is a popular choice for both visitors and locals alike and there are several places within The New Forest where you can indulge in a pot of tea, finely cut sandwiches and some scones. Lighter options include cream teas (again on offer in many of our tea rooms) or perhaps you want to ‘upgrade’ your afternoon tea by combining it with some fizz? Several of the New Forest hotels which offer afternoon tea give this as an added extra for guests and visitors.

Muddy boots and dogs are also welcomed at most of our cafes and tea rooms which are geared up for the active visitors. So stop by for a light lunch after a morning’s walk, or perhaps a nice slice of homemade cake after a bike ride through the forest, you will be spoilt for choice!

Take all of the family out
 

Are you coming to the New Forest with the whole family and are looking for the perfect family-friendly places to dine whilst you’re here? Well, luckily there are loads of delicious places to choose from! Take a browse through our listings for places to eat that have gardens with play areas or that offer children’s menus, perfect for those with smaller appetites. Be sure to also check out anywhere offering the tasty New Forest ice cream on the pudding menu!

What about the dog, you ask? No worries, – many of our pubs and cafes in the New Forest are extremely dog friendly as well. Some of our food and drink establishments even have pots of doggy treats on the bar and water bowls for the dogs and at Buckler’s Hard, dogs staying overnight with their owners at the Master Builder’s House Hotel can sample treats from the specific dog menu!

Special offers on New Forest Food & Drink
 

Before visiting the New Forest, we recommend you purchase one of our Go New Forest Cards for just £10. The card gives you access to nearly 400 special offers and discounts many in restaurants, tea rooms, farm shops and cafes across The New Forest, helping you to save lots of money on your stay here. You’ll soon be reaping the rewards of buying the card.

You can also check out some special offers that our hotels, restaurants and pubs are offering visitors to this website! Keep checking back as well as offers are regularly added.