Restaurants in the New Forest and Hampshire

There are many restaurants in the New forest. Here in The New Forest, we’re one of the UK’s best-kept foodie secrets. But word’s getting out – and it’s no wonder!

Whether it’s 5 star dining, or garden-to-plate seasonal dishes influenced by the forest and coast, there is a lot of choice no matter what your preferred cuisine or budget.

Seasonal dishes and local produce
 

Lots of our restaurants and eateries are proud to carry the New Forest Marque, indicating that the produce they use has been sourced locally and sustainably, helping to support the local economy. Look out for this symbol on the entries below.

Many of our restaurants and eating places make full use of the New Forest’s natural larder, using fish, meat and game from within our borders as well as locally-grown and seasonal vegetables. You may even find meals accompanied by locally-produced English wine or a pint of ale brewed at the New Forest’s Ringwood Brewery.

Look out for local specialities, such as the pork from our unique, roaming Pannage pigs. These pigs are released into the Forest during autumn to eat acorns and nuts that are poisonous to our New Forest ponies and other cattle.

Award-winning dining
 

The Montagu Arms, in Beaulieu is home to many an award and was recommended in the Good Food Guide 2018. Much of the food for the dishes on offer comes straight from the restaurant’s organic New Forest kitchen garden.

With three AA rosettes, Lime Wood hotel has the relaxed, yet stylish Hartnett and Holder restaurant. Expect a menu of Italian-influenced dishes using lots of locally sourced produce, they define their style as ‘fun dining, not fine dining’.

Also with three AA rosettes is Le Blaireau at the Careys Manor Hotel and SenSpa, Brockenhurst. Sample some of the best French cuisine in Hampshire paired up with the perfect French wines in the beautiful surroundings of the hotel.

The Pig Rooms and Garden Food at The Pig Hotel, just outside Brockenhurst has taken locally-sourced food to the next level. There is a 15 mile menu where 95% of fresh ingredients are sourced from the local area. The menu on offer here can change by the minute depending on what is available in the kitchen garden or what the forager has found. It’s no wonder this restaurant has two AA rosettes to its name!

Live the life of luxury at the 5* Chewton Glen’s ‘The Dining Room’ or enjoy the more relaxed vibe at ‘The Kitchen’ at Chewton Glen, where the à la carte menu features wood-fired pizzas, gourmet burgers, superfood salads and much more.

You will also find restaurants with other awards, dotted around The New Forest. Just look at each of their entries for details or use the search box on this page to discover restaurants in the area you are staying.

Types of food on offer in the New Forest
 

Enjoy Mediterranean-inspired food cooked in the stone-bake, wood-fired oven at Burley Manor, here you will also find a chef’s table where you can watch the food being prepared for you right in front of your eyes.

For authentic Italian cuisine head to Enzee Ristorante and Pizzeria in Brockenhurst. There’s even live music to accompany your meal on a Thursday night plus the restaurant is in the heart of the village, perfect for arriving by train or a short stroll from nearby accommodation.

Another delicious Italian restaurant is Ray's Italian Kitchen in Milford on Sea. Ray's Italian Kitchen offers carefully selected dishes, including some classic Italian cuisine, and there is also the option of a 'Small Plate' grazing menu for sharing.

Go Al Fresco on the terrace at the 2 AA Rosette Awarded Beresfords Restaurant at Balmer Lawn Hotel. Enjoy some fantastic food at this stylish restaurant, perhaps combine the experience with fine wines from some of the best wineries world wide.

If you have a group or family occasion then why not try out The Scullery, a private dining space managed by Lime Wood? The Scullery can seat 52 people for private dining and is set in the style of an 18th century country house kitchen with a cosy open fireplace. A perfect space for a celebration!

Traditional dishes capturing the nature of the New Forest are what’s on offer at Careys Manor Hotel and SenSpa’s main restaurant, Cambium or sample the exotic Thai flavours in the hotel’s Zen Garden Restaurant. There are plenty of options for dining at this luxurious spa hotel.

Fresh, seasonal ingredients make up a lot of the traditional cuisine at the Hunter’s Restaurant at Bartley Lodge Hotel in Lyndhurst and British classics that are full of flavour make up dishes at Forest Lodge Hotel. At Moorhill House Hotel, seasonality and only the finest produce go into the dishes on offer.

The Drift Inn at the Beaulieu Hotel offers a fresh take on traditional and familiar pub classics in relaxed and informal surroundings. Enjoy Sunday roasts and other traditional British fare, with many of the ingredients sourced locally.

At the Stag restaurant at New Park Manor, families can expect a relaxed atmosphere with super family-friendly service and menus in this very child-friendly hotel. In the evenings, the restaurant is the epitome of fine dining serving local produce such as wild mushrooms and venison reared here in the New Forest plus herbs hand-picked from the hotel’s gardens.

The Master Builder’s House Hotel in Buckler’s Hard offers formal dining in the hotel’s Riverview restaurant (with stunning views over the Beaulieu River) or more informal meals in the Yachtsman’s Bar and Gardens. Why not relax over a light snack whilst watching boats sail by on the river or cosy up in front of an open fire within the bar?

If you fancy fish and chips or perhaps the kind of artisan and craft dishes you thought were only available in London, let us tempt you with our many restaurants. Take a look at the various restaurants that can be found in the New Forest in the listings below, you will find traditional English, Thai, Indian, French, Italian and Chinese cuisine as well as much more. If you know the area that you are staying in why not use the search box on this page to find restaurants close to where you will be, or if there’s a specific type of cuisine that you are looking for then you can use the search box that way as well.

Save money on eating out in The New Forest
 

Buy a Go New Forest Card for just £10 and save lots of money off dining for up to 4 people at restaurants throughout the Forest. These money saving discounts are available at restaurants, cafés and other eating establishments as well as off places to stay, attractions and shopping. Find out more details here.