10 Best Places to Eat in Southampton
Finding somewhere good to eat in Southampton isn’t difficult. Deciding where to go might be.
The city has everything from small independent Italian restaurants and Japanese food to tapas, steak and restaurants overlooking the marina.
If you’re staying in Southampton and wondering where to eat, these are 10 places worth having on your list. These aren’t listed in any particular order, they are just places we recommend eating.
1. Bacaro
Best for: Italian food and sharing plates
Down at Ocean Village, Bacaro is a good choice if you want a relaxed dinner without going too formal.
The menu is Italian-inspired and built around small plates, alongside larger dishes. Its Ocean Village location also means you can combine dinner with a walk around the marina.
It’s particularly good for couples or a group who’d rather order a few things for the table than stick to the usual starter, main and dessert.
Where: Ocean Village
Good for: Date night, groups, Italian food
Price: ££–£££
2. Hokkaido Japanese & Ramen
Best for: Japanese food
If ramen, sushi and Japanese food sound more appealing than another burger or pizza, try Hokkaido on Above Bar Street.
It’s right in central Southampton and is handy if you’ve been shopping, visiting the Cultural Quarter or simply don’t want to travel far for dinner.
Where: Above Bar Street
Good for: Ramen, Japanese food, casual dinner
Price: ££
3. La Regata
Best for: Spanish food and tapas
La Regata has been serving Spanish food at Town Quay for years and is one of Southampton’s better-known independent restaurants.
Expect tapas and traditional Spanish dishes in a location that makes sense for a port city: right down by the waterfront.
Order several plates for the table and make an evening of it.
Where: Town Quay
Good for: Tapas, couples, sharing food
Price: ££
4. Max’s Brasserie
Best for: A proper Italian dinner
Max’s is an independent Italian restaurant on Commercial Road, close to the Mayflower Theatre.
This is the sort of place we’d choose when you want dinner to be part of the evening rather than simply somewhere to grab something quickly.
It’s also a handy choice if you’re going to a show at the Mayflower.
Where: Commercial Road
Good for: Italian food, pre-theatre dinner, couples
Price: ££–£££
5. Piccolo Mondo
Best for: Traditional Italian
Southampton isn’t short of Italian restaurants, but Piccolo Mondo has something many newer restaurants don’t: history.
The restaurant dates back to 1969 and serves traditional Italian food from its home on Windsor Terrace.
If you’re after a traditional neighbourhood Italian rather than a big restaurant chain, put this one on the shortlist.
Where: Windsor Terrace
Good for: Traditional Italian, relaxed dinners
Price: ££
6. Soleto Bistro
Best for: Dinner before the theatre
Soleto Bistro is another good independent option on Commercial Road.
Its location opposite the Mayflower Theatre makes it particularly useful if you’ve got tickets for a show and want somewhere nearby for dinner beforehand.
It serves Italian food in a small bistro setting and is one to consider if you’d prefer an independent restaurant to the bigger names around Westquay.
Where: Commercial Road
Good for: Pre-theatre dinner, Italian food, couples
Price: ££–£££
7. Figurati
Best for: Dinner at Ocean Village
Figurati is another Ocean Village option and works well when you want a slightly smarter evening by the marina.
Its location is a big part of the appeal. Have dinner, then walk around Ocean Village afterwards rather than heading straight back.
It’s a good option for a date night or a more leisurely dinner if you’re spending the weekend in Southampton.
Where: Ocean Village
Good for: Date night, dinner with friends, marina location
Price: ££–£££
8. Shanghai 1814
Best for: Chinese food
Shanghai 1814 is on Southampton High Street, making it an easy option if you’re staying or spending the evening in the city centre.
The restaurant specialises in Chinese and Shanghainese food and has a smarter feel than your typical casual Chinese restaurant.
It’s a good one to know about when you’re looking for something a little different for dinner.
Where: High Street
Good for: Chinese food, groups, dinner
Price: ££–£££
9. Porters Steakhouse
Best for: Steak
Sometimes you don’t want small plates or an elaborate menu. You want a decent steak.
Porters Steakhouse sits on Queen’s Terrace, close to Southampton’s Old Town and waterfront.
As the name suggests, steak is the reason to come. It works particularly well for dinner after spending the afternoon exploring the Old Town or down towards Town Quay.
Where: Queen’s Terrace
Good for: Steak, dinner with friends, couples
Price: ££–£££
10. NOSH Restaurant
Best for: Good food without spending a fortune
NOSH is a Mediterranean restaurant on Onslow Road and is one of the more affordable options on this list.
It’s useful to know about if you want a proper meal without turning dinner into the biggest expense of your day.
It also stays open late, which can make it handy for guests arriving in Southampton later in the evening.
Where: Onslow Road
Good for: Mediterranean food, value, late dinner
Price: £–££
Where should you eat in Southampton?
If you’re not sure where to start, think about which part of Southampton you’re going to be in.
Ocean Village is a good choice when you want dinner by the marina. Bacaro and Figurati are two options on this list.
Oxford Street and the Old Town have a good concentration of restaurants and bars and are worth exploring if you want to choose somewhere as you walk.
Commercial Road is particularly handy before or after a show at the Mayflower Theatre, with Max’s Brasserie and Soleto Bistro nearby.
Westquay and the city centre give you the biggest choice, including plenty of familiar restaurant names if you’re travelling with children or a group where everyone wants something different.
Where to eat near Southampton waterfront
If you’re visiting Southampton for the first time, we’d make at least one meal a waterfront one.
Ocean Village has the marina, restaurants and bars all together, so it’s an easy place to spend an evening. Bacaro and Figurati are two good choices there.
Town Quay puts you closer to Southampton’s historic waterfront and Old Town. La Regata is right at Town Quay, so you can explore the old city before dinner.
Eating in Southampton with children
You don’t need to make every meal an event.
Southampton city centre and Westquay have plenty of familiar family-friendly restaurants, which can be easier when you’ve got younger children with you.
For something independent, look for places serving pizza, pasta, burgers or sharing dishes where everyone can find something they like.
If you’re staying at Settle in one of our studios or apartment, you’ve also got self-catering facilities, so you don’t have to eat out for every meal.
Staying in Southampton?
Good food is only part of the reason to explore the city.
Southampton’s Old Town, waterfront, Westquay, Cultural Quarter and parks are all within the wider city centre, and there are plenty more restaurants, pubs and cafés beyond the ten we’ve picked here.
If you’re staying for a night, a weekend or a few weeks, Settle Southampton gives you a comfortable base with a choice of rooms, studios and a two-bedroom apartment.
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