Best restaurants in the New Forest

This quaint thatched cottage is home of Rose and Thistle, a quintessentially British pub with wooden beams, carved benches and cosy log fires in the winter. Expect classics like New Forest venison pie, Welsh rarebit and seasonal crumble.

The Old Mill lends itself as the perfect spot for al fresco dining and drinking with this riverside location boasting a terrace large enough for 200 people. For food, think pub classics like beer battered south coast haddock, and pork chops with colcannon.

Bringing a slice of France to The New Forest, La Blaireau offers up traditional French classics in an exciting, and contemporary way. Think beef bourguignon with ox cheek and souffle with Roquefort and toasted walnuts. And of course, plenty of delicious wines.

Bringing a more laid back approach to dining at Chewton Glen, The Kitchen is run by TV Chef James Martin who’s curated a menu full of fan-favourites. Think moules mariniére, battered fish and chips, and spicy n’duja wood-fired pizza.

Offering a tasting, a la carte and afternoon tea menu,The Dining Room at Chewton Glen brings everything from the classically English, to the more cosmopolitan options. As for the ingredients, they’ve travelled less than 100 yards from its own kitchen garden.

Sat on the water's edge in Christchurch, The Jetty focuses on showcasing the best seafood from the area. With its floor to ceiling windows and large terrace, you’re treated to an unrestricted view of the harbour, perfect for watching the sun set with a glass of wine.

Being a brainchild of Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder, you know you’re in good hands with the Italian inspired menu at Hartnett Holder & Co. This is a relaxed and stylish restaurant that’s been credited for putting Lyndhurst on the food map.

Fish is the star of the show at Verveine, with its own in-house fishmongers to showcase all of the best produce straight off the boats. The food here is creative, thoughtful, and served in a relaxed and informal setting.

The Terrace creates an ever-changing menu based on what’s available in the kitchen garden, and from local suppliers in the surrounding areas of The New Forest, Hampshire and Dorset. Each dish has been expertly curated and executed with finesse at this Michelin Star restaurant.

If you’re going to trust anywhere to pour your 5 o’clock pint, it’s a pub with a brewery on site. Monkey Brewhouse makes its own selection of beers that go perfectly with the food, like venison and smoked bacon pie, and west country beef burger.

When the brains behind The Pig also founded Lime Wood, Hotel Du Vin and Soho House, you know you’re in for a treat. Committed to a 25 mile menu, produce here is found within the kitchen garden and surrounding area through foraging and a network of local suppliers. This lives up to its reputation as a superb countryside escape.

Sat on the cobbled streets of Lymington, Elderflower Restaurant offers an ever-changing menu which varies in relation to the produce available on the day. Whilst the cosy and inviting interior could have you mistaken for thinking you’re at a friend's for dinner, the food will quickly remind you you’re in for something special. 

This charming countryside pub is renowned by locals and visitors alike for its first class menu, serving customer favourites such as steak, mushroom and ale pie, confit goose leg, and even vegan fish and chips.

Come in from a trip across The Solent, or simply arrive by car like the rest of us. Either way you’ll want to make your way to The Haven for fresh seafood, locally sourced booze, and breathtaking sea views.