Top 20 Restaurants In Southampton

Southampton was once seen as the gateway to somewhere, anywhere else. The options for eating out are myriad, from wood-fired pizza to swanky French dishes using the very best local ingredients. And that’s not forgetting amazing Mauritian dishes from a Masterchef champ and pubs serving food that puts your average boozer in the shade. This is our pick of the top 20 restaurants in Southampton right now.

1. Cosmo

Price Range: ££ - £££
Location: Westquay

Cosmo buffet, located at The New West Quay, offers a wide variety of cuisines at reasonable prices and is regarded as one of the top restaurants in Southampton. Cosmo's menu has something for everyone, from popular European dishes to exotic Mongolian cuisine.

2. Sakura

Price Range: ££ - £££
Location: 20 Bedford Pl, Southampton SO15 2DB

Do you want some Spicy Japanese Ramen or an eclectic mix of Sushi? Sakura has your back. This Japanese restaurant in Southampton is located at The Bedford Place, about 15 minutes from the main High Field campus, and offers a variety of authentic Japanese dishes at reasonable prices.

3. The Tram Stop 

Price Range: ££
Location: 36 Windsor Terrace, Southampton SO14 7SL

Another newly opened gem of a restaurant in Southampton is The Tram Stop, which is located in Portswood and serves an abundance of signature British/European dishes with delightful twists. Chicken/Prawn/Beef Burgers with Sweet Potato Chips and Coleslaw are popular.

4. UniKebab

Price Range: £
Location: 190 Burgess Rd, Southampton SO16 3AY

UniKebab, possibly the best restaurant in Southampton is located on Burgess Road, close to the Highfield Campus and continuously serves delicious Turkish food at reasonable prices. Unikebab serves a variety of delicious filling dishes, including the traditional chicken/lamb shish kebab and fusion dishes such as Arabian-style Calzones and Pizzas.

5. The Real Greek

Price Range: £
Location: Westquay Shopping Centre South, Southampton SO15 1DE

The Real Greek restaurant in Southampton, which recently opened at The New West Quay, serves a variety of signature Greek dishes. Whether you want a quick bite in a Souvlaki wrap or a three-course Greek pita-dip platter, this restaurant's lively atmosphere and quality food never disappoint.

6. Piccolo Mondo

Price Range: ££
Location: 36 Windsor Terrace, Southampton SO14 7SL

Located in the city-centre, right opposite the Civic Centre, Picolo Mondo is one of the finest Italian restaurants in Southampton. Range of pizzas and pastas coupled with signature Italian coffee make for a perfect Italian meal. Additionally, the traditional Italian desserts on offer here such as Tiramisu and Cassata are a must-try! 

7. Soleto Bistro

Price Range: ££
Location: 11 Commercial Rd, Southampton SO15 1GF

As soon as you walk into Soleto, you'll feel like you've been transported to a quaint and classy Italian bistro. The restaurant has an inviting and intimate atmosphere that will make you feel right at home. But don't let the classic bistro setting fool you - the menu has a modern twist on old classics, with new flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're in the mood for pasta, pizza, salad, meat, or fish, this little restaurant in Southampton has something on the menu for everyone to enjoy. 

8. BayLeaf Kitchen

Price Range: ££ - £££
Location: 56 High St, Southampton SO14 2NS

BayLeaf Kitchen is the best Indian restaurant in Southampton. Many people in Southampton come from the Indian subcontinent, and we have many restaurants and takeaways that could contest this title. But BayLeaf Kitchen brings traditional Indian cuisine to the 21st century with fresh, flavorful ingredients. It is also a great place to eat if you are vegetarian or vegan. And if you want to understand the quality of their food, please order a korma.

9. Smugglers

Price Range: ££
Location: 16 Carlton Pl, Southampton SO15 2D

Smugglers Bar and Restaurant is the perfect example of a gastropub in the UK. It has modern, sleek furniture and decor mixed with a classic pub setting. This creates a fresh, young vibe that is perfect for independent and locally-owned businesses in Bedford Place, which is the lesser-known foodie heaven restaurant in Southampton. One of the best features of Smugglers is their beer garden, which is a favourite for families and groups.

10. Ottoman Kitchen

Price Range: ££ - £££
Location: 36-37 High St, Southampton SO14 2DF

Ottoman Kitchen was named the Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in the United Kingdom (2019). It feels like a very classy place to eat because of the modern interior and glamorous exterior. But don't be fooled: the atmosphere is very relaxed. You can wear jeans and not feel out of place! Furthermore, this restaurant in Southampton has a great outdoor dining area and frequently hosts live music, making it a very cool and friendly place to eat.

11. Lakaz Maman

Price Range: £ - ££
Location: 22 Bedford Pl, Southampton SO15 2DB

Lakaz Maman is another starred and classic restaurant in Southampton.This small restaurant is owned and operated by Shelina Permalloo, a MasterChef (2012) winner, and had to be included on this list of the best restaurants in Southampton. They specialise in Mauritian street food and offer both dine-in and take-out options. Lakaz Maman's entire concept is to enjoy delicious, carefree, flavorful food in a very relaxed and chilled environment, just like you're vacationing in Mauritius itself.

12. Beity

Price Range: £ - ££
Location: 123 - 124 High St, Southampton SO14 2AA

Beity, which in Arabic means "my home," conveys the exact same emotion. The family-run restaurant in Southampton offers traditional Lebanese cuisine made with real recipes and top-quality ingredients. The falafel and humus beiruty are two of the many meze (starters) that students can eat here for lunch, among a wide variety of other options. Their flavours will make you appreciate these two Mediterranean staples in a whole new way!

13. Ennois

Price Range: £ - ££
Location: Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2AR

This 100-seater restaurant in Southampton is nestled into the old city walls and is located on the ground floor of a Victorian warehouse. Ennois serves a fine selection of delectable Italian cuisine. They have a lunch, Sunday lunch, and main menu option. If you like pasta, we recommend the Spaghetti Lobster, which is made with half a poached lobster, spring onion, chilli, garlic, and parsley.

14. Coriander Lounge

Price Range: ££ - £££
Location: 130-131 High St, Southampton SO14 2BR

If you love Indian food and are looking for a place to eat in Southampton, put your search to an immediate stop and visit the Coriander Lounge, which is situated on the busy Southampton High Street. They have a great selection of popular Indian dishes as well as some unusual ones. The Coriander Lounge's management opened this restaurant in Southampton to restore the authenticity of Indian cuisine, and they have certainly succeeded!

15. Blue Jasmine

Price Range: £££ - ££££
Location: Unit 3-4, Alexandra Wharf, Maritime Walk, Ocean Way, Southampton SO14 3QS

Blue Jasmine, located on the waterfront, is next on our list of top restaurants in Southampton. This luxurious restaurant serves some of the most delicious Asian fine dining dishes. If you want to come here for a treat during the day, they have a special lunch set menu as well as a fantastic main menu. Their roots are in the diverse South East Asian cuisine served by a team of highly skilled chefs.

16. Oxford Brasserie

Price Range: £ - ££
Location: 33-34 Oxford St, Southampton SO14 3DS

The Oxford Brasserie is a renowned restaurant in Southampton that you simply must try when deciding where to eat. There are some fantastic options for you to try, and this spot is located on the idyllic Oxford Street. They offer a wide variety of small plates and starters to pique your interest, as well as some outstanding main courses that will fill you up and satisfy your cravings.

17. POPSI’S

Price Range: £ - ££
Location: 80 Bedford Pl, Southampton SO15 2DF

Everyone enjoys pizza, and where better to try it than POPSI'S in Southampton? Their success is due to home-matured dough that contains no additives, chemicals, or preservatives. They have a fantastic selection of meat, vegetarian, and vegan pizzas, so there is something for everyone. POPSI'S, located on Bedford Place, is an intimate yet casual dining restaurant in Southampton, with a takeaway option if you prefer to stay inside.

18. Dhaba 59

Price Range: £ - ££
Location: 59 Lodge Rd, Southampton SO14 6RH

Do you want some street food? With amazing dishes available that are sure to please your palate, Dhaba 59 pays homage to the street food stalls found all over India. If you don't want a big meal, this restaurant in Southampton has some great smaller tapas dishes on offer, allowing you to try a few different dishes at once. The Goan Prawn Curry, which consists of juicy king prawns cooked in a tomato and coconut sauce, is especially delicious.

19. The Rockstone

Price Range: £ - ££
Location: 63 Onslow Rd, Bevois Valley, Southampton SO14 0JL

If you're looking for delicious burgers and awesome craft beer, look no further than The Rockstone! Just up the road from 7 Bone Burger Co, The Rockstone serves up massive burgers that will definitely satisfy your hunger. And with a great selection of craft beers on tap, you're sure to find the perfect drink to wash down your burger with! With friendly bar staff, board games and a cool old pub relaxed vibe, this is a great restaurant in Southampton for a weekday evening.

20. The Pig In The Wall

Price Range: £££ - ££££
Location: 8 Western Esplanade, Southampton SO14 2AZ

From noon to 8 p.m., the simple food at The Pig In The Wall outpost of the New Forest's lovely Pig Hotel is served - so spend the day pigging out on air-dried lomo, garlic sausage rolls, or chorizo on sourdough (with Isle of Wight tomatoes, naturally) at this restaurant in Southampton. Instead of the typical menu you can try a plate of hot-smoked chalk stream trout or some cheese.

We have done our research and picked some of the best restaurants that Southampton has to offer. Whether you fancy something Italian, Spanish, Caribbean, Indian or even a burger we have got you covered. Southampton is one of the most popular places in the UK for tourists to visit, so we hope you enjoyed our article about the top 20 restaurants in Southampton.