New Forest Restaurants and Dining

(New Forest, Hampshire, England, UK)



Photo of waterfront pub at LymingtonPubs, inns and hotels tend to be the best dining options in the New Forest, although there are a number of cafes, bakeries, cheap eateries and further restaurants in the main towns. In the Lyndhurst area of the New Forest, the Balmer Lawn Hotel is home to the rather special Beresford's Restaurant, which boasts a large terrace area and an AA rosette, awarded for fine dining.

Close to Lyndhurst and at Brook is Briscoe's Restaurant at the Bell Inn, which is another popular dining venue with an AA rosette. Here, seasonal New Forest / Hampshire produce is beautifully cooked and presented with meticulous attention to detail, with favourite choices being pan-fried pigeon breast and pink sea bream. Al fresco dining is available in the garden at Briscoe's, where tables are shaded by thatched parasols.


Further view of Lymington

Where to Eat

Both the Beresford's and Briscoe's restaurants are certainly excellent choices for a memorable meal, although they are a little on the pricey side for some, particularly if you are a family holidaying in the New Forest.

Cheaper dining establishments include the Beaulieu Road Inn at Beaulieu, the New Forest Inn at Lyndhurst, the Filly Inn at Brockenhurst, and the White Buck Inn at Burley.

Picture of traditional thatched inn at RingwoodAll of these pubs provide hearty meals, tempting blackboards and simple, tasty pub grub, such as fish and chips, steaks, bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potato), steak and kidney puddings, traditional ploughman's lunches and excellent roast dinners each Sunday.

If you are feeling terribly English, then an afternoon tea may be up your street. There are plenty of reliable tea rooms around the New Forest, serving freshly baked scones, with lashings of strawberry jam and clotted cream. The Station House at Holmsley is known for its mouthwatering afternoon teas, as is the Little Mere Restaurant at North Gorley, the Forest Tea House at Burley, and the Old School House at Lymington.