Pan Asian Plaza brings something a little different to Southampton, combining a standard buffet with Korean BBQ and hotpot dining. While the buffet alone did not quite stand out, the interactive grill and hotpot experience made it a much more interesting option for groups, families, and anyone wanting a more hands-on meal.

Crane Feasts have taken up residency at Mail Room on Oxford Street, serving flatbreads, sliders, cheeky bites and award-winning milkshakes. We visited to see what the hype was about and came away seriously impressed.

Baboo Ji is the kind of place that makes you question whether vegetarian Indian food was ever “missing” anything to begin with. Friendly, comforting and confident in what it does, this Portswood spot delivers flavour without compromise. From standout paneer makhani to a genuinely memorable sizzling brownie, it’s a menu that speaks for itself rather than trying to imitate anything else.

A revisit to Padharo proved exactly what I remembered from my first visit: this is a vegetarian Indian restaurant that never feels like a compromise. From standout chaat and smoky paneer angara to warm hospitality and a menu full of confidence, Padharo continues to show why it’s one of Southampton’s most distinctive curry spots.

The Titanic could easily trade purely on its name and location. Being tied to one of the most famous ships in history gives you an automatic hook, but what makes it work is that it doesn’t rely on that alone. It’s a proper Southampton pub. Warm. Relaxed. Unpretentious. Somewhere you can bring your mates, your parents, or just yourself for a quiet pint and a bite. Sometimes that’s all you need.

We got off to a rocky start when my opening night order vanished into the void, but to their credit The Alex held their hands up and invited me back. I’m glad they did. From huge candied jalapeño chicken tenders to a £20 steak frites that’s hard to beat in the city, the food more than made up for that first hiccup.

The loss of Beards & Boards was felt by many, so when it reopened as The Dirty Barrel serving street food, expectations were naturally high. The venue is small, properly small, so arriving early is key, but it adds to the charm. The menu is tight but well judged, with standout steak strips and excellent wings. A strong first impression, and one that feels very much worth watching.

If you’re craving a little slice of Japan right here in Southampton, Hokkaido might just be your go-to spot. I recently revisited for a friend’s birthday, and it was every bit as good as I remembered. Let’s start with the appetisers. We kicked things off with some chicken karaage, golden, gently fried bites of Japanese fried chicken. They come with a mayonnaise-based sauce that was a nice dipping sauce, although I wish there was more of it. It’s not the absolute best karaage

Bagels. One of the best breakfast foods (in my opinion). A hot topic across the nation (just see how furious the comments are calling for the McDonald's breakfast bagels to return!) I've been quite priviledged in my life to have tried bagels in both New York and Montreal, Barraquito claim to be Montreal bagels and I personally think these are the closest you'll be able to get (in Southampton at least!) I tried two bagels from the winter menu, firstly an Italian Sub bagel. A t

We got invited to try out Drip'd recently, tucked away in Portswood and recently under new management. I truthfully didn't know what to expect from Drip'd but I was pleasantly surprised by just how friendly they were, how much of a vibe the restaurant was and ultimately how good the food was! Firstly we kicked off with the burgers, ensuring we hit one of each category (Beef, Chicken and Veggie) to give them all a fair try. The Drip'd Special has double-smashed Black Angus be

Mama's Kitchen is tucked away between Mettricks and MAST in Guildhall Square, this unassuming doorway leads into a restaurant filled with surprises. The first thing you'll notice is a 10 foot tall Gorilla statue, adorned with a neon sign saying “Feed me and tell me I’m pretty.” It set the tone right away: fun, a little quirky, and definitely not your average Thai restaurant setting. The gorilla in question The staff were quick to bring over complimentary prawn crackers, whic

Walking into Smoke and Pepper in Southampton you immediately get the sense you’re in for something hearty. It’s not a table-service setup – you order at the counter, grab your seat, and before long, hefty plates of food land in front of you. No fuss, no frills, just big portions at really decent prices. You don't often see Lamb in a place like this so their “We Pulled the Lamb” burger caught my eye. It’s stacked with tender smoked lamb neck, tucked into soft potato buns, wi