Hidden beneath Edo Asia, Yang Guo Fu brings something a little different to Southampton: build-your-own malatang bowls, where you choose your ingredients, pick a broth, and let the kitchen bring it all together.

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.

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.

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