Southampton is a city of beauty and culinary tradition. From fish dishes to desserts, from 100% British recipes to Italian, Spanish and Oriental influences. Sitting comfortably at the table of any restaurant in Southampton will prove to be a stimulating experience, and not only for our palate! Let's discover together which are the ten most popular dishes of the English city, those dishes that we can never, ever do without.
1 - Fried Fish
Fresh, very fresh, just caught: Southampton fish (also known as fried lake bass) is breaded and fried, served piping hot and eaten immediately!
Recommended for: (e.g. lunch, dinner, breakfast, snack, anytime)
Average cost: €5.40
Main ingredients: fish (various types), eggs, breadcrumbs, oil for frying
2 - Hamburgers
Agreed, it's not exactly the city's most iconic dish, but in Southampton even the burger is serious business to be handled with care. In the British city's eateries, there are numerous variations of the king of junk food, a perfect blend of classic minced meat, peanut butter and other delicious British-derived ingredients.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: from €10.00
Main ingredients: bacon, hamburger, cheese, peanut butter
3 - Maple Sundae
During your stay in the county town of Hampshire you can't help but treat yourself to a moment of endless sweetness with the maple sundae, luxurious ice cream served in a crunchy waffle and 'washed down' with maple syrup.
Recommended: as a snack
Average cost: €5.74
Main ingredients: maple syrup, crispy waffle, ice cream
4 - Omelette
Southampton is known for producing some of the besteggs in Britain, which are mainly used in cooking to make omelettes. Again, the influence of European (French in this case) or international gastronomy is very high; local chefs, however, are very good at revisiting recipes from local and non-local traditions, giving the dishes a personal touch.
Recommended for: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Average cost: €6.90
Main ingredients: eggs, cheese, bacon
5 - Steamed clams
Cooked healthily and accompanied by a delicious melted butter sauce, steamed clams are one of the most popular fish dishes in Southampton.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: clams, melted butter
6 - Lobster Roll
A novel way to enjoylobster, much more convenient and perhaps less chic, but no less delicious. American influences return to the kitchens of Southampton with the lobster roll, a lobster roll stuffed with butter, herbs and spices, to be served hot or cold, according to tradition.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €11.80
Main ingredients: bread, lobster (flesh), chives, butter
7 - Garlic Bread
One of the cornerstones of British cuisine isgarlic bread. This is, of course, bread flavoured with garlic, butter and herbs: excellent as an aperitif, starter or as an accompaniment to meat and fish dishes.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €4.00
Main ingredients: garlic, bread, butter
8 - Pancakes
Never, ever say no to a portion of soft, delicious pancakes, drizzled with a cascade of maple syrup! A sweet charge for a typically English breakfast, this delicious dessert can be eaten at any time of day, as a snack or even as a midnight snack.
Recommended for: breakfast, snack
Average cost: €9.00 (a portion of 6 pancakes)
Main ingredients: eggs, butter, milk, maple syrup
9 - Mussels Marinara
Southampton's seafood staple is mussels marinara, with the inevitable garlic, white wine and cream sauce.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €7.90
Main ingredients: mussels, white wine, garlic
10 - Jacket Potato
Known as jacket potatoes in Italy, jacket potatoes are a must in English cuisine. Served with any side dish, steaming hot and delicious, jacket potatoes are a versatile, hearty and delicious vegetable dish.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: from €7.50
Main ingredients: potatoes, cheese, beans
Where to eat in Southampton: best restaurants, pubs and street food
Like all English cities, Southampton has no real culinary tradition or typical dish.
Among the best known foods, you will certainly find the famous fish & chips, an iconic dish of British cuisine.
But it has a special feature: it is an important port city, which bases its life on world trade and commerce. This characteristic, and the continuous influence of other cultures, has also spilled over into the cuisine: here you will find restaurants and bars with an international offer! Between Indian, Mediterranean, American, French, Italian, Chinese and many other cuisines, the choice is truly wide and diverse.
1 - The White Star Tavern
Description: the only restaurant in the city to be mentioned in the'Good food guide' and in the Michelin and Les Routiers guides; English and international cuisine; reservation recommended
Speciality: Pie of the Day
Average price: from €20.00 per person
Address: 28 Oxford St, Southampton - Get directions / Facebook page
2 - TGI Fridays
Description: American style restaurant, perfect for families with children; offers burgers, grilled meats, but also vegetarian options and children's menu
Speciality: Fridays Double Glazed Burger (also vegan and chicken version)
Average price: from €15.00 per person
Address: 3 Harbour Parade, Southampton - Get directions / Facebook page
3 - Banana Wharf
Description: located on the waterfront, next to the Ocean Village Marina; international cuisine, mainly seafood.
Speciality: Tex Mex Fajitas
Average price: from €15,00 per person
Address: 33 Channel Way, Southampton - Get directions / Facebook page
4 - Grand Cafe
Description: elegant and sophisticated restaurant; local and international cuisine, also great for the classic 5pm tea and brunch.
Speciality: Meat on a stone
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: South Western House, Terminus Terrace, Southampton - Get directions / Facebook page
5 - The Brewery Bar Botley
Description: family-run English pub with a wooden interior and sophisticated decor; British and international cuisine, with burgers, ribs, sandwiches and the great classics like fish & chips
Speciality: fish & chips
Average price: from €15.00 per person
Address: 10 Winchester St, Botley, Southampton - Get directions / Facebook page
