New Forest Insider

Want to know where to eat, drink and food shop in the New Forest or along our coastline? We’ve a few favourites to share.

The New Forest is nature’s larder with an abundance of produce ranging from acorn-fed pork to fresh fish and venison to wine. Local artisans create everything including award-winning gins and jams, chocolates, cured meats, cider vinegar, honey and ice cream. Such edible goodies can be found at Lymington’s bustling Saturday street market, farm shops like Danestream’s (Sway Road), Hockey’s (North Gorley) and Setley Ridge (Brockenhurst), and Delis such as The Forage (Lyndhurst).

The Pig Greenhouse Garden

The New Forest also offers a vast variety of eateries. Country inns range from cosy pubs popular with walkers to great gastropubs (explore the likes of The Royal Oak in Fritham, The Oak at Bank, Drift Inn at Beaulieu, Three Tuns at Bransgore, and Fleur de Lys, Pilley). There’s a choice of traditional tearooms and chic cafes. The team’s current faves include: The Paddle, Brockenhurst, Mabel’s Café at Shallowmead Nurseries, Boldre and Bakehouse 24 in Ringwood – artisan bakery specialising in sourdough with café.

Along the coast, we have the Noisy Lobster on sandy Avon Beach serving breakfasts, lunches and myriad seafood delights. Their bakery sells freshly baked treats and the take away cabin is always popular for drinks, snacks and their famous fish and chips! Perched on Barton clifftop is the popular Cliff House bar and restaurant – their summer BBQs and live music nights both huge favourites with the locals. Milford on Sea and Lymington are a-wash with independent coffee shops, one of our favourites is the quirky Coffee and Drift down at the slipway on the quay.

The Noisy Lobster at Avon Beach

Serious foodies will be tempted by Good Food Guide recommended restaurants including The Elderflower in Lymington (chef/proprietor Andrew Du Bourg has been tipped for Michelin Stardom), Verveine, fishmonger hiding quirky fine dining restaurant that delivers a taste experience in Milford on Sea. In fact, Milford is a foodie village in its own right and also has a wine bar, La Cave, and micro ale bar, The Wash House, located in the old laundrette.

The New Forest and its coastline have become recognised as a luxury destination. Home to Chewton Glen, one of the first country house hotels with The Dining Room and The Kitchen, a cookery school and informal restaurant overseen by TV chef James Martin. Then there’s lavish Lime Wood with Hartnett Holder & Co restaurant (run by Luke Holder who has worked in Michelin starred restaurants in Tuscany and THE Angela Hartnett, one of the most high-profile female chefs in the restaurant world). There’s the very first The Pig (of the eclectic boutique hotel group) with a local inspired menu (including the likes of Beaulieu Estate pheasant and salads picked from their walled garden). Not forgetting Beresfords at Balmer Lawn, The Mill at Gordleton, The Terrace at Montagu Arms and Cambium at Careys Manor.

We hope you enjoy discovering these gems, and so many more, for yourself – delicious!