Where To Eat In The New Forest

After a day exploring the towering woodlands, quaint villages and open heathlands of the New Forest, it’s only natural to work up an appetite. Whether you’re after a relaxed café brunch, seafood by the coast, a hearty pub lunch with the pup by your side or a fine dining experience, the New Forest has a table ready for you. Ready to tuck in?

Cafés

Perfect for a morning coffee, light lunch or an afternoon treat, the New Forest is full of cosy cafés offering fresh, locally sourced fare.

Melleford

Melleford, nestled between Lyndhurst and coastal Milford-on-Sea, is a cosy countryside café that feels just like home. Popular with locals, it’s best to book ahead. Guests love its easy access to nearby attractions, scenic views, and dog-friendly layout with plenty of space around the tables.

What to try: Their Korean chicken flatbreads are legendary, and the brownies draw rave reviews. 

The Potting Shed

Nestled in the heart of the renowned Furzey Gardens, The Potting Shed tea rooms offer a perfect blend of garden charm and homemade goodness. Housed in a picturesque thatched cottage, it’s a welcoming spot for catching up with friends or enjoying a peaceful moment. Choose a seat on the covered terrace with views across the gardens, cosy up in the charming gallery space, or make the most of sunny days at the picnic benches dotted across the spacious lawn. With rustic wooden tables and a menu full of home-baked cakes, light meals, and refreshing drinks, it’s an idyllic place to relax and refuel.

What to try: Enjoy barista made coffees, speciality teas, and a range of cold drinks alongside seasonal light lunches, with vegan and gluten-free options available. Their homemade cakes are always a hit, but it’s the classic cream tea for two that really captures the charm. For something a little more indulgent, book ahead for one of their delicious afternoon teas.

Seafood Restaurants

With its close proximity to the Solent, the seaside and local rivers, the New Forest is a prime spot for enjoying seafood at its freshest.

Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant

Tucked away in Milford-on-Sea, Verveine is a multi-award-winning seafood restaurant known for imaginative dishes and a laid-back atmosphere. Featured in The Times and Tatler Top 100 lists, with 2 AA Rosettes and Michelin Guide recognition, it’s one of Hampshire’s culinary gems. Chef David Wykes has twice been named Hampshire Chef of the Year for his creative dishes.

What to try: The tasting menus showcase a sequence of seasonal, innovative dishes crafted from the finest ingredients from sea, field, and farm. Seafood is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a standout especially the melt-in-your-mouth scallops.

The Lighthouse

This beachy brasserie overlooks the seafront at Milford-on-Sea and offers a laid back atmosphere with ocean-fresh fare. The Lighthouse prides itself on sustainable seafood with a family friendly vibe that welcomes dogs throughout.

What to try: Try the classic fish and chips, or enjoy the dressed crab served with crispy fries and a fresh side salad.

Pubs 

Whether you’re wrapping up a scenic hike or pausing your adventure for a well-earned break, the New Forest is full of welcoming spots to eat and unwind. With cosy fires, local ales, and hearty fare, many of the best gastropubs in the New Forest serve as perfect pit stops for lunch and refuelling.

The Rockingham Arms

One of our favourite local spots is The Rockingham Arms, a cosy village pub with a dog-friendly beer garden, rear parking, local ales, and proper home cooked food. It’s the perfect pit stop before or after exploring Canada Common.

What to try: The menu has something for everyone, from mac and cheese for the kids to fish finger ciabattas for grown-ups. Fancy something different? Try the Malaysian fish curry for a spicy twist.

The George

The George is a charming 18th century pub by the River Avon in Fordingbridge, near the New Forest. Serving classic gastro pub dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients, it offers a great wine list and a well stocked bar. It is also very dog friendly with its own dog menu. For a more private experience, book one of the heated Gastro Pods, ideal for groups up to six guests who prefer dining in their own space.

What to try: Favourites on the menu include beer battered fish and chips, slow-braised beef cheek, and their popular Sunday roasts. Dog friendly to its core, The George even has a dedicated dog menu.

Fine Dining

When you’re in the mood for something extra special, these fine dining establishments are guaranteed to impress.

The Pig 

Just a short stroll from Brockenhurst, this peaceful spot is well worth a visit. At its heart is the Greenhouse restaurant, where seasonal dishes are made using ingredients from the on-site Kitchen Garden or sourced locally within 25 miles. Step outside and you’ll find the garden itself, a colourful patchwork of herbs, fruit and vegetables picked fresh for the plate.

What to try:
The menu changes with the seasons, but expect the likes of garden herb risotto, roasted squash with whipped feta, or pan-seared Hampshire pork. Everything is fresh, flavourful and proudly local.

Hartnett Holder & Co

Nestled within the beautiful Lime Wood Hotel, this Michelin-acclaimed restaurant is a collaboration between chefs Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder. It blends Italian influences with New Forest produce.

What to try: The ravioli of local venison or the wood-fired sea bass. The tasting menu is a true indulgence, and the wine list is one of the best in our neck of the woods.

Dog-Friendly Places to Eat

The New Forest is a dog walker’s paradise, and luckily many eateries welcome your four-legged friends too. We mentioned a couple of dog friendly places earlier, but you and your pup can never have too many.

The New Forest Inn

Just outside Lyndhurst, The New Forest Inn is a cosy 18th-century pub full of country charm. Hearty food, flagstone floors and water bowls at the ready make it a favourite for dog lovers. With ponies, donkeys and even pigs wandering past the door, it’s a lovely spot for walkers, cyclists and riders to pause and refuel.

What to try: The lamb and rosemary pie is pure comfort food, and the burgers are real crowd-pleasers. Dogs are welcome throughout the bar area.

The Trusty Servant

Set in the heart of the picturesque village of Minstead in the New Forest, The Trusty Servant Inn is a charming traditional country pub. Overlooking the village green, it offers a warm welcome year-round, whether you’re enjoying a summer drink in the spacious garden or a hearty meal by the fire in winter. With five cosy guest rooms, a dedicated dog-friendly dining area, local real ales, and homemade food, it’s a perfect spot for walkers and visitors alike.

What to try: The ploughman’s lunch is a highlight as well as a Sunday roast, best enjoyed after a bracing forest stroll.

Planning Your Foodie Break?

If this has whetted your appetite for a New Forest getaway, why not stay with us at Green Hill Farm Holiday Village? Set in the heart of the New Forest near Landford, it’s the perfect base for culinary adventures — and it’s completely dog-friendly. With luxury lodges, safari tents and more, we offer comfort for every kind of traveller. Plus, our on-park facilities mean you can enjoy a meal under the stars or start your day with a hearty breakfast before heading out to eat your way across the region.

Explore more of the area with our 7-day New Forest itinerary or discover beaches and coastal hotspots. Wherever your adventure takes you, you’ll never be far from a great meal.

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