20 Best New Forest Restaurants for celebrations

Looking for a good restaurant to celebrate an anniversary or special birthday then here are 20 of the restaurants in the New Forest that will surely create wonderful memories.

The New Forest National Park one of the most wonderful places in the UK to walk, to ride horses, cycle and to just to breath the fresh air and feel surrounded by nature. The New National Park is some 219 square miles of exquisite countryside run by The New Forest National Park Authority.

Not only is the New Forest a special place to visit but is has some of the finest restaurants in the country with a host of Michelin star chef’s relocating to this part of the world. So it makes an ideal place to take a mini break and dine in one of these amazing restaurants.

 1. New Park Manor Hotel & Spa, Brockenhurst

The New Park Manor Hotel is steeped in history dating back to the 17th century and the owners have carefully and thoughtfully retained many of the historic features that encapsulates the essence of the building.

The Stag Restaurant offers country fine dining with delicacies such as Venison and wild mushrooms picked from the forest. The Restaurant offers afternoon tea and a Sunday Lunch and an A La Carte menu.

2. Beresfords in The Balmer Lawn Hotel, Brockenhurst

The Balmer Lawn Hotel is one of the first iconic buildings you see when you drive to the New Forest.

I went camping with my friends in my late teens and remember very vividly this grand hotel sitting proud back from the road as we came into Brockenhurst for the first time.

The hotel has since been refurbished and modernised and now boasts an award winning restaurant, Beresfords.  This 2 AA Rosette Restaurant is fine dining with locally sourced fresh ingredients and freshly caught fish from down the road in Lymington.

They also have out door dining in The Lodge.

3. The Mill at Gordleton, Sway

The Mill at Gordleton offers a great menu in a lovely, relaxing setting. Sway is right in the heart of the New Forest surrounded by the ponies and good walks. Everything on the menu is freshly made, even the ice cream, and many of the ingredients is locally sourced.

4. The Pig, Brockenhurst

Simple food done well. Isn’t that the motto for every chef. Well it is true and I believe this comes from the French.

Here the Gardner and chef work together to create stunning simple menu’s using the finest ingredients.

Book months in advance as this is a very popular place to eat among the locals.

5. Montagu Arms Hotel, Beaulieu

I live in the New Forest so I can vouch for many of these restaurants, still quite a few I would like to try, but the Montague Arms is a little gem.

Having been to many networking event, I can say the food really is delicious and worth every penny. They offer fine dining, afternoon tea and Montys Pub where you will find the best fish and chips.

If you like old and historical buildings then this is the place for you.

6. Limewood, Lyndhurst

The Limewood Hotel is well known for celebrity chef Angela Hartnett. The whole concept of this gorgeous and popular hotel and restaurant is simple, good food.

Fully booked for months ahead, this restaurant offers a lot more than food. The Limewood have teamed up with nutritional expert Amelia Freer for advice on food and wellbeing. Workshops are available for guests and people wanting to learn more.

7. Cambium Restaurant, Brockenhurst

Careys Manor Hotel is one of the finest hotels in the region and host to 3 of the finest and diverse restaurants, The Cambium, The Zen Garden and Le Blaireau.

Cambium is a restaurant serving ideas from around the world using classic British ingredients. The restaurant setting is sumptuous and very elegant. This is definitely a restaurant for a special occasion with a real cosy, yet elegant decor and the very best cuisine.

8. The Zen Garden, Brockenhurst

The Zen Garden is top quality Thai Cuisine using fresh ingredients to create authentic and fresh Thai flavours. I love Thai cuisine for the lemongrass and the lightly spices tangy flavours.

9. Le Blaireau, Brockenhurst

Le Blaireau offers a totally French dining experience. French food is still, in my humble opinion, untouchable in terms of simplicity and just they way they enjoy their food with a basket of bread, a gorgeous Bordeaux and the way they enjoy the social aspect of eating food.

10. Forest Park Hotel, Brockenhurst

Another of the New Forest Hotels with history is the Forest Park Hotel in Brockenhurst. The venue once hosted a party for Theodore Roosevelt in 1910 and played its part as a hospital in the war.

This stunning and picturesque country hotel sources local produce and an ideal location for large celebrations such as weddings and family celebrations.

The Acorn room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday.

11. Burley Manor Hotel, Burley

One of my favourite places for afternoon tea is The Burley Manor Hotel in Burley. This is a beautiful old manor house over looking grounds with the village of Burley in the distance.

Built in 1852 by Colonel William Clement Drake Esdaile, the Manor has been tastefully restored and maintained to give you that warm hug when you walk through the old ornate entrance.

I had afternoon tea with friends here for my birthday and the staff could not have been nicer, the food delicious and the atmosphere was perfect.

12. Rhinefield House Hotel, Brockenhurst

The Rhinefield House Hotel is a spectacular country pile set in beautiful grounds and is an absolute must for any occasion. The old panelled walls and high ceilings in the Grand Hall will have your mind racing back in time.

It is an exquisite place to stay with two restaurants; The Conservatory, The Armada Restaurant and the special Alhambra room for private dining.

13. White Tails Restaurant, Brockenhurst

Enjoy the hospitality of Ramsey Hammad who runs White Tails restaurant within the Cottage Lodge hotel. Alongside Chef Matthew Spencer you can enjoy a variety of locally sourced ingredients within their delicious menu. The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 48 weeks of the year. Please call us on 01590 622296 to book.

14. Crown Manor House Hotel, Lyndhurst

The Crown Manor House Hotel in Lyndhurst offers modern British cuisine in a beautifully stylish and elegant hotel.

Their food is locally sources and they offer afternoon tea and cocktails.

15. The Master Builders, Bucklers Hard

Dine at the Master Builders restaurant overlooking the Beaulieu River, the outlook is everything.

This is an AA Rosette awarded river view restaurant with high quality, locally sourced, fresh ingredients and your four legged friends are also welcome.

16. Stanwell House, Lymington

This regency style boutique hotel is situated in the heart of Lymington and offers a very elegant dining experience.

This restaurant has been awarded 2 Rosettes for dining.

17. The Huntsman, Brockenhurst

The Huntsman is a tradition pub in the heart of Brockenhurst but with excellence at the heart of their business.

The food here is good quality pub food.

18. The Solent Restaurant, Lymington

The Solent Restaurant is in the Elmers Court Hotel along with the Waterfront Restaurant. The Elmers Court Hotel is situated just outside of Lymington centre near the train station and Ferry to the Isle of Wight.

19. The White Buck, Burley

The White Buck is a gorgeous hotel nestled back from the road to Brockenhurst where you can ride up on your pony, have a beer in the beer garden, then ride off into the sunset.

20. The Lanes, Lymington

The Lanes in Lymington is run by Chef Peter leyland-Jones and wife Nicola. With many years experience in Chef Peter runs an exceptional restaurant and cookery school.

Formerly a Church and School, the building is tucked away down a quiet cul de sac, just off the High Street and once ‘discovered’, offers romantic and exceptional, yet affordable, dining to suit all tastes. The split levels, small intimate alcoves, balconies and an open plan ground floor are stylish and what you’d expect from a fashionable top London eatery.

The exquisite food here is prepared fresh daily from local produce and ideal for a special occasion such as a Christening, birthday celebration or wedding.

18. The Oak, Bank, Lyndhurst

We love the Oak at Bank just outside Lyndhurst. It is the perfect pub to walk or cycle to either along the well kept paths or through the forest. Parking at Blackwater car park off Rhinefield Ornamental Drive is ideal, there are two car parks.

The pub itself is small so making a booking before you head off is always recommended as they may not take you even just for a drink.

The food is very good with a nice menu for both meat eaters and vegetarians, like myself.

Summary

Whether you live in the area or are visiting the New Forest there are some terrific restaurants for special occasions such as anniversaries or big birthdays. Many of the restaurants are part of some of the best hotels in the country. You really are spoilt for choice.

Image provided by JR P