Places to eat in Winchester

Can you beat a good pie? That, of course, is a rhetorical question that need not be answered. Good pies are the name of the game at Piecaramba! In total, there are more than twenty different types of pie for you to choose from. As you’ve probably already guessed, the menu is jam-packed with puns and exclamation marks. “The Pioneer!” is a classic, the “Al Piecino!” is perfect for veggies, and – if you’re feeling hungry – The “Piescraper!” is a food challenge consisting of three pies, mash, peas, cheese, shallots and gravy, and if you can finish it in under 10 minutes then you’ll win yourself a place on the Piecaramba! wall of fame and a free t-shirt.

If it’s a curry you’re craving then the Gurkha’s Inn just down the road from the train station will knock your socks off. It’s a Nepalese and Indian restaurant with authentic dishes at accountant-pleasing prices. It’s right up there among our favourite places to grab a meal before enjoying an evening of Winchester entertainment at the Theatre Royal, which is barely more than a minute’s walk away on Jewry Street. Testament to how good Gurkha’s Inn is, it enjoys plenty of popularity with the people of Winchester on weekday evenings, so be sure to call ahead and book a table.

For a taste of the Orient, Kyoto Kitchen is an absolute corker of a Japanese restaurant. It doesn’t look like your typical sushi joint; it’s a beautiful townhouse on Parchment Street where you can expect primo service and your food to be plated to perfection. The menu is primarily made up of fresh sushi, but also features lovely light tempura, delicious gyozas, and a fish-strong selection of larger dishes that don’t disappoint.

The historic city of Winchester is well known for its landmark buildings and memorable architecture. Yeah sure, Winchester Cathedral is pretty awe-inspiring, and yeah sure, it’s one of the top activities in Winchester, but the Chesil Rectory is pretty much all of these things, and it makes the best homemade scotch egg starters and belly pork mains you could ever ask for. So get your priorities straight and book a table at our personal favourite place of worship, the Chesil Rectory on Chesil Street where a medieval setting meets stylish decor and tasty eats.

Down on the south coast, chefs know a thing or two about their seafood. Rick Stein’s reputation as master of marine cuisine precedes him practically everywhere he goes. The celebrity chef with more than 25 cookbooks to his name and countless television programmes has his own namesake restaurant, Rick Stein, here in Winchester. You’ll find it on the High Street serving up freshly caught fish brought straight from the coast. The service is exemplary, and the restaurant is beautiful. Best of all, it’s just a fifteen-minute walk from our Winchester hotel.

If you’re looking for delicious eating during the daytime, Tom’s Deli on St George’s Street is a wonderful little independent Italian deli with arguably the best coffee in all of Winchester. The pizzas are as good as you’ll get on home soil, the pastas are delicious, portions are generous and the tiramisu is a taste sensation. Everything’s cooked fresh, Tom uses top class ingredients, and the service is stellar.

Sitting at the top of your vegan and veggie options is Rawberry. It’s next door to Tom’s Deli on St George’s Street. Rawberry began life as a market stall and quickly grew to become Winchester’s favourite breakfast, brunch and lunch spot for anyone with any kind of dietary requirements. Whether you simply want to pick up something fresh and tasty from the juice bar, or you want to stay a while to munch your way through their healthy menu of food, which includes great options if you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten or dairy free.

Another favourite brunch spot is Café Winchester. You’ll find it just off the High Street on St. Thomas Street. It’s a lovely listed building with loads of character, where you can expect a warm welcome and a lovely airy setting to enjoy a lunch in Winchester. The sandwiches are delightful, great with the soup, and leave some room for the cakes, too.

The Cafémonde in The Square is another convenient spot if you want to grab a quick bite and a hot drink during a shopping spree around Winchester Town Centre. There’s plenty of seating, inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs, so even if it looks busy, they’ll probably be able to fit you in.