Milford on Sea is a beautiful little villages tucked away between The New Forest and the famous beach town of Bournemouth. Every year thousands of tourists head to Milford on Sea to visit Hurst Castle or to enjoy the many great walks next to the shoreline. In order to help you make your trip to Milford on Sea even more special, I have put together a list of the best restaurants in Milford on Sea. This way you can book a table at the perfect Milford on Sea restaurant for you and your family!
Also don’t forget to have a look at our post about the best hotels near Milford on Sea if you are planning on staying overnight!
Table of Contents
Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant Milford on Sea
Verveine Fishmarket Resturant, a restaurant located in Milford-on-Sea, is an award-winning fish restaurant. Apart from being a restaurant, they also have an in-house fishmongers where you can buy fresh fish. Diners will enjoy some of the best food in Hampshire, making it a must-visit for all seafood lovers.
Verveine Fishmarket Resturant opened in 2010 with the goal of serving delicious food in a calm and informal setting.
The chef and owner of Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant in Milford on Sea has worked with many Michelin-Starred French chefs and restaurant. He worked for instance in L’Univers, but also in Les Viviers or even in Hotel Negresco in Nice.
As for the fishmongers in the restaurant, this is actually a family-run business that has been around for over 50 years! Every day, this shop offers the same high-quality fresh fish that the restaurant uses in its kitchens. This way you can be sure that the fish you will be having at Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant in Milford on Sea is incredibly fresh.
Verveine was named in the Times and Tatler top 100 restaurant list, and is among the top 100 restaurants in the Hardens book, with two AA rosettes, Michelin and Good Food Guide recommendations, and a 5-star average on Trip Advisor. In addition, Verveine was named best service, best seasonal menu, and best restaurant in Hampshire, while David was named Hampshire chef of the year for the second year in a row.
When dining in Verveine you will be asked how many courses you would like, whether there are things you don’t like and whether you have any allergies. The kitchen will take care of the rest. There is no a la carte menu in Verveine and prices start at £23 for a 2 course lunch menu or £55 for a 4-course dinner menu. A great place for evening meals, light lunches or romantic dinners! Truly one of the best restaurants on the South Coast.
Saltwater Cafe Milford on Sea
Saltwater Cafe in milford on Sea is an upscale cafe where you can enjoy a nice fry up or bacon bap. This combination of restaurant and cafe is the perfect little down to earth getaway you were looking for. You can head to Saltwater Cafe in Milford on Sea for breakfast, lunch, and even afternoon tea. This gorgeous little place is also known to serve vegetarian food and vegan cakes for their afternoon tea. I would certainly add this to any vegan restaurant guide spanning the South Coast, just for their vegan leisurely afternoon teas.
Located on the Milford on Sea high street, you won’t be able to miss this little quirky café. Saltwater Cafe is offering both inside seating and dining as takeaways. Especially the takeaway afternoon tea boxes have proven to be a great hit with both locals as tourists staying in nearby hotels, Airbnbs or caravan parks!
La Perle Restaurant Milford on Sea
Chef Sam may be familiar to you from his appearance on the TV show Professional Master Chef a few years ago, when he represented Milford-on-Sea. He recently returned to the area and is now the proud proprietor of La Perle, his first restaurant offering international cuisine.
Sam trained under Raymond Blanc when he was a young chef, and he continues to watch Sam’s profession and has been a beneficial effect on him through the years. Sam acquired his interest for fresh dishes produced with locally available ingredients while working with Monsieur Blanc. Le Perle restaurant in Milford on Sea is a fine dining restaurant serving fabulous food.
The delicious menu reflect this, with everything from bread and butter to ice creams and sorbets being produced from scratch in the restaurant. Many of Sam’s components come from the New Forest, with over 90% of his supply coming from sustainable vendors in Hampshire and Dorset. This is a great place to head to when looking for an intimate restaurant serving gourmet food.
The Cave Wine Bar Milford on Sea
Visitors will enjoy the Spanish cuisine served at this special wine bar and wine shop. Come to The Cave for delicious tapas, goose, and roti. You will also be able to enjoy a good Pinot noir wine, artisanal beer, and rose gin. But those who are not into drinking can order a great coffee or a glass of fresh juice.
This Milford on Sea restaurant’s convenient location on Church Hill means that it is easy to find the place and easy to park on the street or near the community centre.
If you love wine, you will love this large and welcoming wine bar. Apart from wine, The Cave is also known for its Real Ale in Bottle beers and their foreign imports you can choose to buy in the little shop, or even drink in The Cave.
The little restaurant and shop overlooks the Milford Village Green, with easy parking in the large car park on Sea Road near the community centre. It’s just a short stroll to the seafront from here, which is ideal for visitors wishing to catch some fresh air after sampling the region’s best spirits or devouring some delectable Spanish cuisine.
The beer and wine menus include tasting notes, so you can not only enjoy a delicious glass of beer or wine, but also learn more about the beverage you’re drinking. The Cave is aiming to bring in RAIB from smaller, lesser-known breweries, and it currently has one cask of genuine ale on gravity.
There are numerous fantastic gins in the area which are available for tasting or purchasing in The Cave restaurant in Milford on Sea. In The Cave, you’ll be able to sample local gins and other spirits, as well as fine wines from across the world.
I would recommend having a look at their grazing menu as I love the atmosphere here and it is probably somewhere where you can spend a lazy Sunday grazing on tapas and drinking wine with friends.
The Lazy Lion Restaurant
Iain, the Landlord, has 39 years of experience in the hotel industry. He’s worked on significant events, organising meals at some of the country’s most prominent locations, and was a member of the LOCOG catering planning team for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Iain previously established the Monkey House in Lymington with great success before returning to Milford-on-Sea to share some genuine local hospitality with you. After Monkey House became a success, Iian decided to move to Milford with his wife Ruth. Here they bought the Red Lion and grew accustomed to the pleasant village character of Milford on Sea. They’ve developed a warm inn with all the character and charm you’d expect from a traditional country bar, plus a few extra features we’re sure you’ll like!!
The Lazy Lion has a lot to offer, not least because it’s housed in a lovely historical structure. Built as a Georgian coaching inn, the bar was later extended onto the ancient stables and hayloft, forming a magnificent group with a porch with Doric pillars at the front door. The multi-level pub features an open fireplace in the center and a section devoted for pool and darts enthusiasts.
The Head Chef uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients in his menu, which includes pub favorites as well as melt-in-your-mouth seasonal specialities.
The restaurant is glad to accommodate all dietary restrictions and offers a specialized vegan menu with plant-based variations on your favorite dishes.
Their Sunday roasts, which come with huge Yorkshire puddings, roasted potatoes, fresh vegetables, and plenty of gravy, are not to be missed.
In addition to a broad assortment of lagers, spirits, ciders, and wines, they have an excellent assortment of locally brewed beers. Whatever the occasion, their diverse selection of drinks is the ideal complement to a delectable meal, a fun night out with friends, or a lavish celebration. There is plenty of choice when it comes to both meals and drinks, and the beach in Milford on Sea lie in walking distance from this family friendly restaurant.
The Britannia Thai Restaurant Milford on Sea
If you are looking for a great Thai Restaurant in Milford on Sea, Britannia Thai is the place to be! Since the restaurant opened in 2008, it has become a local favourite and has received many 5-star reviews from both locals and tourists.
The magnificent restaurant decor creates the ideal setting for the most luxurious and authentic dining experience imaginable. The entire dining experience is based on the flawless execution and presentation of a wide range of genuine Thai cuisine that are freshly made with only the finest ingredients.
The Mixed Britannia Thai Starter, Roast Duck Tamarind, and Sweet and Sour Pla are among the authentic thai food specialities of one of Milford on Sea’s most fantastic restaurants.
Whatever the occasion, Britannia Thai provides excellent value for money, the greatest Thai cuisine, and a chic Thai restaurant experience you will not soon forget.
Ray's Italian Kitchen - Italian Restaurant in Milford on Sea
Ray’s Italian Kitchen has built a solid reputation for its warm and friendly ambience, superb and inventive food, and first-class service since opening in Milford on Sea in 2019.
Ray’s is run by Stacey Crouch, a local businesswoman who has previously run a number of successful local restaurants. The premise of Ray’s is all about offering real Italian influenced food while showcasing the finest of local ingredients.
The design of the wonderful glass-fronted restaurant is warm and welcome, combining contemporary furnishings with rustic accents, and the décor is bright and welcome with vibrant blue and gold tones.
Diners can choose from comfy booths, café-style tables, and high window seats, all of which are perfect for sharing tapas and watching the world go by.
The main menu features a wide selection of delectable pizza and pasta meals, as well as shared platters, small plates, and daily specials.
Lunchtime visitors, on the other hand, will find a tantalizing array of alternatives for a fixed price of £15 for two dishes or £18.50 for three dishes, which includes a glass of wine or a soft drink substitute.
Monsoori Heights - Indian Restaurant in Milford on Sea
Monsoori Heights invites you to sample and savor contemporary and traditional Indian cuisine in a mouth-watering culinary encounter unlike any other.
Monsoori Heights is known in the are as one of the best Indian Restaurants in Milford on Sea and is a local take-out favourite. All meals have been prepared to order and you will be able to taste both British Classics as new Indian Curries that might not have made it into the world of mainstream curry eating Britain.
Try the beautifully cooked papadums, but also the delicious Chicken Tikka or the Punjabi Butter Chicken. In the restaurant you can order both beers and soft-drinks, or place an order to take home for a nice evening of curry in front of the telly.
Mr Pink’s Fish and Chips in Milford on Sea
It doesn’t always have to be haute cuisine or a sit-down meal. Sometimes you – I mean every Friday, you just want some nice Fish and Chips.
Mr Pinks, located near The Green on Church Hill, is known to offer the absolute best fish and chips in Milford on Sea, with crispy cod or other catch of the day and amazing fries doused in vinegar and salt. Mr Pink’s offers a fairly standard Fish and Chip shop menu with burgers, chicken bites, fish, chips, and of course sausage and scampi.
In case you would like to have Fish and Chips on a Friday, it is recommended to call up Mr Pink’s to place your order for pick-up as it can get incredibly busy at the start of the weekend!
Needles Eye Cafe Milford on Sea
Last but not least you might also crave a nice burger or a full English Breakfast with a beautiful view over the sea and the beach, right here in Milford on Sea. Needles Eye Café offers amazing food at reasonable prices, but with a beautiful and amazing view over the Solent and The Isle of Wight. Needles Eye Café is the perfect place for parents to sit down while their kids head off to play on the beach. Dog-owners are also welcome as Needles Eye Café is dog-friendly.
You will be able to enjoy the beautiful coastline from the outside seating area of this beachfront restaurant. In case the weather is not very nice, you can also opt for indoor dining.
You will have easy access to nearby attractions such as Hurst castle or the steam railway.
Lieze Neven is a globetrotting travel writer and expat currently based in Nepal. With a passion for exploration, she has lived in Dubai, the UK, and Belgium, alongside her international teacher husband. Her parents live in France and she tries to visit Paris at least once a year. Together, they travel the world looking for the best hotels, experiences and food locations have to offer!
I’m so excited to try out some of the new restaurants in Milford on Sea!