7 High Street, Winchester, SO23 9JX
Harden's survey result
Summary
“One of the best restaurants in Winchester and consistently good over a number of years” – that’s how most diners view this Stein-family operation: a “busy town-centre fish bistro” which is the most commented-on venue locally in our annual diners’ poll and generates almost as much feedback as the Padstow mothership nowadays. “With top-quality food combined with professional service and a friendly welcome”, most reports say “it is hardly surprising that Rick Stein’s continues to be so popular”. But the idea that it’s “good but you always have that sensation that there is a premium for the name” grew this year, and a more significant number of reporters thought it either “overpriced”, “disappointing” or both. There’s widespread agreement, though, that “the set lunch is excellent value”.
Summary
This “very busy” venture is both the most commented-on restaurant in the city and also the most popular spin-off from the Stein family’s original Padstow operation. Aside from the fact that it’s “a little expensive”, no-one has a bad word to say about the place: it has a “fantastic location” and “maintains a high quality of skillful fish cooking” with “frequent changes to the menu”; all delivered by “calm and attentive staff”. “Some say it’s overhyped – it’s actually brilliant!”
Summary
Of Stein’s national stable, this buzzy destination is the most-mentioned branch after the Padstow original and London spin-off. It scored slightly less highly this year: although the general tenor of reports was of “well-cooked and presented” cuisine, there were also one or two more mixed experiences (“clunkier saucing than I remember”). Major disappointments are few, though, and the general theme is that “even if it can be a bit hit-and-miss, generally its fish is of good quality”.
Summary
“This buzzy and well-managed restaurant” is the most commented-on in the locale; and also one of the best performers in the Stein stable. “As you’d expect, the seafood is excellent” with the dishes inciting most enthusiasm often being the most exotic sounding (“really excellent Sri Lankan fish curry…”, “beautifully cooked Sichuan squid…”, “delicious Indonesian fish curry with delicate fragrant cardamom-infused rice…”). On the downside, it’s “a bit pricey and the ambience can be a bit frantic”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Rick Stein?
Owner's description
Rick Stein’s restaurant in Winchester serves classic seafood dishes including Dover sole a la meunière, Fruits de Mer and lobster thermidor as well as dishes inspired by his travels from around the world.
Situated on Winchester high street, our coastal interiors and seascape paintings gently nod towards our coastal heritage.
Open every day for lunch and dinner, our restaurant offers a delicious a la carte dinner menu as well as a set menu for lunch, making it the perfect place to eat out in Winchester or Hampshire.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £21.95 | £26.95 |  |
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Traditional European menu
| Main | Pudding |
|---|---|
| £38.00 | £8.95 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £24.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.15 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Restaurant details
Rick Stein Restaurant Diner Reviews
"The food was very good and meal adapted for gluten free options. Overall the service was very good. I thought it was good value for money."
"Went for a late charity lunch option which they do every January. A really good choice, with a great selection well cooked and at a sensible price. Could not fault any of the dishes, along with the service."
7 High Street, Winchester, SO23 9JX
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
