Bucklers Hard, Italian - Restaurant Guide

For a dozen years now, Angela Hartnett’s “country restaurant with an Italian focus” has put in a “good but quite pricey” performance in the New Forest, as part of a “classy” 33 bedroom property, which fans say it’s a “sheer joy, from the venue, to the staff, to the best non-alcoholic drinks menu ever… and then the food!” No other reports demur, other than that it can seem “expensive”. Luke Holder is the chef in charge on a day-to-day basis here. Top Tip – for those counting the pennies there’s a ‘Pranzetto’ menu (which means a light, leisurely lunch) – two courses for £39.50.

“Ideally placed next to a quiet marina” (Ocean Village), the two-time winner of the ‘Southampton’s Best Restaurant’ award (in 2023 and 2024) first snaffled the prize after just a year of trade. As you might expect, “the food is very good quality”, taking in classic Italian fare such as cicchetti, pizza, risotto and more, although “with pricing to match”. Success has also led to them opening an outdoor terrace with views over the water and additional seating for fifty people.