Discover cafés, restaurants and pubs for eating outdoors in and around Winchester
From lavender-scented cafés to grassy gardens for all-day outdoor dining
Nothing quite beats good food eaten outside - ideally in dappled sunshine, even better if there's a view. Luckily, Winchester district is full of dreamy spots to sit and enjoy everything from a quick snack to multi-course fine dining, all with a side order of fresh air.
Here's your must-visit list of cafés and restaurants for eating alfresco in and around Winchester, with a couple of pub gardens thrown in for good measure (more of those here, if pints and picnic benches are your thing). These outdoorsy places to eat have you covered for summer and beyond.
South Downs Social, Winchester
Look for colourful bunting and loads of bikes to find South Downs Social's outside space beside Kings Walk. It's a great central spot to enjoy the likes of French toast or a tuna toastie under the shade of an umbrella. Their neighbour Open House Deli also has some outdoor seating where you can enjoy plant-based treats, cakes, pastries and plates piled high with incredible salads. (Pictured)
Winchester Cathedral Café, Winchester
Choose between a pretty paved terrace and a grassy garden dotted with picnic benches for outdoor dining at Winchester Cathedral's café. Both are peaceful places to take a load off and refuel with hot and cold lunches, cakes, coffees and ice creams after a wander around the city.
Bar Lento, Winchester
Holiday vibes abound at Bar Lento, thanks to the laid-back atmosphere, the regularly-changing Spanish tapas menu and the sun trap of a garden. Book a table outside on warm afternoons and light evenings to soak it all up.
Turkuaz, Winchester
There's a small outside courtyard in the middle of Turkuaz's restaurant, ideal for enjoying your Mediterranean meal alfresco in the summer - and on cooler evenings, thanks to patio heaters. Head inside once the sun (and your food) has gone down for a game of interactive darts.
Three Joes, Winchester
This family-friendly spot serves seriously tasty sourdough pizzas, salads and more. On dry days you can enjoy your meal on their outside terrace, which borders Winchester Cathedral Grounds with ace views of the ancient monument through the trees.
The Square, Winchester
Head into The Square's colourful hidden courtyard garden for a moment of calm in the city centre. The alfresco space is cleverly covered so you can enjoy a coffee with a side of fresh air year round, whatever the weather.
Cabinet Rooms, Winchester
Coffees, cocktails, breakfast, lunch and evening supper can all be enjoyed in Cabinet Rooms' new outside seating area. Head for the yellow umbrellas opposite The Arc on Jewry Street for a sweet spot in the shade. (Pictured)
The Bishop on the Bridge, Winchester
Situated on the bank of the River Itchen with watery views, The Bishop on the Bridge's pub garden is a great place to enjoy lunch, drinks and a spot of people watching in the middle of town.
Overdraft, Winchester
Beer and burritos can be consumed outside the front of Overdraft on Winchester's Jewry street on sociable communal benches. The popular bar spills out onto the street, alongside its equally-popular neighbour Greens, on dry days.
The King Alfred, Winchester
Tucked away in historic Hyde, The King Alfred pub has a sizeable grassy garden for alfresco dining (plus a children's play area to keep little ones busy until lunch is served). There's also a marquee in the garden (plus blankets) for eating outdoors in less predictable weather!
Hampshire Pantry, Winchester
Sandwiches, salads, coffee and gelato are on the menu at Hampshire Pantry, a farm and farm shop with a great café on the side. Enjoy your fare with views of the surrounding fields. If you love eating outside, look out for their open-air Market Garden Supper Clubs too.
Beechcroft Tea Barn, nr Winchester
A farm shop and café set on the edge of Winchester, close to great walking routes around Crab Wood, Pitt Down and Farley Mount, Beechcroft Tea Barn serves cakes, sandwiches, coffees and teas. Outside there are picnic benches in a pretty grassy spot with views of farmland and the fields beyond. Visit in spring and you'll likely have lambs or piglets to watch frolic while you eat.
The Town House, Alresford
Wander through The Town House's pretty interiors to find one impressive back garden. The sizeable space contains a patio dining area for sampling dishes like gin cured local trout and black garlic gnocchi, a lawn dotted with sun loungers for enjoying sundowners and a wildflower meadow right at the end. If you love it, you can make it an all day affair - The Town House serves food from 9:30am until 9pm most days. (Pictured)
Cobbs Farm Shop Café, Headbourne Worthy
Enjoy cakes, coffees and light meals made from delicious farm shop ingredients under Cobbs' shady stretch tent after you've perused the shelves for foodie treats from indie makers and locally-grown flowers and plants.
Josie's, Alresford
Epic pancake stacks, generous breakfast burritos and giant burgers are the order of the day at Josie's. Their Alresford location has a neat outside space and views of Alresford's Watercress Line station.
West Country Buffet at the Watercress Line, Alresford
Pro tip: you don't need a train ticket to visit the West Country Buffet at Alresford Station. If you're lucky enough to be able to grab one of two outside tables, you can eat your lunch right on the train platform while steam trains come and go.
Long Barn, Alresford
Breakfast, brunch, lunch, cakes and coffees can be enjoyed in Long Barn's pretty, plant-filled café garden, which smells of the lavender Long Barn grows in the summer months. Expect bruschettas, salads and filled rolls, plus treats which make the most of locally-grown ingredients, like cheese and watercress scones and slices of lavender cake.
The Tichborne Arms, Tichborne, nr Alresford
Grab a table under the all-weather stretch tent or a picnic bench on the lawn in The Tichborne's cleverly-planted garden, for brunch, lunch or wood-fired pizzas on summer evenings. There's a small kid's play area to keep littles entertained and a boules pitch for bigger ones, plus idyllic countryside views to enjoy. (Pictured)
The Yard, Chilton Candover, nr Alresford
You'll find indoor and outdoor seating, plus an all-weather stretch tent, at The Yard, a café and events space on the farm where Moonroast Coffee is roasted. Stop here for an alfresco brunch of Turkish eggs or toasties with farmyard views.
The Hampshire Bowman, Dundridge, nr Bishop's Waltham
Situated near Bishop’s Waltham in picturesque countryside, this traditional country free-house serves real ales, ciders and good food all year round. Head outside to find the grassy pub garden of dreams, with picnic benches, a play area and established trees providing shade on sunny days.
No 60 Coffee & Wine Bar, Bishop's Waltham
There's a sunny courtyard garden at the back of No 60 Coffee & Wine Bar in Bishop's Waltham. Grab a table to enjoy breakfast, lunch, cake and nibbles, plus dinner on their special restaurant nights.
The Kings Head, Wickham
This much loved village pub in Wickham has a great outside space, with tables and picnic benches in the dappled shade of trees, plus a children's play area so the smaller members of your party can build up a good appetite. Go for proper pub fare such as sandwiches, pies, salads and burgers.
More great places to eat in and around Winchester
