7 Best Restaurants in The South, England

Befitting its waterside location in a harbor village just outside Ryde, this hotel has two restaurants with a strong maritime flavor. The fine-dining Aquitania sources much of its produce from the Seaview's own farm and features dishes such as herb-crusted cod loin with an heirloom tomato salad, whereas the less-formal Pump Bar serves battered fish-and-chips and traditional Sunday roasts. There are also gluten-free and vegan options, daytime light bites, and sandwiches. Luxurious fabrics characterize the chic guest rooms in the adjoining hotel.

This cozy, child-and-dog-friendly restaurant in a 17th-century building at the bottom of Lyme Regis's main street makes a great spot for a light lunch or an excellent cream tea. Apart from hot drinks and sandwiches (including fresh crab), you can order more substantial dishes like homemade beef lasagna. It closes at 5 pm. 

Part of a chain specializing in quick, nourishing meals, this relaxed café in a 14th-century former inn allegedly once patronized by Shakespeare, Cromwell, and Pepys serves hot and cold breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks. Choices include cheeseburgers served with bacon and fried egg, a Moving Mountains beetroot, mushroom, and soy version, or a sweet corn hash with halloumi, avocado, and poached egg. You can eat upstairs in the spectacular Tudor great hall or in the quieter side room.

With a vaulted glass roof on steel supports, this self-service cafeteria in a walled garden across from the cathedral combines contemporary style with freshly prepared dishes to create a refreshing stop for brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. Food is served daily until 4:30 or 5 pm, and there are tables outside on a slate terrace for fair-weather eating.

A former grain mill, Fisherton Mill houses independent shops as well as artists' studios and a gallery showcasing paintings, sculptures, textiles, jewelry, and all manner of crafts. Enjoy a light lunch or Wiltshire cream tea in the highly regarded café specializing in healthy, home-cooked options. It shuts down for the day at 5.

This unfussy but elegant café-restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and afternoon tea offers freshly made soups, sandwiches, hot dishes, and cakes created with locally sourced ingredients. Favorites include a chickpea and butternut squash stew with eggplant and coconut, fried mushrooms on sourdough toast with creamed spinach, and a roast duck salad with bok choy. There are no reservations and it's very popular, so a wait may be involved at busy times.

Reasonably priced and healthy comfort food is served cafeteria-style at this established, family-run favorite. On the menu are dishes like a steak gyro, a quinoa salad with grilled tofu, and a Goan spiced fishcake with poached egg and crispy kale. Serving breakfast (including a great full English and a vegan version of same) and lunch, the place transforms into a busy cocktail bar (no full meals) in the evening.