Southampton restaurants, like those in any other city, are plentiful and varied in what they have to offer. Although some people may want to compare them to the best restaurants in London or one of the other bigger cities, whilst others may want to consider restaurants for kids or other specific types, most will want to know simply which are the best budget restaurants, ones that offer good fare at very reasonable prices and it is to those that I prescribe looking at this list.
The Platform Tavern is a blues bar that produces its own beers but is also well known for its excellent pub food. Decorated in candle wax covered Jack Daniels bottles and masks from Africa and Asia, this is an excellent setting for those who enjoy a good sausage and mash, fish and chips or hot jacket potato.
Cantina is a good Mexican food restaurant that provides fresh food in a style that is traditionally Mexican. This is also a bar and so you can enjoy Tapas whilst tasting a cool one. The restaurant offers these delicious and unique Mexican tastes while you enjoy free Wi-Fi and a drink, all at reasonable prices.
The Indian Melody is a restaurant that offers traditional Indian food in the lightly spiced style of Southern India. Although the restaurant may seem to have an old colonial atmosphere, the walls are decorated with post-colonial Indian heroes like Ghandi and Nehru.
If your tastes are more for Greek food, the Fat Fig is what you are looking for. This restaurant offers good cheap Greek items like charcoal grilled kebabs for eating in or as take away. It also of course offers other Greek specialties like Moussaka, chunky fresh salads and pita bread, all at a good price.
If you love Asian food or just feel like a change, the Mango Thai restaurant is a place you should consider visiting. Although perhaps somewhat unusually, the restaurant offers Tapas but its more traditional food like an aromatic slow cooked stew with a hint of mint, is good and well suited to the raffia and bamboo setting.
Another Asian offering can be found at the Fusion Noodle bar. Here there are delicious and cheap meals from all around Asia, Malayan curries, crispy Duck or satay skewers with fresh vegetables cooked in a wok. All served in a setting that is typical 1960s.
No list of restaurants is probably complete without an Italian presence and in this list there is Ennio’s. This thick carpeted restaurant that plays Sinatra type music is perhaps a little pricey for dinner but offers some cheap priced two course pasta dishes as specials at lunch time.
If you like vegetarian fare, why not enjoy it surrounded by art at The Art House Gallery Café. As this is a “for love, not for a profit” establishment run by volunteers, it can offer a variety of vegetarian meals from around the world, at very reasonable prices, all whilst surrounded by perhaps a band, African drummers and an antique clothing gallery.
Hey guys just to point out that the ‘Mango’ pic isn’t actually Mango that you’re writing about. If you google us ‘mango thai tapas southampton’, you’ll soon find a photo. We’re the big green Victorian building!