Fordingbridge Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Fordingbridge

A family owned & run English Auberge where you can come & go without the formality of a hotel.Owner Mike,previously a Michelin stared chef of five years,creates rustic,yet sophisticated dishes using local & foragedforest produce.Wife Jayne provides a professional & caring,but informalservice in the restaurant. We are family & dog friendly,providing free Wi/Fi & free use of our hot tub in the garden. We have been 3 times Hampshire Restaurant of the Year with the Good Food Guide & this year 2012,we are in the Telegraphs top 150 restaurants in the UK.We look forward to seeing you soon,Best Wishes from all the family.

The Rose and Thistle a beautiful 16th Century thatched pub is nestled in the picture postcard village of Rockbourne on the outskirts of the New Forest. Outside is a lovely cottage garden to while away sunny days and watch the world go by. Inside is the perfect place to spend any time of year with the traditional interior of beamed ceilings, carved wooden benches and cosy log fires in the winter. Colin Beck our head chef works with local suppliers to create a traditional menu sourced locally and seasonally where possible. Our beef and pork come from the New Forest and our game is from the village, with Manor farm pheasant, pigeon and rabbit together with venison from the local game keeper. Fish is delivered directly from the south coast and vegetables are from local suppliers. The menu changes regularly but always includes favourites such as our famous home made steak and kidney pudding and slow cooked pork belly along side seasonal specials. We also offer a good range of bar snacks and lighter meals including Welsh Rarebit, Sausage and Mash as well as The Rose and Thistle sandwiches including rare roast beef, smoked salmon with watercress and the famous RAT burger with smoked bacon, emmental and hand cut chips! The Rose and Thistle, built around 1580, was originally 3 cottages and became a bakers which then later started to retail liquor. The first listed landlord was Richard Pope in the early 1890's whose photo can still be found on the gentleman's toilet door. The pub has had several colourful landlords over the years one of whom is rumoured to still haunt the building. In the 1970's the place was made famous for its seafood by Pete and Pam Reid and people flocked from all around to taste the lobster. A consortium of villagers then purchased the pub who later sold to Tim Norfolk all who maintained the places great reputation for food over the last 20 years. Tim retired in June 2008 when Kerry arrived, taking the pub from strength to strength. In late 2014 Chris took over the reins, with his friendly attitude and fantastic team you can always be guaranteed a warm welcome and delicious freshly prepared food.

The Royal Oak, Ringwood Road, North Gorley Once a Royal Hunting Lodge, the Royal Oak is a delightful 17th Century Inn, near Fordingbridge, nestled in the heart of the New Forest. The Royal Oak sits in the picturesque village of North Gorley, amongst its grazing donkeys and ponies, opposite the village duck pond. It is renowned by locals and visitors alike, for serving high quality, classic pub food, cask ales and a warm hospitality. The Royal Oak boasts many outstanding facilities, such as a beautiful beer garden and a cosy coffee lounge with leather sofas. Idyllic, picturesque location with direct access to fantastic forest walks and cycle routes!