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Oxford Street: Home of Independent Dining

Post date: 1st January 2023
Written by: The Visit Southampton Team

Oxford Street is the home of independent business in Southampton from bars, restaurants, and coffee shops, to salons and lifestyle venues. Each venue offers a warm welcome that you often don’t find from a chain restaurant.

Places to eat

The lunch and dinner scene on Oxford Street is exceptional. With independent restaurants offering the best cuisine created from local produce. The al fresco dining means you can spill out onto the pedestrianised street and enjoy this historic location.

If you like nothing more than to indulge in coffee and a nice big breakfast then you'll love the White Star Tavern. This award-winning pub is always serving up good food and a good atmosphere every day of the week. Their plate of English breakfast is filled to the brim with bacon, pork sausages, black pudding, eggs, and all your other brekkie favourites. Not only that but their lunch and dinner menu will have your mouth watering from sight to sample! If you are planning on staying in Southampton, book into one of their comfy cabins for a relaxing stay.

The London Hotel front of venue in the summer

One of the most eye-catching buildings on the street is The London Hotel. Proudly stood on the corner of Oxford Street and Terminus Terrace, The London offers a pub setting for lunches and Sunday roasts by day and an exciting cabaret bar by night! As Southampton's premier cabaret venue, don't miss your chance to join them for an evening of bingo or quizzes for an unforgettable time.

Carnicero waitress serving dishes of food

If you are looking to try something new, make your way over to the start of Oxford Street. Here you will find Deluxe One Oxford which offers a delicious lineup of Afro-Caribbean dishes like oxtail and goat curry as well as a unique range of cocktails.

And at Carnicero, treat yourself to one of their delectable Sunday roasts or pick out a few options from their a la carte menu for steaks, burgers, seafood.

Photo by Carnicero.

Grazing charcuterie board with nuts seasonal garnish and fruit at Porters

For lovers of all things charcuterie, Porters is an absolute must! Adorned with fresh mixed leaves, seasonal garnishes, delicious chutneys, and only the best meats and cheese from around the UK, each of their grazing boards are beautifully crafted to share amongst groups both big and small. Pair it with a glass from their expertly curated wine list, featuring a wide selection of bottles from across the globe.

But that's not all - Porters also have a steakhouse too, serving up exceptional dry-aged steaks and Sunday roasts.

Smokin Barrels interior bar and seating credit venue

From smashed burgers to classic Fish & Chips, Smokin' Barrels is serving up comfort food from noon till night. This casual spot on Oxford Street is all about hearty portions, bold flavours and laid-back vibes. Whether you’re after a quick lunch, post-work pint or weekend feast, it’s a go-to for good food and good times.

Photo by Smokin' Barrels.

Places to drink

Outside dining area in front of Rita's Cocktail Bar, Oxford Street, Southampton

Oxford Street is particularly well known for offering plenty of choice when it comes to cocktails. Rita's cocktail bar offers a huge selection of signature cocktails with playful names such as their Irish Fling or Silver Fox. Sit back and relax while you decide on your favourite tipple. If you're looking for something more, their chefs are ready to serve up only the best flavours from their food menus, using only the freshest locally sourced produce.

For breakfast and brunch, make sure to head around back to experience Rita's In The Park: a fresh new cafe just off of Mayflower Park offering a range of teas, coffees, milkshakes, juice and delicious pastry.

Another great choice is XOXO which serves up a great atmosphere both morning, noon and night. You can never go wrong with a cheeky cocktail or gather a couple of friends to sample their delectable breakfast menu by booking in for one of their bottomless brunches. XOXO breakfast burger - yes please!

Exterior and outside dining area of Mail Room, Oxford Street

Now that we've mentioned bottomless brunch, we have to mention Medbar! Their brunch menu is hailed as one of the most expansive that Southampton has to offer. From prosecco, beers and ciders to mocktails, soft drinks, and wines the list in endless.

The Mail Room is also one not to be missed - a great spot to grab a couple evening drinks from their extensive menu for a special date night or evening celebration.

Outside seating area and frontage of The Grapes pub, Southampton

If you are after a place to grab a couple of pints, The Grapes is the place to be. They serve up a great selection of both national and local ales with an excellent range of spirits and selection of wines to quench any thirst. While you're relaxing, you can also catch live sports shown on their big screens - a popular stop pre and post home football matches being just 15 minutes away from the stadium. It is also one of the city's most famous historic pubs as it is said to be the place where six men luckily missed their chance to board the Titanic when they lost track of time sipping on a few ales.

Where will you be dining?

Each venue has its own unique style that you will not find anywhere else in the city. The diversity makes it a great place to visit for any taste. Come and visit the traditional and historic buildings that home these fantastic venues.