7 High Street, Winchester, SO23 9JX
Harden's survey result
Summary
“As expected superior fish” – this Stein family operation is the most popular destination in Winchester this year in our annual diners’ poll and one of the top-100 most commented-on spots outside London. Perhaps “the venue and ambience are not as good as some rivals, but the helpful and efficient staff are friendly” and “the freshness of the food makes it worthwhile”. Even the odd critic says “it has hit its stride again after a bit of blip a year or two ago”.
Summary
“One of the best restaurants in Winchester and consistently good over a number of years” – that’s how most diners view this Stein-family operation: a “busy town-centre fish bistro” which is the most commented-on venue locally in our annual diners’ poll and generates almost as much feedback as the Padstow mothership nowadays. “With top-quality food combined with professional service and a friendly welcome”, most reports say “it is hardly surprising that Rick Stein’s continues to be so popular”. But the idea that it’s “good but you always have that sensation that there is a premium for the name” grew this year, and a more significant number of reporters thought it either “overpriced”, “disappointing” or both. There’s widespread agreement, though, that “the set lunch is excellent value”.
Summary
This “very busy” venture is both the most commented-on restaurant in the city and also the most popular spin-off from the Stein family’s original Padstow operation. Aside from the fact that it’s “a little expensive”, no-one has a bad word to say about the place: it has a “fantastic location” and “maintains a high quality of skillful fish cooking” with “frequent changes to the menu”; all delivered by “calm and attentive staff”. “Some say it’s overhyped – it’s actually brilliant!”
Summary
Of Stein’s national stable, this buzzy destination is the most-mentioned branch after the Padstow original and London spin-off. It scored slightly less highly this year: although the general tenor of reports was of “well-cooked and presented” cuisine, there were also one or two more mixed experiences (“clunkier saucing than I remember”). Major disappointments are few, though, and the general theme is that “even if it can be a bit hit-and-miss, generally its fish is of good quality”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Rick Stein?
Owner's description
Rick Stein’s restaurant in Winchester serves classic seafood dishes including Dover sole a la meunière, Fruits de Mer and lobster thermidor as well as dishes inspired by his travels from around the world.
Situated on Winchester high street, our coastal interiors and seascape paintings gently nod towards our coastal heritage.
Open every day for lunch and dinner, our restaurant offers a delicious a la carte dinner menu as well as a set menu for lunch, making it the perfect place to eat out in Winchester or Hampshire.
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
7 High Street, Winchester, SO23 9JX
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
