Tuck-in below, for our veritable feast of veggie & vegan places to eat in the New Forest…
From the best buddha bowls, to supreme plant-based suppers, there is a smorgasbord of fab vegetarian and vegan restaurants & cafés to try out! We have included our fave foodie spots below but, if you find (or own) a great place, do let us know!
100% plant based foodie places…
1. Noohn
The Cross- Burley – Ringwood- BH24 4AB
Fizz, the owner, has your enjoyment as her upmost priority with a passion for creating delicious, fresh food in the most beautiful spot around. Her laid back approach and friendly personality will make even the most hangry hiker happy to have found her picnic spot. Pop into her shop for a cheeky vegan doughnut and other sweet/savoury treats.
2. The Retreat New Forest
Lyndhurst Road- Hinton- Christchurch- BH23 7EF
The Retreat has been a lockdown project which is sure to become the hot new place to go for some ‘me’ time. The focus definitely seems to be on taking time out to rejuvenate and restore. Created as a community space, that is welcoming and nourishing for all, there are two food venues to choose from; Crowspotter and Offbeet.
The café, Crowspotter, only opened in Summer 2021, and with values that revolve around conscious, natural living & seasonal, local produce, the food is sure to be delicious… we cannot wait to try for ourselves!
Offbeat, the restaurant here, has been created by self-confessed foodie Peter Axworthy. Peter spent most of his life not eating plant-based, and when he made the switch, he became obsessed with finding ways to break the vegan food stereotypes & satisfying the taste buds of other non-vegans. He uses cutting edge techniques to create spectacular dishes that we’re sure are going to put The Retreat on every map very soon… so look out!
3. The Tinker’s Granddaughter
Lymington
The newest addition to Lymington High Street, this vegan deli delight has just opened up its doors! Founded by the wonderful Bob’s who is passionate about cooking up yummy vegan treats. You can eat in or takeaway – no bookings required just rock on up!
4. Naked Pantry
3 Westcroft Parade, Station Road, New Milton, BH25 6JG – 01425 613555
Located in-between Lymington and Highcliffe, The Naked Pantry & Naked Quench in New Milton, provides the perfect pit stop to fuel-up, and stock-up whilst you’re at it!
Well worth visiting, and massively rated by the locals, the café side has a great selection of locally-baked goods alongside its brekkie, tapas and heartier meal options for lunch. Catering for veggies & meat eaters (choose from options like the locally-reared Hampshire Beef, or Beyond Meat ‘Build your Burger’ dishes to-suit), we especially love that their delish soups are created from homegrown allotment donations – all washed down with a Fairtrade coffee, or organic Honduras blend loose-leaf teas!
With the mantra of ‘Tasteful not wasteful’, their zero-waste refill station is just next door to the café, and is fab for filling up your pantry during your stay in the New Forest.
5. Twelve Eatery
12 The Triangle, Bournemouth, BH2 5RY – 01202 310 166
Top marks goes to the first on our list- the 100% vegan lot at Bournemouth-based, Twelve Eatery! Just looking at their menu makes our mouth water… they even have parmesan truffle chips as a side option- it can’t get much better. This is a place to savour. A well-loved, totally plant-based restaurant, who champion organic ingredients in the most beautiful of settings.
From their all day menu, the Chilli & Almond Hispi Cabbage is a must! With a side of Hispeh Tempah Noodles, and its symphony of satay-flavoured lotus root & vegetables, we recommend the Trio of Beetroots, with rosemary mouse, caramelised hazelnuts & blood orange coulis to finish… do save room for coffee though!
Alongside the chance to try out local food on their vegan menu, there is also an absolute rainbow of cocktails & cold-pressed juices to choose from; with a fantastic array of vegan wines, beers, spirits & liqueurs too… spoilt for choice! As well as having incredibly tasty food, the decor & atmosphere (not to mention their divine cutlery!), makes this number one on our vegan restaurants to visit list.
6. Mad Cucumber Cafe
7 The Triangle, Bournemouth, BH2 5RY
There’s no better way to describe this place than already done on their website, so in their own words: “Mad Cucumber – Vegan Lounge Bournemouth was established in 2013, by a mad Polish couple – Kamil and Ewelina. Inspired and wanting to bring positive changes to the sunny, seaside town of Bournemouth, the quirky café was born. With the help of family and friends, the space that once held a hair salon was transformed into the rustic lounge it is today.”
It’s a well-loved place, and we’re big fans of their all vegan burger menu… not to mention the array of vegan cakes – truly wowsers. Don’t miss!
7. Cafe Thrive
Southampton City Centre; 18 Hanover Buildings, Southampton, SO14 1JX – 02380338708
Café Thrive is all about affordable, fun, plant-based food – ideal for a quick bite whilst out and about in Southampton.
Located a 3 minute stroll from the main shopping stretch in Southampton, there is a park opposite & the whole menu can also be made to take-away. With classic dishes such as ‘burgers’ and ‘hot dogs’, salads, sandwiches & wraps, our fave has to be the option to ‘Build a Bowl’, where you can add all your favourite toppings- such as falafel, cashew cheese or balsamic mushrooms. With a great kids menu & drinks menu to boot (vegan wine, kombucha, plant-based shakes, smoothies, and every type of Latte you can think of…) this vegan café is great value, and a must try if you are in this neck of the woods!
Need a hand to find all these vegan & veggies places?
Here’s a map of the above and below…
Psst – we’ve also added COOK stores (they’re a BCorp, we love them) and The New Forest’s zero-waste refill stations..!
Almost Veggie and Vegan menus…
1. Coffee & Drift
Quay Road, Lymington, SO41 3ET
This place has quite the following. It’s probably one of the most popular café’s in Lymington. Grace and the team do a great job, including on their swoon-worthy Instagram account.
For a fresh & fab brekkie with a view (this really is the best place to people watch at Lymington Quay!), try the Acai bowl- brimming with banana, mixed berries, acai & almond milk, coconut flakes, granola & peanut butter. For a laidback lunch, or fuel for a stroll along the Sea Wall, we love the Cosy Buddha Bowls- a vegan fave that is packed with harissa roasted root vegetables, seasonal slaw, hummus, pistachios, courgette ribbons, avocado & mixed seeds!
2. The Gun Inn
Keyhaven Road, Keyhaven, Milford on Sea, SO41 0TP
This family owned pub only reopened April 2021 and has already become a firm favourite by locals and visitors alike. The head chef, Mark, (aka ‘newforestchef’ on instagram), cooks everything on an open fire which can be seen in the garden. This gives all the food an amazing unique taste which keeps us returning for more!
Even though there is an emphasis on the local meat and fish served at The Gun, the veggie and vegan options are just as carefully considered and locally sourced. Our top tip for ordering food off the menu is to mix and match the ‘gun…ibbles’ and ‘gun shots’ in tapas style so everyone tries a little bit of all the dishes as they are so delicious!
3. Saltwater Cafe
106 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE
Much-loved by all who have sampled their food (and a proud winner of Trip Advisor’s ‘Best cafe in Hampshire’), you’ll find the gorgeous & super-chilled Saltwater Café just around the corner from Milford on Sea’s High Street.
Bex & Tony, the owners, have concocted a really lovely menu, that incorporates local ingredients and caters for all. With tasty options for vegetarians & meat eaters, we highly recommend stopping by their laidback Scandi-esque quarters for a hearty breakfast, or lovely lunch. Also running various nutrition workshops through the year (we’ll keep you posted!), their ‘Graze Boxes’ are perfection for takeaway snackage on the beach!
4. Bohemia
7 Rashley Mews, Lymington, SO41 9AR
Tucked away behind the Lymington Post Office, this cafe is a secret gem! Doubling up as a plant shop, it couldn’t be a greener space to enjoy a healthy meal. They do amazing coffee and the food is always presented so beautifully, ranging from your classics of avocado on toast to pancakes and smoothie bowls. If ever in need of a quiet spot this is the place to go… and you can pick up a plant or two to take home and enjoy!
5. Braxton Gardens and Tea Room
Lymore Lane, Milford on Sea, SO41 0TX
Muffins Galore is a bit of hidden gem! Located in Braxton Gardens (not far from Milford’s town centre), this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy afternoon tea away from the hustle and bustle.
Offering a veritable feast of vegan cakes and sweet treats, the mismatched china & vintage decor definitely adds to the special charm of this place – with dogs also welcome, this makes for a great reward after a beach walk… we recommend the chocolate, banana and chilli bread!
4 Grove Rd, Bournemouth BH1 3AX
This luxury, boutique eco-hotel is seriously worth mentioning. Arbor is their multiple award-winning restaurant with Head Chef, Andy Hilton, specialising in honest but imaginative seasonal cooking. Using local, organic, and Fairtrade, produce from artisan suppliers, everything about The Green House seems to have been done with lots of care and attention… especially the food!
They do afternoon tea, which on request can be made vegan, from £22.50pp – which seems pretty good value to us. Their menu also seems to change depending on the season with dishes such as; ‘Cauliflower bhajee and mango chutney’ as a nibble, or ‘Puy Lentil “mince” with a sweet potato & sage mash + red wine braised shallots’ -yum yum!
Found somewhere not on our list?
If you discover somewhere super tasty, or have feedback on any vegetarian or vegan hot spots in the New Forest area, please let us know!
