The Old Vine

We went for lunch with friends visiting from out of town and had a lovely time. From our table we could see the cathedral across the way. It’s a charming old pub in the centre, with a warm atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff. The two Sunday roasts, seabass and steak and ale pie all arrived hot and were delicious. We’ll definitely return. Five stars, and thank you!

Book ahead if you’re planning a weekend or Christmas visit, as it gets busy. The location across from Winchester Cathedral is very convenient. We had a chicken burger and pork ribs with mashed potatoes, and both were excellent. The chicken breast was juicy with cheddar on top, and the bun had a lot more flavor than a standard one, though I couldn’t say what kind it was. The ribs were perfectly cooked and full of flavour. Service was attentive and helpful throughout. We had a great dinner.

Bradley gave us a lovely welcome for our one-night stay, and our room had a great view towards the Cathedral. We had a tender lamb stew and a salmon special for dinner, then spotted dick and cheesecake. The next morning, breakfast was brought to our room at no extra cost: a full English with fresh juice, toast and tea. The food, service and atmosphere were all superb. A top-class experience in a wonderful location, highly recommended.

Sunday was fully booked, so reserving ahead was definitely necessary. Service was quick, the portions were generous and the staff were friendly. I had steak, my partner chose the pork shoulder roast. Just so you know, the roast has one meat and one veg option, which I think changes weekly. Both meals were delicious, and we shared a lovely bread and butter pudding for dessert.