Offering some of the best cityscape and coastal views, Visit Southampton has unveiled its top five venues for outdoor dining from April

Sea views at the HarBar on 6th at Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa
With spectacular views overlooking the Solent, HarBAR on 6th is Southampton’s most coveted alfresco dining spot. Opening on 14th April from midday to 11pm Wednesday to Sunday, guests can make the most of the outdoor seating complete with heaters and blankets and get comfortable on the extensive wrap-around roof terrace whilst enjoying a cocktail and meal from the new all-day menu including pizzas from the outdoor wood-fired oven.

To book contact: https://www.harbourhotels.co.uk/southampton/eat-and-drink/harbar-on-6th/book-a-terrace-table

Middle Eastern Mezze at the Ottoman Kitchen
The family run Ottoman Kitchen will be filling Southampton’s High Street with the delicious aromas of dishes cooked fresh from the charcoal grill this April. Winner of the UK’s best Middle Eastern restaurant, diners will be able to choose from two new outdoor eating areas – with a south facing terrace that makes the most of the all-day sun as well as an additional alfresco option at the rear of the restaurant, complete with a retractable roof. Open Monday to Sunday from 11am to 11pm, for more information and to book: https://ottoman-kitchen.co.uk/

Join the roof terrace Revolution

Lively and stylish, offering hand-crafted cocktails and a seasonal all day brunch and sharing plate menu, Revolution’s rooftop Sky Bar is ideal for a post lockdown get together. Its outdoor seating area overlooks Bedford Place a bustling boutique area of the city that sits in between the cultural quarter and Southampton common. For more information visit: https://www.revolution-bars.co.uk/bar/southampton

Best for breakfast, brunch and late night cocktails – Aussie-style XOXO
From breakfast and brunch to a late night cocktail, Southampton’s XOXO in Bedford Place offers an antipodean style alfresco dining experience. The venue has doubled its outdoor seating capacity ready for the April opening and head chef Natalie Allen is fine tuning the menu which makes the most of local suppliers from the nearby New Forest. From the bread, organic eggs and vegetables to the meat and even the coffee beans, which are roasted in Alresford, the restaurant’s ethos is all about farm to fork – keeping it fresh, local and tasty. Not just about the food, XOXO also offers a just drinks offering too. To book, visit: https://www.wearexoxo.co.uk/

Go Bananas with all day outdoor dining at Ocean Village’s Banana Wharf
Outdoor dining doesn’t get better than a marina-front view and the Banana Wharf really is right beside the water in Ocean Village. The restaurant’s name is a nod to Southampton’s illustrious trading past when, in the 1880’s, the Fyffe Company started to import bananas into the UK from the West Indies. One of Southampton’s largest outdoor dining venues, the restaurant offers a wide-ranging choice international cuisine. For more information and to book: Ocean Village (bananawharf.co.uk)

STAY: Make the most of the new outdoor dining options and self-cater. Room2 is a luxury self-catering aparthotel, with a three-night Friday to Monday long weekend stay at Room2 in July from £327.25 based on four sharing a Master Loft room. An ideal family space it features an elevated loft level with futon mattress as well as a separate dedicated sleeping space. There’s also a kitchenette with dishwasher, large dining table, a bespoke couch across the width of the room and TV. www.room2.com/southampton

Alternatively, set on a small, private marina with a striking ’super yacht’ style design, sea views, a fabulous destination rooftop bar, award-winning restaurant, spa and gym, the contemporary-styled The Southampton Harbour Hotel and Spa is proper 5-star luxury. A post-May 17th stay in one of the 119 luxury rooms costs from £215 based on two sharing on room-only, while suites start from £265 room only. Tel: 0238 110 3456 https://www.harbourhotels.co.uk/southampton

Ready for summer, the city’s Business Improvement District GO! Southampton, is looking to expand its #SouthamptonInsideOut initiative by creating a new alfresco picnic area within Guildhall Square in the city centre. This follows a successful road closure pilot scheme in the Bedford Place area which has enabled bars and restaurants to offer additional outdoor seating for customers. Ready for reopening, Bedford Place has had a colourful revamp with public art installations and new branding to create an enticing café culture vibe. Venues such as XOXO, Revolutions, Piecarumba, The Black Phoenix and The Cricketers Arm are just a few to benefit from the scheme offering outdoor dining.

For news and inspiration about what’s on and what to do in the city www.visitsouthampton.co.uk