Rising Sun — Restaurant in Fareham

Always rated this place in the past up until now. Fabulous setting and friendly staff. Great place for a sundowner out front in the summer. Nice chips too.

Walked down the river from Lower Swanwick yesterday with my wife and the dog. Got caught in a heavy rain just before we arrived.

Looking forward to a nice cosy pint, we were welcomed with a look up and down, assessed as to exactly how wet we were, asked if we were drinking outside, then offered a choice of two tables in an otherwise empty pub. I felt like I’d been scanned by Robocop. Couldn’t pick a window table as the young lady was concerned about the carpet getting wet. Really? Pub carpets are tough enough to unleash Hell upon.

The staff were friendly enough but it wasn’t the warm welcome I’d had in mind. Having sat in an empty bar at a table of their choice, I decided one pint was enough. I whisked my better half and, by now, dry Border Terrier off to seek warmer hospitality elsewhere as I had a bitter taste I needed to wash away.

I remember a time not so long ago when you just enter a pub, order a drink at the bar, maybe stay at the bar, maybe some small talk with other punters or grab a table. Order some food if the mood takes you! Who knows? Keep it spontaneous!

If you like ruthless efficiency, this is the place for you.

I feel that staff have completely lost site of what the average punter wants from a pub. The hospitality trade seems hooked on rules since COVID. I’m not alone in my opinion it turns out speaking to other locals. I’ll still order a take out in nice weather but yet another pub I’m done with as far as a simple pint is concerned. It really isn’t fun being a functioning alcoholic any more.

UPDATE as of September 2024. Revisited for a sun downer sitting out front on a lovely Friday evening.

Friendly reception, - (no wet dog in tow). Drinks efficiently despatched.

Thought I’d grab a portion of chips for the kids as well. Box of chips brought out and delivered out front by one of the girls promptly.

What a disappointment. Opened the box to a sparse offering of, what turned out to be, under cooked chips( see photo).

My advice would be to par boil your chips first so they don’t stay hard inside once fried, and if your portions must be so paltry, try and disguise with a much smaller cardboard box. I don’t wish to try and teach the Chef to suck eggs, of course . Maybe it was a bad day.

On the upside, it was a proper ice breaker with our fellow Sundowners out front who found the look of dismay on our faces, upon opening the mostly empty box of fresh air, absolutely hilarious.

We had a good laugh about the comedy offering with our new friends and collectively came to the conclusion that next time, just nip to the chippy up the road for your chips and the pub for your beer. Thanks again Rising Sun! It’s all about location...

Really cool pub. Vibrant downstairs, tranquil upstairs. Great views across Hamble Marina out to Southampton Water. Three Greene King cask ales, and the typical Greene King menu which is rather heavy on meat and stodge, but amongst the small print a reasonably healthy and environmentally friendly plant based meal can be extracted. I like Greene King beers, but I do tend to despair of their menus. From Hungry Horse up to Chef & Brewer, the focus on chips, cheese, and meat is not encouraging or exciting in this day and age. However, the menus are popular and bring in a profit, so why should Greene King care? That said, the food is generally as you'd expect from that sort of menu - comforting rather than connoisseur. Food that people are not going to complain about, as it is often what we get at home, but presented more attractively. Our food was presented attractively, tasted nice, and was satisfying. Our waitress, Sarah, was attentive, pleasant, and did everything required, even though the upstairs room was almost full. We didn't wait long for anything - drinks, food, confirmation that everything was OK, and the bill, arrived promptly and with the ghost of a smile. Decent lunch time meal for two with drinks came to less than £30 in well run, comfortable surroundings in a room with possibly the best views in the area. Anyone coming here, provided they accept the limitations of the menu (and I totally do - The Greene King name is clearly displayed outside, so you know what you're getting), are not going to be disappointed.

Quibbles? Yes. Two. On arriving at the pub we had to pass two smokers by the porch. We were forced to breathe in the toxins from their cigarette smoke, and endure the smell on our clothes. Smokers should be encouraged to stand well away from entrances when smoking. We, along with another party who had booked, were directed upstairs where someone would show us to our tables. Sadly there was nobody upstairs, and we all had to stand aimlessly waiting for someone to turn up and tell us where our tables were.

Do these quibbles really matter? Yes and no. Smokers seem to stand at the entrance to most pubs, and few pubs seem to have the will to insist that smokers stand away from the entrance. It matters, but the problem, to be fair, is not unique to the Rising Sun. And that the upstairs waitress was not available at that particular moment is not something the pub should be damned for. It happens. But perhaps a little thought, like having clearer table numbers so people can find their tables themselves at busy times, would be useful.

OK. Quibbles aside, this is one of the best pubs in the Southampton area, and if you've not been is well worth seeking out. There is a public car park right in...

If laughter is the best medicine, then The Rising Sun should come with a health warning because it's a stomach-busting riot! We stumbled upon this gem of a place, and we're convinced it’s where comedians go to moonlight as chefs and waitresses.

First off, let's talk about the dynamic duo, Sharon and Gary. They run this place with the precision of a Swiss watch and the humor of a stand-up routine. Sharon’s got the sharp wit, bubbly personality and warm greeting of Peggy Mitchell, Gary’s got the dad jokes that are so bad they’re good and could easily pass off as Phil Mitchell. Together, they make a visit feel like a family reunion, minus the awkward small talk and with way better food and lots of laughter.

And speaking of food, it’s excellent and great value for money. Not sure how they manage to serve such delicious dishes without charging an arm and a leg, but I suspect they might have struck a deal with a very generous culinary deity. From the hearty mains to the lovely desserts, they have something for everyone.

The staff, Charlotte and Kelly, deserve a standing ovation. They’re the comedic relief that every diner needs. Charlotte moves with the prowess of a 100m Sprinter negotiating hazards on her way throughout the pub with precision and a charming smile. Kelly has the kind of comedic timing that could give professional comedians a run for their money. But it’s not all jokes and laughter; these ladies are caring to the core. They make sure we feel like royalty on every visit and know what we will.order before we've even thought of it!

In conclusion, The Rising Sun isn’t just a place to eat – it’s an experience. You come for the food, but you stay for the comedy and the warm, caring service. If you’re looking for a place where you can get great value for your money and leave with a smile plastered on your face, look no further. Sharon, Gary, Charlotte, and Kelly have got you covered. And trust me, you’ll be back for seconds, thirds, and probably fourths! They even make a fuss of...