The Hinton Arms — Restaurant in Winchester

From the moment you approach The Hinton Arms—its honey‑coloured stone façade framed by climbing ivy—you know you’re in for something special. Stepping through the heavy oak door, you’re enveloped by an atmosphere that effortlessly balances laid‑back country charm with a touch of contemporary flair. Exposed beams stretch across the ceiling, while soft Edison bulbs cast a honeyed glow over plush leather banquettes and rustic farmhouse tables. A crackling fire in the corner adds a cosy warmth, and tasteful art prints alongside fresh greenery bring a welcome splash of colour. It’s the sort of place where you immediately want to settle in, linger over a drink and soak up the ambience.

When it comes to the menu, The Hinton Arms truly shines—starting, of course, with its signature burgers. These aren’t your run‑of‑the‑mill pub patties: each is a masterclass in texture and taste. The patty itself is a perfect medium‑rare—juicy, pink‑flecked and beautifully seasoned—nestled in a pillowy brioche bun that’s been gently toasted so it holds together without ever feeling heavy. Toppings are fresh and inventive: crisp baby gem lettuce, vine‑ripened tomato, and a tangy house‑made pickled slaw that cuts through the richness, while a slick of smoky chipotle mayo ties everything together. With each bite, you get that glorious interplay of melt‑in‑your‑mouth meat, soft bun, and bright, zesty crunch.

But the true showstopper of our evening was the pork belly. Presented as thick, succulent slabs, the meat was slow‑braised until it literally fell apart at the touch of a fork. Its top layer—glazed with a honey‑soy reduction—crackled to a perfect crisp, providing a sublime textural counterpoint to the lush, unctuous flesh beneath. The accompanying apple‑and‑cider chutney was the ideal foil: sweet yet tart, cutting through the pork’s richness and lifting each mouthful to something transcendent.

For a lighter counterbalance, the prawn and avocado salad offered an elegant, refreshing interlude. Jumbo prawns, poached just right, were firm and plump, their ocean-fresh sweetness enhanced by a bright lime and coriander dressing. The avocado was impeccably ripe—creamy and buttery—diced alongside ribbons of cucumber and dressed micro-greens, all finished with a whisper of chilli oil for just a hint of warmth. It felt simultaneously indulgent and virtuous, a testament to the kitchen’s skill in balancing flavours and textures.

Across the board, the meats at The Hinton Arms are a testament to precise cooking and top‑quality sourcing. Whether it’s the beef in the burgers, the pork belly’s tender flakes, or the plumpness of each prawn, every protein is treated with respect and cooked to absolute perfection. Service is equally attentive: knowledgeable staff guide you through the menu, offering wine pairings that complement rather than overpower.

In short, The Hinton Arms isn’t just a pub—it’s a destination. From the inviting interiors to the standout burgers, the heavenly pork belly and the artful prawn salad with its creamy avocado, every detail has been thought through. If you’re looking for a dining experience that combines rustic warmth with refined modern cooking, look no further. Highly...

A very busy sunny Sunday on bank holiday weekend. Good food and mixed success at the bar. When we arrived just after mid day there were plenty of tables outside in the sun. All had parasols if you wanted shade. Tables on the patio and up on the grass where we sat. We ordered baguettes with chips and it all came very quickly. Later around 1pm when busier the ordering wasn't so simple. They still have an old fashioned till and seemed to need to add it all up on a calculator first before putting it in the till. And all orders were hand written on a paper pad. It seemed to work, so I'm not complaining but it is not conducive to fast service on a busy day. Unfortunately there wasn't an awareness of who had arrived first and so people that only just arrived would get served even though others had been stood at the bar for a while. I only wanted to order one item but had to wait whilst the person that arrived after me was served the 10 drinks they wanted. The waitresses tried to help with taking order on pad. I wish they hadn't as it still has to be taken by two bar staff and in doing so I lost the opportunity to do it then and there at the bar and had to wait for another large drinks order to be completed before I could pay for the pudding. One customer asked for a copy of the bill and the bar staff member didn't understand what he was after. The waitress tried to help again and say he wants the receipt from the till. He never got it. Also the waitress was trying to highlight to the other bar staff member a reserved table was set for 4 people and the reservation was for 5. The bar staff said maybe they'll go outside. And didn't change the table as far as I'm aware. In summary lovely food and expect a wait when busy. I'd recommend they improve their behind bar process. Why the three waitresses that were standing around waiting to help couldn't ring up food and take payment, I am not sure. They need 3 people at least on the bar on busy sunny bank holidays. It was lovely and clean with amusing toilets and...

We came here with my in-laws, who are frequent visitors as they live about 30 minutes away. Happy to see they had three very clearly labelled vegan options. They were accommodating of a small request to change a dish's accompaniment. The young staff were excellent, always friendly. It was busy and we did wait a while for our food but this was fine because we were happy to chat. The portions were very large and they provided a foil box for any leftovers if asked. The chips were amazing; the highlight of my meal. The bean chilli was more akin to a casserole than chilli con carne but hit the spot with very well cooked rice. For any fellow herbivores looking for somewhere to eat in this area please note there is hunting paraphernalia everywhere - skulls mounted on the walls everywhere you look. However, they've made an effort to be inclusive including dishes that can be made gluten free, so it's worth a visit for that. The outside is very pretty, with beautiful...