Hampshire's Lucky Lychee and Pulpo Negro secure spot on Good Food Guide's 2026 list of best local restaurants
Two Hampshire restaurants have made it into the Good Food Guide
Two Hampshire restaurants are in the spotlight after securing a place in the Good Food Guide’s 100 best local restaurants list.
Now in its 16th year, the Best Local Restaurant awards celebrate the community driven restaurants that offer excellent value for money and quality cooking.
Over the past few years, the awards have propelled independent stars into the national spotlight, with Lucky Lychee in Winchester, and Pulpo Negro in Alresford both being recognised in this year’s guide.
Previously dubbed as “unforgettable” after taking being crowned the overall winner, Malaysian restaurant, Lucky Lychee, in Southgate Street, has once again been successful in being noticed for its impressive menu and inviting setting. The restaurant, run by husband-and-wife duo, James Harris and Nicole Yeoh, has been inspired by Nicole’s upbringing in Penang, with the menu illustrating the vibrant flavours of Malaysian cuisine.
Pulpo Negro, in Broad Street, is no stranger to being in the limelight after being awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, celebrating its exceptional food that sits at an affordable price point. The tapas restaurant and bar, which was founded by Marie-Lou and Andres Alemany, serves up authentic Spanish dishes including crispy aubergine, whipped goats cheese and canarian palm syrup.
Head of reviews & listings at the Good Food Guide Chloë Hamilton said: “In the face of adversity, creativity has flourished in unusual and unlikely places. It has been hugely rewarding to see how these tiny operations are offering outstanding quality in a way that so clearly strikes a chord with the local crowd. Arrive with an open mind and a good appetite and you’ll be brilliantly rewarded.”
For the second year running, Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants has partnered up with business technology platform Square.
Speaking about the partnership, head of international marketing at Square Lizzie Barclay said: “The Good Food Guide is the ultimate companion for food lovers, so we’re delighted to partner with them for another year to shine a light on the country’s most exceptional local restaurants.
“The incredible businesses on this list have all the ingredients that make independent hospitality so special – the passion, the personal touch, and the community. Square supports hospitality businesses like these across the UK with the tools that help restaurateurs to operate efficiently, freeing them up to focus on doing what they love.”