Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-candover-hampshire-s-stylish-new-country-pub-with-rooms">The Candover: Hampshire’s stylish new country pub with rooms</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover.jpg" alt="The Candover, Preston Candover Hampshire restaurant openings" class="wp-image-40511" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: The Candover</figcaption></figure>



<p>The wait is over for much-anticipated destination local, <a href="https://www.thecandover.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Candover</a>. And having been one of the first through the doors (take a peek <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZKXOo3OPPv/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>), Muddy can confirm it&#8217;s pretty special. Formerly The Purefoy Arms in Preston Candover, between Basingstoke and Winchester, The Candover is creating quite the buzz.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover-2.jpg" alt="The Candover Preston Candover" class="wp-image-40512" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Candover-2-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: The Candover</figcaption></figure>



<p>Beautifully reimagined as a laid-back country pub with rooms, The Candover pairs antique-filled interiors and four-posters with standout modern British cooking, local Candover Brook fizz and proper village hospitality. Come for the crab crumpets or chicken Kyiv, stay because you simply won’t want to leave.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coming-soon-pasta-evangelists-biggest-restaurant-yet-in-winchester">Coming soon: Pasta Evangelists&#8217; biggest restaurant yet in Winchester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2214" height="1770" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/Pasta-Evangelists_146.jpg" alt="Pasta Evangelists Winchester" class="wp-image-40513" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/Pasta-Evangelists_146.jpg 2214w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/Pasta-Evangelists_146-800x640.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/Pasta-Evangelists_146-1000x799.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/Pasta-Evangelists_146-768x614.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/Pasta-Evangelists_146-1536x1228.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/Pasta-Evangelists_146-2048x1637.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2214px) 100vw, 2214px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Pasta Evangelists</figcaption></figure>



<p>Fresh pasta fans, rejoice! <a href="https://pastaevangelists.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pasta Evangelists</a> is heading to Winchester this July, opening its biggest restaurant to date on the High Street. The 131-cover venue will serve the brand’s signature handmade pasta alongside five weekly pasta-making masterclasses, bringing a taste of Italy to the city. Expect Amalfi-inspired seasonal specials, stylish interiors and plenty of reasons to carbo-load.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sipping-stylishly-in-the-garden-at-stanwell-house">Sipping stylishly in The Garden at Stanwell House</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Garden-Stanwell-House.jpg" alt="The Garden at Stanwell House Lymington" class="wp-image-40514" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Garden-Stanwell-House.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Garden-Stanwell-House-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Garden-Stanwell-House-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Garden-Stanwell-House-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Garden-Stanwell-House-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Garden-Stanwell-House-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/The-Garden-Stanwell-House-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Stanwell House</figcaption></figure>



<p>Summer has landed at Stanwell House and the stylish Lymington boutique hotel and restaurant’s alfresco dining space has a stylish new look. A must-visit for warm evenings, <a href="https://www.stanwellhouse.com/the-garden-with-joseph-perrier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Garden at Stanwell House</a> is the kind of place you’ll pop in for one drink and end up staying all evening. Expect Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates, wood-fired pizzas, seafood fresh from the grill and chilled Joseph Perrier Champagne, plus Spritzes, fire pits and live music every weekend. From lazy lunches to sunset cocktails.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hoddington-arms-reopens-after-fire-with-a-fresh-new-look">The Hoddington Arms reopens after fire with a fresh new look</h2>



<p>One of Hampshire’s best-loved gastropubs is back. <a href="https://www.hoddingtonarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hoddington Arms</a> in Upton Grey reopens following a fire earlier this year, unveiling refreshed interiors while keeping all the character that earned it a place in both the Michelin Guide and The Good Food Guide. Expect seasonal Hampshire dishes, boutique stays in The Hideaway and reclaimed local charm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winchester-gets-hampshire-s-first-omakase-dining-experience">Winchester gets Hampshire’s first Omakase dining experience</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1047" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/omakase-experience-by.jpg" alt="Kyoto Kitchen Winchester Omakase Dining room" class="wp-image-40516" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/omakase-experience-by.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/omakase-experience-by-800x558.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/omakase-experience-by-1000x698.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/omakase-experience-by-768x536.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Kyoto Kitchen</figcaption></figure>



<p>Calling all foodies: stylish Winchester Japanese restaurant <a href="https://www.kyotokitchen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyoto Kitchen</a> has launched Hampshire’s first exclusive <a href="https://www.kyotokitchen.co.uk/omakase-experience" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Omakase experience</a>. Served at an intimate eight-seat chef’s counter, the 12–15 course tasting menu sees Head Chef Shintaro Ito prepare each dish in front of diners, with the menu entirely in his hands. Expect exquisite Edo-style sushi, Kyoto-inspired plates, local seafood and English wasabi, with optional sake pairings to complete the experience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-summer-bar-with-sea-views-opens-at-rt-cafe-grill">New summer bar with sea views opens at RT Café Grill</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1488" height="1488" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/RT-Cafe-Grill-Terrace-Bar.jpg" alt="RT cafe grll bar Ryde Isle of Wight new openings Robert Thompson" class="wp-image-40515" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/RT-Cafe-Grill-Terrace-Bar.jpg 1488w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/RT-Cafe-Grill-Terrace-Bar-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/RT-Cafe-Grill-Terrace-Bar-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/RT-Cafe-Grill-Terrace-Bar-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/RT-Cafe-Grill-Terrace-Bar-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/RT-Cafe-Grill-Terrace-Bar-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/07/RT-Cafe-Grill-Terrace-Bar-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1488px) 100vw, 1488px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: RT Café Grill</figcaption></figure>



<p>Sunshine, sea views and frozen cocktails? Yes, please. <a href="https://www.robertthompson.co.uk/rt-cafe-grill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RT Café Grill</a> in Ryde has unveiled its new RT Cabana Bar, bringing laid-back summer vibes to the seafront. Expect homemade gelato, English sparkling wine, sharing platters and cocktails overlooking the Solent, alongside Chef Robert Thompson’s modern British menu served on the terrace. A pretty perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon on the Isle of Wight.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hungry-for-more">Hungry for more?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/pub-beer-gardens-hampshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10 Hampshire pub beer gardens made for sunny summer days</a></li>



<li><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/hollycombe-home-farms-open-fire-feasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hollycombe Home Farm’s Open Fire Feasts</a></li>



<li><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/mutton-at-hazeley-heath-surprise-tasting-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dine on: The new Surprise Tasting Menu at The Mutton at Hazeley Heath</a></li>
</ul>


Superflash! Hot Hampshire restaurant openings this summer

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