There are restaurants that talk the talk and then there are those that truly deliver on their promises. The Ivy Winchester Brasserie, nestled just steps from the hallowed grounds of Winchester Cathedral, confidently falls into the latter.
With its elegant nod to British culinary heritage, this all-day dining destination offers something for everyone – from afternoon tea and delicious breakfasts to leisurely brunches and celebratory suppers.
A stalwart of the Ivy Collection, it blends a sense of occasion with relaxed sophistication, making it a must-visit for both discerning locals and inquisitive out-of-towners seeking refined charm in the heart of Hampshire.
Dining at The Ivy Winchester Brasserie
Step inside and you’re greeted by a striking interplay of colour and texture. High ceilings soar above a parquet floor that gleams like polished chestnut, while burnt orange leather banquettes offer both comfort and a splash of zesty energy. The art-deco inspired onyx bar, a centrepiece in its own right, shimmers with promise. It’s a space that manages to be both stylish and inviting with a buzzing atmosphere.
The new spring menu is a celebration of contemporary British cuisine with continental flourishes. With a culinary philosophy rooted in seasonality and quality produce, it’s no surprise that everything from the starters to the puddings is thoughtfully composed.
Vegan and vegetarian diners are equally well catered for, with vibrant, plant-led dishes holding their own beside classic brasserie fare. But it’s in the details where The Ivy truly excels – the final grate of truffle, the last flick of sauce, the delicate balancing of texture and taste that elevates even the familiar.
Drinks at The Ivy Winchester Brasserie
Cocktails here are no mere afterthought. For something light and invigorating, the Cherry & Apricot Spritz offers Prosecco-driven sparkle paired with Bellamie cherry liqueur and fragrant apricot cordial – an aperitivo dream. The Tatin Old Fashioned, by contrast, is a moodier affair – Singleton 12 brings its caramel backbone to the fore, layered with 30/40 Double Jus and Noix des Pères Chartreux for a nutty, spiced complexity, softened with cinnamon and bitters. A real fireside sipper, even in summer.
The Champagne & Strawberry Mojito is a jubilant riot of summer fruit and effervescence, where Ron Santiago de Cuba’s white rum meets muddled mint and lime, topped with a generous pour of Champagne. It’s fresh, clean and celebratory. The Passion & Basil Spritz surprises with its tropical-meets-herbaceous balance, blending Ketel One vodka with Bonavida’s Grapefruit & Basil Aperitif, a whisper of Beesou Honey and tangy passion fruit cordial, all brightened by bubbles.
Starters at The Ivy Winchester Brasserie
The Roasted Scallops arrive as golden medallions, their delicate sweetness heightened by a gentle caramelised crust. Nestled atop crisp potato rösti, they contrast beautifully with the softness of the shellfish, while a vivid pea purée brings freshness and a whisper of spring. The Parmesan sauce adds a deep, umami warmth, and a flourish of grated truffle lends a luxurious earthiness that lingers on the palate.
The Steak Tartare with Toast is a refined yet rustic affair – hand-cut sirloin, precisely seasoned with shallots, cornichons and capers, gives a punchy, tangy edge that’s balanced by the creamy richness of egg yolk. Served with crisp toasted sourdough, it’s a dish that walks the line between indulgence and tradition, executed with finesse and unpretentious flair.
Mains at The Ivy Winchester Brasserie
The Ivy Classic Shepherd’s Pie is comfort redefined – slow-braised lamb and beef melded together in a rich, velvety red wine sauce, layered beneath a crown of Cheddar mash that’s both crisp on top and yielding within. Each forkful delivers warmth and depth, with rosemary lifting the richness just enough to make it irresistibly moreish. It’s nostalgic, yes, but elevated – the sort of dish that wraps you up like a warm hug.
The Rib-eye on the Bone is everything a steak lover dreams of – 12oz of grass-fed beef, dry-aged for 21 days in a Himalayan salt chamber to coax out every last nuance of flavour. Cooked precisely to order, the marbling melts into the meat, offering a buttery tenderness with a robust, mineral depth. It’s bold, it’s primal, and it’s finished with just the right amount of char to make the edges sing.
Sides at The Ivy Winchester Brasserie
The Zucchini Fritti is a masterclass in crisp lightness – shards of courgette, delicately battered and fried to a golden whisper of crunch. Each bite offers a satisfying contrast between the warm, salty exterior and the fresh vegetal sweetness within. It’s a side that’s as elegant as it is moreish, practically begging to be eaten by the handful.
The Asparagus Spears, served simply with lemon and a glug of extra virgin olive oil, showcase the kitchen’s respect for quality ingredients. Lightly blanched to preserve their verdant snap, these slender spears retain their earthy sweetness and are enlivened by the citrus zing of lemon and the fruity depth of fine oil. A refined accompaniment that speaks of the season with every bite.
Desserts at The Ivy Winchester Brasserie
The Birthday Dessert Box is pure theatre – a chocolate orb arrives at the table glinting under the lights, only to be melted open by a stream of hot salted caramel sauce poured with ceremony.
Inside, vanilla ice cream, honeycomb and chocolate strands tumble forth, punctuated by bursts of freeze-dried raspberries and shimmering gold flakes. It’s indulgent, whimsical and unabashedly joyful – a dessert that ends the meal not just with flavour, but with a sense of occasion.
The Kids Menu at The Ivy Winchester Brasserie
For families dining at The Ivy Winchester Brasserie, the children’s menu is far from an afterthought. It offers a wide selection of crowd-pleasers such as fish and chips, juicy hamburgers and comforting Cumberland sausages – each dish designed to satisfy without compromising on quality. But there are also welcome surprises for more adventurous palates, including a perfectly pan-fried hake fillet and a rich, slow-cooked lamb and beef bolognese. Yet it is the dessert selection that truly delights. The kids Chocolate Sundae is a sugar-spun fantasy – scoops of creamy vanilla ice cream layered with chocolate brownie, popping candy, a puff of pink candy floss and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. It’s joy in a glass, a finale that leaves little diners wide-eyed with glee.
The Verdict
Whether you’re sightseeing in the shadow of Winchester Cathedral or indulging in a summer staycation in Hampshire, The Ivy Winchester Brasserie is the sort of restaurant that turns a simple meal into a grand occasion.
With stylish interiors, a well-curated cocktail list and a new menu that balances comfort and creativity, it caters with aplomb to all ages and appetites. Service is warm, the setting elegant, and the food reliably delicious. For lunch with friends, dinner with your significant other or a special family treat with the little ones in tow, this is a brasserie that does it all – and does it brilliantly.
Celebrate Chelsea Flower Show with Lillet Cocktails at The Ivy
To celebrate the season and this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, The Ivy Collection has also partnered with Lillet to launch a deliciously floral, limited edition cocktail menu. To commemorate this year’s Chelsea Flower Show theme of ‘innovation, nature landscapes, and the future’, the handcrafted cocktail list leverages the fresh, fruity, herbaceous flavours of Lillet’s range of wine-based aperitifs, to pay tribute to the beauty of nature and the imaginative spirit of the multitude of entries to the world-renowned festival – perfect for enjoying on a sunny terrace at an Ivy restaurant.
Delights on the menu include the Lillet Rosé Spritz; fresh and lively Lillet Rosé with Prosecco, topped with Fever-Tree Soda Water and spritzed with a fine rose mist. Guests can also select the Lavender, a refreshing, floral spritz which sees Beesou Honey Liqueur blend seamlessly with Lillet Rosé, lavender cordial and lychee juice, topped off with prosecco.
The Chelsea Flower Show cocktail menu, created in partnership with Lillet, will be available in restaurants until 31st May 2025.
The Ivy Winchester Brasserie
103-104 High Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9AH
01962 790 700
ivycollection.com/restaurants/the-ivy-winchester-brasserie/
