Duke of Wellington in Southampton

I have visited the DOW several times recently (on my own) and can honestly say this pub is really great. Love it because it is a traditional pub with an "Old Fashioned" atmosphere ( mean this in a complementary way) and the food and service are excellent. Can highly recommend!

Good service, Bangers and Mash were excellent. Great traditional pub atmosphere.

Amazing place. Food prepared for our dog and our food was amazing. Our dog also received a doggy cracker. Will definitely return

Great staff and a nice ambiance. Stopped in for a Sunday roast and unfortunately the food was the lowlight. Their roast could possibly send my English grandmother into cardiac arrest. The only thing roasted on my plate was the potatoes. Carrots, snow peas and Brussel sprouts likely steamed and sitting in a bain-marie for hours were tasteless and almost a raw. Lukewarm with a hard, crunchy texture, I had to fight to pierce them with my fork. A roast lunch also includes the vegetables guys! I cannot speak to the quality of the meat as I had the vegetarian nut roast. While I’m sure the meat is likely of excellent taste and quality it seems that the focus of the ‘roast’ is entirely on the meat and potatoes and no focus given what’s on the rest of the plate. This may be passable for the vast majority of your customers, but really lets your vegetarian/ vegan customers down as veggies are all we have. A self inflected issue, I am aware 🥕🫛 Got a shamrock in my Guinness though so points for that ☘️🍺

Quite possibly the best pub experience I've ever had. The cider is amazing, the fish and chips was great, and the food was way better than we were even hoping for. I'm very glad we stumbled across this. The duck rolls and nachos were heavenly also.

Visited this pub many times in the past, in the 90s, 2000s, 2010s. Wow, it really is bad now and it really shouldn't be. Look at the trade just round the corner at the Dancing Man. There are so many people who will come to a pub for an experience. The Duke is now cold and drab, with no fireplaces lit. It's charmless, and the selection of beers, wines and spirits would be surpassed at most house parties. The selection of crisps extended to Monster Munch, and more Monster Munch. It was as if I had walked into a youth club not a 12th Century Public House that should be a jewel in the crown of Southampton. It closed at 1030, and I wouldn't be hanging around to check. Nostalgia sometimes takes you places you wish hadn't gone, I'll cling to the memories.

Excellent as a typical English pub. Great food and great atmosphere. My sister from SA on her very first visit here wanted to have a typical English pub lunch. I chose the Duke of Wellington, and she was not disappointed. Highly recommended.

Lovely warm welcome in this spectacular historic pub. Great location. Great fish n chips and tasty chilli con carne. Our dog was the centre of attention and was very welcome too.

Strange little pub with lovely people and excellent t food

Really enjoyed the fried cauliflowers app and fish & chips. Friendly staff, relaxing atmosphere and beautiful building within the old city wall. Turn the front door ring CCW.

Bonita vergüenza de la comida. Pedido Gammon Egg & Chips más una hamburguesa después de unos 15 minutos el personal regresó y dijo que se habían quedado sin gammon. Esa debería haber sido mi señal de ir pero como un explorador intrépido que pisé. Cuando llegó la comida estaba fría, sin embargo, tenía tanta hambre que seguí soldando. El personal se disculpó pero realmente no le interesó la vergüenza, ya que es un pub encantador lleno de potencial. ¡Definitivamente no volveré ni se lo recomendaré a nadie más que a mi némesis! Lo que cobran y lo que entregan son postes separados.

This is a great spot for some food in a very historic pub in Southampton! It is on the small side with a bar area and then a dining area toward the back so I would recommend booking if you're keen to visit as it did start to fill up! Service was fab, the staff were really friendly and the food came out very quickly! The menu is quite new and we found the staff knew their stuff and were happy to answer questions. We went for the fish and chips and the Thai red curry. I would say, if you're going for the curry- it's not quite what I've had in the past with a typical creamy Thai sauce, more of a thicker curry with potatoes and cauliflower. Still very yummy but not quite what I had in mind (which could absolutely be on me). We tried the sticky toffee pudding which was amazing and great for sharing! Drinks wise, we'd really recommend the Navy Wings beer with a touch of rum!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Duke of Wellington is an absolute highlight! The young, motivated team immediately creates a welcoming atmosphere and you simply feel at home here. The traditional English cuisine is outstanding - from classic fish and chips to hearty pies, everything is fresh and delicious. A perfect place to spend a relaxing evening with friends. I'd love to come back!

What a great historic pub, beautiful inside and out with a great selection of beers and super service.

We didn't eat. However, everything else was superb. So glad we ventured from the town centre.

Qué hallazgo. Estábamos fuera de un crucero hoy y tuvimos algo de tiempo para matar en Southampton antes de volver a casa en Belfast. Encontramos este lugar a través de Google y reservamos una mesa para el almuerzo del domingo y unas copas después de nuestro lugar habitual a la vuelta de la esquina estaba totalmente reservado. No nos decepcionaron. El pub es pintoresco con viejas vigas expuestas en el techo y rezuman historia, carácter y encanto. El personal era amable y nos sentó en una mesa encantadora en la esquina - mesa 1. El bar se llenó rápidamente y unas pocas personas entraron sin una reserva y el propietario era muy servicial tratando de encajarlos donde podía. Trabajé a mi manera a través de unas cervezas... todas geniales... 6 X, Horizonte y Pez Espada. Esto fue acompañado por pasteles de pescado para mí y halloumi para mi esposa para empezar. Ambos tuvimos una saludable ración de deliciosa carne asada, toneladas de asados, Yorkshire, relleno, verduras, salsa y rábano picante, y pudín de toffee pegajoso para el desierto. Lo que hizo que este lugar destacara aún más fue la encantadora banda sonora del West End de todos los grandes tocando en el fondo creando un ambiente alegre. Este lugar debe estar en tu lista. Sin duda volveremos cuando lleguemos a Southampton.

Fun for lunch. Small and cozy--feels like a Shakespeare play. Wonderful service. Good portions on food and drinks. Fish and Chips were just OK and Fish Cakes we nothing special. But the Meat Pie and the Quiche were terrific.

Lugar muy antiguo tipo Shakespeare. Servicio maravilloso y amable. Pequeño menú con muy buena comida. El servicio de bar y las bebidas eran geniales, también. Un poco difícil de encontrar, pero vale la pena visitar.

Visited with my friend at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon. We had obviously just missed the football drinkers, so empty glasses were everywhere, however, they were cleared in a flash. Great friendly atmosphere, still busy with wedding parties present, inside and out. We both had dimpled handles of Swordfish, that were a perfect temperature and a reasonable price. I sat in a very comfortable leather tub chair, underneath a great picture of the main man ( Duke of Wellington ), that was sadly not illuminated, even though a spotlight was trained on it. Great service by Tristram and although David is still learning, he was friendly and polite. Likewise, the young man clearing tables was very sociable. Toilets were clean. A lovely atmospheric and historic pub, situated in the old parts of Southampton, I would recommend. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit and hope to return soon.

Amazing food, great atmosphere, and service was on point.

Love this place! Great people, food and beer - and you can put those 3 in any order you like! They're all great!!

I love this place. It’s very authentic good music and food.

Fish & mac&cheese was delicious. Fun place for a visitor.

Great meal, fab service and local advice given!

One of the best fish and chips!! Service was outstanding!! True Pub atmosphere! Would go back in a second!

We came recently for a roast and it was 10/10!! Such a nice atmosphere the staff are really friendly and it’s so nice to pop in for a drink too, I often bring my friends and family from out of town and it always impresses. If you can go, go!

So attractive from the outside and with a catchy name we tried it for a quick bit to eat while spending one night in town pre-cruise. Enjoyed the traditional pub feel and beer. Fish and Chips were very average. Clean bathrooms. Service was fine.

I loved this place. Such history. My first actual English ale and pub meal. Certainly did not disappoint. Positioned beautifully in South Hampton.

Good service and food with large portions for the price.

Lovely old pub with a rich history inside the old city walls (what a terrible shame that the old town has only a few historic buildings remaining). There for Saturday lunch & no issue getting a table in the cosy dining room. Staff were very attentive & helpful taking food & drink orders. Food delivered quickly & the meals were big & tasty. We had nachos, a burger, lasagne & stuffed potato & all were good Good variety of drinks available as expected. Pub also has a front bar/lounge & a few tables out on the footpath.

Very poor service aloud to order then told that can’t sit in pub as all booked no explanation just rude attitude told to sit in smoking area even though no one smokes i would advise to walk two minutes up road to the either the titanic pub or the red lion excellent service in both Southampton resident

We were looking for an authentic English pub experience and weren’t disappointed. Two of us had the fish and chips, one had the beef lasagna and one had the vegetable quiche. My lasagna was one of the best I’ve had and the salad was delicious. Everyone loved their main dishes.

Thank you, we booked a table of 12. We were very well looked after and the food was great.

A very pleasant pub, good service and food with fresh ingredients. An excellent burger for me! ☺️

Highly recommended place to have a good pint while breathing in history within its walls.

Had a great lunch. And the beer was good too.

Querky pub almost hidden great atmosphere enjoy our little tipple here

Excellent typical English pub. If you want authentic and good quality food this is the place for you. I had fish and chips and it was delicious. Its a busy pub so book if you want to go this will guarantee you a table. It's a bit hidden but Google Maps gets you there no problem. There is some outside tables for a sunny day.

A beautiful old pub with lots of character and charm serving great food and beer. The servers were helpful and pleasant. I loved the ambiance!

We've been to the Duke twice and I can only say that's how I imagine a pub to be! We'll be back in June 2026 and are already looking forward to it! It's still a while, but anticipation is the best joy 🥹

Nice and traditional pub atmosphere, and outstanding service! Food was delicious! Ordered a very tasty lamb pie, fried to perfection chips and delicious gravy. Highly recommend the place!

Small and cute little pub with good food. Friendly and efficient service. Dog friendly pub, which is nice to found... Will definitely go back.

Great little gem of a pub. Really friendly staff, family run, great choice of beers at a really good price (Guinness £4.0 a pint - 4 days a week). Cosy restuarant area at the rear. Lovely Sunday dinners. A traditional family run pub - what more could you ask for.

My British friends took me here for lunch while I was visiting them. It's in a very old building, lots of character. Extremely friendly staff. Small menu, which I prefer. We each had fish and chips. Cooked to perfection. I'm not fond of mushy peas or garden peas so I had extra chips in lieu of the peas. Very accommodating. Bathroom was old but clean. Service was great. Only down side, they refused to take my credit card because my friend insisted on paying. Impossible to go wrong with this choice!

Historic timber framed pub,great atmosphere friendly staff well worth visiting!

Great steak and ale pie with peas and fries. The pie filling was meaty and juicy with a crispy crust. The Burger was similarly excellent. Everything was fresh hot and tasty (the gravy for the pie was surprisingly not even really warm - is that typical here? It tasted good, but I'm not a gravy on chip kind of guy). Nice traditional pub atmosphere. Seemingly mostly tourists. Outdoor seating available.

We had Sunday lunch here and were really impressed with the quality of the food, which was delivered both quickly and piping hot. This is not a fine dining pub; it’s a traditional, no nonsense pub dating back several hundred years. It has bags of character and the staff are very friendly and efficient. Southampton has many fancy restaurants that charge exorbitant prices for often mediocre food and we have been to many of them. But I have to say that if anyone asks me for a recommendation of places to eat in future, the Duke of Wellington will be top of my list for great food.

5 real ales on offer including 5% Swordfish from Wadworth brewery, worth checking out. Always a decent pint here. Never fails. Lovely elegant historic pub just off the main thoroughfare of shops near the old town walls.

We visited for lunch on a Saturday lunchtime, and received a warm welcome. The pub is really traditional and they had a good selection of drinks. The food we had was really nice and the service was excellent. We will definitely visit again next time we’re in Southampton.

Beautiful, stylish pub. A bit hidden, but all the more pleasant environment, good food and really very nice service. We had to wait for our food, but we were warned about it, so at least we got to sample some local beers. We had two versions of the Wadworth Brewery. Nothing for the Czechs and their gluttonous beer palates...😄 But we are used to it, we are not giving up and we won't stop trying! 😇 There must be an English beer somewhere that we will like...😂 But if you want just a quiet place, I definitely recommend it. I love coming back here especially for the food and relaxed atmosphere.

Fish not fresh it was gray inside should be white and it was over priced

A delightful little pub in Southampton, England . It's exactly what you think an english pub should look like. It's old-world charming . A real treasure. Dog friendly, staff was excellent and friendly.

Really cool little pub which oozes history. Great food which is very reasonably prices and a range of interesting IPA's.

Warm and friendly welcome. Dog-friendly. Wonderful to spend some time here.

Had a great meal, beer and food at the top

First time dining at The Duke of Wellington, where we had been excited to try out their Sunday roast. Perfect venue for it- an old tudor-style building with a cosy backroom and fairy-lights all around. Super ambient, and a great place for a beer I bet! The staff were pleasant, but not especially warm either. It was a standard, swift restaurant exchange: seated, drinks ordered, food ordered, bill. The roast, sadly, was a bit of a letdown. While it's well priced and with good portions, the quality felt really lacking. When weighing up a preference between taste, price and portion, I'd always rank taste as the most important. Here (we ordered the Chicken and the Vegan), the flavoring just wasn't there. Heaps of massive roast potatoes and veg, doused in gravy, with a good portion of meat/nut roast. It just didn't taste of much. The gravy being pre-poured meant that many of the trimmings blended into one, and there wasn't anything going on in terms of interesting flavour beyond standard seasoning. The potatoes were tough and so big that eating them was a slog. We had a side of Mac and Cheese which was exactly what it said on the tin. Macaroni, with cheese on top, baked. Functional, without anything new or exciting. Overall, a great venue at good value, but with food that left quite a lot to be desired in the flavour/excitement department.

In Southampton for the day to meet up with my son and a wander round the Mayflower Park area. Decided we needed some lunch and this was the first pub we saw, and it proved an excellent decision. My partner had fish & chips, I had the Sunday Roast and my son had the vegetarian option - all three meals were excellent and the service superb.

I love this pub. It’s my favourite pub in Southampton. They have the most delicious Sunday roast and the guys are just so lovely an amazing. Bonus: The Pub is located on an all historical building and the music is always amazing.

A superb venue with excellent food. The sharing ploughman's platter was amazing.

Fantastic service and food. If I lived here this would be my local!

Cracking old pub and fern was fantastic couldn’t have been better.

Used this place in the past and was impressed, ( READ PREVIOUS REVIEW ). Used this Pub again for drinks and food while in Southampton again in June 2024 & once again was excellent. The team here are all spot on and keep a good bar and great drinks selection with excellent value for money meals. Again try the plowmans it'll be more than enough for 2 people. On our recent visit the hanging baskets were stunning making this place and even more nice place to visit. Cant wait to come bk September and will be eating here instead of the tip off hotel food prices .

Wonderful dining experience at Duke of Wellington with Billy as our server. I had fish and chips and my wife had the beef roast - both delish but the Yorkshire pudding was extraordinary! Highly recommend!

Billy sent me. I get 2 hours in Southampton every other Sunday. I spend that precious time having a delicious roast at DoW. A lovely pub. Fun atmosphere. Not suitable for people who want stuffy white gloved service. Sit back, relax, have a drink, and eat some good food, My only 2 suggestions: Mix up the playlist. Take the time to make gravy from scratch. We all love Bisto, but your roasts deserve better.

Limited menu. Food is mediocre. Service staff was very pleasant and helpful. The architecture is beautiful

Just what needed. Billy recommended a great larger. Good fish and chips. Enjoyed the Sunday roast!

Such a lovely place to have a beer and a lunch- Billy was a sapere server and knowledgeable historian of the place- 800 years of being a pub!

Amazing 800 year old pub - good food and Billy provides terrific service

Billy was fantastic. Will definitely come back just to be served by him.

George was excellent - professional polite and very good at his job

I wandered into this awesome place by myself. (Wife and daughter took the bus to Wembly to see Taylor Swift). They took care of me without hesitation even though they were all booked. The welly burger and horizon ale was great but their service was beyond great. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

Great classic pub with amazing food, or server Georage was super attentive and knowledgeable. Full of folks heading to cruises in the morning and George was able to help the non-uk fluent with the menu options. They have a Ploughman"s platter that is huge... great app for 4 or more or a full meal for 2. Prices were very reasonable and super value. Close out your meal by sharing the sticky toffee pudding, one of the best.

Billy was very helpful with great customer service

The food was excellent. The pie of the day was incredible. Fish and chips were great. The quiche of the day was the best I’ve ever had. We are so happy to have stumbled upon this place before our cruise tomorrow. Fern and Billy were such great servers. They are dog friendly and the owners have the cutest French Bulldogs and we bonded over it. Such a great place! Highly recommend.

Billy was my server: he was excellent and very helpful and provided good service for me. I really enjoyed his work and can’t wait to come back again

Great meal. We were a large party and Billy looked after us very well. Greeted on arrival and all the food was ordered promptly. Lovely meal thanks

Great evening. Food was great and Billy was fab. We felt relaxed and happy. Well looked after

great food, great service. Waiter billy was nice 🙂

Fern was amazing!! The band was awesome!! I would definitely come here for a great time. It’s community and a good time!!

Fern was really lovely Very attentive

Really good and quick service, our server Billy was very helpful and friendly, would definitely recommend 👍

I’ve been to pubs all over the UK, this was the first time in Southhampton. Charming and friendly employees, with the best fish and chips and steak and ale pie! Our meal was fantastic! Portions were perfect! We would definitely come back!

Staff was forgetful had to ask for my drink twice roast was ok potatoes a bit hard

Good food and beautiful place to have lunch or some drinks. Old building with loads of personality. Food was correct and service was a little slow but nothing to worry about.

Food seems to have taken a terrible turn. Went for Mother’s Day and the roast was STUNNING!! Just have Father’s Day lunch there and the roast has gone from a strong 9/10 to an iffy 4. Meat too tough, potatoes not cooked, poor/lazy choice of veg (frozen peas and carrots) all drowning in cheap gravy! I will now avoid

Beer had gone off. Refused to replace it because the manager (who did not come out of the back room even though we asked) said that's how it should be. A manager who does not know how beer should taste should not manage a pub. Poor service. My dad had asked to come here after previously visiting us down south so shame to waste time at such a poor establishment when somewhere much better is round the corner. Disappointed to say the least.

What a great place great atmosphere very well decorated service with a very quick person was so kind

Wonderful food and a plentiful selection on tap. Duke of Wellington is a must visit when in South Hampton. The Beef Lasagna is delicious and the portion for the Fish and Chips is very hearty.

While passing through Southampton we were able to enjoy a very good fish & chips and a beer. Friendly, warm and considerate welcome! Top atmosphere and decor. Well located pub, close to our hotel (10 minutes walk).

Cosy and genuine. Will come back!

Fantastic visit, the people, atmosphere and food. FANTASTIC!

A nice traditional and historical pub in the old part of Southampton. Lovely interior. Good food.. prices are a bit steep and could do with getting the fires going more often during colder months. But a good spot to sit outside in summer.

Rustic atmosphere with a live band and very friendly staff

Not welcoming if English immigrant area

Food was pretty good, but YOU can't beat the atmosphere! Fish and chips, was good, pie was just okay.

A really warm welcome awaits in this fun period venue.

Only had drinks but recommended for fish and chips

We were there and had a nice few hours.

Stayed in Southampton for 4 nights before picking up a cruise . Had Dinner here every evening and certainly wasn't disappointed. From Fish & Chips to Garlic Bread , Fries , Selection of Olives , to the Ploughman's. All meals were spot on & great value but seriously out of all the Ploughman's was incredible for portion size and variety . Gammon Carved Ham to Die For and Quality Cheese this Bad boy is enough for Two easily . Good selection of beers, polite accommodating staff , and all in all a great pub to visit either for drinks or food. We are bk in Southampton again in July so this will be our Food Hub for sure.

A unique experience for a huangry traveler.