Greg's Bistro in Southampton

An absolutely outstanding meal before a theatre visit. Lovely ambiance, attentive staff and food of exceptional quality. Possibly the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to. It is as you would expect for this quality a little more expensive but well worth it. David

I've been to this restaurant a number of times for pre-theatre lunch and myself and my companions have never had a bad meal. The staff have always been friendly and the owner who is also the chef makes a point of coming out to speak to his customers, a lovely touch. However, I'm slightly confused on some portion sizes. When a dish of risotto was served it looked like a starter portion, compared to the size of the spaghetti carbonara which was more than generous. Isn't rice as cheap as pasta? I do not consider desserts all priced at £11 a fair deal. I might expect to pay that price at an evening meal in a top end restaurant but feel it's over the top for this place at lunch time and I'm sure if they were priced more competitively they would sell more. Some people on these reviews have criticised the included service charge but I'm going to defend them here. On the bill it clearly says "Optional Service Charge" so it's up to the individual to choose to pay it or reduce it. Not adding a tip, unless the food or service was very bad should be unthinkable in our restaurant culture.

Great little independent restaurant! Good service and good food. Perfect place for a pre theatre meal, although small it has a great atmosphere and the staff are very attentive. Good selection of wines, nice fresh ingredients and overall a nice experience.

Lovely atmospheric restaurant They totally deserve to do well Love the food and service and nice to see traditional white tablecloths and dim lighting Well done

Booked here for 19 of us to celebrate my daughter’s upcoming wedding. The booking process was so easy. I booked 6 months in advance. The welcome when we arrived was wonderful. The front of house team were brilliant, they couldn’t do enough for us. Thank you. The food was delicious. Hot and cooked to order. Dietary requirements were catered for. The whole experience was fantastic. Service, food and ambience of the restaurant made a special day extra special. I’d wholly recommend this gem of a restaurant. A huge thank you and shout out to all of the staff.

Staff seemed a little flustered? Food however was great

Four of us enjoyed a pre- theatre meal here. The food is relatively expensive for a provincial Italian restaurant but the quality is much higher than most. A lot of thought has gone into the decor which is very seductive. The ambience is superb. Lovely to see crisp white table cloths bedecked with spotless tableware. The attentive service is just right. A gem of a restaurant to which we hope to return

I rarely write reviews but feel this place deserves all the credit! Had possibly the best carbonara this evening I’ve ever had and the service was perfect from start to finish. Would highly recommend this cosy , authentic great atmosphered restaurant. Can’t believe I haven’t been here before ! thanks again

I’ve been here a few times with my family, it’s an absolutely lovely place. Amazing food and service! They went above and beyond to accommodate my Grandma who is disabled. I reckoned very much !!

I was looking for a place to eat before visiting the Mayflower Theatre and came across Soleto. From start to finish, I was well looked after by the fantastic team of waiters and waitresses, and the ribeye steak was absolutely incredible. The restaurant had an intimate atmosphere which only added to the very enjoyable experience. I will definitely be returning and I recommend this to anyone looking for good Italian cuisine in the area.

Cosy atmosphere, extremely welcoming and friendly staff. The owner also doubled as head chef and can be very proud of the meals he presented. Fantastic evening.

Wish I could give this restaurant 6 stars ⭐ as its worth it.As soon as we walked in we could tell there was something very special about the place with very relaxing jazz background music adding to the ambiance.We had 3 courses and a lovely bottle of wine for just over £100 which was well worth the money.The best food we've had for a long time and super efficient waitress who knew exactly what she was doing. Nice touch was towards the end of the meal the chef came over for a chat.The place was packed full which says it all.Cant wait to do a return visit 😋

Great authentic Italian Bistro, excellent food nice ambiance, really handy for the Mayflower theatre but also a superb restaurant for any occasion, Peroni on draught. Nice selection of wines. Toilets very clean.

Just love this traditional Italian restaurant. Perfect for couples or families, especially if you're going to the Mayflower theatre. Fresh cuisine cooked by a friendly family owned team 👏👍

Absolutely love this restaurant! Waited months to get a table on a Saturday night and we finally got lucky. Very friendly staff and fresh food cooked to perfection would highly recommend xxx

Absolutely amazing once again. Food was delicious and the service was friendly and attentive as always. Really can’t fault this restaurant, it’s perfect for any occasion… birthdays, something special or a romantic night out. Thank you :-)

It is cosy! Some lovely specials. The shellfish starters were in tasty sauces but somewhat overdone. Nice sharing starters

Not the cheapest in town but the food is wonderful. Happy to recommend

This was a last minute booking ahead of going to the Mayflower with the family. To my surprise it was one of the best meals I’ve had for a while at very reasonable prices for the quality. Living in Bournemouth, we have very little if anything of a similar standard and price point. Well cooked food that tastes great in a cosy atmosphere!

Very delicious and fresh tasty food! Loved the baked Camembert starter. Was our second time visiting and would go back again

It's a nice cosy place for any Italian food. The food is quite tasty for an African like me who loves flavourful dish, however, I wish they had more mocktail options for people who don't like alcohol.

Visied for a ladies lunch and had a beautiful meal. From the decor to the service to the food - all was sublime. Throughly enjoyed the Seafood linguine. Will definitely return.

I have to start by saying this is probably one of the best meals I've ever had. My mum and I visited as a treat for her on my husband and I. The restaurant itself is very relaxing and comfortable with a great atmosphere. Even the toilet was lovely! The staff are very attentive and friendly. The food was absolutely outstanding. My mum and I shared the camembert to start which was outstanding - hot and a generous portion. Especially enjoyed having celery with it, who knew celery went so wonderfully with camembert!! For main I had the sea bass special and my mum had the chicken surf and turf - both wonderful, tasty and excellent portion size. Pudding was tiramisu and affogato. I wasn't going to have a pudding as I was comfortably full but after spying the neighbours desert I couldn't resist. Portion sizes were great for an after dinner treat. The chef came out to speak with us after with was a lovely touch. I can't wait to come back!

Outstanding My husband works away and stumbled across this so we took the opportunity to travel down whilst on our travels to try it out. Gorgeous setting, atmosphere is romantic, intimate and calming. The food was superior, probably an all time favourable experience I opted for the sea bass from the specials. The best sea bass I’ve ever had, the prawn sauce was excellent My husband had the prawn linguine- divine. Service was attentive, informed and pleasant Fairly priced for the quality, service and experience.

Food wasn't the best for the price. Pasta nice but salmon was dry

Absolutely excellent meal and service. Scallops delicious and we had the veal T-bone - melt in your mouth. Would thoroughly recommend

As always a warm welcome from Chef:/Owner George and hostess Nina and delicious food . The baked Camembert starter is wonderful and is a family favourite . There is a good choice of main courses, we have tried them all ! Perfect for a meal...

Brilliant restaurant - the absolute nicest staff and fantastic food! Recently been decorated and looks amazing inside too.

Lovely setting, white table clothes, amazing food, but on the pricy side so a place for special occasions

Lovely restaurant and the staff are friendly and amazing 🤩, highly recommend.

Fabulous pre mayflower show meal. We’ve been here 3 times

Great pasta with few vegetarian options, amazing desserts, good and friendly service, and perfect atmosphere!

My friends and I found this restaurant whilst visiting the Boat Show last week by chance, the food and service was so good we booked a table for the 2nd night.Nina who manages the restaurant went out of her way to make sure everything was...

Amazing restaurant who looked after all our needs. Great food, great prosecco and great staff. Love an authentic Italian restaurant with Italian staff. Felt like a family run business. Would highly recommend

We are here both nights during our stay for the boat show, it was so fantastic I wish it was in our home town. Chef owner had a superb list of specials which included lobster and rack of lamb amongst other delicious offerings. We loved...

We cannot fault the superb food, excellent service and great atmosphere here. Once again we enjoyed a post theatre dinner. Great fish choices and wine to accompany. Thank you Nina for your care and attention. Also wonderful to be able to meet Chef and be...

what a great find! cosy and romantic setting... loved our host/server... great attitude and genuine... i was brought the wrong main... got an apology, hug, correct main within minutes, olives, and a shot of limoncello! food was beautiful... fiance had the liver from the specials...

Excellent authentic Italian food. Great service, even the chef came out and checked everything ok which is unusual these days.

Fantastic food and service I have the oysters to start the furit de mair linguine and the tiramisu all amazing 4th time at the restaurant over the years still fantastic 😋

Lovely food, great service. Not bargin basement prices but you get what you pay for :-). My teenage daughters are already nagging me to take them back

Wonderful evening. Made to feel welcome from the first minute. I chose food from the blackboard specials menu which was 10/10.

While visiting Southampton for the football we discovered Soleto, one of the best restaurants we have experienced in the UK. Both the service and the food were 10/10 and definitely worth the visit, will be back as soon as possible.

Really good restaurant service and food was outstanding. Definitely recommend

Visited Soleto for lunch prior to going to the Theatre across the road, as always a fabulous meal with friendly attentive staff, this is the 3rd visit here prior to the theatre, we live out of the area otherwise would be here often. Could not...

We've previously enjoyed multiple visits to Soleto and even recommended it to friends. However, our recent experience on Tuesday evening was disappointing due to the unprofessional behavior of the staff, particularly the chef. Despite starting with delicious scallops, the special lobster with chili and garlic...

Wonderful restaurant. The atmosphere is lovely: quiet, relaxed, and intimate. The staff are so polite and helpful, they’re attentive without being pushy and there is not sense of being “rushed” while dining which is great. The food is incredible. The menu has plenty of options (not all seafood, some fabulous alternatives) and something to suit plenty of different tastes. It was some of the best food I’ve had in a long time! The quality of the ingredients spoke volumes and nothing was overpowering, it was just beautiful. Presentation was also exceptional. Absolutely would recommend. It isn’t cheap, but certainly worth the money when you see the quality and care gone into it, and considering how wonderful the food was, I would have expected to pay much more. Would love to go back and try more from the menu!

We love Soleto. We have eaten here twice when going to the theatre and are returning next week. The food and service is incredible

Everything about this venue is excellent. Great service and fun. Great specials board. Great wine..We should go more often.

Always like this spot, great service, excellent food, sophisticated menu.

Had an anniversary dinner here. Really detailed and attentive service and fair prices across the board. Atmosphere is excellent, especially at the back. My one piece of advice is to offer more seafood dishes. Will be back.

The best food and service, ever. We were amazed by food presentation and taste. my favorite restaurant. highly recommended.

We'll, what a wonderful dining experience. Incredibly lovely food, great wine and a wonderful waitress, Nina, who looked after us for the entire time we were there. Thank you so much for making our trip to Southampton so much more memorable.

This little hidden gem close to the theatre, has a lovely layout as you enter. The waitress was very good, pleaseant to attitude and had a good vibe about her and fun. The food arrived, perfecfection on a plate. Desert was amazing at the end of the meal. Would highly recommend you go book a table. We where 5 people and poodle.

Really small portions and crowdy, not enough space to chill…. L’Osteria much better option tbh.

Waitress was a pleasure, food was excellent and a good atmosphere. Will recommend 👌

A lovely restaurant for fish as well as seafood, but sadly I wasn't hungry enough for calf's liver from their specials but the home-made mushroom ravioli was deliciously warming. The home-made ice cream was also very good. Am now looking for an excuse to return to Southampton so I can bring my partner. (No hot chocolate though)

Extremely busy,because of this, the service was slow. To be fair, staff were rushed off their feet and tried their best to please everyone. You would definitely need to book.

Beautifully decorated and lovely warm lighting the service was excellent, very friendly and helpful. The food here is exceptional, we had fresh lobster pasta and it was delicious. Chef here really understands authentic Italian flavours. An ideal venue pre theatre.

Lovely, lovely, lovely! Would highly recommend. Well worth the money. I plan to come here many more times! Thank you for being so great :)

We visited Soleto as a family to celebrate ourSons graduation. There was a lovely atmosphere in this tastefully decorated restaurant. The food was amazing, everything was cooked to perfection. There was an extensive menu, catering for all. I wish it was more local to where...

Great little restaurant, great service from the girls. Very accommodating. Would definitely recommend.

4 visits here now over a few years. Food, atmosphere and service always impeccable. Really well worth a visit.

Absolutely amazing, fresh seafood…fantastic service. Salmon was amazing, daughter had seafood pasta with plenty of meaty mussels.

What a find. Saw a show at the Mayflower Theatre, it finished at 5pm. Crossed the road and found this wonderfull bistro trattoria. The staff were very helpful and professional. Food was fabulous, good menu and specials,so much so that we went back on our...

You can always rely on an amazing meal here, I am a regular and I’m always left satisfied. The best Italian in Southampton. The food is made to a very high standard and is delicious. The staff are so friendly and always remember our favourite choices. They always have plenty of specials as well as the menu. My favourites include the tiramisu which is incredible, the calamari, bruschetta and any seafood pasta. Pictures below from different occasions.

We had dinner on Saturday after shopping in Southampton. What a delight, we have always enjoyed the food here and once again was not disappointed. I had the sea bass with a creamy prawn sauce from the specials board which was amazing and a very...

A fantastic bistro offering mouthwatering food. Perfect for pre theatre or any other occasion. The staff are lovely.

We visited the restaurant following a recommendation, and had high expectations after seeing reviews. Unfortunately our experience did not live up to expectations. There was no spaghetti bolognese so my husband opted for meatballs, bruschetta to start and I love seafood so had Linguini Mare,...

This was my first time dining at this restaurant and boy am I glad I went. My husband and I had a pre-theatre dinner and had the best time. It truly felt like a slice of Italy in Southampton. The lighting, music and decor was...

Really really good. Rare to find such an excellent restaurant. Every course was amazingly good. Looking forward to going back when in Southampton again.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Soleto Bistro in Southampton, a seafood restaurant that truly exceeded my expectations. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere. The owners and staff are passionate individuals who are dedicated to providing an exceptional dining experience. The ambiance of the restaurant is charming, with tasteful decor and comfortable seating. Whether you're dining with friends, family, or a special someone, Soleto Bistro offers the perfect setting for a memorable evening. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the elegant table settings to the soft background music that sets the mood. Now let's talk about the star of the show—the food. Soleto Bistro specializes in seafood dishes, and they certainly deliver on quality and flavor. Each dish is prepared with care and expertise, using the freshest ingredients available. From succulent grilled prawns to tender seared scallops, every bite is a burst of exquisite flavors that tantalize the taste buds. The menu offers a wide selection, catering to different preferences and dietary needs. What sets Soleto Bistro apart is the genuine passion and dedication of the owners. They go above and beyond to ensure that every guest has a memorable dining experience. Their knowledge of seafood is impressive, and they are more than happy to recommend dishes and provide insight into the culinary journey they offer. The staff at Soleto Bistro deserves special recognition for their exceptional service. They are attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for diners. Whether you have questions about the menu or need a recommendation for wine pairing, they are always ready to assist with a smile. I highly recommend Soleto Bistro to anyone seeking a remarkable seafood dining experience in Southampton. The combination of fantastic food, wonderful ambiance, and passionate owners and staff makes it a standout establishment. My sincere thanks and greetings go out to the entire team at Soleto Bistro for their outstanding hospitality.

What an excellent restaurant. We went after two recommendations, and we weren't disappointed. Everything was perfect. Amazing service (Nina was superb), the food was awesome, delicious veal and calves liver. Great wine, and it's so reasonable. Will definitely return and have found the venue for...

Soleto is our favourite pre theatre restaurant. Excellent food - in quality, quantity, taste and choice. Excellent service and ambience. We will be back!!!!

Love this place. Amazing food and great service. We will be sure to return when next in the area. Highly recommended

Absolutely superb little restaurant- a little gem in Southampton! Interesting menu with fresh cooked food, great service and pleasant ambience. Wine was great too and complemented the calamari starter and veal saltimbocca main. Dessert for me was panettone bread and butter pudding which was good but my partner's dessert of tiramisu was even better! We will definitely return. Highly recommended.

The best food in Southampton! Adore the pasta with lobster and shrimp. Fabulous range of wines in the most stunning of surroundings. A little gem, with huge personality.

Outstanding pasta carbonate and great atmosphere.

OMG! fabulous restuarant before a matinee show at the Mayflower. Scrumptious food and wine, good service and friendly staff. Can't wait for the next visit!

Not the cheapest of restaurants so when you’re paying good money you want to be rewarded. At Soleto, it is worth EVERY PENNY. Absolutely outstanding food (there were 8 of us and we all agreed) and so many wonderful dishes to choose from. We’ll have...

Excellent quality in every way.

We initially had reservations for Friday night but my wife was so impressed with the Gluten Free food offerings we returned the next night for dinner as well.

First visit and very impressed. From our greeting to our leaving a most enjoyable experience. The staff friendly and attentive but not intrusive, menu choices plentiful and when the food came it was delicious. The decor and atmosphere delightful, would definitely recommend and will certainly...

What a find! Stopping over for a cruise and discovered this treasure by chance. A small, cosy restaurant serving excellent food accompanied by great wine. The staff were attentive, friendly and efficient and the chef was a wonderfully affable character. We will certainly come back....

We visited for our wedding anniversary. It was midweek and after the show at the Mayflower had started, so not too busy. I imagine it gets very busy pre show. We had an excellent meal including calamari, risotto, pasta and chocolate tart. Everything was delicious....

The best ravioli I have ever eaten . Right opposite mayflower theater so easy for a meal before a show .

Outstanding! Would give 6 stars on the basis of the food. Very nice atmosphere and ambiance but the food is the star! I could have eaten all 3 dishes twice over. Sensational cooking. Hats off to the chef.

Great ambience and wonderful pasta. The carbona was better than any we've had in Italy. Romantic setting for a special occasion. In the theater district of Southampton.

Brilliant service 👏 Beuitiful food Perfecto 🥰

Cannot believe this has been open for 7 years and we’ve only just found out about it! Service was amazing, very accommodating and friendly! The food is incredible! I had the carbonara (swapped spaghetti for rigatoni) and it was PERFECT! The chef came out to say hi and check in on the food, which was a lovely touch. We will be back.

Pre-theatre meal and drinks. Delicious as always with attentive staff and a table visit from the owner/chef is always welcome. The only criticism is the portion size for the price. Risotto as a starter for £11 that was lost in the bowl was expensive. For...

We enjoyed an exceptional pre theatre dinner at Soleto. The restaurant is just opposite the Mayflower and offers a lovely atmosphere and experience. It is evident this restaurant takes great pride in providing high quality, beautifully cooked food to order. The service is attentive and...

Excellent venue, friendly, welcoming. Chef normally checks that you enjoyrd food. Every table normally asked. A little expensive but quality and serving excellent. Do visit if you can get a table. Excellent venue if going to the Mayflower.

This restaurant is definitely worth a visit. It’s not inexpensive but you do get value for money. We found the service, friendly, attentive and very efficient. The menu is Italian with many favourite options. There is also a “specials board” which changes regularly. The food...

Went last night with friends before the theatre. It was our first time and the food and service was excellent.

This is the most amazing restaurant! The manager and staff are amazing and the chef is A genius!! Thank you so much for an amazing evening all xx

Absolutely stunning, loved it, lovely setting, down to earth, have already booked for the 15th April. The waitress was professional yet witty. Thank you Mike and Nicola

When you walk through the door, you know Soleto is a genuine, authentic Italian. The service was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The food is very genuine with a real Italian flair. We had the bruschetta, to start with, which was excellent, followed...

Great place, good food and service. Can only give a 5 star. Worth more.

We booked a table for four prior to going to The Mayflower. Once seated inside felt a lovely cosy ambiance and prompt service. The food was amazing!! I had chorizo, tomato Penne and other meals were seabass, salmon and mussels linguine, all amazing. Portions are...

Went for a birthday meal with my friends, wanted to try here for so long due to the lovely selection of seafood and fish, and we were not disappointed, undeniably the BEST italian in southampton, the food, service, decor was exceptional. Will be returning very soon. Thank you all at Soleto for a memorable evening 🥰