Merritt Coffee Lounge in New Forest

I haven’t been into the cafe but it looks welcoming and cosy. I actually had a flat tyre right outside and while I waited for the RAC to arrive, the owners (mother and daughter) came out to enquire whether I was ok. They were closed, but they invited me in. I wanted to wait with my car so as not to miss the RAC, so they brought me out a takeaway coffee, on the house, and logged my phone onto their WiFi. Such kindness is rare! I would recommend them for their thoughtfulness and care. The coffee was delicious by the way!

Merritts is a truly welcoming lovely coffee lounge. The staff here are so friendly and cheerful. The food is always incredible, the full English is fantastic!!! The aesthetics of the place is very beautiful and just a very comfortable environment to be in. Highly recommend.

We had a very tasty Sunday Brunch here, really good Orange Juice and Mocha and the egg florentine was very tasty. Really lovely atmosphere and nicely decorated. Will be back again when in the area.

Busy Sunday morning brunch. Great coffee and food was so good! Having read the previous reviews we were willing to wait and so pleased we did. Delicious.

Best place ever to have your coffee, amazing breakfast and tasty lunch. Highly recommend, very friendly atmosphere, dog friendly (as long as clean and well behaved), the owner is the kindest person you will come across. Lovely decor inside with a home feel to it. Couldn't recommend it more. Wish we had a place like this close to where we live we would certainly visit every day !!!

Always great coffee, excellent service and so so cosy! It has become one of the places we go when in the area. I highly recommend

First time here and will definitely come again. Lovely atmosphere / decor and very friendly staff. Both breakfasts were delicious and larger than usual portions. I had bacon and waffles and other meal was the main breakfast. Would highly recommend.

Excellent coffee lounge great food and very friendly helpful staff coffee excellent breakfast was delicious highly recommend

Fresh coffee, delicious food and a very polite & friendly staff member, highly recommend! I had the cinnamon waffle & my partner had the breakfast sandwich we both loved what we had.

Had a great brunch, lovely range of options. Everything was cooked so fresh. Great range of hot dishes from the kitchen and the counter was full of gorgeous home cooked cakes. When we popped on they were a little busy so had to wait a few minutes to get served, but completely worth the wait. I had a full English, the fried bread was particularly tasty, but also thick and light at the same time. My partner had the skillet crumpet with caramelised banana, pecan and crème fraiche. Would definitely visit if in the area, for food, a light bite, or just drinks. Takeaway also available!

This is a lovely independent establishment. Not quite a cafe and not quite a restaurant, it happily straddles the terminology. It wasn't our first visit on the 22nd July when had brunch and it won't be our last. An eclectic place, there's reclaimed furniture and fixtures, a great sound system and great music to go with it. It all works beautifully. We both had waffles with bacon, egg & maple syrup; I commented to the nice lady who served us the food was more art than food! Find out for yourself, but with Merritts for breakfast and Asha next door for dinner, you can't go wrong!! Hugely recommended.

Love this place! The food looks appetising, is tasty, and is always served with a smile by the friendly folk who serve it. It has a cozy, relaxed vibe. There's always good music providing a nice bit of ambience, and the resident Maine Coon puddytat is to die for. Will keep going back.

Amazing cafe - decorated with a relaxing and quirky vibe with lots of personality and very comfortable. Service was with a smile even at the busiest times on a bank holiday Sunday and the lady running things took time to chat and be friendly to everyone. This is a small business that clearly cares about food and customers, the food and drinks were very high quality - no tourist-y over pricing and a billion times better than a local pub. This is a place to you go if you’re happy to relax, wait and enjoy the atmosphere and have good quality food - the best eggs florentine on toast and cinnamon ice cream waffles we’ve had! If we would have been in the area we’d have revisited. A stand out memory in our visit to the New Forest, lovely people, great food - a top quality local business - wishing it every continued success!

What an incredible find!!! I never write reviews but this beautifully decorated cafe with an original and rightly small menu with a great balance choice of food variety has to be recognised for the fresh great quality food they serve. Served with care and in border clean plates, food perfectly cooked and brought to you by the lovely lady, I presume the owner, with an honest smile and caring attitude. If you are in a hurry head for a fast food chain, here you’ll have to waite the right time for your food to be cooked tightly for you. We will definitely be back even if it’s a 21 miles drive, it’s worth it! It set us up in an even better mood for our day out

This was our first visit to Merritts & it certainly won’t be the last. This place is a real gem with perfectly cooked fayre and the friendliest most efficient service we have experienced for a long time. Very well done and thank you, looking forward to a return visit very soon.

Superb !! I’m not one for reviews but what a little gem. Beautiful decor. Wonderful, caring service. Ordered the spinach, cheese and bacon omelette and so glad I did, it was cooked to perfection. A great flat white coffee too.

My friend spotted this place out the car window as we were searching for a bite to eat on the drive home. Wow what a hidden gem! Nice and relaxed atmosphere, lovely helpful staff, quirky surroundings and the food was lovely! Even took away some delicious home made treats from the counter. What a great find, and will definitely come back.

We popped in during a forest walk as it looked lovely and quirky from the outside and we loved the style and ambiance. The coffee is outstanding, but perhaps for the price slightly bigger cups would be nice. Whilst we didn't indulge, the cakes and particularly the doughnuts looked amazing. Why 4 stars? Because like others have stated, staff do not serve in the order tables arrive. At least two tables who came in after us were served before. We would come again if this area of service can be rectified.

Super fresh ingredients and lovely warm welcome. Food all freshly served and homemade cakes and bread.

We arrived towards closing time, and were worried that we might be a nuisance. However we were made to feel extremely welcome, encouraged to sit outside and not rushed at all. The coffee was delicious too.

This is a regular haunt of mine with hubby or friends. Great for brunch or a cuppa and delicious home made cake. Very comfy inside but in current times we have to sit outside. But the tables are next to lovely planters and it is set back enough from the road to be comfortable. Service is excellent and cheerful.

Chocolate marbled Brioche. Had the last piece - Delightful. Pleasant spot in the sun and great coffee, too.

Oh my goodness the cakes are sensational. We use to have breakfast here also and they were awesome too. Decent coffee on too. The decor is very cool, lots to look at and they’ve got fantastic interior design skills as well as baking. Well worth stopping, in fact a must if you’re driving/cycling/walking by

Great staff and the breakfast is superb, very atmospheric and the coffee is great as is the takeaway food, especially the home made cakes :-)

Had already eaten so just turned up for a takeaway drink. The takeaway cappuccino was delicious. Great to see this place open for takeaway. Cakes look fantastic, friend bought one previously and said was great.

Merritts is a very unique cafe which serves superb coffee and cakes!!Their white chocolate and date cheesecake is absolutely divine!! Breakfasts are delicious too! Well worth a visit!!

This coffee lounge serves superb coffee and wonderful home-made cakes. All ingredients are locally and ethically sourced. Service is very personable and this mother-and-daughter business is a gem right at the gate-way to the New Forest. Not to be missed! We’ll be back ... many times!

Since this opened I have been amazed at the simplicity and efficiency! The food is superb while retaining a slightly just home made feel , the front of house is warm cosy and very good service ! My only complaint would be the incense burning while I’m trying to eat my breakfast love this place x keep it up

Popped into this beautiful little coffee lounge whilst out walking.Firstly the decor is fantastic and a lot of it all homemade which just adds to the experience. The staff were extremely helpful and so friendly, it's a fmaily run buisneas5 and you can just feel the warmth and kindness of the staff when walking in there.The food was amazing all home made bakes in there. Just an all round fantastic little find. Will definitely be going back there

Nipped in here with my hubby, was so taken by the decor, fabulous. Staff were lovely, the food was amazing. Can't wait for our next visit when we are next in the area.

Just seen the reviews for Merritts and visited there once again hoping for a better experience than the first time but afraid greatly disappointed following my latest visit. Undoubtedly the decor inside is very smart although the metal tables at beside the front door are totally impractical to eat food on and we had to remove table ancillaries onto shelf adjoining the table to be able to get breakfast plates onto tables. Waited about 15 minutes for any member of staff to come to our table and eventually a young person of approximate age 12 with a visor brought us menus. It was noted that all staff had visors rather than masks which have proven to be unsatisfactory for protection from droplets. Eventually our order was taken and the breakfast arrived about 30 minutes later again delivered by the visored child.The breakfast was of an acceptable standard so no complaints there.Watching closely it was then noticed that doughnuts cakes and breads were placed on the bar with no covers on any produce.Customers were going to the bar to pay right next to the food that was displayed.Extraordinarily another child younger than the first with another visor turned up to assist with serving. Totally surreal.In turn a member of the kitchen staff turned up to help at the bar to pack some of the uncovered food without any form of face covering and then proceeded to clear tables with no face covering.We were in the premises for an hour and a half due to the slowness of the service and we couldn’t get out of there quick enough.Will not be returning.

Had to drop off my wife at Southampton hospital and felt that cake may be required after her visit. Found Merritts by accident in the trek to get out of Southampton and waste time but what a find. Both cakes were boxed for takeaway and were superb as were the teas. Excellent spot where limited numbers could eat outside too.

We really like going in here for a scrummy brekkie or coffee. Since the new owners took over it’s been a regular place for us to go, thoroughly good and recommendable

Visited here for coffee with my Mum. There seemed to be plenty of car parking just outside the shops. Lattes tasted very good with friendly service. Toilet is outside through the back door. Only a small step at the front door. Enjoyable visit.

2nd time we have eaten here and 100% each time. None of your large chain rubbish, just brilliant fresh cooked food, great atmosphere and lovely owners. I think I will struggle to get a table here with the summer season about to start. 10/10

have been twice now. the first time for coffee, and donuts. the donuts are homemade and great. now had lunch. fantastic. vegatiran sandwhich was lovely. almost a 5

Delightful coffee lounge setting. Warm welcome. Delicious coffee. A few items were missing from menu but our choices were very enjoyable - eggs Benedict and eggs Royale. Chairs a little uncomfortable but I was promptly offered a cushion. Ideal venue for a pop-in coffee, cake or a light snack. Good luck to Team Merritts.

What a fantastic gem of a place! Family run and they couldn't do enough to ensure the evening went smoothly. The food was AMAZING and just wonderful service. Thanks so much, you made a great day really special 😊

Popped in this morning whilst catching up with some work. Very friendly with great food and coffee! Will come back again and would highly recommend.

Wow what a great place to stop. After a long walk we thought a cup of coffee / tea and bacon sandwich was in order. My goodness quite possibly the best bacon sandwich I've had. Lovely fresh bread, perfectly cooked bacon with a fried egg that was runny! I love the decor, 50's America? But with that English touch. The menu is varied but not over the top, and with good vegan options. Will definitely be coming back and recommending to others. The only critique I'd make is maybe the position of the menus when its busy might be better on or in reach of the counter Happy Christmas Merritts

The food was delicious and prepared fresh, quick and friendly service and I look forward to our next meal there! Lots of options and something for everyone!

Lovely quirky coffee house with homemade food / snacks & cakesPersonal service with pleasant informal approach throughout visitDrink presentation & food choice / quality no problem @ all & clearly home made / hoMe cooked with careOverall - small cafe style independent operation that delivers with a differenceValue ? - no problem Re-visit ? ....... yes

Really like this place but drinks take quite a time to be prepared. We would have liked a second drink but a few other people came in and service is so slow. Charming people just too slow for us.

We popped in here for lunch following recommendations by various friends - what a great place. A really good selection of 'brunch' style meals and sandwiches, drinks and homemade cakes in comfortable surroundings, plus lovely friendly staff, quirky decor and, when we were there, blues music in the background. What's not to like!

Stumbled across this place recently and really nice to find friendly & happy servers. Great quirky little place for coffee , cakes and snacks. Well worth checking out.

We tried this from a recommendation of a friend and it does not disappoint. Extremely friendly staff/owners (family run business) and laid back decor (a bit Fired Earth if you know what that is) with easy listening music the background.

What a lovely quirky friendly cafe!

We popped in for coffee and light lunch, staff we very friendly and the food was great. We will definitely return.

Love the decor, eclectic and charming. Fantastic coffee and the freshest cake I've tasted. Highly recommend this quiet little hideaway. Kudos to Darren and Sophie! Bravo!

So pleased we’ve found this lovely little spot. Yummy coffee with plenty of milk alternatives. I had the vegan avocado on toast and it was wonderful. Chatted to the lady there and she said her daughter is the chef whilst she’s front of house and her husband did most of the work inside, the decor is really cool! Looking forward to going back soon to try the vegan burger!

We stopped here completely by chance with our two small daughters for a snack and a break from the August rain. We were blown away by the beautiful interior, excellent service and varied breakfast menu. We had a breakfast sandwich and a porridge from the menu and the staff were only too happy to rustle up toast and jam for our toddler and a veggie version of the breakfast sandwich for me. Everything was delicious and our three year old enjoyed romping around in the garden before we got back in the road. We also took away a heavenly home-made salted caramel donut which was so welcome after a family morning at the farm.

Very friendly service. Delicious coffee and homemade food. Very handy location and parking available either outside or just a few strides down the road.

B-E-A-utiful decor! Friendly staff, quality homemade food at fair prices and awesome music. This little coffee lounge is a fantastic addition to Ashurst. Merritts never disappoints & I know if there was ever a problem the helpful team would try to resolve it.

A lovely little Cafe recently opened in Ashurst, the decor is lovely and very inviting. The service is brilliant and very friendly. The food is such good quality and a very good price. A great addition to the village.

Fabulous find in Ashurst. Just the right amount of options for brunch and two vegan dishes for me to choose from. I opted for the full vegan brunch which included coffee or tea, all for £7.50 ~ excellent value and really tasty. I had the best flat white, made with Oatly Barista, that I've had in a long while. The decor is great, the atmosphere relaxed and the service second to none. Can't wait to go back.

Friendly staff, lovely coffee and sausage roll. The decor was nice and there's a garden. Latte was so good I had 2!

I love this coffee house - it’s the best I’ve found this side of the forest. Merritt is always nice and smiling and she makes great coffee with all my favourite alternative milks. The cakes are good too and the rest of the menu looks good - which I’m excited to try when I go back. The maple latte is my favourite coffee from here. Glad they opened in Ashurst!

very enjoyable Service, excellent delivery nice surroundings gettin established and will go along way to serving the people visiting the Forest in future

As ever a report on a Sunday breakfast that went into lunchtime. Only recently opened and on entering the ambience and decor is lovely and well designed.

A family run business with Granny behind the counter, gorgeous Grandson taking orders plus clearing the tables and Mum in the kitchen producing absolutely delicious food. It just melted our hearts and showed true family values at it's very best. We will be back.

Unique, quirky decor and friendly service create a great atmosphere, accompanied by delicious cakes and coffee

Went on 2 consecutive days for their vegan breakfast as it was 1st class. I understand only open for about 10 weeks so can forgive rather slow service and perhaps an extra pair of hands may help especially when the open their garden but who is in a hurry in the New Forest! Worth the wait and will certainly return when in the area again.

This cafe is fabulous, popped in for coffee and lunch. Very friendly, food is great. Lots to choose from. Quirky decor. Service was great. Will definitely be popping in more.

Very nice new cafe,the food is excellent.They have a good range of cakes and pastries all made on site. Very friendly,great service,varied menu and they allow dogs. My new favourite place to visit.

Loved the decor of this cafe . So cool and and quirky. Coffee and tea fabulous. Eggs benactine delicious. Just wished I could try the home cooked doughnuts as they looked fabulous! But only here for lunch. Come and try it on the way to our fabulous New Forest. Think we’ll be back.

We popped into Mettitts for a late lunch after I visited BodyWorx a few doors down. We've only had takeaway coffee previously.

I visited the Herb Pot before it became Merritts and can't believe how much it's been turned around! My friends and I had afternoon tea here on Sunday.. everything was perfect. The decor is so interesting, the lady who served us was really accommodating and the food was incredible! All home made, even the quiche and sausage rolls! Can't recommend this place enough, well worth a visit.

Quirky decor. Good selection of cakes and beverages.. however thought it was expensive.. £2.30 for an Americano plus £0.30 for milk. £2.00 for a cuppa tea which came in a mug with a tea bag. Would have liked a pot and cup and saucer

I go have been in here reasonably often after the opening and love it all, the atmosphere and the food is Brilliant LOVE IT

Really lovely place for coffee and food! Best coffee we've had in a long time, we tried the maple flavour and wow! Food was delicious, so tasty and well presented. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. Cannot wait to go back for more coffee ☕❤

Visited twice both times for lunch .

Would definitely recommend a visit to this cafe, very friendly efficient service, lovely tasting coffee lovely homemade biscuits and cakes on offer, I will definitely be coming back,

Whilst waiting for an appointment at Bodyworx I noticed that Merrrit offers a takeaway option. I popped in for a tea and coffee, and couldn't resist the homemade hot cross buns.

What a amazing place , very quirky decor. Wonderful food and equally wonderful friendly staff .It was our first visit but it was so friendly and laidback. We just had coffees and the Cuban sandwich and the Italian sandwich yum yum Would highly recommend them .Lovely place will definitely be back , the only problem I can see is that it will be a runner way success and might have to steal waiters/waitress uniform to get in

We popped in today to try the new place out ,so pleased we did so Friendly the owners and staff the food is excellent we had a Cuban sandwich and an Italian sandwich and shared them both can honestly say one of the best sandwiches I have ever had fresh tasty delicious we will definitely be returning keep up the good work

Visited today for coffee and cake. Very friendly service, excellent coffee and lovely home made cake all of which is reasonably priced. Will be back : )

This little coffee shop is gorgeous, dog friendly, family run, cosy and a little hidden gem. It's new, having replaced a bistro, but it's beautiful inside. There's a small cosy area around a log burner with a sofa and comfy chairs, as well as seating around tables for those who want more than a coffee and a cake. Delicious food, all cooked to order using locally sourced ingredients. The staff are so friendly and helpful. Limited outside seating when the weather is nice too. Been a few times and can't fault it so far :-)

Wow what a fabulous coffee lounge - everything about it is great.

We went to Merritts this afternoon after a dog walk, the welcome was very friendly and there were even dog biscuits for the dog. We are still talking about the delicious stout cake. Very nice decor with a lot of attention to detail. We will certainly be back!

My wife and I visited Merritts cafe this morning and I have to give them much praise! What a superb breakfast and friendly service. Their produce is locally sourced and you can tell from the taste and quality. The cafe has only opened very recently, which is very good news for the local Ashurst community but very bad news for my waistline :)

I say hidden because it's so new it does not have the signage to let you know it's a coffee shop. Formerly it was a restaurant and externally still has that appearance.

Fantastic food and lovely coffee. Very friendly service and dog friendly too. Would highly recommend.