the White Swan in Southampton

Had a great carvery with plenty of choice of meat and vegetables at a reasonable price. Excellent service.

You know what ur getting. A nice carvery. No complaints. Xx

Food was OK no Yorkshire puddings oven broken .

We went to the White Swan for a family meal where there was 11 of us. The service given by Darcie was excellent and the best we have received in a long time anywhere. Darcie is a credit to the team. The food was great and there were clean plates all round and everything was reasonably priced too. Definitely will go back again

Fabulous value for money The staff were amazing, very friendly, efficient, considerate and well trained. The food very tasty. Could do with a refurbishment but it didn't affect the experience. Will reccomend . Xx

Went for breakfast. Absolutely superb. Thank you.

Everything is excellent in my mind, however I really don't appreciate when a service charge is applied for a party, I believe this should be informed verbally instead of realising after payment has been made. Courtney served us today and did an excellent job, however I would have preferred by my own choice.

Had a meat free carvery as the slither they gave me wasn’t worth it .. The veg was good however spoilt by the lack of meat.. also the guy caving the meat managed serve me without saying a word very rude.. however table server and front of house very friendly… Won’t be going again for carvery..

Excellent food. Very good service from our server Simon very helpful and polite. Table was already for us order taken within five mins of sitting down. Plates cleared quickly when finished ready for deserts.

A good place for all you can eat breakfast or carvery, especially mid week.

Had a great experience at the white swan the staff couldn’t be more helpful and polite, especially Tina who was so very polite, patient and helpful with anything we needed.

Nice pub on the River Itchen, large restaurant with a daily carvery, breakfasts, brunches, and good menu for bar meals. They also do takeaways now. Interesting nibbles board in the bar also with doggy treats. Plenty of beers and lagers to choose from. Large car park, but register your number plate because there is a charge for non-customers.

Goos value food, staff very pleasant 😋

We go there frequently and lately we booked room for 20 people for a small wedding dinner. Food was amazing, staff very friendly and flexible with any arrangements. Meals served very quickly after placing the order. Great pub/restaurant with amazing staff and atmosphere!

Excellent food and warm and welcoming staff.

Great breakfast. Busy as well seems like a winning combination.

Decent carvery although u don't get much meat but its cheap at £11. Desert was really good I had the brownie & the ice cream with it was stunning, really creamy.

A1 place had carvery and staff very helpful

Lovely place to stop for a drink by the river. Friendly staff, cosy atmosphere and great food. Totally recommend this place

Excellent service and extremely good food. Thank you for making our family meal so special.

Food was amazing best chicken wings and strips I've had, great atmosphere too

Food very good all staff very friendly except the chef serving definitely lacked a sense of humour. Mens toilet area needed a good clean . No bolt to secure the women's toilet.

The only fault I have is that there were too many vegetables with cheese in. I can't eat cheese and love cauliflower.

Excellent carvery with the friendliest of staff.

Careful of the parking, book it in and remember you get 2 hours only.

We had a room booked and paid for £75, the cygnet room for 12 people on the 21st September, your staff were very helpful, however of the 12 guests 4 were vegeterian, not a problem we thought but all the options were not available, so my 4 guests just had vegetables, and also no vegetarian gravy so their meal was dry too. On the menu one of us wanted the wrap, only to discover you dont do wraps on a Saturday, why give us a menu when half of it isnt available?? We had desert all of us one of my guest thought she would have an icecream sundae, I joked they wont do that because it is Saturday!! But in fairness you did. Having spent £75 to book the room and £244 for meal and drinks I would have expected better, so I am afraid we wont be coming back here ever again

Food was fantastic staff were brilliant and our visit was faultless. Would highly recommend.

Sadly only carvery meals available when I visited, due to refurbishment if kitchen.

Unfortunately, this was one of the worst Carverys I’ve ever experienced. I arrived just after midday, when you would expect fresh food, but it tasted as if it had been sitting out for days. The roast potatoes were solid lumps, and the meat was extremely overcooked. While in the queue, I requested gluten-free gravy, but after sitting down, I had to ask again. It took 10 minutes for the gravy to arrive, by which time I had already eaten the overcooked meat and decided not to continue with the rest of the meal. While I understand it can be busy, you would expect the gluten-free gravy to be ready, rather than having to wait for it to be made while your meal gets cold. This added to the disappointment, as it impacted the overall dining experience. Additionally, staff need better allergen advice training to handle such requests more efficiently.

Not the best night out We had booked for 5 adults 1 dog however on arrival were told they don't allow dogs in the restaurant so had to eat in the bar The only seating was round a low coffee table or a tall table with high benches as the coffee table was completely inappropriate we used the high table which was difficult as one party member is less than 5ft and in her 80s. We then looked at the menu and went to order at the bar only to be told that 90% of the mains weren't available???? so it was carvery all round Although the food was very tasty it and the plates were tepid at best, we had seen such wonderful reviews so we really were very dissapointed

Great carvery and very good value.Would highly recommend

Had a self service breakfast. Plenty of choice, food was hot, and staff were very friendly and accommodating

Very good for a breakfast good food and good staff

Very helpful Tracey, good food, lovely pub, reasonable price.

Breakfast On arrival staff made us welcome. An excellent number of items available which should satisfy most customers. Not limited to the number of times one can return to top up your plate. A buffet style breakfast where the food was kept Hot and not just warm as is often common. The food dishes where replenished frequently as they became empty. The restaurant was busy. Did not book a table today, but may be advisable in the future. Thank you all at the White Swan fir a very enjoyable breakfast. Earlier Evening visit Enjoyed our evening, a very good venue to dine with friends. Nicely decorated for the Christmas period. The dining area was very clean and tables cleared promptly.Staff were excellent. Enjoyed the carvery, a slight criticism was that the vegetables could have been hotter. I can appreciate that it can be difficult to judge the numbers of customers at anytime , but it did seem that there was an excess of vegetables prepared too early when there was just a few customers at the time of our visit. We will be returning and would recommend the White Swan.

Lovely pub. Tasty carvery, other food just as delicious. Friendly staff Midweek set menu is also very reasonably priced. Highly recommend. Make sure to book if you’re planning to go on a weekend or bank holiday!

Had a table booked for 12 people, was put in a nice quiet area, I didn't catch our waiters name, (he was the deaf chap). He was extremely helpful,very knowledgeable on one of our party's dietary needs, very apologetic about the lack of certain items on the menu. Basically he made the whole meal an enjoyable experience. The food was lovely. We had the three courses, all food was hot, no waiting between courses, this is now our go to place when we have family visiting.

Very happy, we were just out walking and didn’t expect to stop here for lunch. Even without a booking we were able to get a nice place to sit. I would book in advance if you get the chance though. Service really good and the food very tasty, eat all you can carvery will always go down well 👍

We come here quite a bit and enjoy the food. We came for a carvery on 8th September. We were sat by a draft and asked if we could move inside, we were told that all the tables were booked. They're was 10+ tables empty when we asked and still 10+ empty tables when we finished. So I sat there cos eating my dinner. My partner is 6ft 2in and got enough meet to feed a 3 year old. I had to give him mine. So wasn't impressed

Was going to visit but having read the reviews I’m not going to gamble on a 60/40 of a meal being a bad experience. Management need to wake up retrain everyone and be grateful people WANT to visit, it’s not Windsor great park nor Arundel but it does have great river walks and woodland to walk in. The potential to be brilliant is there so with care it could be a stunning venue.

Told no seating with a pushchair and told I can only sit in the bar area with a 3 month old baby!! Plenty of seating in restaurant and a ramp although would simply lift pushchair if not. Terrible customer service and very rude. I assume not wheelchair friendly either then if couldn't accommodate a pushchair. Will never go here again made to feel an inconvenience and as a new mother I found them very unkind.

Always enjoy my carvery lunch when I visit my son in Southampton,looking forward to next time.Well done everyone at The White Swan.

We had the buffet breakfast. Good choice of food. Bacon, sausages, potatoes, toast, etc Staff were very friendly and quickly cleared tables.

Sunday carvery was delicious, the pork melted in my mouth the veg was hot and fresh and the beef dripping roadies were off the scale phenomenal. We brought the dog and he had a burger patty off the pawsome menu.

This is truly a beautiful place to have a roast with excellent views. Give this place a try but it will be busy.

The staff are lovely. There was a problem with our food order and the manager could not have done more to put the matter right. Left feeling happy and would return. The outside area looks neglected and needs a clean and tidy up.

Had a great evening here last night the food was fantastic & prices were very reasonable we will be returning fully recommended

Excellent food nd service at very reasonable prices the only problem is it seemed very hot indoors

Great food and plenty of it, had the carvery and it was excellent, followed by the honeycomb sundae which was a good size portion.

Manager & Staff very friendly, Before going we checked on the website if The White Swan was dog friendly which it mentioned it was. On arrival told we could only eat in the pub side as dogs not allowed in restaurant area, no problem with that (that fact could be mentioned on the wedsite). We both decided we would go for the Carvey and decided roast beef and all the trimmings. Well the chef carved us off very small slices of beef and a enormous Yorkshire pudding. The roast potatoes, parsnips, peas, carrots & cauliflower where warm but not hot, soon got cold when on your plate. Cost was fine. We left feeling disappointed and we will not be going back.

Carvery all dried up, veg was about 4hrs over done. Remembered why I've not been here for years to eat. Miserable and abrupt bar staff. Shame really, this place was great years ago.

Foods ok dished up on worn out old plates

Nice carvery. Choice of four different meat roasts plus all the trimmings. Generally good service. Pub lacks atmosphere. Terrace area out the back by river quaint with riverside views. Tables and area not the cleanest.

All you can eat breakfast buffet for £7.49. Standard selection of bacon, eggs, sausage, tomatoes/ beans, toast and hash browns, as well as a bacon Yorkshire which was different for breakfast 🤣. Tea / coffee £2 odd extra for bottomless. Relaxing atmosphere too with slow tunes in the background. Wouldn't do it too often as gyms are expensive 😁

Nice pub, good food and plenty of places to sit outside. Little bit skimpy on the carvery meat.

Had a great meal here on 18.8.24. Staff were really helpful and friendly and the food was hot and delicious! Definitely one to come back to.

Front of house staff very helpful, friendly and polite. Chef very polite and cheerful - great rapport building!! Bar staff - miserable and grumpy and could do with raising a smile and saying please and thank you!! Food - bang average and left feeling quite disappointed...

Great pub and location on the inland water adjacent to mansbridge outside seating sun trap walk through here to St Deny's and waterfront park.

I recently visited The White Swan in Southampton and had an amazing experience! The service provided by Billy, the Assistant Manager, was truly outstanding. From the moment I walked in, he ensured that everything was top-notch. Billy's attention to detail and friendly demeanor really made my visit special. The atmosphere was lovely, and the food was delicious. I highly recommend The White Swan, especially for the exceptional service provided.

The Yorkshire Wrap was fresh, hot and delicious. A great choice of fillings. A big thank you to Courtney our server. Excellent customer service and care. A credit to this establishment. Highly recommended and definately will be back

Great for dog owners have menu for dogs nice to relax by river very British atmosphere

Booked a surprise 60th Birthday meal and it was amazing. The staff are all very welcoming, friendly and went the extra mile with regards to allowing us to bring our pre-booked event forward an hour due to an unforeseen issue. Also by hiding and bringing out the cake at the end of our meal. The food was amazing, plentiful and very good value for money. The service was excellent. All-round perfect. Thank you to all.

Great place with great staff.. however, I didn't think the food was that good. I had athe carvery, unfortunately I was given the end of the beef, which was very tough and dry! Also, the only veg on offer were peas and carrotts, not good at all. I expected more!

Lovely pub by the river Excellent food and drink what's not to love.x

The carvery can be wonderful. However if you go at the wrong time it can be not so hot. Luke warm food. Very Nice pub and Restaurant sections. Outside is right by the river is a massive plus. Lovely to chill and watch the ducks etc. I would recommend however I am not so much of a roast dinner carvery fan. Menu is very good if you don't fancy a roast dinner.

Far too hot to cook a roast today so booked in at The White Swan - it was busy outside - less inside - we asked for a table by a window which we got - back doors open so had a nice breeze through. Placed our order - everything was on point - had turkey roast dinner - hubby had turkey and gammon - both dinners wete very nice - only cristism was we felt was the meat was cut very thin and not much of it really.

Quality food and great service.

5stars as always, Courtney is very polite and very good at her job, we will be visiting again very soon, can't wait to taste the lovely food soon.

Nice food with a river view. Good prices and very polite staff

Great carvery with a good choice of fresh vegetables. Excellent value for money Lovely helpful staff Nicely situated close to Riverside Park

The White Swan in Southampton is a charming riverside pub with a rich history dating back to the early 1800s. Located on the banks of the River Itchen, it offers picturesque views and a tranquil setting for enjoying a meal or a drink. The pub's exterior features a classic brick facade with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. There is also outdoor seating available at the back, overlooking the river, and at the front, facing the road. Inside, the pub is spacious and well-appointed, with a mix of traditional and contemporary decor. The bar area is cozy and inviting, with exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and a roaring fireplace. There is also a large dining area with comfortable seating and plenty of space for groups. The White Swan is known for its carvery, which features a selection of roasted meats, vegetables, and Yorkshire puddings. The menu also includes a variety of other pub classics, such as fish and chips, burgers, and salads. The pub has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and the staff are always happy to help. It is a popular spot for both locals and visitors, and it is often busy on weekends and during the summer months. Overall, the White Swan is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal, a relaxing drink, and stunning views of the River Itchen. It is a true Southampton institution, and it is well worth a visit.

A lovely friendly pub which had indoor and outdoor seating in a tranquil setting but also very busy! We didn't eat here on this occasion, but very friendly staff.

Had lunch with my daughter and granddaughter. Absutely lovely! Food was excellent and very reasonably priced. Lovely walk along the river after. Parking is free as long as you enter your registration number at the reception area when you first enter. Well done!

Light lunch & cold drinks , no air con, too hot & large noisy party in. Didn't stay long.

I wasn't there long. We had a small roast dinner, our choice, option to refill plate was there. Location, brilliant on the bank of the lovely river Itchen, garden optional. Worth a visit. Prices very fair.

Lovely service with friendly polite staff. Excellent food, the Carvery was superb.

We paddle boarded up the river to get to the pub where we thought we would enjoy a beer and some food,

Great service & very good value for money

Food was tasty, but the carvery meat portion was quite stingy compared to other carveries we’ve been to that are cheaper. They gave us half a slice of gammon… and half a slice of pork. They also assume you don’t want the delicious fat. The guy cut it off with a big chunk of the meat and chucked it in the bin without first asking if I wanted it. I don’t go out for a roast to healthy… 😂 leave it on or at least ask. Please don’t Chuck it in the bin 🤦‍♀️ meat should never be wasted!

I booked a family meal here and whilst the service from the young man was fantastic, the food was shocking! I had the veggie melt in the middle roast, the taste was awful, a weird combination of a nut roast with supposedly a camembert middle, the cheese wasn't camembert, it tasted more like a blue cheese, too strong for the nut roast. My partner had a beef roast with 1 slice of beef, just not good enough. They won't improve their game as they are just feeding the masses. Shocking.

Lovely place to visit with great views and food. Carvery is the best around! Highly recommend! However, the following has ruined our experience today of a pub/restaurant that we love but the food was still as great as it always is so we have still given 5 stars for this! FYI: Service dogs and assistance dogs are not the same. Assistance dogs are not required by law to be registered or carry an i.d like a service dog would. However they are still covered under the Equality Act 2010 and it is against the law to ask for the reason why someone requires an assistance dog! Making customers feel uncomfortable by trying to call them out on them having an assistance dog is classed as discrimination. Making comments which were clearly heard by the customers and made them feel even more uncomfortable is also classed as discrimination! Please just educate yourself and your staff on the laws around disabilities as not all of them are visible. Thankyou. EDIT: Have visited again since the above happened and was greeted by the same negativity and hostility from a certain member of staff. It's a real shame that hidden disabilities are being discriminated against and people are made to feel unwelcome by people like this! Due to this, i am removing a star from my review! Food still remains at a 5* but unfortunately this particular member of staff is bringing the rating down!

I went with my girlfriend and we had fish and chips which was really nice, and a chocolate fudge cake with ice-cream for afters, very nice. We Would recommend it, and it sits by a river which is a lovely setting to be around

Lovely food and atmosphere. Very friendly and helpful staff.

No problems with the pub. Beware the parking though. On my first & only visit I entered my car reg correctly in the terminal but was still charged £60 penalty. I had no evidence to prove otherwise. So I suggest one records a video of entering your car reg. Or do what I do & don't use the place. I also noticed that Google Street View has edited out the Parking Signs that are present in the car park. Suspicious, no?

How about making it easier for people arriving by river to moor boats and come an use the pub?

Lovely carvery good price and friendly attentive staff

Very nice meal but this place was very busy. Lovely setting..

Unfortunately the carvery was not up to their usual standard. But as good as they are we were offered a different item. Always a pleasure to go to The White Swan for our families celebrations, plus a nice lunch by the river. The Manager works hard to please and has a great friendly team alongside him.

Left at the table with no service after 20 mins we got up and left. Never again very very disappointed and very disorganised

Took our Grandma for the carvery. It did not disappoint! The food was excellent and the chef carving was very friendly and polite. Our waitress, Kat, was superb. She was friendly, patient and even teased Grandma (Toffee sauce on top of the ice cream not underneath 😉) The meal was also excellent value for money. Thank you for a lovely experience, we will definitely recommend and definitely be back!

We had the carvery at 12 lunchtime.everything was very fresh at that time.a good selection of meat & veg, price wise good value.

The only mishap was I was given the wrong bill and had to wait to get it sorted

Sadly it’s a chain pub catering to townies who go out into the country - so the atmosphere is completely lacking. But it’s well run with good beer and food.

Had a lovely long lunch with friends and family today. Good reasonably priced food, delicious dessert and wonderful staff. We will definitely be back. Thank you.

Good food, good service, good prices. What’s not to like. The location by the river is lovely to look around after. Thank you.

Lovely friendly pub hy the river. Worth a visit

Loverly place for a meal, great service and atmosphere

Friends arranged lunch for my sixth, food was amazing service was excellent. Will recommend to family and friends. Thank you so much

Great good always wry friendly staff, outside area is nice and love coming here for family birthdays the whole family love it

Excellent carvery. Not sure about the rest of the menu as I always have their delicious roast. Staff are always helpful and polite too