The best restaurants serving Italian food in New Forest South East

It might look like a cafe on the outside (if you can find it), but there’s a proper restaurant with a proper kitchen on the inside. A small but varied menu, good portions and tasty. The chef was out among the guests, taking orders and asking if all ok. Well placed confidence. We would definitely return.

Honestly incredible!!! The menu had a fantastic range on it and we really enjoyed that you could pick your pasta and sauce to your individual want. I had the tomato sauce with meatballs and the flavours were fantastic. My partner had a mushroom based sauce and it had plenty of flavour and had a great amount of mushrooms. The service was brilliant and the girls were really attentive and made us super comfortable. They made sure there was room for our pram as we gave them advanced warning on the form and they were super smiley. Will 100% be coming back here and have already recommended it to all our friends.

A very good family run Italian restaurant

Lovely restaurant, friendly staff and great atmosphere. Food was amazing. Eaten here a few times over the past year when we visit and never disappointed

Came for a family gathering in the upstairs room and wanted to say how impressed I was with the food and how attentive the staff were. I will definitely be back and if I were local would definitely ask them to cater for future events amazing. Atmosphere was also lovely

Wow, loved this place. Great food, wine and a lovely room Thank you for a great night

Come here for lunch. Great food and quiet and comfortable atmosphere

My Husband and l went for dinner, and it was Fabulous!!! Starters and main course were amazing!!! Highly recommend this great restaurant!!!

As a regular customer to Rays Italian, both my wife and myself would like to thank Stacey for another wonderful meal last night. We love all things Italian and this restaurant certainly presses all the right buttons for us... What do we like about Rays Italian? Not just the great food but the staff are always so welcoming and attentive. Best wishes Mark & Jan Laming.

Katie did an incredible job as our server, but the experience was made even better with her accommodative approach.

Fantastic night great food and owner and wife fantastic company. Service as always excellent. Best Zagbiloni ever . Thank you both.

Excellent in all regards, quality of food, service and ambience. Parking outside free after 6pm.

Staff were excellent, food was individually prepared and great quality. The food was authentic Italian and well presented.

Just about to change management but we've met the new owner. He guarantees lots of seafood. As he says " he's from Sicily so should know how to cook seafood". Looking forward to it.

This is a real little gem! The food is really lovely, tasty and fresh. The restaurant is very welcoming and the service was brilliant. Not over priced which in today’s market is unusual. We would happily come here again