The Black Rat
A year after opening, the team acquired one of the most prestigious accolades in catering, a Michelin Star.
Our ingredients are sourced from some of the best local suppliers that can be found and we have our own forager who brings the most seasonal and fresh products available.
Located nearby is our kitchen garden where we grow some of our own herbs and vegetables, all of which helps to inspire the kitchen team to create their take on a “Modern British” menu.
The wine list boasts some 80 wines with a balance between Old and New world from our supplier Ellis Of Richmond. The list contains some iconic wines that are great with delicious food but also it has balanced and well rounded wine that can be enjoyed without food.
The atmosphere is relaxed but homely with lots to look at in all the rooms, and the service is informal but attentive.
Menu
Special Offers
1,000-Point Tables
See availability for 1,000 point tables
Mon - Wed 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Best meal we have had for ages. Will definitely return.
The duck was cooked to perfection.
It was a Sunday night, so it was quiet and service was good. I know being Gluten free is tricky and boring, but these are outstanding chefs, surely they can use their imagination and not just "take off" the "offending" item. However, thank you for thinking outside the bun and coming up with a delicious dessert, cherry sorbet was fab!
Brilliant. The squid ink Parmesan bread was incredible
Every dish after was perfection
Thank you
Stunning food and excellent service. Couldn't have asked for a better meal out.
We went for lunch and had the set menu that was delicious. Service very attentive. Nice treat.
Outstanding and interesting food. I had the beetroot gnudi which were one of the best dish I have tried in a very long time. The partridge was also perfectly cooked and very juicy. Selection of Gin is also amazing and I have tried my first Gin on the rocks (Boudier saffron I think). I can't fault my experience and I wish I live closer. Thanks!
Wonderful food, a real treat. The staff couldn’t be more helpful and pleasant. Will be back.
The advantage of booking a table for 6 pm was we were able to choose where to sit!! We sat beside the open fire and it was a good location. The ambience is lovely. The maitre d was superb in his attentiveness. All the staff were excellent... being there discretely, unobtrusively, but there if we needed anything.
The menu had some choices we’d not seen before. All the good was excellent, well presented and tasty. I loved having the food served on a really hot plate. The dessert was mouth-wateringly lovely. All in all a brilliant meal.
Amazing food, great location and service. Would highly recommend.
Very nice dinner at the Black Rat. Good food and service in a warm cosy room - just what was needed in January. Our meal was great and the staff knocked the price of desserts off our bill because they felt they took longer than expected to make. We hadn't really noticed, to be honest, but that tells you all you need to know about the excellent standards to expect at Winchester's best restaurant.
Great meal for the reopening of The Black Rat. It certainly lived up to the hype
Had a really wonderful meal on Saturday, the food was exceptional and the staff were lovely, very friendly and helpful. We would recommend this restaurant and would love to return when we next visit Winchester.
Did not disappoint. Lovely relaxed low key rustic environment. Service attentive but not over bearing. Menu interesting and food was delicious. The lunch menu is really good value. Uk grown wine was a delight. Will definitely visit again.
As always the food was fantastic. Congratulations to Gareth and his incredible team. See you soon.
This was our first visit to The Black Rat and we went for lunch on the first day of opening after the Christmas shut down. We were not disappointed. The service was attentive but not over bearing, and the food was delicious. We chose UK wine, which was soooo good, and thank you for having some on the wine menu. We will definitely visit again.
Our favourite treat in life is to spend an evening at the Black Rat. The joy is beyond good food.
Fabulous meal. Lovely atmosphere with excellent service. Highly recommend
The food and service were both outstanding
Don't be put off by the sometime eclectic mix of ingredients, the the food all tastes amazing
Amazing service and food as always!! Such a treat!
Eaten there a couple of times - first time was a little underwhelming, but this time was perfect - vegetarian gnocchi to start, pollock main course, and then an amazing chocolate and mushroom sweet.
The Quail starter was superb, beautifully cooked and presented as was the duck main course which was also prepared to an exceptional standard. Finished off with Madeleines and butterscotch sauce for desert which were absolutely heavenly. A fantastic pre-Christmas meal with my wife and highly recommended.
Food as always wonderful and a sensation for the tastebuds. What we especially love though is it’s unstuffiness, the warm welcome and the feeling as though you’ve just come for dinner with friends,
Great meals with friends, food delicious, service very good. Recommended.
Only our 2nd ever visit, wish we could dine here more often! It's my husband and my favourite local restaurant. Superb food, customer service ,location, price and experience. Can't recommend it enough
Splendidly understated - the food, service, and atmosphere spoke for itself.
Service was a little speedier than usual - but an outstanding evening none the less. Our favourite restaurant!
Exceptional meal, best ever Venison was so tender & juicy-fantastic taste. Wines recommended were perfectly matched - look forward to returning soon.
Great experience. So much improved since last visit when the food was fine but nothing special. Delightful staff - courteous and polite without being intrusive.
Amazing food and great service with very knowledgeable staff. A lovely evening. Thanks
Michelen starred restaurant and as good as they say. I'll definitely be going back.
One of our party had an issue with the fish course, it was all very nice but the fish itself was rather cold. On mentioning this to the staff he found he wasn’t the only diner to have made this observation. He was informed that they would speak to the chef to see if this could be rectified. Otherwise it was brilliant and we would have given five stars except for the aforementioned little niggle. We would certainly go back.
Food very interesting. Portions small but it was more than enough.
Were well looked after
Tasting menu was amazing, would definitely recommend it.
Abso-bloomin-lutely fab! Faultless service and truly delicious food in a gorgeous and cosy environment.
Really interesting menu, the food was sublime, the wines were lovely and the whole experience memorable
The Black Rat offers a very relaxed atmosphere in which you can enjoy the superb cuisine. Menu options are original and innovative with an emphasis on quality produce. The members of staff are welcoming and very attentive to diners. An excellent restaurant to which we will return.
We love the black rat. Best food experience ever !!
We booked a table of 4 to celebrate a 40th birthday. From start to finish it was excellent in all departments! Highly recommended!!
Gorgeous cozy interior with exposed brick and wood beams. Food delicious and well presented. Service outstanding but relaxed.
Great cosy atmosphere and friendly, efficient service. Food was delicious - strong, complimentary flavours. Would recommend the fish and duck. Only criticisms would be that portions were a little bit small and it is quite pricey. Worth it for a special occasion, would go again.
