The Happy Cheese — Southampton

Restaurant · Southampton

The Happy Cheese

4.1 (1,268 reviews)
££ 📍 189 Lyndhurst Rd, Ashurst, Southampton SO40 7AR

About The Happy Cheese

A big New Forest-edge pub where the free car park and the ice cream parlour do a lot of the heavy lifting with children in tow. There's a kids' menu, high chairs and easy buggy access, plus outdoor seating for when small people need to be somewhere less echoey. The blue cheese burger and the chips get consistent praise, the sandwiches are reliably good, and portions run generous enough that a grazing board plus mains defeated one family. Service is the wobble: at quiet times food lands fast and the staff are warm, but weekends and big groups can mean a 35-minute wait, lukewarm plates and a queue at the dessert counter. Book ahead, order at the till rather than online when it's busy, and bring your own colouring — none is offered.

Kid-friendly features

🍽️
Kids menu ✓ Likely
🪑
Highchairs ✓ Likely
🌿
Outdoor space ✓ Yes
🛻
Buggy friendly ✓ Yes
🥦
Vegan options ✓ Likely
🌾
Gluten free ✓ Likely
🔊
Noise level Lively
📅
Booking Recommended
👶
Best for All ages

Tags

#bar#coffee shop#ice cream shop#outdoor seating#post office#pub#restaurant
Something wrong or out of date? Suggest an edit →
Three Family Friendly UK Restaurant Activity Packs spread across a table — colouring, drawing and origami pages for kids.

The Free Restaurant Activity Packs Your Table Will Love

A little something creative for your next meal out. Filled with colouring, simple drawing prompts for cute animals, origami and conversation starters designed to bring more play, laughter and connection to the table. 3 free printable packs for toddlers, preschoolers and primary-aged children.

  • Colouring
  • Origami
  • Drawing lessons
  • Table questions

You might also like

The New Forest, Ashurst ££
Bars Southampton

The New Forest, Ashurst

A welcoming Ashurst pub with an upscale menu and a beer garden, well rated by families for a relaxed bite out.

✓ Kids menu (likely) ✓ Highchairs (likely) ✓ Outdoor space ✓ Buggy friendly 🔊 Relaxed atmosphere 👨‍👩‍👧 Great for all ages
The Forest Inn, Ashurst ££
Bars Southampton

The Forest Inn, Ashurst

A dog-friendly 18th-century pub near Southampton with hearty food, local ales, and outdoor seating for easygoing family meals.

✓ Kids menu (likely) ✓ Highchairs (likely) ✓ Outdoor space ✓ Buggy friendly 🔊 Relaxed atmosphere 👨‍👩‍👧 Great for all ages
The Gamekeeper ££
Restaurants Southampton

The Gamekeeper

A laid-back Southampton pub with a kids' menu, high chairs, and outdoor seating — easy and welcoming for families.

✓ Kids menu ✓ Highchairs ✓ Outdoor space ✓ Baby changing (likely) ✓ Buggy friendly 🔊 Relaxed atmosphere 👨‍👩‍👧 Great for all ages