If you’re more of a savoury person then take a look at Hampshire Cheese.

With the Love Basingstoke marketplace, The Borough Basket, you can find even more local traders who deliver a taste of Basingstoke to your front door.

Farmers markets and local produce

Hampshire farmers markets are a great place to browse and pick up a variety of local produce. Taking place on a monthly basis across the county, you’ll be able to discover Basingstoke businesses selling everything from cakes and brownies to jams and chutneys. A Basing Bakes are regular attendees at the farmers markets from Alton all the way down to Waterlooville.

For locally sourced cuts of meat, family-run V & B Butchers in Oakley, is perfect for those summer bbqs, hearty winter dishes or to make your ordinary meals extra tasty. They also have a lovey range of jams, chutneys and preserves, with fresh free range delicious eggs available all year round.

Basingstoke’s position within the countryside means access to organic and fresh produce couldn’t be easier. Worthy Earth is a collection of Regenerative, No-Dig Market Gardens in Hampshire and Oxfordshire including one at Dummer Down Farm. You can purchase weekly vegetable boxes from them.  Just across the border into Hart you will find Wellington Farm Shop.

To combine eating with something to do head to Bourne Valley PYO, situated near the idyllic village of St Mary Bourne, for super fresh fruit. Take a look at their crop update to see what’s available.

For a gorgeous selection meats pop down to Bere Mill Butchers in Whitchurch, open Wednesday to Saturday, where you will find pasture fed beef, lamb and other choices. 

For other local producers take a look at the Hampshire Fare website.

Dining out

Whether you’re looking for a cosy country pub or more of a fine dining experience we have some wonderful suggestions. The Duck & Tipple in Wote Street at the Top of the Town offers designer cocktails and rustic food in a contemporary and relaxed setting. Here the staff develop a new cocktail each week. 

The Hoddington Arms is a popular family pub in the pretty village of Upton Grey. The Watership Down Inn in Freefolk serves lunch and dinner throughout the week except on Sunday evenings and work with a number of local producers. 

African restaurant Afrizi in Basingstoke serves flavoursome, tasty food to eat in or takeaway, with the majority of the menu gluten-free and vegan, so perfect for all. 

The Lime Leaf and The Olive House all offer great food in Basingstoke town centre and are perfect for a date night meal out. Across the surrounding areas there are even more restaurants to explore including The Glasshouse Restaurant at Oakley Hall Hotel which offers modern British cuisine in a beautiful setting or The Palm Brasserie. 

If you are looking to experience vegan food then Vemillion located at Chineham Shopping Centre is Basingstoke’s 100% vegan café.

Gabardine located on London Street offer themed brunches so you can enjoy music with your meal.

Cafés and tearooms

There are plenty of independent coffee shops and tea parlours offering delicious cakes and a warm cuppa. In the town centre try Willows Coffee House on Cross Street and the Tea Bar which is conveniently situated at the Top of the Town. If you are heading out of Basingstoke town centre, The Street Bakeshop in Old Basing and The Parlour Tearoom at Viables are popular.

You can also find some wonderful places to grab a light lunch or coffee and cake outside of Basingstoke, in Whitchurch and Overton. Whitchurch Silk Mill’s Riverside Café is situated on the banks of the River Test and offers a seasonal menu of delicious sweet treats, snacks and light lunches. They use a number of local suppliers including The Hampshire Deli, Chalk Stream trout and Blundell Bakes. Jolly Ollys  is a friendly cafe in the heart of Oakley Village, serving a selection of drinks, cakes and bites to eat such as paninis. You can order to take away or eat in and enjoy whilst watching the world go by. 

Locally brewed

If you fancy seeing how the gin in your cocktail is made then take a tour around the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Laverstoke and enjoy a drink afterwards. You can order from Gorilla Spirits based in Upton Grey online. If beer is more your tipple then Longdog Brewery and Andwell are both located in Basingstoke and Deane. 

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. While the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.