Best Local Restaurant
  View all 11 photos
  /11
X

CONTINUE READING...

Become a member of Good Food Guide+ to unlock ⁠Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants 2026, and get unlimited access to our reviews, newsletters and other lists including the best bakeries and pubs around Britain

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Already have an account? Log in

Lucky Lychee

Hampshire, Winchester - Malaysian - Restaurant - ££

Regional produce meets Malaysian flavours at this standout local

Overall Rating: Very Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Very Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Very Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Very Good

Here is an off-centre hot spot with USP coming out of its ears. Nicole Yeoh and James Harris have set up camp in a smartly tended Winchester pub, the Green Man, to offer sparkling Malaysian/Chinese-inspired cooking that reflects Nicole's upbringing in Penang. It's a winning formula, as is reflected by the torrent of Best Local Restaurant nominations Lucky Lychee receives: 'we try to get here at least once a month for their roti brunch,' noted one regular. Reporters love the lively ambience, the adventurous approach to food and drink pairings and, of course, the razor-sharp precision and invigorating freshness of the cooking. Nicole weaves her magic with a mix of traditional dishes and seasonal awareness, drawing on regionally sourced produce as well as the assertive seasonings and spices of her culinary heritage Off-piste signature turns involve marinating fried chicken in honey and Marmite, with oyster sauce and toasted peanuts in the mix. House-made cordials, South-east Asian softs, ...

Here is an off-centre hot spot with USP coming out of its ears. Nicole Yeoh and James Harris have set up camp in a smartly tended Winchester pub, the Green Man, to offer sparkling Malaysian/Chinese-inspired cooking that reflects Nicole's upbringing in Penang. It's a winning formula, as is reflected by the torrent of Best Local Restaurant nominations Lucky Lychee receives: 'we try to get here at least once a month for their roti brunch,' noted one regular. Reporters love the lively ambience, the adventurous approach to food and drink pairings and, of course, the razor-sharp precision and invigorating freshness of the cooking. Nicole weaves her magic with a mix of traditional dishes and seasonal awareness, drawing on regionally sourced produce as well as the assertive seasonings and spices of her culinary heritage Off-piste signature turns involve marinating fried chicken in honey and Marmite, with oyster sauce and toasted peanuts in the mix. House-made cordials, South-east Asian softs, orange wines and fizz all help to make this a happy place.

Read full reviewSee less

S Prutton

13 July 2026

This has been by far and away my favourite restaurant in Winchester since they opened. The combination of a wonderfully warm, welcoming restaurant area, polite/efficient service and fabulous food separates them from most...
This has been by far and away my favourite restaurant in Winchester since they opened. The combination of a wonderfully warm, welcoming restaurant area, polite/efficient service and fabulous food separates them from most of the other restaurants here. Nicole’s dishes are mouth-wateringly good, and she consistently combines the best local ingredients with her knowledge of Malaysian flavours and she regularly changes the menu. When she takes one of my faves off the menu, I always panic briefly b...
This has been by far and away my favourite restaurant in Winchester since they opened. The combination of a wonderfully warm, welcoming restaurant area, polite/efficient service and fabulous food separates them from most of the other restaurants here. Nicole’s dishes are mouth-wateringly good, and she consistently combines the best local ingredients with her knowledge of Malaysian flavours and she regularly changes the menu. When she takes one of my faves off the menu, I always panic briefly but what she replaces it with has become my new fave right away…there aren’t many restaurants that can pull this off!
See MoreSee less

S Lee

21 April 2026

Excellent menu that changes seasonally. Food is made from scratch and it is always amazing! Not many restaurants put effort into wine pairing and curating their drinks list with food but Lucky Lychee does it well!

L Townson

20 April 2026

The food is excellent and authentic with changing menus and seasonal twists. The atmosphere is relaxed and dog and child friendly. Perfect in every way.

T Barker

19 April 2026

Fantastic service and staff, wonderful atmosphere and environment, and most importantly, incredible food. We try and get to the Lucky Lychee at least once a fortnight for their Roti brunch as we find it to be the best food in Winchester, and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. The value for money is also excellent. We have had many a more expensive meal, and few rarely come close to what we can get here. More than deserved to be called a great local restaurant!

J Karlsson Lovesy

16 April 2026

We have been going to Lucky Lychee since they were a Market Stall to being one of the first people to have a private event at their current venue. The menu is DELICIOUS and always feel welcome. It is our go to restaurant when friends are visiting and everyone loves it.

J Radford

2 November 2025

Great ambience and buzz, very warm welcome and superb food. We chose 3 smaller plates (beef satay, night market chicken and lor bak, plus jasmine rice and a carrot and pomegranate salad) between the two of us and left absolutely nothing. The banana spring roll with vanilla ice cream, mango puree and flakes of toasted coconut that followed was completely new to me and quite delicious. A wonderful evening out.

M Harris

15 May 2025

After more than 20 years living and working in South East Asia this was probably one of the best Malaysian meals I have eaten in the UK. Outstanding dishes were the bao with crispy fried oyster mushroom, the prawn and grilled pineapple curry and the beef rendang. With any of these dishes try the mango kerabu salad for authentic hot - sweet - sour flavours.

D Willdridge

17 April 2025

Fantastic husband and wife team who have built a loyal following from humble beginnings at the market to the current amazing venue they run now. Great atmosphere, interesting wines, a very warm welcome and a really exciting, constantly changing menu of authentic Malaysian cuisine that never fails to impress. We are so lucky to have this restaurant in Winchester.

M Walsh

16 April 2025

It’s been great to follow their story and watch them grow over the years and also that they remain so lovely and committed to bringing authentic food in such a lovely setting. Never disappoints going here.

A Walsh

15 April 2025

The food is amazing, brings Malaysia to life and seriously fills any heart that is missing authentic Malaysian cuisine. The atmosphere is wonderful and the owners are simply the best.

VENUE DETAILS

53 Southgate Street
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 9EHGB

View opening times

Make a reservation

OTHER INFORMATION

Private dining room, Separate bar, Family friendly, Dog friendly, Credit card required

New events are coming soon

More like this

    •  

       

       

    •  

       

       

    •  

       

       

    Latest articles