15 Best Restaurants In Southampton For A Graduation Dinner
After all the moaning about deadlines and word counts and teacher’s who for some reason took an affront to you turning up late to each lesson with food, you did it. You graduated. You shelled out the money for your cap and gown and picked out a cute outfit to compliment it. You’re through the thick of it and an official success. But after walking across stage to shake hands and let’s face it have your moment of glory, there still lies the matter of your graduation dinner.
Seems straight forward at first. Everyone gathered together to celebrate how incredibly awesome you are. But nothing is ever that simple.
You have to account for the tastes of everyone in attendance and make sure the experience will be a positive one. These restaurants, I think, are a great way to go.
1. La Baronia
La Baronia is a gorgeous restaurant, tucked away on a road in Portswood. The restaurant has a beautiful outdoor eating area adorned with rich foliage and twinkling fairy lights. The inside is gorgeously decorated with the  rustic wooden design adding to the atmosphere.
The food is delicious, affordable (most things don’t exceed £15) and you definitely get more than what you paid for with big portions that you will battle to finish. Some things are worth the pain.
Certainly a place worthy of one of the most important events of your life.
2. Bella Italia
The Italian chain restaurant is nothing to underestimate. The dishes at Bella Italia are varied and despite being a successful chain still retains the charm of a modest mom and pop establishment. Italian food is enjoyed by most people making it a thoroughly non controversial choice but still more than enjoyable.
3. The Giddy Bridge
The lowkey pub may not be the swankiest place in all of the south west but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great meal and a great time. The Wetherspoons menu has many options and the chefs at The Giddy Bridge cook it with great skill. The pub atmosphere also has a certain positive and fun energy that you’d want on the day of your graduation. One tip though: everyone’s going to want to get slashed post-grad so make sure you head over there fast before the seats are all gone!
4. Cosmo
Nothing can ever quite truly match the liberating experience of a buffet.
Cosmo is one of the king’s of the buffet game with a few scattered across the country. The restaurant is not only gorgeous to look at, from the second you walk up the staircase until the moment you leave but it’s asian and global buffet choices mean it’s hard to have an unhappy diner.
That means everyone at your graduation dinner can easily be appeased and no one will have to desperately search a menu for something they can stomach eating.
5. Â Byron
You know what they say: there’s a burger for everyone. Wait, they don’t say that? Well, the point is, is it’s true and Byron is proof of that.
The restaurant residing in West Quay boasts a bountiful menu with “Proper Hamburgers” as they state prominently on their website. This includes thick 60z beef patties and vegeterian options which includes portobello mushrooms, goat’s cheese and roasted red pepper to name a few ingredients.
And it all comes in at a great price point too. You can book online now!
6. The Scholars Arms
Across from SJM building sits this gem of a pub. With undergoing a new refurbishment and having the best BBQ chicken wings in Southampton this is a wonderful place for the celebration of your studies.
7. Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an oldie but a goodie. Despite how many times you have experienced it that bottomless pasta and salad bar is still pretty great and while it may not have the sophistication of Bella Italia, it is still always a wonderful meal out.
8. JRC Global Buffet
Less lavish than Cosmo in price, JRC is still one to beat. It possesses the same sleek marble architecture as Cosmo and despite it’s lower prices, quality is never sacrificed. A great substitution if you have someone who  isn’t a fan of Cosmo, meaning  no matter what you get to stuff your face as much as you like on your graduation day. As it should be!
9. Nandos
Nandos is a ubiquitous part of English life. It’s there in highs and lows. So, why not revisit what you already know? Due to how prominent it is, you will be hard pressed to find someone who can’t find something like there. Yes, even vegetarians. Why not give it a go? Having to sit at your table to have your order taken is for suckers anyway.
10. The Diner
A part of the recent rash opening of restaurants by West Quays, The Diner provides those who crave authentic american cuisine with what they’ve been after. Not only does the restaurant have one of the most adorable american aesthetic, it 100% commits with tall milkshake glasses like something out of a scene from Saved By The Bell and dishes such as fried buttermilk chicken with waffles. Pop in after all your pomp and circumstance and get a taste of that American Dream.
11. TGI Friday’s
Similarly american themed, TGI’s is a lot more popularised but also reliable. Everyone’s been there. And no one complains that much. It will not only NOT be a headache but despite it’s commercial brand there is always a very positive energy around the place due in part to it’s diverse customers and bubbly staff. Exactly what you need to keep that post-grad buzz going.
12. The Slug and Lettuce
The Slug and Lettuce is a lot more sophisticated than some of these previous options but with good grub still a part of the agenda. Step inside and get your first whiff of adulthood. I promise that paying taxes doesn’t taste as bad as you think.
13. Rooster’s Piri Piri
Lesser known than Nandos, Roosters still despite all the odds has amazing succulent chicken burgers and the best fudging chocolate cake in Southampton. Take a seat with the family at the white and green tables, forget about what’s fancy and just enjoy the day for what it is and the food for what it is.
14. Tang’s
Tucked between Switch and KFC is this underappreciated chinese buffet. Tang’s seperates itself from much of the competition in the buffet world by not consisting of rows of trays (some hot, some not) that you dig food from. Here, you can order all you want off their menu and get it specially made, piping hot for your table. All for 8.99 per head too! Tell me that doesn’t put you in the mood to celebrate!
15. Sprinkles
Whether you have a severe sweet tooth or not you may want to keep it low key but fun by indulging in dessert. Sprinkles is a wonderful place for this with so many great options from good old milkshakes to waffles. Plus who doesn’t love dessert? There won’t be an empty stomach in the house.
Whichever place you end up going with remember to relax and enjoy the sweet taste of success. Comment below on what you think about the best restaurants in Southampton for a graduation dinner!
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