The River Rat

This popular Hamble restaurant is run by local sisters Laura and Sarah. Following in the footsteps of their parents - who ran a Hamble restaurant in the early 2000s - they took over the River Rat in summer 2019 to offer a unique dining experience at the top of the cobbled high street. The venue, which has a garden and outdoor BBQ/bar space, offers popular theme nights and during lockdown, they’ve adapted to offer themed takeaway meals (paella and French night have been popular).

Sarah said: “Most businesses naturally struggle in their first year and having the added strain of the pandemic has been unimaginable. During lockdown we’ve joined in with the village initiatives and we’re very lucky to be in Hamble where the local community are fantastic. We have used lockdowns to invest in the restaurant and have extended our kitchen, leased and knocked through the next-door property and added an outdoor bar and new all-weather coverings to our garden.”