Brunch & Barista in Southampton: a practical review

Brunch & Barista is a café and all-day dining spot at 102 Above Bar Street in Southampton, postcode SO14 7DT. It is part of The Sycamore Group and is described as family-run. The menu covers freshly made breakfasts, hearty main meals, burgers, salads, jacket potatoes, paninis and baguettes, along with a wide range of coffees and other drinks. Breakfasts are served all day, every day. Opening hours are 8am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday. Sunday hours differ between sources: the official website lists 9:30am to 4pm, while the Uber Eats listing shows 9:30am to 3pm. The phone number is 02380 223059.

The breakfast section is the core of the menu. The Big One costs £11.90 and comes with two bacon, two sausages, two hash browns, a fried egg, baked beans, mushrooms and two slices of buttered toast. For a smaller appetite, The Little One is £6.70 and includes bacon, sausage, a fried egg and a slice of buttered toast. The Vegetarian One is £10.70 and swaps the meat for veggie sausage. If you prefer an omelette, the Breakfast Omelette is £12.25 and is served with chips, a jacket potato or a fresh salad. The Brunch Special Breakfast is the most expensive item on the breakfast list at £17.80. For lunch, the Half Pounder Burger Meal costs £14.50 and includes two stacked beef quarter pounders, served with chips and a drink.

Reviews mention several specific dishes. One reviewer found the smokey cobb salad fresh and well put together, while another praised the tuna salad and a vanilla milkshake. One customer said the prawn baguette had plenty of tasty filling, although the bread was a little soft. Another reviewer said the poached eggs came out overdone at first, but the staff replaced them with fresh ones when asked and they arrived cooked as wanted. One review also says the pasta tasted fresh, and another mentions that the cherry tomatoes stood out.

The room is described as cosy and suited to an everyday visit. Reviewers mention spacious seating, chilled background music and friendly staff. One review points to quick service, while another mentions a bit of a wait but says the staff did not rush the food. The place has a children's menu and high chairs, and it is listed as suitable for children. It is also listed as accessible for people with disabilities, with parking and free Wi-Fi among its amenities. Visa and UnionPay cards are accepted. Prices run from £6.70 for The Little One to £17.80 for the Brunch Special Breakfast, and most burger meals sit between £12.50 and £15.50.

Ratings are mixed but mostly positive. The venue has a 4.4 out of 5 rating from 566 reviews, and a 4.3 out of 5 rating on Trip.com, although that figure comes from only 6 reviews. Trip.com reviews from January and April 2026 gave between 3 and 4 out of 5. One of the more recent reviews calls the brunch food average but praises the quick service and spacious seating.