Olaf’s Tun, which can be found on Portsmouth Road, offers an “absolutely fantastic” range of ales, beers, ciders and more, according to visitors.
The micropub has an almost perfect score on Tripadvisor of 4.9/5 from 43 reviews, with 39 of those being ‘Excellent’.
This means it has the highest percentage of ‘Excellent’ reviews, along with the highest rating of the pubs in the city.
Southampton’s highest-rated pub – Olaf’s Tun
According to its website, Olaf’s Tun is “Woolston’s only independent craft beer bar” which serves an “ever-changing selection” of beers, ciders, spirits and low-intervention wines.
Alongside that, the micropub offers some food options, with various different pizzas and other small plates such as cheesy bacon tots available.
Like the drinks, these dishes change quite often, so you’ll likely have something new to try most weeks.
The pub has also picked up a few awards, including CAMRA Wessex Region Pub of the Year in 2022, and Southern Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2022 and 2023.
Discussing the origin of its name, the CAMRA website says: “Many have wondered where the pub’s name comes from; a clue is in a large mural on one wall showing a Viking warrior with his longship.
“One theory is that this was the original name for Woolston when the Vikings had a small fort, or ‘tun’ here in 994AD which they named after their leader King Olaf I of Norway, hence Olaf’s Tun.”
In terms of its history, the pub was converted from a shop in 2016 and had a remodelling in 2020, which introduced an enclosed cellar room and a more traditional bar.
The bar sports six handpumps, and the back wall has eight keg taps, according to CAMRA.
Alongside the food and drink, the pub operates a Run Club, with sessions on Mondays and Thursdays.
What do visitors think of Olaf’s Tun?
As mentioned previously, Olaf’s Tun has an almost perfect score of 4.9/5 on Tripadvisor, with plenty of guests offering it high praise.
One person who recently visited highlighted its quality beer, pizza and dog-friendly nature.
They shared: “Would recommend to any one as it was busy friendly and good value all round. Our dog was attended to and treated as one of the customers.”
Another said: “Just great – a fantastic small bar serving an excellent variety of cask and draught ales in a very friendly and welcoming environment.
“Lots of communal chatter and the staff are really engaging and knowledgeable about the ales. Well worth the walk over the Itchen Bridge if you’re on the Southampton side.”
Quite a few people mentioned the changing selection of drinks as a positive in their review.
One posted: “Always a friendly welcome; always a good selection of beautifully-kept real ales; always a bewildering array of kegged, canned, and bottled beers; always a pleasure; always want to stay longer.
“A short walk from Woolston rail station and frequent bus services. No excuses.”
Another commented: “The range of beers and ciders is absolutely fantastic and there really is something for everyone.
“The stock is constantly changing and every week there is something new to choose from. There are also plenty of wines and spirits as well as soft drinks.
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“The range of pizzas to accompany your beer are just perfect! The food is so tasty and very moreish and very reasonably priced.”
A third shared: “Olaf’s Tun is a rare gem – in a small suburb on the east side of The Itchen, it is unassuming on the outside (although there is always a good display in the window), inside it’s an Aladdin’s Cave of beer, cider, wine and other alcoholic beverages.”
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