The Royal Oak at Fritham was a real locals pub, and hard to find. Never ate there but loved the beer.
The new forest inn just outside lyndhurst was always good, busy but good.
The drift inn on the B3056 was Good The montage arms hotel in Beaulieu The pig, brockenhurst The green dragon, Bradshaw. Westfield club used to meat there once auon a time. The oak inn, Bank....not bad but years since I got thrown out of this one.
+1 for those & for Peter's recommendations.
The food at the Royal Oak, Fritham is good - a short but fresh menu & a beautiful setting.
You'd probably need to book The Pig at Brockenhurst
& if you're on the west side of the Forest, The George at Fordingbridge is good - and you can sit by the river.
Will
Formerly Aero S5 #80 Currently 911 (992) Targa in python green
You know it makes sense! 
