It’s Friday, nobody’s cooking, and the group chat has already said the word. The only question left is which Chinese.
Our last version of this guide ranked six. There are actually eighteen Chinese takeaways across Waterlooville, Cowplain, Purbrook, Widley, Denmead, Horndean and Clanfield, and several of the best-rated ones weren’t on it. So we started again from scratch.
This time we pulled every local Chinese takeaway’s live Google rating and review count, read what reviewers mention most, and checked each one’s official Food Standards Agency hygiene rating. We also noted what you actually need on the night: who’s open on a Monday or a Sunday, who does lunch, who stays open late, and who reviewers say is cash only. Every number is real and correct at the time of writing (25 September 2026). Ratings move, so a quick check before you order never hurts.
Just want the best near you? There’s a Best Chinese by area section just after the rankings.
How we ranked them: highest Google star rating first, with ties broken by number of reviews. Takeaways with fewer than 50 reviews go after the rest, because a handful of reviews isn’t a fair comparison with hundreds. The full method is at the bottom.
Photo: from the business’s Google Maps listing
Hambledon Rd, Denmead, Waterlooville PO7 6NU
Get directionsLucky Star was number one last time and it still is: 4.5 stars from 150 Google reviews. That’s the best score of any Chinese takeaway in the Waterlooville area. Denmead isn’t technically Waterlooville, but nobody is turning down the top-rated takeaway over a postcode.
The reviews are about the people behind the counter. “Friendly staff” is mentioned in 19 reviews, the most of any takeaway in this guide. Quick orders and phone orders come up a lot too. One recent reviewer calls it “clean and hygienic”, and the Food Standards Agency agrees: it got the top hygiene rating of 5 in September 2025.
Take cash. “Cash only” comes up in 8 reviews. Good to know: it opens 5–9:30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 12–1:30pm then 5–10pm on Friday and Saturday. It’s closed Monday and Tuesday. Phone 023 9225 9603.
What reviewers say
“Very friendly staff and the takeaway is clean and hygienic.” (a Google reviewer)
“Best Chinese takeaway food I’ve tasted in years! Always a smile from them too.” (a Google reviewer, July 2026)
Photo: from the business’s Google Maps listing
7 The Kestrels, Eagle Ave, Waterlooville PO8 9GX
Get directionsWith 213 reviews, New Golden Leaf has the biggest crowd behind it of any Chinese takeaway with a rating above 4.2. Its 4.4 average is joint second in the area. It’s tucked into The Kestrels parade on Eagle Avenue, and its sign says it does Chinese and English food to take away.
Portion sizes come up in 8 reviews, and “customer loyalty” in 3: people keep going back. Crispy chilli beef, ribs, chicken balls and chicken curry all get mentions, and one reviewer calls the spicy duck chow mein “super addictive”.
Bring cash: “cash only” is mentioned in 10 reviews, more than any other takeaway here. Good to know: it’s evenings only, 5–10:30pm Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, and 5–11pm on Friday and Saturday. It’s closed Mondays. Food hygiene rating 5 (May 2025). Phone 023 9226 2958.
What reviewers say
“Their spicy duck chow mein is super addictive, an excellent meal.” (a Google reviewer)
Photo: from the business’s Google Maps listing
115 London Rd, Waterlooville PO7 7DZ
Get directionsThe best-rated Chinese in Waterlooville town itself, right on London Road, with 4.4 stars from 178 reviews. The name is not a coincidence: noodles are mentioned in 27 reviews, the most for any single dish in this guide. Pad thai, noodle boxes and chicken satay come up too, so the menu goes beyond the usual Cantonese staples.
It also scores on the basics. Friendly staff comes up in 14 reviews, portion size in 10 and value for money in 7. A reviewer sums it up: amazing food, generous portions, fast service.
Good to know: it’s one of the few Chinese takeaways here open on a Monday. Hours are 5–10pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 5–10:30pm Friday and Saturday. It’s closed Tuesdays. Food hygiene rating 5 (April 2025). Phone 023 9225 8117.
What reviewers say
“Food is amazing, portion sizes are generous and service is always fast.” (a Google reviewer)
Photo: from the business’s Google Maps listing
Widley Cottage
Opening hours, contact details and more →the best-rated Chinese in Purbrook and Widley
80 London Rd, Widley, Waterlooville PO7 5AB
Get directionsWidley Cottage matches Noodle Bar and New Golden Leaf on 4.4 stars, with a slightly smaller crowd of 121 reviews. That makes it the highest-rated Chinese takeaway in Purbrook and Widley. The sign says Chinese & Cantonese Take Away, and reviewers note it’s takeaway only. Reviewers mention fresh food, flavour, the chow mein and the prawns.
Its hygiene inspection in July 2026 is the joint most recent on this list, and it got the top rating of 5. A couple of reviewers mention paying cash, so take some to be safe.
Good to know: it opens earlier than most, from 4:30pm, and runs until 10pm Tuesday to Sunday, including Sundays. It’s closed Mondays. Phone 023 9238 6338.
Photo: from the business’s Google Maps listing
3 Lavender Rd, Waterlooville PO7 8NS
Get directionsKim & Laurie on Lavender Road scores 4.2 from 88 reviews, and the reviewers’ favourite subject is the size of it all: portions are mentioned in 11 reviews. Chips come up 6 times, so this is a proper Chinese-and-chips kind of place. Chow mein and chicken balls come up 3 times each, and “happy staff” twice.
It got a food hygiene rating of 5 in January 2026.
Good to know: it opens from 4:30pm, until 9pm Monday to Thursday and 10pm on Friday and Saturday. It’s open on Mondays but closed on Sundays. Phone 023 9225 2512.
What reviewers say
“Excellent portion sizes, prices and customer service.” (a Google reviewer)
Photo: from the business’s Google Maps listing
52 Hazleton Way, Waterlooville PO8 9BT
Get directionsA little way along Hazleton Way from Cowplain Fish Bar, Singapore Island scores 4.2 from 85 reviews. Prawns (3), chips (4), spare ribs and curry all get mentions, and “food quality” comes up 3 times. It clearly has regulars: one calls it their favourite place for Chinese food in the whole of Hampshire.
Food hygiene rating 5 (May 2025).
Good to know: it opens from 4:30pm, until 10pm Monday to Thursday and 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday. It’s open Mondays, closed Sundays. Phone 023 9259 8833.
What reviewers say
“My favourite place for Chinese food in Hampshire. Honestly great service!” (a Google reviewer)
Photo: from the business’s Google Maps listing
61 London Rd, Waterlooville PO7 7EX
Get directionsThe Light is one of the takeaways people search for by name most often, and 155 reviews put it on 4.1. Its menu goes wider than most, with Cantonese, Szechuan, Peking, Singapore and Malaysian dishes. Portion size is mentioned in 12 reviews and chow mein in 7. Chicken curry, sweet and sour sauce, Mongolian beef and satay chicken all come up too, and “freshness” is praised 3 times.
Hygiene rating: we couldn’t find The Light on the Food Standards Agency register under that name or address. That may just be a registration quirk, but if it matters to you, ask the shop.
Good to know: it opens from 4:30pm, until 10pm Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday and 10:30pm Friday and Saturday. It’s open on Sundays and closed Mondays. Phone 023 9226 3453.
What reviewers say
“The menu is varied, the food is all sublime, and they do takeaway or pickup.” (a Google reviewer)
Photo: from the business’s Google Maps listing
2 Purbrook Chase Precinct, Crookhorn Ln, Widley, Waterlooville PO7 5QH
Get directionsDragon Inn, in the Purbrook Chase Precinct, has something none of the others do: it’s open at lunchtime Monday to Saturday. It scores 4.1 from 103 reviews, and it’s a Chinese that doubles as a chip shop. Fish and chips are mentioned in 6 reviews, more than any Chinese dish. Welcoming staff (5), portion sizes (5) and value for money (3) round it out.
Food hygiene rating 5 (April 2025).
Good to know: it opens 11:30am–1:45pm and 4:30–9:30pm Monday to Saturday, and it’s closed Sundays. Phone 023 9225 1077. The photo above is its menu, the only picture on its Google listing.
What reviewers say
“Best Chinese in the area by far.” (a Google reviewer, July 2026)
“Excellent fish and chips, good value and good portions.” (a Google reviewer)
Image: New Purbrook Garden (newpurbrookgarden.co.uk)
8 London Rd, Purbrook, Waterlooville PO7 5LJ
Get directionsThe one people search for as “Purbrook Garden Chinese”: New Purbrook Garden on London Road, 4.0 stars from 82 reviews. Curries are mentioned in 9 reviews, the most of any takeaway here, and friendly staff in 9 too. Wings, batter and flavour get mentions. In fairness, “overcooked” comes up 3 times as well.
Food hygiene rating 5 (June 2025).
Good to know: it’s one of the late ones. It opens 5–10:30pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and until 11pm on Friday and Saturday. It’s closed Tuesdays. Phone 023 9225 8445.
What reviewers say
“Good food, cleanly cooked, and reasonably speedy for collection.” (a Google reviewer, July 2026)
Photo: from the business’s Google Maps listing
36 Drift Rd, Clanfield, Waterlooville PO8 0JL
Get directionsUp in Clanfield, Happy Chef scores 4.0 from 81 reviews, and one reviewer goes as far as calling it the best Chinese in Horndean, Clanfield and Cowplain. Quick prep times and customer-friendly service get mentions. Chow mein, curry and prawns are the dishes people name.
Its food hygiene rating is 4 (“good”), from January 2026.
Good to know: it opens 5–10pm Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, 5–10:30pm Friday and Saturday, and until 11:30pm on Wednesdays. That’s the latest opening we found anywhere in the area. It’s closed Mondays. Phone 023 9259 9997.
What reviewers say
“The best Chinese in Horndean/Clanfield/Cowplain.” (a Google reviewer)
Image: New China House’s logo, from its Google Maps listing
9 South Ln, Clanfield, Waterlooville PO8 0RB
Get directionsAlso in Clanfield, New China House matches Happy Chef on 4.0 with a smaller crowd (64 reviews). Reviewers mention tasty food, curry and ribs. A couple mention cash only, so take some.
Food hygiene rating 4 (“good”), inspected July 2026.
Good to know: it opens 5–10pm Wednesday to Sunday and is closed Monday and Tuesday. Phone 023 9259 8811. The image above is the logo from its Google listing.
The verdict
For the best Chinese takeaway in the Waterlooville area on the numbers, go to Lucky Star in Denmead. It has the highest rating, the friendliest staff by a distance, and it’s cash only. In town, Noodle Bar on London Road is the one to beat. For the biggest portions, try New Golden Leaf or Kim & Laurie. In Purbrook and Widley, start with Widley Cottage.
Fifteen of the eighteen takeaways in this guide hold the top food hygiene rating of 5. Two are rated 4, and we couldn’t find The Light on the register.
Also in the area
These are ranked below the top eleven, either on rating or because they have fewer than 50 reviews so far:
Hakka Kitchen, 75B London Rd, Waterlooville: ★ 4.3 from 48 reviews, just under our 50-review line. Hygiene 5 (March 2025). A reviewer calls it “the best Chinese food in the area, full of flavour and the friendliest team.” Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Jade Plaice, 240 London Rd, Waterlooville: ★ 4.3 from 32 reviews. Hygiene 5 (April 2025). It’s a Chinese and a chippy in one, and it’s open on Sundays.
Jade Garden, Queens Parade, 121–123 London Rd: ★ 3.9 from 161 reviews. A sit-down Chinese restaurant that also does takeaway (mentioned in 9 reviews). Hygiene 5 (November 2024).
Master Chef, 343 Milton Rd, Cowplain: ★ 3.9 from 44 reviews. Hygiene 5 (March 2024). Opens Thursday to Sunday only.
Good View, 63A London Rd, Cowplain: ★ 3.8 from 80 reviews. Hygiene 5 (April 2024).
Lin’s Wok, 147 Milton Rd: ★ 3.8 from 71 reviews. Hygiene 5 (August 2024). “Helpful staff” is mentioned in 11 reviews, and it has vegetarian options and sambal dishes.
Lucky House, 2A London Rd, Horndean: ★ 3.5 from 138 reviews. Hygiene 5 (June 2024). The only Chinese takeaway we found in Horndean village itself. Online ordering is mentioned in 9 reviews.
Best Chinese by area
Denmead: Lucky Star (★ 4.5, 150 reviews), the top-rated in the whole area.
Waterlooville town centre (London Road): Noodle Bar (★ 4.4), then The Light (★ 4.1). Hakka Kitchen (★ 4.3 from 48) is one to watch.
Purbrook & Widley: Widley Cottage (★ 4.4), then Dragon Inn (★ 4.1) and New Purbrook Garden (★ 4.0).
Cowplain & north Waterlooville (PO8): New Golden Leaf (★ 4.4, 213 reviews), then Singapore Island (★ 4.2).
Lavender Road area: Kim & Laurie (★ 4.2).
Clanfield: Happy Chef and New China House (both ★ 4.0).
Horndean: Lucky House (★ 3.5) is the only one in the village. Happy Chef in Clanfield is the best-rated within a short drive.
How we ranked them (in full)
1. Which takeaways: every Chinese takeaway on Google Maps with a Waterlooville-area postcode (PO7 and PO8) that isn’t marked as closed. North Garden in Cowplain is listed as permanently closed, so it isn’t included.
2. Order: Google star rating, highest first, with ties broken by review count. Takeaways with fewer than 50 reviews are listed after the rest.
3. Hygiene: each takeaway’s current rating on the Food Standards Agency register, with its inspection date.
4. “Mentioned in X reviews”: these counts come from the review topics Google shows on each listing. They’re what real customers bring up most, and we haven’t picked or edited them.
5. Nobody paid to be on this list, and nobody can pay to move up it.
Run a takeaway we’ve missed, or spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll check it and update the page.
