Best restaurants in Portsmouth

Nicholson's is the buzzing, friendly tapas bar that everyone wants in their neighbourhood, serving excellent authentic tapas plates as well as a handful of sherries and some solid cocktails. 

Arepa2Go is a master of its craft, having started as a food stall at Southsea Markets, to now opening its first bricks and mortar site. We couldn’t be happier to see it championing Venezuelan street food, and we’d recommend any of the generously filled arepas.

What’s a trip to the seaside without a dinner from the chippy? Revered by locals as the best fish and chips in the area, this eatery goes beyond pale battered cod and soggy chips. Alongside fresh, traditional fare, you can expect options like coconut shrimp, soft shell crab burgers, and loaded fries with crab and lobster mayo. 

Circolo is an effortlessly cool Italian that cares about authenticity, known largely for its pizzas but also offering plenty of Italian comfort classics. Standouts include the arancini and Circolo signature pizza with goats cheese, pancetta and caramelised onions.

Between locals, Umami is a thing of legend. Promising what it says on the tin, Umami offers a sensory overload for your taste buds, through grilled chicken, sharing plates and smashed burgers. Want our advice? Don’t miss the Lebanese chicken bubble wrap.

Pitching itself as one of the top contenders in Portsmouth’s burger scene, Meat and Barrel certainly knows its way around a patty. Expect everything from a bacon double and cheese to peanut butter and jelly, and plenty of craft beers to wash your choice down with.

Offering a chance to sample some of Portsmouth’s best street food, Outside In Food Court has compiled all of the city’s favourites under one roof. With communal seating and a healthy number of fairy lights, this serves as a great spot to catch up with friends and work through the varying cuisines. 

Paying homage to traditional Indian flavours and cooking techniques, Desi offers a place to eat authentic cuisine in a stylish setting. Try the kathi wrap or one of the home style curries before finishing off with a Desi shake.

The clue is in the name at this central Southsea spot. Combining two much loved classics, Pie & Vinyl is a quirky addition to the city, where you can fill up your belly and record collection all under one roof. Don’t own a turntable? Don’t worry, we’d recommend going for the steak and stilton pie alone.

Boasting a head chef who cut his teeth at three Michelin starred Noma, Becketts treads a fine line between tradition and contemporary style. Made from combining a couple of Grade II listed townhouses, this boutique venue showcases cuisines from across the globe with an air of finesse.

Forging a strong reputation in Portsmouth over the decades, Abarbistro was the first venture of The Coastal Kitchen Family, a group which also owns The Canteen, The Briny and Camber Wines; the latter of which is located just upstairs. Now a renowned gastropub in the city, it offers classic pub fare with a large garden to the rear and a smaller outside seating area at the front by Camber Quay. 

This fantastic independent, family-run Vietnamese restaurant sits right on the edge of Ravelin Park. If you're on the hunt for good, wholesome Vietnamese home cooking, Viet Quan Cafe delivers with warm, friendly service to match. 

The brainchild of a Jamie Oliver protege, Southsea Deli strives to bring an ethical alternative to larger supermarkets, whilst still offering an impressive range of dishes for those wanting to dine in. Pop by for lunch, stock up the wine rack or simply grab a sausage roll to go. Whatever you do just don't miss a trip to this spot.  

The Briny came as a welcomed addition to Southsea’s beachfront, which had long been pining for a fine dining restaurant with a view. Boasting a terrace overlooking the beach, and a chic beach hut vibe interior, The Briny is one of Portsmouth's top restaurants. Stop by for oysters from the seafood bar or dine on a catch of the day whilst watching the sun set over the harbour. 

The aptly named Southsea Beach Cafe sits on the beach just along from South Parade Pier, and offers a laid back spot for breakfast and lunch with a view. Serving simple, but well thought out dishes that are freshly prepared and change with the seasons, expect the likes of cajun fried sea bass, crab donuts, and kimchi fried rice.

Hidden in the barracks of the iconic hot walls of Portsmouth's historic waterfront, The Canteen offers unrivalled views of the sea, with a menu that finds the perfect balance between creative and comforting food. Think Guinness Welsh rarebit and nduja meatball pasta bake for a faultless lunch with service to match.

Known firstly for its impressive selection of Belgian beers, Huis also offers a superb Flemish-inspired menu to match. Occupying a little corner space, this is a small restaurant with a big reputation, and we’d recommend tucking into anything from the Belgian onion soup to the moules marinière.

Ideally-located on Albert Road, Sakura knocks out superb sushi in a room that looks like it’s stepped straight out of 1960’s Tokyo. Impossible to narrow it down to one dish, we’d recommend getting a variety of sushi, ramen and smaller plates like teriyaki.

Consisting of a pared-back restaurant upstairs and a basement bar below, Sant Yagos has you covered for dinner and late night drinks, all under one roof. Serving up impressive tapas in a romantic setting makes this one of Southsea’s date night hotspots.