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Best restaurants in Southsea

Southsea sits at the very southern part of Portsea Island, and you’ll find it bustling with locals and tourists alike. It boasts a four mile stretch of seafront that is steadily gaining an army of restaurants and cafes, as well as an impressive amount of greenery from the common behind it - which makes a perfect spot for taking away some local delicacies for a picnic.

Updated on 16 February 2024

For an area that has such incredible history, Southsea seems to have fallen a little under the radar in terms of the south coast. It may be overlooked by visitors in favour of Southampton to the west and Brighton to the east, but this little seaside town is full of as much charm and charisma as its neighbours.

The best restaurants in Southsea can be found in a few key areas across the town, and each are within walking distance of one another. At the northern end of Southsea, near the border of Fratton, you’ll find Albert Road that has become the cultural hub; here you’ll find restaurants, cafes and delis tucked between iconic venues like The Kings Theatre and Wedgewood Rooms. Acting as the main high street is Palmerston Road which provides a strong cafe culture and a selection of shops, then just off of this is Osborne Road - offering a globetrotting array of restaurants from Spanish Tapas to Italian pizzerias. All areas hold their own as great base for restaurants and are worth a trip on your next visit.

Of course, being located on the coast you can expect to find plenty of seafood offerings in Southsea from fine dining eateries to casual fish and chip shops perfect for grabbing dinner to eat by the sea. If your idea of a good time is walking up and down the sea front with a cone of chips and a chunky piece of battered haddock, you'll love Southsea. That said, there's plenty to choose from besides, including some great new-school vegan cafes, burger joints and even a few smart fine dining restaurants for special occasions.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find something to suit in this quaint little strip of the south coast. Take a look through the list below of our favourite places to eat in Southsea and get the ball rolling - just click 'book now' to organise your next meal.

Arepa2Go

Arepa2Go

60B Victoria Road South, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 2BT

From a successful pop up to the first bricks and mortar site, Arepa2Go is all about championing Venezuelan cuisine. It focusing mainly on arepas, and they're available in a variety of flavours from shredded chicken to slow cooked pork.

Under £30
South American
Fisherman

Fisherman's Kitchen

4 Clarendon Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 2EE

Unsurprisingly, Southsea is overrun with fish and chip shops, but there’s one that reigns supreme. Fisherman's Kitchen offers all of the classics, alongside some slightly more niche alternatives like soft shell crab and cockle popcorn.

Under £30
Fish and Chips
Marmion House

Marmion House

89 Marmion Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 2AX

Ideally located in central Southsea, Marmion House is a relaxed and cosy bistro that focuses on using fresh and local produce. The globetrotting menu is made up largely of small plates and there’s a carefully curated wine list to work through too.

£30 - £49
British
Bistro
Bubble & Pho

Bubble & Pho

221 Albert Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 0JP

Whether it’s pho, banh mi, or summer spring rolls you're after, Bubble and Pho has got the very best of Vietnamese cuisine on offer. Don’t forget to order a bubble tea too, they’re a must.

Under £30
Vietnamese
Circolo

Circolo

78 Osborne Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3LU

Circolo is one of the best Italian restaurants in Southsea, and whilst you can get everything from salads to pasta dishes, it’s the pizza that you really want to come here for. Take a seat by the window, grab a cocktail and watch the world go by whilst you tuck in.

Under £30
Italian
Umami Street Food

Umami Street Food

167 Elm Grove, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 1LU

Umami seems unassuming to the untrained eye, but beneath the modest exterior is a flavour sensation that’s taken the local area by storm. Known for it’s marinated chicken, wraps and burgers, this is a far cry from fine dining, but it’s all part of the charm.

Under £30
International
Meat and Barrel

Meat and Barrel

110-114 Palmerston Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO53PT

If you’re after a decent burger in Southsea, Meat and Barrel is the place to go. Choose from cheese and bacon covered patties to vegan alternatives, plus plenty of beers to wash it down with.

Under £30
Burgers
Croxtons Southsea

Croxtons Southsea

94-96 Palmerston Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3PT

Croxtons is all about relaxed dining and catching up with friends over a drink or two. The menu offers a combination of small plates and burgers - but don’t miss the Sunday roast, it’s pretty epic.

Under £30
British
Bread Addiction

Bread Addiction

54 Elm Grove, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 1JP

The first sign you’ve made it to Bread Addiction will be the queue that’s spilling out the door, and the second will be the comforting buttery aroma of freshly baked croissants. Perfect for grabbing some breakfast to takeaway, or get there early for a seat at one of the few tables available.

Under £30
Modern European
British
Desi

Desi

173 Elm Grove, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 1LU

Desi pays homage to the cafes of Old India, with plenty wraps, small plates and curries on the menu that showcase flavours from various regions. It’s great for meeting with friends or heading out for date night - but a heads up, this is an alcohol free zone.

£30 - £49
Indian
Pie & Vinyl

Pie & Vinyl

61 Castle Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3AY

We all love a good pie, and we’re pretty fond of vinyl records too - so why not dedicate a space to the both of them? This quirky restaurant can have you seeing to your hunger pangs one moment, and adding to your record collection another.

Under £30
British
Southsea Deli

Southsea Deli

96 Elm Grove, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 1LN

Southsea Deli is a restaurant of two parts; a deli filled with homemade treats from marinated olives to fresh filled sandwiches, and a restaurant and supperclub space next door. It’s been a Southsea staple since it first opened and we’d recommend checking out some of the cooking workshops in the evenings too.

Under £30
British
Italian
The Briny

The Briny

Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 3PG

The Briny takes pride of place on Southsea’s seafront, and serves up locally caught seafood in a laid back setting. It’s always a good time to visit as it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but it’s at its best when the sun is shining and you can take a seat by the beach.

£30 - £49
British
Southsea Beach Café

Southsea Beach Café

Eastney Esplanade, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 0SP

You’ll be hard pushed to find a restaurant with a better location, with this one sitting directly on the beach. It’s just as magical for brunch mid-morning as it is for a dinner whilst the sunsets, and offers a number of seasonal and coastal influenced dishes.

Under £30
British
Kadir

Kadir's Indian Kitchen

217 Albert Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 0JP

Albert Road is jam packed with curry houses, but that hasn’t stopped Kadir’s from standing out amongst the crowd. Focusing largely on street food, this is a great spot to head to with friends and tuck into a little bit of everything - plus it’s BYOB, need we say more?

Under £30
Indian
Huis

Huis

62 Elm Grove, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 1JG

Huis specialises in all things Belgian, from a variety of lagers to dishes like moules frites. It’s an intimate space with just a handful of tables, but it’s worth popping in when you get the chance - for both the first class food and warm hospitality.

Under £30
Belgian
Sakura Portsmouth

Sakura Portsmouth

9 Albert Road, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 2SE

Whether you’re after some sushi, ramen or tempura vegetables, Sakura is a no brainer for Japanese cuisine by the coast. With a traditional 1950s interior, you’re getting style and substance when you head here for a meal.

£30 - £49
Sushi
Japanese
Koh Thai Tapas - Southsea

Koh Thai Tapas - Southsea

No. 8 Kings Road, Portsmouth, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 3AH

Koh Thai is a far cry from the understated Thai cafes you might find elsewhere in Southsea, offering a more sophisticated alternative with a dark and moody feel throughout. It’s all about small plates so bring your appetite to work through the extensive menu.

Under £30
Thai
Tapas
Sant Yago

Sant Yago

12 Clarendon Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 2EE

Sant Yago has long been the go to for quality tapas in the city, for both it’s top tier food and intimate vibes. If you’re looking to keep the evening going a little longer, there’s a cocktail bar downstairs where you can stay for a snifter or two.

£30 - £49
Tapas

Fancy working your way along the coast but not sure where to go next? We’d suggest heading east to Hove, the lesser known neighbour of Brighton, which boasts a number of eateries from a variety of cuisines. It’s notorious for its vegan and vegetarian fare, as well as being the home to a few famous faces like Etch by Steven Edwards. Find out more of what the south of England has to offer with our list of the best restaurants in Hove.

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