Given that Portsmouth is so close to neighbouring European countries, it’s no real surprise that French restaurants loom large in the city. A short distance from Southsea Castle, Restaurant 27 is commonly accepted to be the best restaurants in Portsmouth when it comes to fine-dining. The French restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday and for lunch at weekends, serving up a choice of four tasting menus including two vegetarian options. With a strong wine list, attentive service and some of the classiest food this side of the Channel, it’s well worth a visit if you’re celebrating or in the mood for something special.
Restaurants in Portsmouth
Sant Yago
Sant Yago Tapas
Soprano's
A contemporary French and European restaurant located on Palmerston Road, Montparnasse opened in 1999 and favours a more laid-back approach to fine dining. The dishes mix and match from global cuisines – see their confit duck wontons in Asian spiced broth – over their two or three courses, while the intimate restaurant means you’ll need to book ahead.
A Spanish tapas joint in the heart of Southsea, Sant-Yago is a stylish and relaxed restaurant perfect for a more relaxed restaurant experience, helped along by the impressive cocktail menu. Just nearby you’ll find Algarve’s Grill, another tapas-style restaurant that takes its inspiration from Portuguese and American flavours, they do a great lunchtime menu. And it’s just a short walk along Osborne Road from our Southsea hotel. Across the road from Algarve’s Grill is Cheese & Cheers, a wine and cheese bar open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, pastry and more wine and cheese than you could shake a Stilton at.
Another Southsea hotspot, Soprano’s is a lively Italian restaurant that comes alive in the summer thanks to its outdoor seating and covers all the traditional classics including pizza, pasta, risotto and seafood.
Opened in 2002, Agora Restaurant is a family-run Greek and Turkish restaurant known for its mezze, charcoal-fired kebabs and home-made baklava dessert. Always bustling, the Osborne Road restaurant is well priced with good portions, making it a winner in our book. Alternatively, Bodrum Restaurant on Albert Road is a popular and authentic Turkish restaurant with welcoming booths, dark wood tables and some of the finest mezze in town.
Finally, The Spice Merchants is one of the leading Indian restaurants in Portsmouth. With an upmarket feel and an expansive but well-priced menu, it’s deservedly popular and thanks to its location on Osborne Road, it’s a short walk from our Southsea hotel.