Top Alfresco Dining Spots in Portsmouth
The intense heat may have receded, but we are still enjoying the more typical
warmth of the English summer – you may just need to grab a jumper before you go
out. Make the most of it by sitting outdoors, taking in the views and enjoying some of
the city’s great eating opportunities. We’ve selected five of our favourite spots to eat
outside.
The Canteen
101 Likes, 2 Comments - The Canteen (@canteenhotwalls) on Instagram: "Hoping we get a few more sunsets like this before the summer ends!! 🙌🏽"
Located in the historic Hot Walls of Old Portsmouth, this waterfront restaurant boasts
some of the best views over the harbour that the city offers.
The food is, where possible, sourced locally and from independent suppliers, and is
a mix of seasonal produce ‘globally inspired’. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all
available. Menus change throughout the year, but you could enjoy poached eggs,
ham hock and an English muffin, or blueberry pancakes for breakfast; crayfish
brioche or sticky sesame cauliflower salad for lunch or dinner. It is licensed so you
can also wash it all down with a range of wine or some local gin!
If the weather is fine, the deck is a popular place to sit. Here you can enjoy your food
while watching the boats enter and leave the harbour. Watch out if the tide is high,
though — occasionally it does get wet!
www.thecanteen.co.uk
Rosie’s Vineyard
12 Likes, 1 Comments - Rosie's Vineyard (@rosiesvineyard) on Instagram: "It's Sunday! We serve our roast dinners all day (until they run out). Book now! #sundayroast..."
Established in 1982, Rosie’s Vineyard is a popular independent wine bar bistro on
Elm Grove, Southsea, offering great food, wine and regular live jazz performances.
There is a wide range of food options inspired by French home-style cooking,
including sharing platters. For example, share a mezze platter of Spanish cured
meats, olives, manchego cheese, spiced sticky button onions and some bread and
lemon hummus; or choose a Cromer or Lymington crab, with dressed pea shoots
and served with sticky paprika potatoes and lemon pepper mayonnaise. To finish off,
there are a number of pudding choices, including an inspired ‘no room for pud’ menu
for those who are kidding themselves!
Their conservatory and garden hold up to 50 guests for a sit-down meal and is a
quiet and inviting setting for a relaxed meal.
www.rosies-vineyard.co.uk
The Still and West
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With incredible views over Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, the Still and West is
a popular pub based in a Grade II listed building.
The pub serves fresh food all day, including breakfast. As well as sharing platters,
you could order hearty main meals, such as battered fish and chips or steak and
mushroom pie, followed by one of a selection of traditional English puddings.
Vegetarian options are also available, including olive oil gnocchi or chargrilled fennel
salad.
The outdoor space is a collection of picnic tables, overlooking the Harbour, Gosport
and Gunwharf Quays. A great place to watch the world go by.
www.stillandwest.co.uk
Carluccios
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This popular chain restaurant has a branch in Gunwharf Quays, with some seating
available outdoors, and a deli available for lunch on the go.
With a varied menu, this popular chain offers a number of Italian dishes, using fresh
seasonal ingredients at reasonable prices. Grab some olives or freshly baked
focaccia while you browse the menu, then tuck into some delicious pasta such as
seafood linguine or gemilli alla Luganica. Swordfish, chicken and steak are also on
the menu, as well as pizzas and salads. Delicious Italian puddings are available, if
you have the space.
There are a few tables outside, covered by an awning, and if you are able to grab
one you will be able to watch the boats in the harbour, check out the Spinnaker
Tower and enjoy the buzz of Gunwharf Quays.
www.carluccios.com
Restaurant 69
23 Likes, 1 Comments - Restaurant69 (@restaurantandwinebar69) on Instagram: "------ Fillet steak Served with cherry tomatoes, hand cuts and mushroom medley. ------..."
Based in the heart of Southsea, this bar/grill offers alfresco dining for the
fainthearted! With their doors opening directly onto the semi-pedestrianised
Palmerston Road, you can enjoy the fresh air, while still benefitting from some cover.
The restaurant offers reasonably priced light meals, main meals and hearty Sunday
lunches. You could pop in for a bowl of soup or a brie and onion relish baguette; a
roast chicken fillet with wild mushrooms or a trio of pork sausages; or some roast
lamb and homemade Yorkshire pudding or nut roast (on a Sunday).
Although not strictly speaking ‘alfresco’, you can still grab a table by the open doors
and you could enjoy watching Southsea folk going about their business and feel like
you are truly outside!
www.no69.co.uk
WORDS FOR TEAM LOCALS: Liz Bourne