Seafront Restaurants and Cafes

Dining with sea views along the esplanade

The Southsea seafront has a more limited dining scene than the inland streets, but it offers something the others cannot: views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Cafes and restaurants are scattered along the esplanade from Clarence Pier in the west to Eastney in the east, with small clusters near the main attractions.

The area around Canoe Lake has several cafes, some with outdoor seating overlooking the lake and the sea. Near Clarence Pier and the hovercraft terminal, there are fast food outlets and traditional seaside fare. The stretch near Southsea Castle and the Rock Gardens has a few more options. The D-Day Story museum has its own cafe.

The seafront dining scene has long been seen as underdeveloped compared to the quality of the setting, and there have been periodic discussions about improving the food offering along the esplanade. The demolition of the Pyramids Centre removed one potential location, and the future of South Parade Pier could provide another.

Despite these limitations, eating by the sea in Southsea has its own appeal. Fish and chips on the beach is a time-honoured tradition. Several of the seafront cafes are pleasant, well-run operations with good food. On warm days, the combination of sea air, views, and simple food is hard to beat. The beach hut culture along the esplanade also contributes to an informal outdoor eating scene, with owners bringing their own food and making a day of it.