We’re in October (2024) now and the south coast of England is in its transition phase from glorious coastal walks in shorts to wrapped up in warmer clothes and boots to watch the ever changing sea. So what better place to grab a bite to eat than The Briny. The staff are always welcoming, the food is never less than superb and the overall experience will leave with smiles and memories in abundance. Our meal was an anniversary lunch and was a wonderful leisurely affair. Never rushed by the very attentive staff and we felt very well looked after. A walk back to the train station later in the afternoon via the sea front and the wonderful views kept us from feeling too full. Although I will admit to falling asleep on the sofa once I’d got home. I truly recommend you try this place at any time of year. You won’t be disappointed.

I was in Portsmouth with my brother to see the historic dockyard (American history nerds) and we needed a good meal after a night spent drinking the bottle of tequila I brought from the states at our Air Bob (don’t judge- we hadn’t seen each in almost three years!). We shared the Full English Breakfast and smoked trout Benedict, a fresh squeezed orange juice and each had our own Bloody Mary. The food was delicious. I’m still deciding whether or not I like black pudding but my brother loves it and he was very pleased with it. Both bacon and sausage were good quality and the egg was perfect, which for me means well cooked but with a runny yolk. The beans and toast were beans and toast, aka just plain tasty. The smoked trout was mouth watering and the hollandaise sauce was rich and creamy with just the right amount of lemon, noticeable but not dominant. The orange juice was a burst of of tropical refreshment that surprised me with pithy notes and traces of essential oils(a bit of zest maybe?) and the Bloody Mary was fantastic, spicy with a garnish of lemon and cucumber that gave it a wonderful nose. The staff was friendly and attentive, and from their interactions with each other it seems to be a great place to work, which I always appreciate. The decor is simple and clean and I enjoyed the hanging plants throughout the restaurant. We went in December which must be the off season for Portsmouth so there was some kind of maintenance being done outside but that couldn’t touch the bliss we attained. The perfect meal for a slightly hungover Sunday with a loved one.

Excellent as always. Crab starter and Salmon main were both incredibly tasty; it’s such delicious food here you can’t fail with anything on the menu. Good choice of drinks and friendly service. Complete winning formula. Thanks

Southsea Briny is hands down one of the best seafood restaurants in Southsea! I’ve been there a couple of times, and it never fails to impress. My first visit was for a special occasion—my birthday celebration. My boyfriend, a regular at the restaurant, treated me, and it was truly memorable. I had the catch of the day, a beautifully pan-fried sea bream, and it was absolutely delicious. The presentation of the dishes was stunning—every plate felt like a work of art. I also tried the spicy margarita as a welcome drink, and it was fantastic—just the right kick to start the evening. The pickled cockles were another highlight—perfect for anyone who loves the tangy kick of vinaigrette paired with fresh seafood. My starter, the octopus carpaccio, was simply out of this world—delicate, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. For dessert, I indulged in their panna cotta, which was out of this world. It was creamy, smooth, and a perfect palette cleanser to end the meal on a high note. Highly recommended for a seafood lover.

Mixed reviews. My sister and I had the same meal, the brill meunière, but they substituted for plaice. My sister enjoyed her meal, whereas I felt I was picking at a very bony fish for very little meat. Based on both of our opinions, I give this a 4, since the staff were pretty good. I however must be honest and simply say that a did NOT enjoy my dinner unfortunately.