pantry sign in halls

Buying food and essentials

Find out where to pick up essential items while living in Portsmouth

Settling into life in Portsmouth includes knowing where to pick up groceries and other essential items.

Portsmouth has large supermarkets for your big shop and smaller stores close to campus. If you're looking for international ingredients, explore the international stores across the city and discover where to get household essentials for your new home.

Receipt for shopping

Supermarkets

The largest supermarkets close to campus are:

  • Tesco – Crasswell St, Portsmouth, PO1 1HT
  • Asda – The Bridge Shopping Centre, Somers Road North, Portsmouth, PO1 1SL
  • Lidl – Goldsmith Avenue, Portsmouth, PO4 0BS

For more independent groceries, butchers and markets, see our guide to shopping in Portsmouth.

Crate of apples

Online grocery shopping and delivery

If you prefer to get your groceries delivered, supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda and Ocado offer delivery in Portsmouth.

These local companies also offer deliveries or click and collect:

  • Wild Thyme Wholefoods – an independent shop selling natural and organic vegan food and products
  • Package Free Larder – Portsmouth's first plastic-free supermarket offers click and collect
  • Farmer's Choice – locally sourced free-range meat, poultry and dairy, organic fruit and veg, and responsibly sourced fish and seafood

 

Smaller stores

There are a number of smaller stores closer to the centre of campus. These are a great place to pick up lunch or a few things you forget from your grocery shop. They're convenient but prices tend to be higher than in larger supermarkets.

  • Co-op Food – next to the Union Building
  • Sainsbury's Local – 5-7 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth PO1 2RY
  • Tesco Express – 5 Isambard Brunel Road, Portsmouth PO1 2FT

International grocery stores

Portsmouth has many international grocery stores, including:

  • Mediterranean Supermarket – 111-113 Elm Grove, Southsea
  • Okey Chinese Supermarket – 106 Elm Grove, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea, PO5 1LR
  • M A Food Cash & Carry – 154 Kingston Rd, Fratton, Portsmouth, PO2 7PD
  • Portsmouth International Food Centre – 47-49 Fratton Rd, Portsmouth, PO1 5AB
  • Eastern Stores Grocery – 212-216 Kingston Rd, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 7LR
  • Thai & Asian Food Mart – 40 Fratton Rd, Fratton, Portsmouth, PO1 5BX
  • Afro-Cart Foods – 150 Kingston Rd, Fratton, Portsmouth, PO2 7PD
  • Mama Lit Special Foods – 92 Fawcett Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea, PO4 0DN
  • Albert Food Store – 131 Albert Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea, PO5 2SQ
Beckoning cats in Sakura

 

Smiling female student in pharmacy

 

    Household essentials

    Some of the larger supermarkets sell household essentials (like kitchen utensils and bedding) for a reasonable price. Other places to look for household essentials are:

    • Wilko: 29 Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1NB
    • Argos: 207-211 Commercial Road, Portsmouth, PO1 4BJ

    For local furniture stores and second hand shops, see our guide to shopping in Portsmouth.

    Pharmacies

    The closest pharmacies to campus include:


     

    Find out more

    Shopping in Portsmouth

    We're home to great independent businesses, so shopping in the city is a real treat.

    Woman shopping for postcards outside entrance of Hotwalls Studios
Hot Walls - City Guide 2022
    Read more

    Places to eat in Portsmouth

    Hungry for adventure? Here's a taster of the great food and drink you can savour in the city.

    Busy meal at table from top-down
    Grub's up

    Beaches, piers and parks

    Portsmouth is a bustling city with the sea on our doorstep and green spaces all around.

    Ferry in the sea
    Start exploring