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Grab a bite
As a student in Portsmouth, you've got plenty of options for delicious food
Portsmouth is a fantastic eating city.
All the big names and chains are here – you'll find most of them gathered in one place in Gunwharf Quays – but what sets the city apart are our great independent restaurants and cafes.
Places to eat
All the places to eat and drink below are independently-owned and run. They're all either a short walk from our main University buildings, or near a stop on the University bus (U1) route.
And all these places to eat and drink are just for starters: there are even more amazing places to discover a little further from our buildings, and well worth exploring. Dig in.
(All images, copyright the individual businesses.)
Coffee | Cakes | Sandwiches
Pizzas | Burgers | Street food
Seafood | Roasts | Comfort food
Asian food
Something different
Ice cream and gelaterias
Portsmouth also has 4 late-night gelaterias where you can socialise with friends over ice cream - look out for Scoops, Sprinkles and Swirls for a late-night sweet fix.
For the foodies
Specialist supermarkets
Portsmouth is a multicultural city and we're lucky enough to have a number of specialist supermarkets nearby. The Okey Chinese Supermarket, Mediterranean Supermarket, and Polski Sklep Delicatessen Maya are all on the U1 University bus route, or just a short walk from it.
Find out more about essential shops to pick up food and drink, including shops specialising in international ingredients
Food festivals
The city hosts food festivals throughout the year, including an annual Oktoberfest weekend, regular Vegan Festivals, and the yearly Southsea Food Festival in Palmerston Road.
Food delivery apps
Portsmouth has hundreds of restaurants – including many of those listed above – who deliver to your door through the Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat apps. They'll even deliver to the main entrance of our halls of residence (just don't keep them waiting too long...)
More inspiration for places to eat and drink
Discover more fantastic places to eat in the heart of Portsmouth, with these restaurants, cafes and pubs right on your doorstep.
André's Food Bar
The oldest independent sandwich shop in Portsmouth and Southsea
Andre's offers healthy and fresh food with a 10 per cent student discount, including baguettes, salads, baked potatoes and paninis.
Andre's food bar was started in 1988 by my aunty and uncle.
We're very proud that he was the inventor of many of our unique fillings.
We've grown to two shops.
We've got one in Southsea and one in the heart of the university district.
We like to think we offer healthy, fresh food so that students feel like they're living a healthy lifestyle whilst they're at university.
It's just a very convenient and just healthy option, really.
Whenever I'm popping into the library or whether I'm going to lectures or seminars, it's always just a handy place to pop in.
It's easy just to pick up lunch on the way.
We treasure them.
As such, we offer a 10% student discount.
Portsmouth for me, there's always a lot going on, especially when it's sunny.
The mood is just unrivalled.
You've got the beach, there's also a nice sense of community.
I think especially because there's a lot of students, it feels very tight-knit.
With the waterfront, the historic dockyard, a really good mix of nationalities.
I think that it's the perfect place to come and study a degree.
You've got everything available to you.
The Southsea Deli
An amazing deli in the heart of Southsea
Buy – and eat – fresh, healthy, seasonal food from small local and regional producers. Great for breakfast, lunch, and coffee.
I'm Daniel, I'm the owner of the Southsea Deli.
My name's Luke, I'm the general manager here.
I'm Michaela, I'm a second-year film production student.
We pride ourselves on being a small, friendly cafe, shop, cookery school where local people can come in, buy great products that are made locally.
People supporting us in Southsea, they're also supporting a whole wider range of local amazing food producers.
The world is trying to push for more locally sourced foods, and that's a variety that they have here is great.
We've also got lots of nice places to stay so you can have your laptop and use the Wi-Fi and just have a change of scenery.
It's very modern.
We can come here to study, we can come in.
It's just two as well as obviously the amazing food they have.
I think Portsmouth is a bit of a hidden gem is such a signal to students.
It's a small, lively setting.
There's so many local independent businesses.
I think that's what makes Portsmouth and Southsea so unique in its own way.
Meat and Barrel
A family run business near Southsea seafront
Meat and Barrel offers incredible burgers, wings, fries and craft beer from both local and international breweries.
I love coming to Meat and Barrel to socialise with my friends and the food is really nice.
Even when we're not running our deals, it's still really good value.
And for me, I grew up in Portsmouth.
Nowhere quite has the mix that Portsmouth has got.
It's got its own unique charm that I really like.
I take great pride in trying to offer the best product that we can offer.
Working with some really exciting breweries, both locally and nationally.
If we can be on people's list of places to go when they think about going out, then you know, we're doing our job.
Croxtons
A Kitchen and Tap House based on Palmerston Road
Serving unbelievably good beer, wine and spirits, along with delicious late-night food and cocktail deals.
Croxton's is a tap house in Southsea.
There's really good vibes at the nighttime with like cocktail deals and late-night foods, so everyone on a student budget likes a deal.
Before 1809, Southsea was named Croxton after Thomas Croxton.
All the owners are from Portsmouth, and I feel like the community is so strong in Portsmouth.
So it's just all about bringing local people together and remembering the history of Southsea.
It's the lazy seaside town.
It just stands out from other places.
Everywhere else down the road is chain based, whereas, here we have locally sourced craft beers.
It's so much different to everything else in Portsmouth.
Find out more about life in Portsmouth
Take a closer look at more of the exciting things on offer in our amazing city.
Beaches, piers and parks
Portsmouth is a bustling city with the sea on our doorstep and green spaces all around.
Shopping in Portsmouth
We're home to great independent businesses, so shopping in the city is a real treat.
Portsmouth's music scene
Want to get involved in Portsmouth's music scene? Here's all you need to start.
Essential shops
Find out where to pick up essential items including food and household items. Or order online from local stores.