Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-Exterior.jpg" alt="The Briny restaurant Southsea" class="wp-image-35028" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-Exterior.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-Exterior-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-Exterior-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-Exterior-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Smack bang on Southsea seafront, Muddy Best Restaurant Award-winning&nbsp;<a href="https://thebriny.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Briny</a>&nbsp;is a relaxed restaurant with beachy vibes. </p>



<p>The former fish and chip shop was transformed into a seafood restaurant in 2019 by the same family team behind other Pompey favourites such as <a href="https://thecanteen.co.uk/menu/">The Canteen</a>, <a href="https://www.thetenthhole.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenth Hole</a> and <a href="https://www.abarbistro.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The A Bar</a>. Each of The Coastal Kitchen&#8217;s outlets has its own&nbsp;unique character and vibe,&nbsp;all working in harmony with local suppliers &#8211; and each earning a name as foodie hotspot&nbsp;in the city.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1034" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-deck.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-35029" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-deck.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-deck-800x551.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-deck-1000x689.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-deck-768x529.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>While the seafront is undergoing work in Portsmouth&#8217;s £180m coastal defenses project &#8211; due for completion in 2024 &#8211; the coveted beachfront terrace is out of action. The Briny nonetheless has one of the best sea views in the city (which can still be seen through the temporary boarding). In the meantime, if the sun has his hat on, make the most of it and dine alfresco on the deck out front.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-interior-1.jpg" alt="The Briny restaurant Southsea Portsmouth beachfront" class="wp-image-35030" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-interior-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-interior-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-interior-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-interior-1-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The whitewashed, beachy vibe of The Briny&#8217;s exterior continues indoors where the restaurant is decked out with fabric lanterns, cool wicker furniture, driftwood-esque tables and a colour palette of pale greys and whites. </p>



<p>Stopping by during a busy weekend service, the dining room is filled with groups of friends and couples. Signature Briny Frosé cocktails with aperol, rosé, strawberry and orange bitters are going down well with other diners so I follow their lead and order one. It&#8217;s refreshing and tasty in equal measure. We&#8217;re off to a good start.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1536" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-oysters.jpg" alt="Oysters at The Briny seafood restaurant Southsea" class="wp-image-35031" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-oysters.jpg 2048w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-oysters-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-oysters-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-oysters-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/The-Briny-oysters-1536x1152.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></figure>



<p>The food menu at The Briny isn&#8217;t huge but it&#8217;s eclectic and full of delicious seafood &#8211; including fresh oysters. We start with a couple each, doused liberally in what I can happily report is an utterly delicious homemade shallot dressing.  </p>



<p>The Briny&#8217;s owners also&nbsp;conveniently&nbsp;run Southsea&#8217;s <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/camber-wines-old-portsmouth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Camber Wines</a> so they really know their plonk. And with a glass of house wine starting at £6 and topping out at a max of around £8.50, you&#8217;re guaranteed an excellent tipple to go with your meal. I plump for a glass of South African chenin, which turns out to be a light, crisp and very lovely drop.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-pork-starter-1.jpg" alt="New Forest Pork Belly The Briny Southsea Portsmouth Hampshire seafood restaurant review" class="wp-image-35035" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-pork-starter-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-pork-starter-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-pork-starter-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-pork-starter-1-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Here on a rare date night, Mr. Muddy and I start with small plates of crispy New Forest Pork Belly with beetroot relish and black garlic ketchup (a Briny classic) and a vegan-friendly wild rice arancini. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-arancini-1000x750.jpg" alt="The Briny Southsea Portsmouth Hampshire seafood restaurant review" class="wp-image-35036" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-arancini-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-arancini-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-arancini-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-arancini.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>New to the menu this year, the moreish meat-free arancini has clever nods to the sea in the samphire and carrot salad and sea herb emulsion.  </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-fish-main-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-35037" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-fish-main-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-fish-main-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-fish-main-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-fish-main.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Mains are a beautifully cooked poached cod with chowder-style sweetcorn, smoked bacon and clam velouté for me. Both big seafood lovers, when Mr. Muddy and I dine out the food envy can border the competitive. But he&#8217;s immediately sold on the fish of the day, a whole plaice in a buttery sauce topped with samphire and like me, quickly scoffs the lot.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-dessert.jpg" alt="Chocolate delice pudding at The Briny Southsea seafood restaurant Portsmouth Hampshire" class="wp-image-35084" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-dessert.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-dessert-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-dessert-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/The-Briny-dessert-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>When the food is this good, pudding is a pleasure not to be missed. Rich chocolate delice topped with cherries and almonds comes served with a cool milk ice cream. It doesn&#8217;t disappoint. Neither does the picky cheeseboard with tomato and chilli chutney, spiced almonds, crackers and a great big chunk of delicious sourdough. A fitting finale to an absolute feast of a meal. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-children">CHILDREN</h2>



<p>The evening vibe at The Briny is quite grown up, especially at weekends. But the family restaurant is a great place to bring the kids for breakfast, lunch or an early tea. On the short-but-sweet kid’s menu are brekkies, burgers, fish and chips, sausages or pasta, followed by a choice of puds (including Hampshire-made ice cream) and a Sam’s Explorer pack to keep them busy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disability-access">DISABILITY ACCESS</h2>



<p>The restaurant and terrace is wheelchair accessible. The Briny doesn&#8217;t have a car park but there&#8217;s a limited amount of Blue Badge parking on the adjacent Clarence Esplanade.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Southsea-beach-pier-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-35085" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Southsea-beach-pier-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Southsea-beach-pier-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Southsea-beach-pier-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Southsea-beach-pier.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic: <a href="https://unsplash.com/@andywatkins?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash">Andy Watkins</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>Well, there is the small matter of the seafront. If you don&#8217;t fancy doing anything too taxing following your food, a stroll along the beach in either direction comes with fresh sea air and sights along the way.</p>



<p>In one direction, you can opt for a spot of seaside nostalgia by visiting the refurbished <a href="http://southparadepier.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">South Parade Pier</a>. As well as being home to the <a href="https://www.thegaietysouthsea.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gaiety Bar </a>which often has cracking DJ sets, tribute acts and cabaret, it comes with a dose of pop culture. The Who (yep, the band) once famously burned it down while fiming their rock opera <em>Tommy</em>.</p>



<p>In the other direction, you can visit <a href="http://southseacastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Southsea Castle</a>, the spot where Henry VIII watched the Mary Rose sink to the bottom of the Solent (oops!). If you want to see the actual historic ship raised from the Solent (intro&#8217;d by Henry himself, no less), the nearby <a href="https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portsmouth Historic Dockyard</a> is home to the Mary Rose Museum as well as HMS Warrior and HMS Victory. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong>&nbsp;Romantic dates, girly mates, seafood fiends and those in between. This place has a relaxed beachy vibe and food that&#8217;s hands down some of the best in the county.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>There&nbsp;isn&#8217;t a huge&nbsp;selection of meat and vegan mains. So you may run the risk if you have a fussy non-seafood lover or plant-based eater with you. </p>



<p><strong>The Damage:&nbsp;</strong>Good value for the quality. Oysters are £3.50 each, small plates are £9 &#8211; £14, mains are £20 &#8211; £30 and puds are £8-£15.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://thebriny.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Briny</a>,&nbsp;Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO5 3PG. Tel.&nbsp;023 9282 6676</em>.</p>


Review: The Briny, Southsea

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