Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight

THE LOWDOWN
<a href="https://cosyclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-12209 size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-007.jpg" alt="MOE Cosies Portsmouth -007" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-007.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-007-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-007-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-007-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></a> <a href="https://cosyclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Cosy Club </a>is a Bristol-based restaurant chain that has found fame for its vast menu, excellent cocktails and off-the-wall interiors. Each of the 20+ Cosy Clubs around the country has decor that is pinned to its location and its latest opening in Portsmouth&#8217;s <a href="https://gunwharf-quays.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gunwharf Quays</a> is no exception.
Located in what was The Water Margin, it&#8217;s tucked away from the main hustle and bustle of the Quays shopping precinct and located right next to the iconic Emirates Spinnaker Tower. It&#8217;s also got super easy access to Portsmouth Harbour train station too, so you don&#8217;t need to navigate the winding roads of Portsmouth (eeek!) to get here.
THE VIBE
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-12202 size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Interior-2-jpg.jpg" alt="Cosy Club Picture wall" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Interior-2-jpg.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Interior-2-jpg-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Interior-2-jpg-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Interior-2-jpg-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Nobody could say this place understated, that&#8217;s for sure! The restaurant itself is huge, maximising on its high ceilings by ramming them full of pictures and oddities, many with a distinctly maritime twist.
The wallpaper and decor are very reminiscent of House of Hackney mixed with a dash of a Victorian-era Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen. Even the crockery is a mixture of different sizes and styles which would look higgedly-piggedly anywhere else but here it just sort of&#8230; works.
As a whole, the place is geared up for dining as a social occasion rather than just eating. Be it a boozy brunch, a leisurely lunchtime or a special evening out with friends.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-12211 size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-010.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-010.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-010-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-010-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-010-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />We came on the opening night and it was packed to the rafters with customers having a good time. The buzz from this place&#8217;s impending opening has been massive, and the residents of the city are flocking for its mismatched charm and eclectic staff uniforms, as much as the promise of good food and drink.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-12210 size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-003.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-003.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-003-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-003-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/MOE-Cosies-Portsmouth-003-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
SCOFF &amp; QUAFF
The menu at The Cosy Club is massive, taking into consideration vegan and free-from dietary requirements as well. On top of serving Brunch favourites such as pancakes and Shakshuka until 5pm, they also have sandwiches, burgers, sharers, tapas and mains (phew!)
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-12198 size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-Chorizo-JPG.jpg" alt="Cosy Club Tapas Chorizo JPG" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-Chorizo-JPG.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-Chorizo-JPG-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-Chorizo-JPG-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-Chorizo-JPG-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
We had a selection of their tapas on our visit (though I&#8217;m definitely returning to give the brunch a whizz) and had Halloumi Sticks with chipotle chilli jam, Crispy Sesame Chicken, Garlic Mushrooms on Sourdough toast and Pulled Chicken and Chorizo.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-12200 size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-1-Mushrooms-Jpg.jpg" alt="Cosy Club Tapas Mushrooms" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-1-Mushrooms-Jpg.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-1-Mushrooms-Jpg-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-1-Mushrooms-Jpg-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Cosy-Club-Tapas-1-Mushrooms-Jpg-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Each one was pretty good in its own right, mixing up the traditional Spanish-vibes of tapas with some more unusual twists on it. The pulled chicken was a particular highlight, with the crispy potatoes taking on an almost patatas bravas form with the juices and flavours from the meat.
The drinks selection is quite varied with wine, beer and cocktails all on offer, but without too much choice to make it overwhelming. The cocktails all have a bit of a twist too, for example, swapping the classic Espresso Martini for a Vanilla version.
OUT &amp; ABOUT
<div id="attachment_12203" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12203" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-12203 size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Guwharf-Marina.jpg" alt="Guwharf Marina" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Guwharf-Marina.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Guwharf-Marina-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Guwharf-Marina-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/04/Guwharf-Marina-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />Gunwharf Marina</div>
You&#8217;re pretty spoilt for choice if you want things to do here as Gunwharf has plenty of things to check out. As well as the aforementioned <a href="https://www.spinnakertower.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Emirates Spinnaker Tower</a>, there are lots of bars nearby for continuing the fun, a cinema, bowling and even the <a href="https://www.aspex.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aspex Gallery</a> for a sneaky bit of culture. The view of the harbour isn&#8217;t too shabby either!
If you head down in the daytime you&#8217;ll be able to shop at some of the best outlet stores in the south, with shops such as Michael Kors, Kate Spade and 7 For All Mankind here.
<div id="attachment_10814" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10814" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-10814 size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/02/Gin-Rum-Festival-Warrior-Danielle-Jones.jpg" alt="Warrior Portsmouth Historic Dockyard" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/02/Gin-Rum-Festival-Warrior-Danielle-Jones.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/02/Gin-Rum-Festival-Warrior-Danielle-Jones-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/02/Gin-Rum-Festival-Warrior-Danielle-Jones-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/02/Gin-Rum-Festival-Warrior-Danielle-Jones-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />HMS Warrior</div>
If you want to get out of Gunwharf then just mere steps away are the Isle of Wight Fastcat and Gosport Ferry to escape the city or the <a href="https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Portsmouth Historic Dockyard</a> where you can go and ogle the HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and Mary Rose if you fancy.
THE MUDDY VERDICT
GOOD FOR: Breakfast, lunch AND dinner &#8211; This is a great place to go for some casual dining with friends and family. It&#8217;s extremely family-friendly with a kids menu and ideal for taking your vegan mates out for a bite to eat. 
NOT FOR: People looking for a one-of-a-kind unique spin on local produce. The food here is sourced from the UK, but you won&#8217;t necessarily find goods right from the doorstep. If you like your surroundings minimal and unassuming then the interior may be a bit *much* for you. 
THE DAMAGE: £- A pocket-friendly option. With brunches all coming in at under £8.50, mains £13.95 and under (with steaks under £20) plus loads of loyalty schemes and special offers throughout the week, you can splash out on a few cocktails (around £8) or glasses of wine (from £6.60 for 175ml), guilt-free.
<a href="https://cosyclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Cosy Club, Portsmouth</a>, 28-29, North Building, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TT. Tel:  023 9239 5804

Cosy, quirky, cool

You may also like