The Canteen, Portsmouth

Any excuse I get to go to The Canteen is well and truly embraced. Situated among the historic Hotwalls Studios down in Old Portsmouth, this waterfront cafe has enviable views, excellent food and drink and is, quite truly, unlike anywhere else you can grab a cup of coffee.

The food side of things is led by Head Chef Stacey, who uses locally sourced produce to create amazing dishes that are perfect for relaxed lunching or even more formal occasions (you can hire this place out for a party or big group celebration). What’s more, you can get brunch here from 8am right through ’til 4pm, so if you fancy eggs florentine or a stack of syrup oozing waffles at 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon, you are in luck!

In the summer, the old barracks are perfectly placed for watching boats nip across the Solent and enjoying a Jude’s ice-cream. In the winter, it’s perfect for a mug of hot chocolate and to watch the icy-cold sea come crashing to the shore.