The Apsley House southsea — Restaurant in Portsmouth

This was an on spec visit on what must have been the first sunny day of the year. the seafront was mobbed and it was time to head inland and away from the crowds.

The Apsley was regular haunt of mine over 30 years ago and it was a bit of a trip down memory lane for me personally. It’s a small welcoming pub in the heart of Southsea, the beer (Timothy Taylor’s Landlord) was excellent and a wave of the phone allowed me to pay with Apple Pay. A lifetime ago I would have been stood at the bar waving the largest denomination note you could find to get the attention of the bar person.

I think my bar presence has dimmed somewhat, probably by my love for the Wetherspoons App - so easy, and it took a little while to get served. But eventually a smile and beer came my way and my thirst was slaked.

It’s a friendly set up and the other customers were chatty and engaging and it felt like a “pub”. Which is a very good thing. We didn’t partake of the food, but casting an eye over the diners told me that it was a popular place to eat and the Sunday Roast looked and smelt great.

A hidden gem that everyone should visit, it’s just a short stroll from the hustle and bustle of...

Came in for some shade on one of the hottest days of the year. I had a cold beer and I had no idea they had started doing food. Expecting a bit of ‘pub grub’, the burger, chips and Onion rings were sublime. Chef Logan and Katie(?) behind the bar clearly care about level of service and quality of food. The chips were crispy with an internal mash potato quality. Burger was succulent with gooey cheese on top. Fresh crisp romain lettuce and a couple of pickles. Now onto the melt in the mouth onion rings… They were easily the best I’ve ever had. I was informed by chef Logan that they use London pride to get an almost a tempura lightness but full of flavour. Will be eating here again… and...

The staff here are absolutely amazing. It was an unplanned visit to here. I'm a wheelchair user, and I was over ambitious with how far I could go, and the batteries went almost flat at Ave de Caen! With great difficulty I got to Apsley House. A lovely member of the public helped me too. The landlord/manager; this lady was absolutely marvellous, pulled a miracle out of the bag, phoned round and managed to find a wheelchair accessible taxi with a ramp so I got back to my hotel safely. The people here have a heart of gold and I hope readers will give them plenty of custom, because being a nun, pubs aren't quite my scene! But you do find angels in the most...