Smoke and Mirrors - (Near Hampshire, South East)

Alexander Fergusson-Cooper If I could give this place one star I would... They have ruined pizza for me, it was by far the best Ive had, no other will compare. My partner and I shared the nduja/scotch bonnet and the chicken/paneer. Both were truly superb. The dough had a terrific flavour, but the toppings on each were perfectly balanced and flavoursome. We started with the cauliflower hummus - something we await to recreate! The service was outstanding, knowledgeable and friendly, without being over the top, again, a perfect balance. Wine list fantastic and comprehensive (the reason we came here - (fathers a wine merchant!) maître d was knowledgeable and showed us the bottle of wine we were curious about. Atmosphere was warm, welcoming, relaxed, and the use of acoustic tiles on the ceiling work as both an interesting feature and more importantly to reduce the sound in the bar/restaurant. I am hugely disappointed we are only in Portsmouth for an evening - had we live in the vicinity, we would surely adopt The A Bar as a regular venue. A venue for everyone, we were made to feel like long standing customers - warm and welcoming. If ever in Portsmouth again, we will rush back!

Ben My partner and I went for Sunday lunch, as I have been here for drinks before but never actually eaten, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! My partner had the Pork roast and I had the Fish & Chips - both were delicious and great portion sizes. The pub/restaurant had a lovely atmosphere and the staff were all really friendly and attentive. The location is stunning too. We will definitely be returning and we highly recommend it :-)

Shuet Han Tsui We needed somewhere to nearby to eat after visiting the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. At 4.00PM on a Sunday, choices can be limited. We picked Lush Bites because it was a short walk away, near the car park, and well rated. And I can see why it was well rated. The service was excellent. The person serving us was super polite and friendly. The burgers were excellent. We went for the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger and Devils Bite. Both delicious. It was still very hot when it arrived, super tasty, and well put together. Love a burger that does not fall apart as you eat it. We were not that hungry, so didnt go for any sides. The chicken wings and loaded fries looked tempting.

Summit to Sea I’m a bit “old fashioned” and being at sea nearly 35 years I do like a good maritime pub. I’ve been in Portsmouth 3 months and I have enjoyed the service and food here at the Ship A! The staff work hard and at times are ran ragged. This is a proud pub with its roots in maritime heritage and the Union flag. Love this place so much I bought the T-shirt.

Paul Dunstan Service was great, food excellent and even accommodated some changes to the menu. Probably one of the best cafes in Portsmouth for home cooked food at affordable prices.

Ilona Thompson We had an excellent meal here which was a lovely surprise as the pub wasn’t our first choice. Everything was good, hot and filling. We were catching the ferry to Bilbao and had picked another restaurant but it was shut and we found the Dolphin instead. I must say I’m glad we did! Dave the manager was very friendly and helpful, telling us about a quicker route to the ferry terminal. Thanks Dave and next time we’re in Portsmouth we’ll be sure to call in.