A proper Sunday roast is taken seriously in Portsmouth, argued over in pubs from the harbour mouth to the suburbs. After a heroic number of plates in the name of research, here is how the city’s best compare.
1. Croxton’s
On Palmerston Road in Southsea, Croxton’s is the roast locals name first. This craft-beer-led bistro is best known for an eight-hour roasted pork belly, and it takes its vegetarians and vegans seriously too, with a proper olive-and-nut puff-pastry roast rather than a sad afterthought. Expect to pay roughly £18 to £21.
What stands out
- the most consistently praised roast in the city;
- a standout eight-hour pork belly;
- genuine, well-made veggie and vegan options;
- a great craft beer list to go with it.
The trade-offs
- it is buzzy and popular, so book ahead;
- the quirky style will not suit those after a traditional pub.
If you only book one roast in Portsmouth, make it this one.
2. The Old Customs House
Down at Gunwharf Quays, The Old Customs House serves traditional roasts inside a Grade II listed former customs building right under the Spinnaker Tower. It is a Fuller’s pub doing dependable, crowd-pleasing roasts, with mains around £16 to £20 and a big outdoor terrace for sunny Sundays.
What stands out
- a genuinely handsome, historic setting;
- reliable traditional roasts;
- spacious and good for families and groups;
- a waterfront terrace by the harbour.
The trade-offs
- it is busy and touristy at the weekend;
- it is dependable rather than adventurous.
The best roast if you want the setting to be part of the occasion.
3. The Florence Arms
Just off the seafront on Florence Road, The Florence Arms is a proper gastropub with cask ales and a loyal following. Alongside the traditional roast it keeps a wider Sunday menu, so the one person in your group who never wants a roast is covered. Mains sit around £16 to £20.50.
What stands out
- a classic gastropub atmosphere;
- good roasts plus a wider Sunday menu;
- dog-friendly and genuinely local;
- a strong range of cask ales.
The trade-offs
- it fills up, so a booking is wise;
- a short walk back from the seafront itself.
Our pick for a traditional pub roast with a proper pint.
4. Marmion House
On Marmion Road in Southsea, Marmion House takes a smarter, bistro-style approach to the Sunday classic. It is a sit-down, more polished setting, with classic roasts around £17 to £21 and window seats that are good for watching Southsea go by.
What stands out
- a smarter, more refined roast;
- a comfortable sit-down atmosphere;
- well presented and consistent;
- a pleasant Marmion Road location.
The trade-offs
- a little dearer than the pub options;
- smaller, so tables go quickly.
Choose it when you want your roast with a bit of polish.
5. King Street Tavern
A back-street gem on King Street in Southsea, the King Street Tavern is the value champion. Its roasts come in different sizes to suit your appetite and your budget, roughly £12 to £16, in a relaxed, traditional, locals’ pub.
What stands out
- excellent value, with roast sizes to choose from;
- a relaxed, unpretentious pub feel;
- a proper local crowd;
- a handy Southsea side-street spot.
The trade-offs
- it is small and can get full;
- traditional rather than gastro.
The best roast for a good feed that will not dent the wallet.
6. Porters
On Albert Road, Porters keeps things simple and affordable: braised lamb, chicken supreme and a veggie or vegan nut roast at scrubbed wooden tables, roughly £14 to £17. It is casual, no-frills and good value in the heart of the Albert Road scene.
What stands out
- honest, affordable roasts;
- decent vegetarian and vegan options;
- a casual, easy-going feel;
- a lively Albert Road location.
The trade-offs
- it is simple rather than special;
- a smaller roast menu than some.
A reliable, wallet-friendly roast in a fun part of town.
7. Spice Island Inn
Right at the harbour mouth on The Point in Old Portsmouth, the Spice Island Inn rounds out the list on location alone. This Greene King pub serves a straightforward Sunday roast at mid-range prices, and the real draw is watching ferries and warships slide past the window as you eat.
What stands out
- an unbeatable waterfront position;
- a solid, familiar roast;
- great for ship-watching;
- a proper Old Portsmouth experience.
The trade-offs
- the food is chain-pub standard, not gastro;
- you are paying partly for the view.
Go for the harbour-mouth setting, and keep your expectations on the food sensible.
The scores side by side
The ratings at a glance (out of 10)
| Position | Name | Score (out of 10) | % (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croxton’s | 8.7 / 10 | 87% out of 100 |
| 2 | The Old Customs House | 8.3 / 10 | 83% out of 100 |
| 3 | The Florence Arms | 8.0 / 10 | 80% out of 100 |
| 4 | Marmion House | 7.7 / 10 | 77% out of 100 |
| 5 | King Street Tavern | 7.4 / 10 | 74% out of 100 |
| 6 | Porters | 7.1 / 10 | 71% out of 100 |
| 7 | Spice Island Inn | 6.8 / 10 | 68% out of 100 |
What the comparison shows
The top of the table rewards places that do the roast itself brilliantly, with Croxton’s leading on food and The Florence Arms close behind on pub atmosphere. The Old Customs House and the Spice Island Inn sell the setting as much as the plate, which is no bad thing on a sunny Sunday, while King Street Tavern and Porters prove you can eat very well here without spending much.
“A good roast is about more than the meat,” one of our editors argued over the gravy. “It is the crunch of the potatoes, the size of the Yorkshire, and whether you can get a table. Croxton’s nails all three.”
How we ranked them
Each place was scored out of ten on the quality of the roast, value for money and the setting, with the food and value weighted most heavily since a Sunday roast is an everyday treat. We only included places we could confirm currently serve roasts, and prices are a rough guide that change with the menu.
Where we would book this Sunday
If the sun is out, the harbour terraces at Gunwharf or The Point are tempting, and if it is pouring, a cosy corner of the Florence Arms or King Street Tavern does the trick. But for the roast itself, week in and week out, Croxton’s is the one we keep going back to. The hardest part of a Portsmouth Sunday is simply choosing.
