Food by the seaside

From top-quality steak to a 99 flake, there's all manner of great food to enjoy on or around the Southsea Seafront. Whatever your taste, budget and requirements, there'll certainly be something to get the mouth watering.

Of course, tradition dictates it has to start with fish and chips. No trip to the UK coast is complete without this seaside staple, and thankfully you're well covered in Portsmouth - whether you want to sit on the seafront with a chippy tea in newspaper, or prefer to dine out on something slightly more refined.

There are fish and chip takeaways dotted along the seafront and at both Clarence and South Parade Piers - as well as plenty more just a short hop into residential Southsea. Here you can find all the classics - with lashings of salt and vinegar of course.

Alternatively, try The Briny or The Fisherman's Kitchen for a more modern twist on the seaside classics. The selections here (depending on seasonality) include squid, Brixham crab, oysters, lobster and more - as well as your classic white fish and chips. Or why not head to the end of South Parade Pier, where the Deep Blue dine-in restaurant offers a taste of the sea, with views out across it for miles on end.

Another great seaside staple is ice cream. Whether it's fancy gelato in mind-bending flavours or the classic vanilla soft scoop, it's something you need to have at the seaside, whether you're 2 or 102.

You'll find the Ice Cream Emporium on South Parade Pier, offering a range of flavours, as well as its signature pink and white whippy 99s. Or for something even more indulgent, there are waffles, shakes and hot chocolates to try. Meanwhile, over at Clarence Pier you'll find Vanilla - which serves ice cream, doughnuts and other sweet treats - and Gelarto, with its range of Italian creams and refreshing sorbets.

You don't need to go far to find a traditional ice cream van either - usual spots include the Yomper Statue in Eastney, near The D-Day Story toilets, and close to the Square Tower in Old Portsmouth.

Sweet treats can also be found in plentiful supply at the Tenth Hole and Parade Tea Rooms, with a cake selection that's as delicious as it is varied. Both cafes also serve top-quality breakfasts, lunches and light bites.

It's a similar story inside Southsea Castle; The Courtyard is an ideal place to take a rest and enjoy homely food made with quality, local ingredients. There's an indoor hideaway for the colder months, or a large outdoor area to enjoy al fresco dining and drinking.

The great food continues at Southsea Beach Café and The Beach Club - both situated right along the seafront. At the former you'll be able to enjoy quality food in a relaxed environment, with views over the beach and out to sea. Meanwhile, the newly opened Beach Club goes from daytime to playtime as the sun sets - with its restaurant making way for cocktails, live music and dancing.

If all this has set your stomach rumbling, it's time to start planning your next foodie trip to Portsmouth!