Where to eat in Portsmouth before ferry to France

[PanicDisco]

We are travelling on the 8.15pm ferry to St Malo from Portsmouth. Can anyone recommend somewhere child friendly to eat before we board?

Also what is the best sort of time to arrive at the port? It says check in by 7.30 but I don't like rushing too much.

Thank you

Go for the buffet on Bretagne when you get aboard! Best first night of the holiday every time.
We park down at the front and have ice cream on the beach when we get to Portsmouth and watch the ferries come in trying to spot Bretagne and then eat on board in Les Abres (the restaurant, not self service). You can buy starter and dessert and not bother with the main because the buffet is so good.
I hope it’s still as good when they replace her with the new ship next year.

We usually arrive at the port between 6 and 6.30.

Not sure about boarding timings, but lots of easy options at Gunwharf Quays. Only a few mins drive from the port. Underground car park, safe place to park a loaded car then walk up to the restaurants. It's the usual Nandos, Pizza Express, Wagamama, Chiquitos etc.

If you want a local restaurant, Lins Thai Cafe is not a salubrious location but the food is great! That's over on Elm Grove. A few doors up from there is Huis which is Belgian food and just 😘 but is likely to be loud with music and beer. You'd park on the road around there.

Port Solent on the outskirts of Portsmouth has several restaurants to choose from, ranging from Prezzo and Zizzi to more expensive.

Pretty sure there is a cheap and cheerful Hungry Horse pub with free parking about a minute's drive from the ferry check in.

Thanks everyone!! My kids are only 6 and 3 and not amazing eaters so keeping them up for the ship buffet probably not an option - looking forward to trying that when they're older though

Perfect. I was a bit worried about the full car but if it has secure parking that's amazing.

Just remember that if you have bikes on the roof multi storeys can be bad!!!