Boathouse No.4 & No.7

In addition to housing The Mary Rose, HMS Warrior and HMS Victory, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is also home to two top-notch eateries, Boathouse No.4 and No.7. These spacious former boathouses are brilliant for families looking to sit back and relax after a day exploring the historical vessels and museums.

Boathouse No.4 offers lunch, artisan coffee and high tea, in addition to more substantial meals. The nibbles while you wait are the perfect thing to share whilst perusing the menu; the squid ink grissini with parma harm and herb pesto, or the skin-on fries with Boathouse mayo are excellent choices. Of the full-flavoured starters, cod and chorizo fishcake with golden beetroot, tomato and crispy kale, and the warming red lentil, sweet potato and coconut soup are two particular highlights. Mains include local beer-battered cod with chips, crushed peas and homemade tartare sauce, and aubergine steak served with sweet potato fries and a fresh salad. The Sunday lunches are another reason to visit this venue; the locally sourced meat is excellent and portions ensure you’re not left hungry. The venue’s spacious setting makes it the ideal place to hire out for events such as birthday parties and weddings.

For a more casual meal or snack created using only the freshest ingredients, Boathouse No.7 is the perfect choice. Menus change seasonally and produce is locally sourced. You’ll find a variety to tempt you, including a soup station, jacket potatoes, sourdough sandwiches and larger plates. The vegetarian dishes are mouth-wateringly good. We would recommend the mac and cheese with Sussex Charmer, leeks, semi-dried tomatoes and rosemary, accompanied by oven-fired garlic bread and chef’s salad. The sweet potato, spinach and cauliflower masala is packed full of flavour, transporting diners to the streets of India. The sandwiches are also very tempting; from Coronation chicken to the New York deli beef bagel, there’s something for everyone, and the vegetarian, meat and fish options leave you spoilt for choice. You don’t need a ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to enjoy either of the two restaurants, and it’s worth checking out their social media pages for special offers, competitions and events.