Thanks to Ronnie and the team for a wonderful Christmas lunch. The restaurant and bar looked beautiful, food brilliant, service impeccable. I have visited The Florence many times over the years and they never disappoint. Well done all. See you in 2024!
Gav B
A very unexpected find, tucked down a quiet side road - we booked off the back of positive reviews whilst looking for somewhere near Portsmouth Harbour Station to meet a friend who'd come over from the Isle of Wight and we weren't disappointed. The place was lovely, the food was great and the service was excellent. Recommended.
SueH990
Quickly seated and served drinks and main courses - which were delicious HOWEVER ~ was given menu to order desserts and 40 minutes later we were still waiting for someone to take our order for desserts and more drinks, so we went to the bar paid and left, the bar staff didn’t even ask if everything was ok with our meal Very disappointing and spoiled our evening
Matti Auvinen
Great hotel. I travel alot alone and i was really nice small 1person room where was all you need to make your visit
Jo Lowres
Had a great meal there with a big bunch of friends and the Florence Arms looked after us very well. Decent amount of chips with the vegan burger too. Thoroughly
Mike Mackenzie
What an unexpected joy The Florence was from a culinary perspective. Nothing too glamorous, but a great selection of amazingly well-cooked food that I wasn't expecting. Will certainly eat there again.
BobDelamare
The Florence Arms is a corner pub in a quiet, residential area of Southsea on the edge of busy Portsmouth. The typical Victorian street layout has given us so many street-corner shops and pubs across the UK. Sadly, most of the pubs have gone but this is a rare survivor. This layout and names such as Florence (Nightingale?), Palmerston and Cavendish, prominent people of that era, hint at their construction date. However, the blood-red tiled exterior of the Florence is very similar to the London tube stations designed by Leslie Green in the years immediately preceding WWI; so Edwardian, rather than earlier. The traditional 3 room, Saloon Bar, Public Bar, Snug, layout has gone in favour of a modern, light open plan. A pity for traditionalists but more suitable for present-day restaurant service. Our group met here around the big round table for dinner each evening of our stay at Stattons Hotel along the road. After a day spent visiting the historical attractions of Portsmouth and Gosport, this was a good spot to take the weight off our feet, have a drink, chat and eat in a calm atmosphere. I don’t know why “Gastro-Pub”, as there is no Heston Blumenthal snail porridge and fancy prices about the place. The menu is typical British and prices per head no more than I would expect to pay at our local Pizza Express. I can vouch for the steak pie; plenty of meat and soft, buttery crust. The sausage and mash, fish and chips and chicken pie all went down well with our group; the apple crumble, more apple than crumble. The service was prompt and cheerful and we were impressed by the willingness of the staff to listen to the dietary problems of one of the group and suggest and adapt a dish to suit. Value for money: Yes Would we go back: Certainly Recommend: Definitely
andreapN8913VB
I have visited The Florence Arms previously and was looking forward to returning yesterday for a works Xmas meal. I had rung in advance as I am a bit of a fussy eater, and the lady that dealt with me on the phone saw nothing as a problem. She was helpful and polite and there were no issues at all. Sadly I was unable to make the meal last night due to illness. My husband still attended and said the food was lovely and the hospitality great. The reason for this review though is to let everyone know how accommodating this venue is. They offered to box my main meal and dessert and then gave it to my husband to bring home for me to eat the following day. I did not expect it at all and it was such a nice surprise. I emailed this afternoon to thank the staff and they came straight back wishing me well and hoping I felt better soon. I will be returning to The Florence Arms when I am better. If you do have dietary requirements I can assure you that if you phone in advance they will do all they can to accommodate you.
Captain B
Disappointed with the presentation of the meals, no garnish present, so for example the burgers @£16.95 were delivered as a burger and chips on a plate and looked very poorly presented, having said that the flavour and quality was good. Fish and chips, fish was covered in a delicious batter but the fish was small and only frozen petis pois served which was disappointing at least a choice of mushy minted peas would be better. Chips were average. Lastly I am not happy with dogs on the next table or in the part of the restaurant we are sitting in. I feel that this type of profiteering should be banned or dog only restaurants licensed not mixed with humans for hygiene reasons and safety reasons!
Kezz
Found this little hidden gem after taking a wrong turning!Walked in to a very welcoming atmosphere and the staff greeted us, we only wanted a drink and was given a table with no problem at all.Saw the Sunday food menu and decided we will go back one day for a roast to try the food.
We didn't eat here, but intend to on our next visit. A lovely pub, beautifully decorated, lovely setting & fab staff.A great asset being just feet away from our accommodation. Loved it ❤
ashley plumpton
It's not the first time we have been here, but this certainly will not be the last! We have always enjoyed the food here and found the service to be superb, having returned after a recent refurbishment and menu change, we can confirm everything somehow has improved on what was already excellent.The new interior is warm and super inviting. We all had starters and mains. Here is a selection of some of them.What I didn't get a picture of is the steak my wife and mum had. This was one of the finest pieces of steak I've ever tasted and cooked to perfection!This all made sense as whilst we were eating a local butcher delivery arrived and the owner confirmed they are using locally sourced meat and produce.Get yourself along and try this place out.Kid-friendliness: Staff super friendly and welcoming to our 3 children.
wendyanddavid536
Having had a fabulous meal at the Florence Arms on a previous visit to Portsmouth about three years ago, we returned with high hopes....and were sadly disappointed. The calamari was minimal in quantity, luke-warm, mostly batter and obviously fresh out of the freezer, the Thai lemongrass coconut curry thin, watery and tasteless, the burnt Basque cheesecake unimpressive. Plenty of alternative places to eat in Southsea. We won't be returning.
Curiosity48823251139
We are stopping ing the hotel who owns this gastro pub… the hotel is amazing value for money but the recently decorated Florence arms is really nice, great food, great drinks selection ! Great value for money….! Look out for TIMO who served us very professional, very pleasant ! A credit to the business!!!
Julie H
Came as a group of 7, 5 adults 2 kids, lovely atmosphere, very friendly staff, food very nice. Not much in options for kids Sunday lunch, but still happy. The gravy was lovely! Would recommend x averaging around £18 a meal , drinks extra.
Thanks to Ronnie and the team for a wonderful Christmas lunch. The restaurant and bar looked beautiful, food brilliant, service impeccable. I have visited The Florence many times over the years and they never disappoint. Well done all. See you in 2024!
A very unexpected find, tucked down a quiet side road - we booked off the back of positive reviews whilst looking for somewhere near Portsmouth Harbour Station to meet a friend who'd come over from the Isle of Wight and we weren't disappointed. The place was lovely, the food was great and the service was excellent. Recommended.
Quickly seated and served drinks and main courses - which were delicious HOWEVER ~ was given menu to order desserts and 40 minutes later we were still waiting for someone to take our order for desserts and more drinks, so we went to the bar paid and left, the bar staff didn’t even ask if everything was ok with our meal Very disappointing and spoiled our evening
Great hotel. I travel alot alone and i was really nice small 1person room where was all you need to make your visit
Had a great meal there with a big bunch of friends and the Florence Arms looked after us very well. Decent amount of chips with the vegan burger too. Thoroughly
What an unexpected joy The Florence was from a culinary perspective. Nothing too glamorous, but a great selection of amazingly well-cooked food that I wasn't expecting. Will certainly eat there again.
The Florence Arms is a corner pub in a quiet, residential area of Southsea on the edge of busy Portsmouth. The typical Victorian street layout has given us so many street-corner shops and pubs across the UK. Sadly, most of the pubs have gone but this is a rare survivor. This layout and names such as Florence (Nightingale?), Palmerston and Cavendish, prominent people of that era, hint at their construction date. However, the blood-red tiled exterior of the Florence is very similar to the London tube stations designed by Leslie Green in the years immediately preceding WWI; so Edwardian, rather than earlier. The traditional 3 room, Saloon Bar, Public Bar, Snug, layout has gone in favour of a modern, light open plan. A pity for traditionalists but more suitable for present-day restaurant service. Our group met here around the big round table for dinner each evening of our stay at Stattons Hotel along the road. After a day spent visiting the historical attractions of Portsmouth and Gosport, this was a good spot to take the weight off our feet, have a drink, chat and eat in a calm atmosphere. I don’t know why “Gastro-Pub”, as there is no Heston Blumenthal snail porridge and fancy prices about the place. The menu is typical British and prices per head no more than I would expect to pay at our local Pizza Express. I can vouch for the steak pie; plenty of meat and soft, buttery crust. The sausage and mash, fish and chips and chicken pie all went down well with our group; the apple crumble, more apple than crumble. The service was prompt and cheerful and we were impressed by the willingness of the staff to listen to the dietary problems of one of the group and suggest and adapt a dish to suit. Value for money: Yes Would we go back: Certainly Recommend: Definitely
I have visited The Florence Arms previously and was looking forward to returning yesterday for a works Xmas meal. I had rung in advance as I am a bit of a fussy eater, and the lady that dealt with me on the phone saw nothing as a problem. She was helpful and polite and there were no issues at all. Sadly I was unable to make the meal last night due to illness. My husband still attended and said the food was lovely and the hospitality great. The reason for this review though is to let everyone know how accommodating this venue is. They offered to box my main meal and dessert and then gave it to my husband to bring home for me to eat the following day. I did not expect it at all and it was such a nice surprise. I emailed this afternoon to thank the staff and they came straight back wishing me well and hoping I felt better soon. I will be returning to The Florence Arms when I am better. If you do have dietary requirements I can assure you that if you phone in advance they will do all they can to accommodate you.
Disappointed with the presentation of the meals, no garnish present, so for example the burgers @£16.95 were delivered as a burger and chips on a plate and looked very poorly presented, having said that the flavour and quality was good. Fish and chips, fish was covered in a delicious batter but the fish was small and only frozen petis pois served which was disappointing at least a choice of mushy minted peas would be better. Chips were average. Lastly I am not happy with dogs on the next table or in the part of the restaurant we are sitting in. I feel that this type of profiteering should be banned or dog only restaurants licensed not mixed with humans for hygiene reasons and safety reasons!
Found this little hidden gem after taking a wrong turning!Walked in to a very welcoming atmosphere and the staff greeted us, we only wanted a drink and was given a table with no problem at all.Saw the Sunday food menu and decided we will go back one day for a roast to try the food.
Restaurantji Recommends
We didn't eat here, but intend to on our next visit. A lovely pub, beautifully decorated, lovely setting & fab staff.A great asset being just feet away from our accommodation. Loved it ❤
It's not the first time we have been here, but this certainly will not be the last! We have always enjoyed the food here and found the service to be superb, having returned after a recent refurbishment and menu change, we can confirm everything somehow has improved on what was already excellent.The new interior is warm and super inviting. We all had starters and mains. Here is a selection of some of them.What I didn't get a picture of is the steak my wife and mum had. This was one of the finest pieces of steak I've ever tasted and cooked to perfection!This all made sense as whilst we were eating a local butcher delivery arrived and the owner confirmed they are using locally sourced meat and produce.Get yourself along and try this place out.Kid-friendliness: Staff super friendly and welcoming to our 3 children.
Having had a fabulous meal at the Florence Arms on a previous visit to Portsmouth about three years ago, we returned with high hopes....and were sadly disappointed. The calamari was minimal in quantity, luke-warm, mostly batter and obviously fresh out of the freezer, the Thai lemongrass coconut curry thin, watery and tasteless, the burnt Basque cheesecake unimpressive. Plenty of alternative places to eat in Southsea. We won't be returning.
We are stopping ing the hotel who owns this gastro pub… the hotel is amazing value for money but the recently decorated Florence arms is really nice, great food, great drinks selection ! Great value for money….! Look out for TIMO who served us very professional, very pleasant ! A credit to the business!!!
Came as a group of 7, 5 adults 2 kids, lovely atmosphere, very friendly staff, food very nice. Not much in options for kids Sunday lunch, but still happy. The gravy was lovely! Would recommend x averaging around £18 a meal , drinks extra.