The Bridge Tavern

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#110 of 541 Restaurants in PortsmouthBar, British, $$ - $$$

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The Bridge Tavern

Review

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About

Right on Old Portsmouth's Camber Dock, The Bridge Tavern is a traditional country pub with a wonderful friendly atmosphere and a great menu of fine food and drinks. The only surviving pub on Old Portsmouth's East Street is the perfect spot for a family get-together.

Features

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

American Express

Digital Payments

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Street Parking

Television

Visa

Wine and Beer

Location

54 East Street, Portsmouth PO1 2JJ England

Street Parking

Is this a pub?

Yes

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Hours

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Closed now

• Opens at 12:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Monday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Tuesday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Wednesday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Thursday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Friday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

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3.9

574 reviews

Excellent

251

Very good

154

Average

Poor

Terrible

Margaret E

Chichester15 contributions

Such a disappointment!

Oct 2022 • none

Living at Gunwharf Quays we have always been proud to take visitors and friends to the Bridge Tavern on a number of occasions and, until recently, we were never disappointed. In the summer we took a visiting friend for a fish and chip lunch there and we were surprised that the meal was poor with a thin sliver of grey fish in a coating of undercooked batter instead of the usual sumptuous offering. We put this down to an unlucky experience and, on the recommendation of a friend, booked a Sunday lunch there last weekend for four. This proved to be an even bigger disappointment. The two ladies thankfully chose the 'small portion' only to find it served on a very small plate that made the cutting up of food almost impossible without spilling onto the table. The small portion could at least have been served on a normal sized dinner plate. The food was luke warm but, as we had waited some time for it to arrive, we decided to eat it quickly. Half way through the meal a waitress asked if everything was all right. We explained the food could have been hotter and she volunteered to take the plates away to warm them, but we had almost finished by then. The meat was adequate, although my turkey slices had large amounts of tough gristle at one end. The roast potatoes were beyond belief. Large potatoes had been cut in half and apparently steamed or boiled, showing them briefly at the end to a small amount of fat so that there was no crispness about them whatsoever. The steamed vegetables consisted of a large amount of cavolo nero, a few carrots and a couple of asparagus tips, the whole plate looking quite uninviting. As the waitress took our plates away with the untouched items clearly visible, we said how disappointing the meal had been. She hastily retorted that she had offered to heat up our meal but we had refused, putting the blame clearly on us. I'm afraid it will be a long time before we try Sunday lunch at the Bridge Tavern again.

Written November 4, 2022

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Sharon T

Portsmouth33 contributions

Average roast dinner

Oct 2023 • friends

Came for Sunday roast - staff were very attentive . Ordered a roast and homemade shepherd pie . Roast beef came with separate veg which included grated carrot ! Not sure why grated . . My friend had shepherd pie which when delivered was not very hot so sent it back A fresh one arrived when I had just finished my dinner Staff were good and gave my friend a free beer for inconvenience - would I rush back probably not x

Written October 29, 2023

The Pensioner Adventurer.

Portsmouth59 contributions

Definitely Not a Bridge to Far.

Oct 2024 • friends

I visited The Bridge Tavern on a lovely autumn afternoon to catch up with some of my cycling mates. There is a carpark near that you have to pay for and is not too far if you are not so good on your feet. Outside the pub are many tables you can sit at and enjoy the sun should it be out. We chose to sit inside to have our lunch, there were five of us and we found a table to accommodate us. There was a nice selection of pub grub available. The bar staff allowed us to run a tab without the need to register a payment card, that might be because we are too old to do a runner 😊 The food came in reasonable time. The five of us had fish and chips and there were no complaints by anyone. The bar and waiting staff were pleasant and helped make the visit to The Bridge Tavern a good experience. I would happily return. Some of my reviews may seem unforgiving but I come from a time when everything was not “Awesome” and “near enough was not good enough”. So, if I say something is “Excellent” that is because it is somewhere better than most others… and well worth considering visiting. I hope this review was of help, please consider following my travels & reviews in the autumn of my life.

Written October 7, 2024

Reem Pery

Rustington7 contributions

Unpleasant

Aug 2024 • couples

Booked a table for 2 an hour before arriving. Upon arrival, they didn't have a clue about my booking at first. I ordered fish (turbot), with veg & potatoes. Got a part of the fish with 80% bone, & hardly any flesh. The veg was over-boiled & looked as though it was from a frozen packet (the carrots were not cut by hand), The potatoes were the only things I could eat but generally it was a very poor effort, while charging me £30 for that plate. The service was unfriendly & unhelpful when I requested dairy-free dessert. Really poor effort. It was my first time there. I don't live in Portsmouth, but if I visit the city again, I will avoid The Bridge Tavern.

Written August 3, 2024

Amira C

1 contribution

Poor Food

May 2024 • family

Absolutely awful food. We had two pies one with mash and the mash looked and tasted like it was slopped out of the bin. We also ordered a burger which its beef patty as well as tasting awful, could break a window. It’s a shame but if you can’t perform over a lunch time we won’t be coming back

Written May 27, 2024

GRL

World6 contributions

Good beer, lovely location, poor food

Jul 2022 • none

We loved the look of this traditional waterside pub and enjoyed some good beer/wine outside before deciding to eat dinner there as well. Very disappointed with our meal. Passable starters, nothing special with nice salads on the side. For main my husband's John Dory was slightly overcooked and the burger in my son's pulled pork burger was also overcooked. Both came with nice sides (veg and sautéed potatoes). But my shark was inedible. Completely charred black on the outside and spongy flesh inside, some of which wasn't cooked. It was covered in a large amount of sauce but no amount of sauce could hide the fact that it was ruined and everything tasted burnt. I complained to the waitress who said she'd talk to the manager. No-one came out to apologise and eventually we called the waitress over again and she said I would be refunded. But by this time the others had eaten their dinner and the kitchen was shut so I missed out on my dinner. Another lady, who we may have been the manager, eventually took away our plates and reluctantly agreed that the fish was "a bit overdone" and said that it had been a long day and it was hot in the kitchen. No apology, just an excuse. We would not eat there again but if you want a decent pint of beer in a good setting then it's a nice pub.

Written July 15, 2022

William C

1 contribution

Awful

Dec 2023 • business

Came to the Bridge for our Xmas do, as we did last year. Last year was great, this year was terrible. Something has happened, the service from the Bar Staff was still good, but they were understaffed and lacking a senior manager to handle the many problems with the food. Our food didn't all arrive, and to our surprise the kitchen closed without warning, it was a disaster, when my colleague asked to see the Duty Manager, apparently the Landlord was no where to be found. The food that did arrive was not fit for human consumption. Please if anyone else has booked this pub for xmas please try and cancel your booking.

Written December 8, 2023

the5c_sfamily

Portsmouth16 contributions

Never again

Nov 2024 • family

Turns out I made an error when booking and got the wrong day. After arriving and the place was nearly empty, we were made very unwelcome by what I assume was the manager/ Landlady. If that’s how she treats first time customers who were there for an impromptu lunch, then she deserves for us to leave and spend our money elsewhere. I personally felt very embarrassed as it was the first time we had been introduced to one of our guests and We only booked last minute on recommendation from a friend. Good job we were not secret diners.

Written November 2, 2024

Lucy H

Wolverton3 contributions

Cook/Chef or Microwave/Oven Technician?

Jul 2024 • couples

The Bridge Tavern has over the last two visits been rather disappointing. Last time the fish was served uncooked. Today's visit was due to us attending Shakespeare Garden Event (which was amazing). It was busy… On ordering our drinks my Pepsi arrived flat, queuing once again the other half ordered a lime and soda. Now you would think that was an easy drink to get right…. I am afraid not, I was unable to taste any lime but hey the soda was fizzy! The meals we ordered were not great. The kitchen was obviously overwhelmed so much so that they shut the kitchen at 7pm until the following day!. I feel the cook/chef is more of a microwave/oven technician who has a particular penchant for the use or should I say overuse of pepper. The braised cabbage was inedible, the presentation poor and the choice of accompanying vegetables for each dish rather bizarre to say the least. At no stage did a member of staff come to do a meal check. Our food would have been cold had we waited to get a member of staff's attention to highlight the issues. This is all rather sad as I really like The Bridge. After this visit however, we have decided it is our last visit for food. Due to our experiences, I can no longer recommend The Bridge

Written July 31, 2024

Andykeithharris

Reading267 contributions

Excellent Food

Jan 2024 • family

A pleasant pub in the middle of the harbour area. Menu heavily (but not exclusively) fish orientated. Food cooked to order so slight wait for the food to be prepared, but worth the wait. Smaller portions of some dishes for older people or those with smaller appetites. Fish fresh as would be expected and well cooked, Crab sandwiches very tasty too. Heartily recommended

Written January 24, 2024

Patsy C

36 contributions

Disappointed

May 2024 • friends

Fish pie was luke warm and cold in places, obviously been in the microwave. Three meals were fine. Waited 50 minutes for desert and sent 2 back, disgraceful. We have eaten there before and it was fine, we spent £178 I feel as if I've been robbed.

Written May 3, 2024

Francis007

12 contributions

Dull and drab

Jan 2025 • solo

I'm not keen on writing up a poor review for pubs like this but you have to write as you see it I think I was in Pompey a few evenings ago and as my usual pub on the Hard was closed for refurbishment, on a recommendation, I ended up at the Bridge Tavern. Now it was a cold grey evening but boy was this place drab and dismal in my opinion. Poor lighting and not very welcoming. When I entered there were 7 other punters there. By the time I left just me and two others. This was at 19.30. I was hungry and they only had a limited " Monday Madness " menu on offer. So I had a pint and chose a chicken curry. It was just about ok but the chicken was rubbery and tough and clearly the dish had come straight out of a microwave. Seated next to me were an older couple who I think were tourists. When their dish of choice arrived , the gentleman immediatey returned it to the Bar Staff as it was cold ! A young lady brought it back after a minute or so without a word of an apology. The dish was a Plaice fish dish and then I watched out of the corner of my eye, this guy took bite after bite and he had to remove multiple bones from each mouthful ! Just not good enough ! Now I accept that this was a cold winters night with not alot of folk about. And I have heard that this place is pretty lively when the weather improves. I have also been told that their fish and chips dish is very good. As it should be with the Fish Market just a few hundred yards away. So, I may have come on a poor night but this was just my verdict on a grim experience

Written January 23, 2025

Sarah W

1 contribution

What a difference a day makes!

Mar 2022 • none

We visited the Bridge Tavern on Monday evening and has such great food and service we decided to revisit the next evening. Such a marked difference, particularly in the welcome and service of the FOH staff :( I ordered a steak, which came with cold chips and undressed salad. The steak was also cold and very tough and grainy. I have experience in kitchens and this poor piece of meat had definitely not been handled well. On Monday when we asked for mayo etc. we were handed a box full of condiment bottles. On Tuesday I was given the smallest pot of mayo and had to run off and ask for a second pot as both my husband and I wanted to dunk our chips! When the staff member did a 'check back' I explained the issues above. Looking quite grumpy, she said she would speak to the chef. She duly returned with cash to refund us for the steak. She then explained that I had eaten quite a lot of the steak before I had decided it was overcooked!! I did try to respond that I was hungry, but she stalked back into the bar area! In this day and age, when money is incredibly tight, I think we all just expect better service and a sincere apology would have gone a long way. Oh, and we never got asked if we wanted desert, which was a real shame as the creme brulee the night before was super!

Written March 18, 2022

Debi H

Swansea43 contributions

A quick lunch stop

Sep 2022 • none

Stopped for lunch on a sunny Friday. It was warm enough to eat outside and the table areas were very clean. The menu was varied and the staff very helpful. My partner had fish and chips: the fish was perfectly cooked, batter crisp and dry. Some tripled cooked chunky chips would be a suggestion. I had a pesto ciabatta with salad and chips, it was well presented and tasty. The inside of the pub was immaculately clean, as were the toilets, always a good sign that pride is being taken in the establishment.

Written September 20, 2022

Susanne R

Portsmouth2 contributions

Excellent seafood & fish

Sep 2022 • none

5 family members came for the 1st time to this public house/restaurant, and are we glad we did. We were greeted with a very warm welcome from a young lady behind the bar and shown to out table. The lady who escorted us to our table realised mum(who turned 80 today) might need a chair that had a bit more cushioning so she came and asked if mum wanted to change the chair, which she was really grateful for. We all decided to have fish and seafood starters, for mains we all chose seafood and fish again. Only 3 managed dessert, I wish I could have fitted one in but sadly no room. Everything that we had was beautifully presented, and the food was to die for. We are looking forward to returning in the very near future. The two young ladies that served us were really attentive, friendly and polite going above and beyond.This place is well worth a visit in my opinion and the rest of my family. ,

Written September 5, 2022