Special places that more often than not, are difficult to find
I thought I had tried them all. But the best are always the last to be found.
The Spade & Fork is a small independent, family run cafe offering some of the best homemade food you will find in Chichester and West Sussex.
That includes the best hot chocolate anywhere. According to David who despite his tender years, considers himself to be an expert on these sort of things.
Breakfasts, light lunches, delightfully gooey chocolate brownies, afternoon tea and delicious home baked cakes.
It is not difficult to find the Ocean Basket in Kingston upon Thames. Stands there bold as brass.
Directly across the street from Nando’s. But as an out of towner, it was the parking that got me circling around the Kingston riverfront.
Not once but twice.
Until I eventually figured out that the Rose car park is literally around the next corner. First left, first right. No problem.
We took a chance on a Sunday afternoon without a booking. Despite the restaurant being packed they found us a table for two inside, as we had requested.
Next time we book, and it will be outside overlooking the river.
A laid back, family friendly, seafood restaurant with a distinct rustic Mediterranean theme and the unmistakeable hint of an occasional South African accent.
Taramasalata, halloumi, feta, olives, cucumber, tomato, calamari, fish spice, oil and a slice of lemon.
Besides the chips which were a bit meh, what more can one say?
Generous portions meticulously prepared. Served with an irresistible creamy lemon sauce, big-hearted hospitality and a little Mediterranean madness.
Seafood that is as simple and tasty as it is affordable.
Most of the food is served piping hot straight from the grill in a pan or long platter. No fuss, no nonsense, just scrumptious and ready to share.
The Meze and sharing platters are made for everyone to tuck in and enjoy. A variety of flavours, eaten with ones hands, sharing the experience.
Nothing pretentious here. Simple casual dinning at its best.
Rowlands Castle Afternoon Tea
facebook.com/Rowlands-Castle-Afternoon-Tea-103963265273672
36 on the quay van, carrot and orange cake
cake jars which is great if you don’t want a whole cake to demolish in 3 days
bareassbakery.co.uk
Wild Tea Bar
wildteabar.com/
Frog Hollow Catering is at Tuppenny Barn every Thursday
froghollowcatering.com
Amy Louise Downie
facebook.com/amydowniee
Michelle Fettroll
Salt shack café have delicious homemade cakes
Charlotte Chalmers makes lush treat boxs different things all the time
facebook.com/charlotte.chalmers.9083
Jessica Randall is amazing, perfect cakes every time!!!
facebook.com/jesse.randall.35
EMs Sweet Treats
facebook.com/emssweettreats2/
[Edit] There is hope yet. Have found a Chichester bistro, the Jam Cafe in South St, which offers a menu that includes Welsh Rarebit as well as a number of other small plate options. It is definitely different 2025-08-21
[Edit] The Green House Cafe has changed hands, changed their name and I don’t believe there is French Toast on the menu any longer. Going to miss the Welsh Rarebit as well. 2021-12-05
Not sure why but French Toast and Bacon is a rare find.
Just one of the slightly different breakfast options you get at the Greenhouse Cafe in Emsworth.
As slightly different as not being presented with a soggy croissant that has been nuked in a microwave to warm it. Something that has happened to me one more than one occasion in places which should know that it is never done.
A small independent family run cafe where slightly different makes a big difference. Where you can get a homemade meals, good coffee and the hospitality to match.
There is something irresistable about street food and food vans
Whatever the day, whatever the weather they are still flippin’ tasty. The food van I never knew about. Found in Terminus Rd in Chichester.
Burgers that come in all shapes and sizes, toasties, wraps and baps for lunch as well as a fully loaded breakfast.
[Edit] 29/1/22 Closed unfortunately. Another Thai cafe/restaurant opening in the old premises.
The closest you will get to Thai street food in Portsmouth is Noodels. Found in Edinburgh Rd, at the City Shops South Stop A, just around the corner from the Cascades Shopping Centre.
The beef noodles noodles are delicious
Self service, chilled water and condiments sets seldom seen in the UK.
For such a small community, when it comes to coffee, there is a lot going on.
Caffe Isola is part of Island Roasted Coffee a family business that besides their speciality coffee and freshly prepared food sell a wide range of coffee and tea equipment as well as offering in-house training courses including Homebrew and Barista training.
PO41 situated in the old post office building in the heart of Yarmouth offering delicious homemade cakes and Union Hand-Roasted Coffee. They take their coffee seriously ensuring the highest standards of quality , taste and of ethical trading.
Kids are kept busy painting pottery at the Chessell Pottery Café . With a beautiful setting in West Wight, Chessell Pottery Café provides a homely, friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee with some delicious homemade cakes and scones.
Every now and again one bumps unexpectedly, into a bistro that is distinctly different.
Hammett’s Kitchen in East Wittering is just that. Different, very different.
Fully loaded cheese dogs.
The best filthy fries on the south coast
And those gourmet, artisan, uniquely concieved burgers that literally drip with flavour.