Southsea is a creative and entrepreneurial area of the city of Portsmouth, UK and home to plenty of dog-lovers. Containing much of the city’s university campus and seaside coastline, Southsea is a vibrant place with an eclectic food and drink scene. As you would expect, coffee is a core part of the scene and boasts some superb independent coffee shops. In this article I list some of my favourite dog-friendly coffee shops in Southsea.
Southsea Coffee
One of Southsea’s longest standing independent coffee shops, Southsea Coffee is owned and operated by husband and wife team Tara and Martyn. On Southsea’s bustling Osborne Road, Southsea Coffee Co. sets the standard of quality coffee, as well as innovative and stylishly-presented food options. As a bit of a coffee purist, I particularly enjoy their V60 and Aeropress made, hand brew coffees and the available choices are changed frequently. Their espresso coffee for the standard coffee-shop range of drinks is supplied by London-based roasters Campbell & Syme, who also supply Southsea Coffee with their own custom blend Southsea Espresso.
The décor and interior design has a superbly well curated bohemian / Scandinavian feel. But just like the food and coffee options, the look of the the interior and exterior of Southsea Coffee is updated before it has a chance to become too familiar. The layout is long and narrow, with just enough space to make your way through the central thoroughfare on a busy day, and most days are busy. The back of the shop opens out into a beautiful urban garden sanctuary, surrounded by high buildings, softened with plentiful greenery.
The dog friendliness of Southsea Coffee is hard to beat. My dog, Belka, has been consistently warmly welcomed by the owners and staff, whether I’m visiting for a take-away or sitting in. For the regular dog patrons, the hidden treat jar often comes out. The space is a little tight, so Southsea Coffee is best suited to more relaxed dogs who don’t easily spook. Chairs scraping on the ground, people walking up and down the gangway, as well as other dogs in close proximity are all to be expected as well as it being an often loud and vibrant atmosphere.
Hideout Coffee Co.
One of my favourite coffee places in the world…and I have been to a lot. Hideout Coffee Company stands out for it’s unique branding and exceptional donuts. It really is like nowhere else. It’s in-your-face somewhat anti-establishment vibe manifests through an interior design style that is hard to label. Part 90’s skater-inspired, part-Scandinavian-chic, with a dose of nostalgic Americana theming, the Hideout coffee shop itself, is a striking space.
The coffee at Hideout is excellent: as well as the standard range, there is often a superb batch-brew filter available, on a when-it’s-gone-it’s-gone basis. They use Cuppers Choice speciality coffee roasters for the beans. A relatively young roasters based out of Sheffield who have a similarly rebellious, high-attitude, yet hugely effective brand. In fact I am drinking a cup of their Rwandan Ngoma right now, which is just excellent.
It would be wrong to list Hideout Coffee Co. without mentioning their donuts. As much as they are a speciality coffee shop they are an equal part speciality donut shop. Hideout has their very own donut kitchen and donut chef working away to create a variety of inventive original donut concoctions as well as more traditional favourites. Often reimagining nostalgic childhood treats such as Jammie dodger, Kinder Bueno, Oreo and Cadbury’s Cream Egg, it is hard to resist.
Hideout are hugely dog friendly, and I would go as far as to say many of the team are dog-lovers. Belka is enthusiastically welcomed, and on occasions the donut chef has come out from the kitchen for the sole purpose of saying hello (to Belka). There is also a dog bowl and a jar of dog treats by the front door.
Southsea Deli
Southsea Deli may be more of a foodie destination but they still make a great cup of coffee. Their current location, in Southsea’s lively Elm Grove, is an impressively grand former bank premises now reimagined in a French farmhouse aesthetic.
The coffee is made with thorough care using Edgcumbe (or now just ‘Edge’) coffee beans. Edgcumbe is a family-run roasters based out of their farm in Sussex and has an almost 40 year history of roasting. But, as much as I enjoy the coffee, it is the opportunity to accompany it with fresh, exceptionally high-quality quiches, pastries and salads that keeps me coming back. Also an delicious, homemade Greek orange cake which goes really well with a black Americano.
Southsea Deli is larger than most other coffee shops in Southsea. So if you are looking to sit inside, with your dog, it is a great option. The tables are generously spaced out but there is also an intangible quality that makes it a calm, laid pack place to spend time.
Steam Rume
A relative newcomer to the Southsea coffee scene, the Steam Rume has surprisingly little online presence. However, it does some of the highest quality of coffee in town. A small, square venue, with a distinctive concrete and dark-wood design, the Steam Rume has a very pleasant, modern feeling interior. Of all the Southsea offerings, it feels the closest to a cool, London coffee shop and I wouldn’t be surprised to find suit-wearing espresso fiends rubbing shoulders with digital nomads.
Steam Rume use London based Caravan roasters for their beans for the espresso based coffees. They also offer, my personal favourite option, the brewed filter which goes through a reassuringly lengthy making-process. The food menu is limited (as are the cakes and pastries) but they are of exceptionally high standard. The filled croissants are a particular standout.
Dogs are very welcome at the Steam Rume but seating layout is such that you are never far from the front door or the ordering counter. So just something to consider if your dog doesn’t like the regular comings and goings of customers.
Broadway Coffee Roasters
An independent coffee roaster, and the only roaster on this list. Broadway Coffee Roasters is one of the most exciting ventures in Southsea, not just on the coffee scene. Its location is a little off the beaten track, on the very periphery of Southsea, but it is worth making the trip to this up-and-coming stretch of Highland Road. It goes without saying the the coffee is spectacular, in both traditional coffee form and in an Espresso Martini!
The coffee shop is a truly inspired space. Long and narrow, Broadway Coffee Roasters is filled with art. The walls are adorned with floor-to-ceiling murals from local street artists. Meanwhile an energetic soundtrack provides the background ambience. Although small, there is so much to take in as you wait for your coffee to brew and I would recommend taking your time to enjoy the space. There is also large range of coffee beans, roasted on-premises, sitting in transparent dispensers, ready to be bagged up and taken away. And the friendly staff are knowledgeable about all of it, and very happy to chat.
Dogs are welcome inside, but might feel more comfortable outside in the spacious curb-side seating area. During the summer, the front space is a real sun trap and can be great for people-watching while you sip a cappuccino.
Baffled Coffee
A steadily growing food and drink empire in Portsmouth, Baffled coffee has three units in total, two of which are in Southsea. Their first shop opened in Fawcett road in June 2016 and has gained a considerable reputation for outstanding coffee and homemade, fresh food.
Inside, Baffled Coffee is a cosy space well used to provide an unexpectedly large amount of seating. The ordering counter top is packed with cakes and savouries, so much that you might be able to make eye contact with your server. All the usual coffee offerings are on the menu, brewed using beans roasted solely for Baffled, by a mystery roaster.
Dogs are welcome inside and there is a generous rear garden as well as a small enclosed, curb-side table area. Even more dog friendly is Baffled Coffee’s second Southsea location, a beachfront kiosk, on Southsea seafront. On summer days this is a great option, for dog walkers and there is a good chance you will be queuing next to someone in a dripping-wet swimsuit.
Hunter Gatherer
Like Broadway Coffee Roasters, Hunter Gatherer is located somewhat off the beaten path as far as Southsea coffee shops go. At the far end of trendy Albert road it is also within reach for anyone about to start, or having finished a stroll along the seafront. Behind Southsea Coffee, Hunter Gatherer is the longest operating coffee shop on the list, being established in 2016. And it is no accident. They have survived and thrived by continually innovating and improving their coffee offering, their kitchen and the shop itself.
The coffee setup at the Hunter Gatherer brew bar is something to behold. A line up of truly beautiful machines, lovingly maintained, all contributing to the purpose of producing an excellent cup of coffee. Their house espresso comes from Sussex based Craft House Coffee, who established just one year before Hunter Gatherer and packed their beans in refreshingly colourful recycled packaging. On the V60 filter coffee side of things, Hunter Gatherer are constantly experimenting with different roasters, to keep their offer fresh and interesting.
The other half of the Hunter Gatherer business is their vegan kitchen which is a revelation. If you want to convince someone that Vegan food can be as good as any other, this is the place to go (and that’s coming from a meat-eater). Food is cooked up fresh to order which means there is a fully functioning kitchen in this modest-looking coffee shop. But looks can be deceptive, and the initially narrow shop-front opens out in a generous rear seating area, ideal for dogs and families.
Little Coffee
More coffee van than coffee shop, but due to its more or less predictable location I thought it should make this list. Weather dependent, Little Coffee services the vast green open space of Southsea common from a position opposite the iconic Queen’s Hotel. From the back of an impressively well kitted out van they make a really great coffee using beans from Hampshire-based roastery, Moon Roast Coffee.
Southsea Common is the go-to walking spot for local dog owners making Little Coffee a daily ritual for many. Unlike many other coffee vans that have come and gone in Southsea, Little Coffee have been incredibly consistent. Unless the rain is pouring or wind howling, Little Coffee will almost certainly be in situ. What I have also grown to love about Little Coffee is the micro-community that has built around it. You will often find customers gathered, especially during the summer months, choosing to enjoy their coffee by the van with other patrons.
One of the founding members of Little Coffee has now branched out to take on the Southsea Tennis Club pavilion. Although I have not been able to try the coffee, I’m sure they will have brought their Little Coffee expertise with them to this landmark venue.
Jon
Jon is an adventurer at heart. He has driven 8000 miles across Europe, completed multi-day hikes and swum with sharks. He has had a long and impressive career managing in a training and education business as well as leading transformational change during Covid-19. He has now taken the brave decision to step away from corporate life to pursue his creative ambitions. He is currently editing his first book as well as creating this blog. Together with Lauren, Jon has embarked on many adventures including a winter road trip of Italy, a sleeper train tour for his birthday and kayaking in the Galapagos Islands.