Brunch at Salt Café, Portchester

Brunch is an excellent way to start the weekend – and even better when you’re brunching by the sea! We’re just a few weeks into 2020 and I’ve already ticked a place off my list of places to eat in Hampshire this year – and I’m so pleased to have finally visited Salt Café in Portchester! You’ll find Salt Café down a unassuming residential road, tucked away inside WicorMarine Yacht Haven. Extremely popular with locals, boat owners and dog walkers alike, I’ve been hearing rave reviews about Salt Café for years and I’ve been meaning to visit since I worked just around the corner in Portchester.

Ideally located right on the waters edge and overlooking Portsmouth Harbour, it’s easy to see why Salt Café is such a popular place. Combining excellent food, homemade bakes and a coastal view, this is the perfect spot for brunch.

To find Salt Café, walk through the boatyard until you reach the slipway – the café is just next door. During the summer, there’s also The Paddle Club open – although the weather is definitely not warm enough for paddleboarding at the moment!

You might also like this post, Breakfast at Southsea Beach Cafe, Portsmouth

As we entered the café, I was surprised by how beautiful the decor was given the modest exterior – plenty of plants, rustic furniture, cosy sofas and nick-nacks to buy. Welcomed by the warmth after our frosty walk, we managed to grab a high table in the window for the best view.

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I can see Salt Café being extremely busy in the summer, with their extensive seating on their deck and adjacent pontoon. Definitely one for a leisurely sunny lunch!

The menu is served all day, with brunch options, savoury bakes, pastries and homemade cakes. An impressive selection of choices! Salt Café is a good spot for anyone who is vegan or has specific dietary requirements – offering vegan brunch dishes, gluten free bread and a range of alternative milks.

I settled in with an oat flat white and enjoyed the bustling atmosphere while we waited for our food. It was fairly busy when we arrived, but the coffees did arrive promptly – which was welcome as it was such a cold morning!

Our food arrived quickly – and it was beautiful.

We both opted for the crushed avocado, feta, crispy bacon and poached egg on sourdough toast, drizzled with chilli oil and served with a smile. What a beautiful brunch dish!

The egg was perfectly runny, the chilli oil added a nice kick and I enjoyed the salty freshness of the feta in contrast with the creamy avocado & crisp bacon. A delicious, well executed dish – simple ingredients that pack a flavour punch.

If you visit Salt Café, order this!

Unable to resist the lure of freshly baked, homemade cake – and justifying our choice with the fact that it was almost midday – we followed our avocado toast with more coffees and some cake.

An excellent decision.

I opted for an oat latte and a rather large slice of carrot cake – Dad chose a banana & chocolate cake, topped with peanut butter frosting. Definitely indulgent, and definitely delicious.

Our coffee and cake was even better when enjoyed with this view! One of my favourite things about where we love is the ability to head to places like Salt Café, right on the water, for breakfast. There’s really not a lot better than a fresh coastal breeze in the morning!

So, all in all, Salt Café was excellent. The coffees, avocado toast and cakes were all delicious and tasted so fresh – coupled with the location and cosy interior, this is definitely going to be a regular for us.

We’ll be back soon for brunch, and definitely in the summer for lunch on the deck & a glass of Pimms!

Visit Salt Café on Facebook to find out more – they’re open from 9am to 4pm or 5pm every day.

You might also like to read my Hampshire Food Guide to the Best Breakfasts in Hampshire.

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