Deep Blue (Clarence Esplanade) in Portsmouth

At the beginning of the summer we intended to walk past this place after reading the poor reviews, however walking by we liked the look of the food that was being enjoyed outside. We asked a couple of people if their fish ‘n’ chips were good, their replies were “yes”, so we gave it a go and we really enjoyed our fish ‘n’ chips that were served up. So much so, that we along with friends now come down to Southsea from outside the city once a month and head for Deep Blue. The chap serving is very pleasant and helpful, the food is cooked to order, today’s fish was cooked to perfection, the portions are just right, reasonably priced & served up in a nice cardboard box. We have downloaded the deepblue app which gives loyalty points for future discounts. Yes, it is busy at times & there can be a bit of a wait. The thing that lets this place down is the tables outside, they really do need some attention, although today there were four newer ones. There are plenty of benches overlooking the sea, up on the hill a short walk away. We’ve become regular customers, always very satisfied…

Queued for at least 10 minutes before our order was taken. Nice chap on the till, however there were only 2 members of staff there, on a busy evening in the summer holidays. We waited outside for our order, realising groups of people in front had been waiting 20 minutes + for their food. The cleanliness outside was horrendous, picnic tables dirty, rubbish all over the floor. We finally received our order after a 30 minute wait, there were no chips, thankfully she was happy to add them, the fish had such dark batter on it didn’t look very appealing. Taste overall was ok, but we were so hungry at this point we’d of eaten anything! We wouldn’t go back nor recommend.

We live in Southsea and had planned a fish supper treat. We went along to Deep Blue around 6.30pm. We waited in line to order. People who had ordered had been waiting around 20 minutes and were getting impatient. The server briskly advised us anyone who ordered next, there would be a half hour wait. We patiently waited at least 10 minutes to place our order after that. We felt our business was not really wanted and if it was not such a nice evening we would have left and gone to spoons, however we did order and waited indeed the 30 minutes. Wish we hadn't. The fish was burnt to a cinder. The batter was dark brown and fish overcooked as a result. We could have taken it back, but by then it was around 7.30pm, so didn't bother. We will avoid in future. Our bill for 2 regular fish, 1 regular chips and a curry sauce was around £22.

Lovely chips and chicken/fish bites. Cooked to order and decent portions. Kids' meals came with cartons of fruit juice, which was great to see an option that wasn't fizzy or water. Shame there wasn't indoor seating to get out of the wind or for when it's wet.

Excellent food and excellent customer service Please try you will not be disappointed Everything about this is great.

Staff too busy chatting amongst themselves to serve customers waiting. Had to wait for a saveloy to be cooked,in which case you’d expect it to be piping hot, but no it was cold in the middle so I threw it away. Chips were burnt . Seemed like one male member of staff was doing all the work…. cooking and serving so it’s no wonder really.

I have visited here quite a few times over the years and always had a good meal. After my experience yesterday, ordered a large piece of fish, this was so overcooked the batter was rock hard, the fish was almost invisible due to the thickness of the batter. All for just under £10. Then came the chips, one scoop for just over £4, total waste of money and how can chips have burn marks on them as if they’ve been in an oven? Not an ideal experience at all and won’t be going back to any of the local stores

Went for lunch a couple of weeks ago and can say it was one of the best fish and chips I’ve ever had. The cod actually tasted like cod and the batter held together beautifully. Will be back again

I think some reviews are a bit harsh or something here has changed. Popped in for lunch, the girl behind the counter was so friendly and helpful, had cod and chips and 2 haddock and chips. Freshly cooked to perfection with really nice chips too, and some nice mushy peas on the side. Impressed as well with the lack of greasy oil in the bottom of the container like you get at so many other places.

Spotted staff sat outside smoking on one of the tables, when I asked if I could order they then proceeded to tell me that they had closed early for “staff training” despite no notice on the door or website. Rather disappointing.

Popped in To get a quick portion of chips after a rather wet dog walk. The staff were friendly and polite, a complete contrast to the dismal weather outside!

Called in on New Year’s day, Bank Holiday Monday, 2023. When I say “Called in” I really mean queued up outside to make a collect order at the front window. This was my second visit in two years (it’s taken me that long to recover from the shambles of the first visit) and I was more than disappointed to discover that the place should be renamed ‘Fish’. Why? Because at around 1.15 pm on a Bank Holiday Monday the Manager poked his head outside the door and cheerily announced “No more chips today!” As I trudged off I took a quick pic of the area around the collect window. If that’s anything to go by regarding general cleanliness it looks like I had a narrow escape regarding the non-chips.

I tried ordering Haddock/Chips but no Haddock for a Saturday for some reason.. Anyways I ordered a plaice/Chips & can of Fanta & I can’t understand how the guy managed to burn the Batter to the fish- it was inedible & I hate Burnt batter.. Pulled the burnt batter off around the edges & the Fish was cold in the middle so gave to the seagulls the fish (what a waste of money but don’t want food poisoning) & then the chips were re heated so much they were crisps so you guessed it the seagulls had the chips aswell.. I told the lady I can only be honest & hopefully they take onboard my comments as the guy cooking the Fish clearly needs re training when your paying over £12 to just feed seagulls.. Still hungry whilst writing this & Im sorry but I think I’ll stick with Deep Blue Mother Kelly’s in future.. (See pics for Crispy Burnt on Batter to Fish)

We had a delicious family meal here. Great battered sausages and chips and the kids chicken bites are out of this world. Thanks to Debbie for the fantastic service. We can't wait to come back.

Last Monday evening so no other place open so had to go here , Fish was very over cooked the batter was almost black , the chips also very over cooked more like walkers crips rather than chips , Fish was like what you would get from iceland same shape and taste also , infact both pieces of fish the same shape so i think they came from iceland or ASDA . I will never go back so dissapointing .

We was in the queue to order and I notice the man on the till had his hand down his trousers / pants (didn’t take that much of a detailed look) but it was obvious to see and not something you want to see who deals with peoples food. Obviously walked out and went elsewhere

Food was incredible, freshly cooked. Cod was lovely and fresh good curry sauce. Staff very friendly, will defineately come again

I haven’t been to it for few years. They used to be good but now very bad fish and chips quality for 8£! The tast of fat clearly hasn’t been changed for a long time. The fish was soggy dripping oil all over the chips underneath . The fish didn’t test fresh. For that price you would expect that at least 2 freshener wipes are included for cleaning the hand before and after Avoid!

Got Cod and Chips and 6 pieces of squid.... was £13 something and the chips where cold and they were those kinda chips that are small, hard and pointy like no soft potato inside just all little pointy chips (which I like but not the whole portion being that) and the fish was ok, but was thin.... like the cheap stuff you get in iceland for £2. The squid was ok, could have done with more seasoning. Have had good meals here but my poor boyfriend doesn't have a lot of money and decided to treat himself and it was quite bad for what he paid. You gotta remember Deep Blue, not all of us are 52, no mortgage and have a property we rent out to a nice young couple, some of us are in our 20s, work full time, try to pursue our dreams in our own time and eat tinned food the rest of the time to save money so when we get a bad deal like this when were trying to treat ourselves its a bit heart breaking... guess it don't matter when you got a chippy empire though. £13?!

I have just had the most awful fish and chips ever, it is quite clear the person cooking the fish is in need of training and assessment on how to batter and cook fish that is edible, the whole system at this restaurant needs a reveiw, waiting times for the food (35minutes) is just not acceptable, especially when you get the meal it is of such poor quality, who ever the manager is please address this poor service, because this particular "Deep Blue" is in DEEP trouble and not get away with this situation much longer.