HUIS Southsea: Belgian Bar & Kitchen Bringing Continental Comfort to Elm Grove

Since opening its doors in April 2015, HUIS Belgian Bar & Kitchen has quietly and confidently established itself as one of Southsea’s most distinctive dining spots. Tucked along Elm Grove, the venue is the creation of owner Simon Docker, whose vision brought a slice of Belgium to Portsmouth. Nearly a decade later, it remains a reliable favourite among locals who know good food when they taste it.

Step inside and you’ll find a warm, dimly lit bar with the gentle hum of conversation, an impressive wall of Belgian beer bottles, and the unmistakable smell of dishes cooked slowly, patiently, and with purpose. HUIS has always been about comfort, not the heavy-handed sort, but the thoughtful, chef-driven kind where beer meets gastronomy in a way Portsmouth rarely sees.

Food is served daily until 10 pm, and the menu leans into classic Belgian cooking, updated with modern touches. Prices range across the board, but the ethos is clear: quality ingredients, long-developed flavours, and dishes designed to be paired with beer rather than wine.

Menu Overview

HUIS offers a mix of small plates, indulgent croques, mussels, and hearty mains:

• Small Plates: £8.50 – £18.50

• Croques (Gourmet Toasted Sandwiches): £13.95 – £16.95 (+£3 for frites)

• Moules et Frites: £23.95 – £25.95

• Traditional Mains: £18.00 – £24.95 (Steak is the exception at £32.95)

• Sides: £4.00 – £7.50

• Desserts: £9.50 – £10.95

• Bottled Beers: £5.60 – £9.50 (mostly £7–£8)

• Draughts: £5.90 – £8.30

Broadly speaking, you’ll spend £8.50–£33 on food and £3–£9.50 on drinks, placing HUIS firmly in the mid-to-premium bracket. But what you get for that price is a menu crafted around depth of flavour, beer-forward cooking, and a clear passion for Belgian tradition.

What to Order at HUIS Southsea

With dishes inspired by Brussels bars and Antwerp brasseries, the kitchen shines brightest when it leans into Belgian classics: mussels, stews, frites, and dishes rich with beer. Here are the standouts.

For the signature experience

Moules Marinière with Twice-Cooked Frites

It’s impossible to go wrong here. Fresh mussels in a light, aromatic broth, paired with those wonderfully crisp frites. A glass of Tripel Karmeliet alongside completes the picture.

For a cold evening

Three Beer Carbonade – £19.50

Belgian beef stew slow braised in three beers. Deep, hearty, and quietly addictive. It’s the culinary equivalent of a wool blanket.

For the cheese-inclined

Baked Camembert with Truffle Honey & Figs – £18.50

Utterly indulgent. Gooey cheese meets sweet truffle honey, and it all vanishes distressingly quickly.

For something a little different

Fromage Bleu & Poire Croque – £15.95

Blue cheese, beer-poached pear, and truffle honey. It reads like a sonnet and tastes like one too.

For the adventurous eater

Deep-Fried Lasagna – £19.50

Yes, genuinely. A lasagna schnitzel. Ridiculous, comforting, and absolutely worth trying at least once.

For meat lovers

Duck Confit – £24.95

Cherry beer glaze, pistachio, and perfectly judged richness. A contender for the best dish on the menu.

For vegetarians or something lighter

Champignon – £20.95

Wild mushrooms, dark beer, cream, and earthy depth. A truly elegant vegetarian option.

For those who always save room for dessert

Jamaican Ginger & Rum Waffle – £10.95

Sticky, warm, fragrant, and very hard to resist. The kind of dessert that makes you briefly forget your responsibilities.

Final Thoughts

HUIS remains one of Southsea’s most characterful venues, offering an experience that feels both European and unmistakably local. The combination of Belgian beer culture, hearty cooking, and relaxed atmosphere makes it a strong candidate for one of Portsmouth’s best independent restaurants.

For locals, it’s a dependable favourite. For visitors, it’s the kind of place that quietly convinces you that Portsmouth’s food scene is far richer than you expected.

Visit Huis Website to find out more - https://www.huissouthsea.co.uk