New restaurant opening on the Solent: The Lightship

The Lightship offers both a high-end dining experience mid deck that combines 1940s retro with contemporary touches, and a more relaxed, drop-in spot on the top deck for seafood platters and cocktails for a vibrant atmosphere and a sunset backdrop.

The boat’s iconic location also boasts unparalleled views across The Solent and the historic Portsmouth Harbour.

Since opening at the end of June, The Lightship has become the perfect spot for intimate suppers, with the mid-deck restaurant offering an ever-changing seasonal menu designed by Head Chef Jamie Fegan – all of which has been inspired by The Lightship’s surroundings.

Using fresh, locally caught fish and the finest seasonal produce, the menu is packed with an array of simple but perfectly crafted dishes.

Highlights from Jamie’s menu include British oysters served with a selection of dressings, as well as the crab ravioli served with lobster bisque and samphire, which is an absolute delight of a starter.

The turbot fillet served with The Grange velouté, tempura rock oyster, pickled radish, asparagus and pea is sublime, with a fine balance of textures and flavours, while the pig cheek accompanied by chicory, apple, potato terrine, pea puree and cider jus is comfort food mastered to a high degree.

Save room for dessert because we recommend the passion fruit and pomegranate ‘Eton’ meringue with Chantilly to finish such an exquisite meal.

Alongside the impressive food menu, The Lightship also offers a brilliant range of drinks from local producers including wines from The Grange, local beers and ales from PowderMonkey, gin from Mermaid Gin and rum from Solent Spirit.

Cocktails include a selection of modern classics with a twist, such as the Lightship Collins and a Smoked Old Fashioned, as well as signature serves like the Spring Garden and Tom Cat.  

We highly recommend a sundowner on the top deck for ample views of the water and boats passing by. The top deck can accommodate 80 seated guests and boasts a bespoke seating area built within the ship’s iconic tower, as a playful nod to this unique architectural detail of the venue. Meanwhile, the inside mid-deck can host 70 seated inside, with a further 30 outside.

Bringing some 1940s glitz and glam to Haslar Marina, the interiors of The Lightship have been completely transformed by Tanya Lippuner of Isle of Wight based interior designers, Vivus. The interior scheme marries the branding of The Lightship with the history of the ship’s service, which spanned from the 1940s until the 1990s.

The outcome is a lightly retro-themed interior with a glamorous take on Art Deco and mid-century design, bringing together an amalgamation of key design periods of the time. The décor itself features vintage nautical elements as a nod to the ship’s history.