Lovely sunny and friendly. Food was great, especially the cake. Great place to come on your own and…read moreread the papers or chat with friends.

According to the website of O'Brien's coffee shop in Palmerston Road, Southsea, "We love our…read morecustomers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours." Well, don't believe the first part of that statement, at least. The proprietor/manageress was appallingly rude to me this afternoon. When I politely asked her reheat my lukewarm coffee, she point blankly refused justifying it on "health and safety" grounds; specifically that the cup would be too hot (like no-one ever reheats coffee cups at home). When I suggested she pour reheated coffee into a cold cup she dismissed my suggestion then proceeded to shut down any conversation before walking away and criticising me to another customer (I can lip read). Then, when I approached her to complain at the end of my time (and cold coffee) in her establishment, she shut me down again, aggressively insisted I leave, and effectively marched me off the premises. When I pay nearly £4.00 for a cup coffee I expect it to be reheated if I ask for it to be reheated. The health and safety excuse is just that, an excuse presumably designed to get patrons to buy yet another overpriced coffee. Very short-sighted of them as I will never return to this coffee shop again, and I drink a lot of coffee! Today, when I told the manageress I would not be returning all she said "I don't care!". This is way below the minimum expected of even basic - let alone good - customer service and not the way to run a successful business enterprise. As the "10-12 Rule" goes, it takes approximately 10 to 12 positive customer reviews to negate the damage caused by one negative review. Based on that, and with at least four other coffee shops within about two hundred yards of O'Brien's, I fully expect the manageress - if not the business - to be gone within six months. Appalling attituded toward paying customers. There are many friendlier coffee shops with cheaper but better tasting coffee nearby. Unless you enjoy your requests being denied, your complaints being dismissed, your status as a paying customer being negated and your self-identity being insulted, I strongly recommend you avoid O'Briens's of Palmerston Road, Southsea. In sum, terrible. If it was possible to score it one star (out of five) I would. Additional To add literal insult to injury the owner/area manager of O'Briens in Palmerston Road Portsmouth responded to review (of my negative experience in his/her coffee shop yesterday) by emailing me. First, he/she justified their original policy with without logic or substance. Second, at no point was any apology offered for the manager's treat of me. Third, the owner/area manger then insulted me personally making things even worse than they already were. No wonder so many other negative customer reviews about O'Briens have been left on this and other review websites. Their hostie attitude both times is quiet incredibly really. Alienating then insulting a customers who started off with a perfectly reasonable request (so not even a complaint) is precisely how NOT to run business. I will never set foot in the building again. I strongly recommend people try any one of the four or five competitor coffee shops in and around Palmerston Road before. I know for a fact their customer relations are a whole lot better than O'Briens.

You'll find this cafe in the cascades at the exit of Woolies. I call it a cafe, but it's a bit like…read morea glorified coffee stand. I find I feel a bit exposed sitting there with a coffee. The drinks are OK but for the money there are a lot of other places I'd rather have a cuppa. I think it's just the location.

Benjy's is right next door to Greggs in Commercial Road…read more It has a small breakfast bar style area to eat in as well as a couple of tables outside. They do sandwiches, salads, drinks and hot food. I like their coffee, as it's only a quid for a huge filter coffee, and it's good coffee. Also if you pop in late in the day (I sometimes pop in on Sundays) they often reduce the prices on some of their salads and sarnies so you can pick up a tasty snack at a bargain price. They always keep it clean and tidy and the staff are very helpful too.

Even though they are right next to Gregg's Benjy's does a roaring trade. A nice bonus is that there…read moreis seating inside and out. As with many of their competitors they do a meal deal of a drink, crisps and sandwich. Personally I prefer their pasta salads and fruit salads. All their prices are competitive and I'd agree with the other reviewer that their filter coffee is good. I tried an Americano there once but prefer the filter coffee (and it's cheaper too)!

Stopped by for afternoon tea and cake. Nice variety of cakes and tastes delicious. It is a relaxed…read moreand friendly place. If you don't live far it is pleasant to walk there amd back. Ob a sunny day it is worth sitting outside. Will return when the opportunity arises again.

Went for 'Afternoon Tea' after purchasing a voucher of Amazon Local which was valid for about 3…read moremonths. It was very nice to, lots to eat, choice of tea, coffee. Would do again. Staff were friendly & checked if all was well.