ChatGPT and Google AI recommend closed Portsmouth restaurants in new dining experiment

Diners using artificial intelligence (AI) to find somewhere to eat in Portsmouth could be directed towards restaurants that have already closed, according to new research.

A study by Portsmouth-based digital marketing agency Koozai found that both ChatGPT and Google's AI Mode recommended permanently closed restaurants when asked to suggest places to eat in the city.

The experiment also revealed significant differences between the two platforms, with 66% of restaurant selections differing despite being given identical requests.

Koozai tested the AI tools across ten everyday dining scenarios, including finding a Sunday roast for under £20, somewhere dog-friendly to eat and seafood restaurants serving lobster.

Each platform was asked to recommend five restaurants per scenario, producing 100 recommendations in total.

Researchers then checked the suggestions against the original search requirements, looking at factors such as whether restaurants were still trading, their menus and their suitability for diners.

Which Portsmouth restaurants did AI get wrong?

Among the findings was ChatGPT's recommendation of Clarence Pier Brewers Fayre in Southsea as a family-friendly dining option.

However, the popular seafront restaurant had already closed on 30 June 2026, nearly four months before the experiment took place.

Google's AI Mode made a similar mistake, recommending Samphire, a Southsea seafood restaurant that was recorded as permanently closed during Koozai's checks.

The research also identified recommendations that did not fully match what diners were looking for.

When asked to suggest restaurants serving lobster or seafood platters, ChatGPT included The Fisherman's Kitchen in Southsea. Although the restaurant serves seafood, researchers found that it did not offer the specific dishes requested.

Another ChatGPT recommendation, The Fawcett Inn, could not be fully verified following a change of management in September.

ChatGPT and Google AI offered very different choices

Perhaps one of the most surprising findings was how differently the platforms responded to exactly the same questions.

Across the ten searches, just 17 restaurant choices appeared on both platforms' corresponding five-restaurant shortlists.

For two scenarios, finding affordable places to eat and restaurants serving food after 8pm on a Monday, there was no overlap at all between the recommendations.

Overall, 47 of ChatGPT's 50 recommendations met the search criteria, compared with 49 of Google's 50 suggestions.

However, both platforms made errors, demonstrating that even when AI provides seemingly helpful and detailed recommendations, the information may not always be accurate.

Why does this matter for Portsmouth diners?

The findings come as more people turn to AI when deciding where to eat.

Research published in October 2026 by hospitality technology provider Zonal, in partnership with NielsenIQ, found that 19% of British consumers already use AI tools to help plan visits to pubs, bars and restaurants.

For diners, inaccurate recommendations could mean arriving at a closed restaurant, discovering that a particular dish is unavailable or finding that a venue cannot accommodate their requirements.

Sophie Roberts, managing director at Koozai, said: "When someone searches for somewhere to eat, they're often looking for something specific, whether that's a particular dish, a price range or somewhere suitable for the whole family.

"From experience, customer expectations matter enormously. If people arrive expecting something that isn't available, or discover a venue is closed, that's a frustrating experience before they've even sat down.

"AI search is becoming another way customers discover restaurants, so businesses need to understand how they're being represented and whether the information being shared is accurate.

"Restaurants should regularly review their menus, opening hours, websites and third-party listings, and test how AI platforms describe their business.

"Accurate information won't guarantee an AI recommendation, but it's an important starting point for making sure potential customers can find what they're looking for."

While the research represents a snapshot of the recommendations provided on 20 October 2026, rather than a wider assessment of either platform's accuracy, it highlights the importance of checking restaurant information before making plans.

For Portsmouth diners, that could mean taking an extra minute to visit a restaurant's official website or confirm its opening hours before heading out.