Discover food and drink on the Isle of Wight

Savour the flavour and be inspired on the Isle of Wight!

In need of some dining out inspiration? Here's some ideas for a little bit of what you might fancy to eat or drink on the Isle of Wight during your visit, from locally reared meats as part of a hearty roast, to champagne and seafood served right on the beach.

Seafood

The clue is in the name Isle of Wight, and being surrounded by water, there is a huge choice of restaurants, pubs and cafes that serve the freshest and best fish and seafood. So why not Say Yes to a fishy on a dishy on your holiday.

The Smoking Lobster has quickly gained a reputation for pan-Asian seafood cookery and its two restaurants in Ventnor and Cowes are extremely popular.

The Hut at Colwell Bay has featured on television regularly since it opened ten years ago and offers some stunning views over the Western Solent from its beach-front location to go with your local catch.

One of the Island’s longest-established seafood restaurants is Murrays, located in Cowes, which has been open in the yachting town for 40 years and is still serving mouth-watering fish dishes.

Wherever you go on the Island, the fish is always fresh and Best Dressed Crab or The Beach Hut at Bembridge, Salty’s in Yarmouth and Samphire Coastal Kitchen in Ventnor are more options.

Sunday roasts

The Isle of Wight is renowned for the quality of its locally-reared meat and what better way to sample it than by Saying Yes to a Sunday roast.

Isle of Wight pubs and restaurants have built up great reputations for the great British roast and you are spoilt for choice.

Many of the venues use beef, lamb, chicken and pork from the Isle of Wight Meat Co.

The Hungry Bear at Brading has a real name for the quality of its roasts but if you are looking for a pub experience, why not try a hearty carvery at The Chequers Inn, Rookley, or a roast at one of these fine pubs: The Boathouse, The Taverners, The Sun Inn Calbourne, The Buddle Smuggler’s Inn, The Pointer Inn, The Blacksmiths, Off The Rails Yarmouth, The Bistro, The Griffin, or The Eight Bells.

Treat yourself to something special

Sometimes on a trip away from home it’s the occasion to spoil yourself with a little fine dining.

The Isle of Wight has no shortage of lovely places to dine or lunch and has a growing reputation for beautifully cooked and presented cuisine.

Across the Isle of Wight, from Bembridge to Yarmouth, Cowes to Ventnor, there is oodles of choice.

One of the latest additions to the offering is The Brasserie at Foresters Hall in Cowes, which is brought to the Island by the people behind The Smoking Lobster restaurants in Ventnor and Cowes.

Other options include: The Royal Hotel Restaurant, The True Food Kitchen, Heron, The Seaview Hotel Restaurant, The Terrace Yarmouth, Number 3, The Coast Bar & Dining Room, The Hambrough Restaurant, Mojacs Restaurant and Bar, Gastronomy Cowes, The George Hotel & Restaurant, Albert Cottage Hotel Restaurant, Lakeside Park Hotel Restaurant, Ganders Restaurant, Thompson’s & You Be Chef, or The Hut.

Hearty pub grub

What better after a walk, cycle or leisurely day of sightseeing, than to retire to one of the Island’s many cosy pubs in towns, villages and countryside.

As well as some tasty Isle of Wight ales and the usual array of drinks, there is some rib-sticking food to be had.

From Rob Burrows’s signature Newchurch Pie at The Blacksmith’s to classic, crispy fish and chips, there are loads of great hostelries to check out.

Plenty of pubs have gardens so you can take advantage of lovely views, the Isle of Wight’s legendary sunshine and play areas for kids to enjoy, including at The Chequers Inn, The Eight Bells and the giant inflatable pillow in the play area at The Fighting Cocks near Arreton.

Why not also take a look at: The Fishbourne, The Birdham, The Old Fort, The Red Lion, The Lifeboat, The Anchor, The Woodvale, Bargeman’s Rest, Steamer Inn, The Bugle Coaching Inn, Portland Inn, The Dairyman’s Daughter, Spyglass Inn, Appley Manor, Horse & Groom, The Cedars, The Blenheim, The Waverley Inn, White Hart Inn, Pier View Pub and Kitchen, Fountain Inn, Medina Quay Beefeater, The Travellers Joy, The Folly Inn and The Old Corner Bank.

Farm kitchen delicacies

If you want to get up close and personal with some of the Isle of Wight’s farms and producers, there are a number of amazing places to sample Island produce.

This year there are two new additions to the choice available.

Goddard’s Brewery, one of several producing quality ales, has moved to a new purpose built premises at Branston. Visitors can see how the beers are brewed, sample the ales and enjoy a meal in the Firkin Deck Restaurant.

Down the road to Newport at Horringford, Harvey Brown’s is set within a working family fruit and veg farm and features a café, food hall containing the best of Isle of Wight produce, and its own butchery.

Some of the other places to visit to sample Isle of Wight goodies are: The Cow Restaurant & Bar, The Garlic Farm Restaurant, Quarr Abbey Teashop, Mermaid Bar at Isle of Wight Distillery, Bluebells at Briddlesford and The Fleming Arms.

Fancy something a little lighter?

If you are looking for a lighter bite on your travels, there is no shortage of tearooms, coffee shops and cafes.

For fabulous cakes, luscious lattes mouth-watering sandwiches as well as anything else you might fancy while out and about, try: Quay Arts Café, The Pearl, The Freshwater Coffee House, Dimbola Tea Room, Caffé Isola, No 64 Shanklin, Lady Scarlett’s Tea Parlour, The Piano Café, PO41 Coffee House, The Blue Door Café, Gods Providence House, One Holyrood Tea Room, or The Lunch Box Cafe

Italian restaurants

If you are hankering after an Italian meal while on holiday, then say Ciao! to the good folk at the long-established trattorias at Valentino’s in Carisbrooke, Pavarotti’s in Shanklin, Michelangelo Restaurant in Ryde or Toninos Italian Restaurant in Cowes.

Newer bambino on the block are Prego in East Cowes and Met Italia on the Esplanade at Ventnor.

Signature produce

If you are staying in self-catering accommodation or planning a picnic, don't forget to try our delicious Isle of Wight tomatoes, garlic, chilli, sea salt, oils, cheese, milkshakes, meats and freshly grown veggies. Available to buy locally at farm shops, local retailers and online.

Dietary requirements

The majority of restaurants on the Island offer several vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan and gluten free options within their menu, we recommend checking menus online before booking.