Eating Out on the Isle of Wight

Eating out on the Isle of Wight

I am often asked for food recommendations on the Isle of Wight.

From friends, guests and islanders.

I thought it was about time I put pen to paper 😉

A Unique perspective

It is worth mentioning that one third of The Wight Place Team (me!) has a rather unique intolerance.

I cannot eat foods with preservatives in, so my recommendations are for places that serve fresh, home cooked foods predominately.

We are very lucky on the Isle of Wight.  So many places use local, fresh ingredients and even without my crazy intolerance – I think they should be celebrated and enjoyed by everyone.

As always, I have enlisted the help of Little Miss Wight Place when compiling our favourites, so you can be assured that lots of these recommendations have been tested out on a family friendly basis too.

 

Pancake Stack
The Freshwater Coffee House famous Pancake Stacks

Cafes, Coffee Houses and Casual Lunches

The Freshwater Coffee House.

When visiting West Wight, this is our go to for breakfast, lunch or even an afternoon treat.

Stefan, Becky and team are probably the friendliest café owners I know.  They seem to have time for everyone, but still serve up amazing food in a timely manner (without any signs of stress!).

We can recommend the pancakes
.. in their many forms (Little Miss Wight Place has tried them all!)

Comic Coffee

Based in Newport (and now in Cowes too) this coffee house is definitely unique.

If you are partial to super heroes, waffles or milkshakes – you are in for a great treat!

Snacks and Ladders Board Game Café, Newport

If you love a good board game, why not combine it with a coffee, milkshake, lunch or cake?

A perfect rainy day hang out (or any day for that matter!).

Bluebells Café

Situated on a working dairy farm, Briddlesford Farm.

Along with great food, you can enjoy a Welly Wednesday Farm Tour, a Farm Shop and the occasional cow to say hello to.

Isle of Wight Pearl

We have had afternoon tea, lunches and coffees here and always been impressed.

The view from the café is an added bonus.

To find out more about visiting Isle of Wight Pearl, have a read of our blog.

Cantina, Ventnor

One of our favourite breakfast hang outs.

All cooked fresh and to order and its not just your ‘normal’ breakfast dishes.  I struggle to tell people what kind of food Cantina serve, because it's unique, different, changes regularly and I am not sure what the answer is 😉

Toni's Tea Room

Commanding a great position on Ventnor Esplanade, it's not just the views that are great.

Our favourites are the paninis and scones - vegan and gluten free options available too.

 

 

Cantina
Expect Unique dishes at Cantina

Good Pub Grub, Bistros and Burgers

The Highway Inn

A traditional country pub situated in Totland.

A really lovely meal chosen from the many specials on their blackboard, you really are spolit for choice.

The Taverners, Godshill.

If really good pub food is your thing, The Taverners will be your thing.

The Bistro, Ventnor

I had a very simple but amazing tasting lunch here with one of my girlie friends. The perfect spot to read a magazine, admire the surroundings and have an affordable ‘posh’ lunch.

The Met Bar

Set on Ventnor Esplanade, new owners have taken over The Met Bar.  Following a trial of their seafood platter and some calamari, I have added these guys into the mix of faves.

The Cow

Burger Lovers - head to The Cow next to Tapnell Farm.

Your one stop shop for all things burger related (and not just meat ones).

If you like a cocktail, you could be in for an extra treat.

Stripped

Stripped on the Road is a burger van, but not as you know it.  The burgers are of a top restaurant standard.  Our favourite location is St Catherine's Church in Ventnor for it's uniqueness.

 

The Cow Burger
A Burger Lovers Paradise; The Cow

Pizzas

I have an expert pizza connoisseur in the family.

She is 8 (now just about to turn 11 and the vote still stands!).  There is nothing she doesn’t know, love and admire about pizzas.

She has even asked to live in Italy previously.  (pasta and ice cream are her other loves)

The Llama Tree

“The best pizza on the island” status is given to The Llama Tree at West Wight Alpacas.

This status has stood throughout her many pizza tasting sessions, including her 'research' on the mainland!

Enjoy a pizza (or something else off of their menu), and then visit the alpacas and other animals.

(Worth noting you can visit the Cafe without having to pay to visit the Llamas and Alpacas – although we haven’t quite managed that yet!).

WightWood Pizza

A very close 2nd goes to WightWood pizza.

A small van that pitches up in regular spots and serves amazing pizza around the island.

If I’m honest, the special on a Friday night sat in Freshwater Bay on a summers evening may just be my number 1 slot (Don't tell Little Miss WP that!)

 

Pizza on the Beach
Pizza at Freshwater Bay courtesy of WightWood Pizza

Roast Dinners

The Hungry Bear

I think our favourite roasts in recent times has to be The Hungry Bear

Now based at Rectory Mansion in Brading, their moto is “simple food done properly” and that’s exactly what you get.

I need to try their infamous breakfast and burgers soon.

Crab and Lobster Tap

For Great Value, we always recommend the Crab and Lobster Tap in Ventnor.

A good roast at a good price.

The Griffin

For a simple Carvery Style roast – we were pretty impressed with The Griffin in Godshill.

Kid and dog friendly too with a great garden to sit in during the warmer months.

 

Roast Dinner
An impressive Sunday Roast at The Hungry Bear

A special Night Out

Smoking Lobster

If you love fish, good service and watching the world go by, The Smoking Lobster on Ventnor's Esplanade, is the place to chill.

The only drawback -   I can’t drink rose wine and I always want rose wine when sat having a fish dish on a barmy summers evening on Ventnor Seafront.

nb - They have opened another restaurant in Cowes too, but I haven't made it there yet!

 

Smoking Lobster
Fish Delight at the Smoking Lobster, Ventnor

We are very lucky on the Isle of Wight, spoilt for choice when it comes to good eateries.

These are just a few we thought worthy of a mention.  We hope to add to the list over time.  If there are places you think we should try - especially if they serve local, home cooked food, do get in touch.

I am also starting to share my food intolerance adventures on my Facebook Page Little Jax Corner.  Plenty of island food is featured.

Lastly, if Eating Out is not your thing, there is always the option of dining in - make sure you read about our Private Dining island experience.

Happy Eating and please let us know your favourite places to eat out on the Isle of Wight

 

Jackie, Justin and Daisy aged 8 x 

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