Places to Eat on the Isle of Wight

Sit back and relax in the beautiful outdoors at Adgestone Vineyard’s alfresco bistro café, which has extended outside seating. The Vineyard’s menu offers a delicious selection of cold meat and cheese platters, mezze boards and nachos, all of which have been selected to accompany the wine.

Briddlesford Lodge Farm, located on the Isle of Wight's north coast, is a working dairy farm with an award-winning herd of Guernsey cows. Sample fresh fare in the café featuring veal, milk, and cheese produced at the farm. 

Offering their own hand made chocolates and desserts along with myriad of specialty coffees, real drinking chocolate and tea infusions, Chocolate Apothecary has something for everyone. They’ve even introduced a savoury chilli made with their 72% Cacao Tanzanie Chocolate!

The Cow Restaurant offers award-winning burgers and steaks served in a relaxed, family and dog friendly atmosphere amidst stunning Island views in a unique converted Swiss barn at Tapnell Farm.

The Garlic Farm is one of the Isle of Wight's most popular visitor attractions. This Island eaterie has built up a trusted regular clientele of happy diners, not to mention the thousands of visitors who scour the shop for garlic-related food produce, then slip into the café to savour those delicious flavours.

This café restaurant at the bottom of Ventnor Cascade has become the breakfast destination of choice for many locals and visitors alike with its fantastic views of the small Haven, lots of outdoor tables for the days when it's not raining and big picture windows for the days when it is.

From full English breakfasts to an extensive cocktail menu, La Cantina's Ventnor High Street location is always busy and bustling. Soak up the industrial vintage vibe and savour a menu featuring modern British favourites with continental influence. 

No summer visit to the Isle of Wight is complete without a visit to The Hideaway, where guests enjoy fabulous sea views and a picturesque garden. Enjoy locally grown veg and a great variety of brews on tap. 

Fresh sea breezes and stunning sunset views are the perfect accompaniment to whatever you're craving: a casual burger and fries, a romantic dinner, or a crisp glass of Champagne. Try the steak tartare, grilled lobster with fries, or the Southern pork belly ribs 'n slaw. 

Seafood fans, make sure to add The Crab and Lobster Inn to your Island itinerary: check out the fresh daily specials or opt for the hot or cold seafood sharing platter for two. 

The Lifeboat stands proudly over East Cowes Marina, which is a huge favourite of visiting yachtsmen in the summer, but also a family-friendly home-from-home for locals too. In the summer, the large outside decking area offers one of the best riverside dining experiences on the Island.

Coast always seems to be busy and it’s got a real buzz about it. A bar, a restaurant, a coffee house and a cool place to hang out, Coast ticks all the boxes. Enjoy good food any time of day, or snack on tasty nibbles with a glass of good wine.

Local produce features heavily on the fine dining menu at Dan's Kitchen, with plenty of options for vegetarians and all types of food preferences. The restaurant is a popular choice for those who like good food and friendly service – be sure to book ahead! 

Savour tapas, fine wines, and cakes with a side of sunset views. Wrap up in a blanket on a slightly chillier evening, or take your dinner indoors, where the ambience is warm and welcoming. 

Unwind in Art Deco-inspired surroundings as you sample the Island's best pizzas, perfectly paired with a glass of wine or your favourite brew. Check out the stunning sea views, equally impressive whether you're dining indoors or out. 

Salty's is party central – you'll notice the fun, upbeat vibe as soon as you enter. Sip your favourite brews and savour locally-sourced dishes. Don't miss karaoke Saturdays for a great night out. 

The Island’s top chef now has his own restaurant, Thompson’s, in the centre of Newport. Guests can opt for open kitchen-side dining downstairs or one of the two dining rooms upstairs. Acknowledged as the best, Robert Thompson and his young team strive to “put smiles on people’s faces” with locally sourced produce and creative dishes.

The bright blue Boathouse, on the edge of fashionable Seaview, is a characterful and comfortable seaside pub with nooks and crannies, in a marriage of modern and traditional styles. On summer days the doors open out to the surrounding patio and side garden and there’s live music on Sunday lunchtimes.

Specialising in seafood and Mediterranean Cuisine, The Waterfront's mouthwatering menu includes homemade stone baked pizzas, pastas, locally caught fish, crab & lobster, daily specials and much more. Experience some of the finest sunsets in Europe over a drink paired with freshly prepared delicious Mediterranean cuisine.

On the edge of the river down by Newport Quay, you'll find the Bargeman’s Rest - a large pub themed with barges and boats in days of yore. Every surface and spare inch of the interior has a ship’s antique upon it, giving the impression that you might be on a boat.

The Buddle is fondly known as one of the Island's most popular and historic inns frequented by locals and tourists alike. Ale fans can choose from five real ales sourced locally and nationally. Local breweries that feature on the pumps are Yates Brewery (they like the Buddle so much they can regularly be seen frequenting their ale here!), Goddards Brewery and Island Ales. The Buddle also stocks ales from the south coast and on occasions further afield.

One of the Island's best-kept secrets, Burrs has a loyal local following, with a set menu and a la carte dining and a comprehensive wine list. Try the famous Ventnor crab and spinach brulee. 

One of the smallest pubs on the Island, Cowes Ale House is all about the beer with five guest ales from the wood in barrels behind the bar. Billed as a traditional drinking establishment where people come to socialise, it hosts a popular Wednesday Quiz Night and live music on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. 

A traditional English pub located on the beach, Fisherman's Cottage is the perfect spot for beachgoers and families. Enjoy seafood dishes and classic pub favourites as well as a large selection of lagers. 

Right on the edge of the River Medina, the Folly Inn was once within an old boat that had grounded on the bank. Now a thriving waterside pub and restaurant, the Folly has a big balcony overlooking the water and even boasts its own harbourmaster for the moorings and short landing pier here.

A family-friendly pub featuring a children's menu and an outdoor play area, Hare & Hounds delivers a traditional English pub experience with modern facilities and lovely park views. 

A mecca for walkers, the Highdown Inn nestles beneath Tennyson’s chalk downs just minutes from the Needles, encouraging those passing by to rest awhile. A huge open fire warms the bar in the winter and there’s a jaunty sailing theme to the interior, which has pine and oak furniture.

Morgan's is a popular restaurant for locals and visitors alike, with an airy interior, locally-sourced ingredients, and an extensive wine list. 

An award winning pub for over 15 years The New Inn at Shalfleet has been chosen for the Michelin UK Pub Guide for the past three years. Known especially for its food, with many awards for pub dining, it is a characterful village pub at the foot of Newtown Estuary.

With possibly the largest menu of all the Island pubs, the Old Village Inn Steak and Ale House in Bembridge covers all bases from good old fashioned pies, through all the pub classics to an extensive list of curries. Food is served all day, every day, and you really are spoilt for choice.

Catch the big match at the Stag Inn, or opt for a quiet dinner in the garden room conservatory. On sunny days, the garden tables are perfect for families, with a children's climbing house keeping smaller customers entertained. 

With decor touches like lanterns, lifebelts, and portholes, you can really believe you're on board a ship at the Steamer Inn. Feast on fresh seafood and check out live music at weekends. 

Steeped in 600 years of history, the Sun Inn is packed with old-world charm and boasts beautiful sea views. The menu features classic pub fare, seafood, and veggie options, with light bites and a well-stocked specials board. Enjoy live music Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. 

The Anchor is situated in the very heart of Cowes town centre and its bustling International yachting scene. Opposite Cowes Yacht Haven and just a short stroll from the Red Jet ferry terminal, it is the ideal place to relax after a hard day on the water.

A traditional Island pub for more than 400 years, today's Blacksmith's Arms offers a great selection of real ales and continental beers, seasonal Isle of Wight produce and seafood, a large beer garden, and an impressive kids' play area. 

A beautiful thatched pub in the heart of the old village of Shanklin, The Crab serves a wide variety of food all day. Dine al fresco or soak up the pub's cosy, rustic atmosphere. 

An award-winning, family-friendly pub that prides itself on excellent service, the Fighting Cocks features an extensive outdoor eating area with a playground and cosy indoor nooks perfect for intimate drinks and dinners. 

An historic pub known especially for its food, the Pointer Inn at Newchurch sits at the top of the village next to the pretty church, with its wooden tower. The Pointer wins many awards for its food and also for its beer – this is a Fuller’s real ale pub too.

The Red Lion is a traditional country pub in a quiet location in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight. The pub is comfortably furnished, relaxing and includes a warming log fire which burns peacefully throughout the winter.

The Spyglass Inn is one of the iconic buildings of Ventnor and has a reputation that is founded on good grub, great beer and a fantastic atmosphere. This is enhanced by the live music which is presented free of charge most evenings as well as lunchtime on Sundays and features many of the Isle of Wight's top local musicians.

A olde worlde country pub in the centre of the pretty village of Godshill, The Taverners is known for its fabulous food. Produce is bought daily depending on what is available at the markets, from the farms and what has been caught, foraged, shot or hunted – they even grow their own vegetables.

The Union Inn features plenty of cosy nooks and bags of character. Try the Union Fried Chicken, a gourmet burger, or a 'proper pie'. Warm up next to the roaring fireplace with an ale, or take in Sunday's live jazz and Wednesday's quiz nights. 

The White Lion is a village pub that welcomes walkers and dogs. An extensive menu is supplemented by a good specials board, a variety of ales on tap, and plenty of dessert options. 

The White Horse Inn pub is reputed to be one of the oldest in England, let alone the Isle of Wight, the building being constructed in 1454. With many more than 500 years of heritage and hospitality behind us you can expect a warm and friendly welcome at any time of the year. Choose from an extensive menu, gather around the main bar area, and let the children run off extra energy in the kids' playground. 

The Wight Mouse Inn is a great base to begin exploring along the southern stretch of the Island for walkers, cyclists and families. After a lazy lunch go out and see just what this rugged stretch of coast has to offer.

Yarbridge Inn's cosy vibes, extensive menu, and kid-friendly atmosphere make it a popular choice – be sure to book as it only has a few tables. Enjoy beef and stilton pie, beer-battered fish, and stroganoff to fuel up for a day of exploring, or choose from lighter fare and delicious desserts.