Coast or Countryside?
One thing the Isle of Wight offers in abundance is delicious food, warm hospitality, and stunning vistas around every corner. You’ll find many Isle of Wight pubs, cafes and restaurants nestled in the countryside or right by the coast, serving up delicious food and spectacular views.
Maybe you’re looking for the freshest seafood just a stone’s throw from the sea, or to sample the Island’s tasty local produce right where it was grown and reared. The Isle of Wight offers great range of gastronomic experiences to suit every taste and appetite, making it a food lover’s paradise.
And to help you plan your Island culinary adventure, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of great places for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, where you’ll be treated to both the great taste of the Isle of Wight and beautiful outlooks across coast and country too.
by the sea
If dining out on a freshly caught seafood, sipping crisp white wine, and basking in the pinky-orange hues of sunset bouncing off the sea sounds like your idea of heaven, we’ve got you covered. Surrounded by 70 miles of beautiful coastline, there’s a great choice of places to eat and drink across the Island that are right on the water’s edge.
For hearty pub grub with unrivalled views of the sea, The Spyglass Inn at Ventnor is a must visit. Relax on the terrace right next to the water with nothing on the horizon but France! Fisherman’s Cottage at Shanklin is a charming thatched pub, right on the beach! Something you don’t find every day and well worth a visit. A firm favourite with visitors, The Crab & Lobster at Bembridge overlooks the beach and sea, with a sunny terrace and plenty of fresh fish dishes, including a delicious seafood platter. The Woodvale at Gurnard is a must visit at sunset, with a large, tiered garden ensuring everyone gets a good view. While The Lifeboat at East Cowes is a real suntrap come summer, with a large terrace overlooking the marina and river behind – the perfect spot for a cool fruity cider.
For something a little more refined, try The Terrace restaurant at Yarmouth overlooking a walled harbour and out to sea, or the Smoking Lobster at Ventnor overlooking the bay – don’t forget to pop to the Drunken Lobster in town for cocktails too! A popular summer hang out is The Hut at Colwell Bay, serving up a trendy menu and extensive drinks list – sunset here is spectacular and you can even arrive by boat. Or try True Food Kitchen at Castle Haven, an alfresco restaurant right on the cliffside of the most southerly point of the Island.
For a light bite by the water, visit the award-winning Finns Beach Café on Sandown Beach, famous for their breakfast smoothie bowls that taste as good as they look, and their tasty take on lunch. The Dell Café in Ryde overlooks the expansive sands of Appley Beach, a great spot for dog owners year-round. For seafood fresh off the boat a visit to Best Dressed Crab is a must, a floating café on Bembridge harbour right next to their fishery. The Waterfront at Totland is a long-standing family favourite serving up award winning fish & chips and The Old Fort pub at ‘Seaview’ too – the name of the village says it all!
in the country
Perhaps the welcoming sight of a thatched pub on the horizon after a leg burning countryside stomp is more your thing. The kind of place where muddy boots and paws are always welcome, there’s a crackling log fire to warm your cockles and a hearty menu of tasty favourites to enjoy with infinite views of green…
On the Island you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to great rustic pubs in the heart of the countryside, and The Blacksmiths at Calbourne is one of the best. Family run, the pub serves up a good selection of hearty plates in a country kitchen setting, with awesome sunset views across rolling country. There’s a great garden with play area and a terrace for warmer evenings where you can even see the sea.
One of the oldest pubs on the Isle of Wight, you’ll find character by the bucket load at The Buddle, a traditional smuggler’s inn at Niton undercliff. Expect flagstones, exposed beams and a roaring log fire inside and a sunny terrace in summer surrounded by a “Smugglers Trail” walking route, a well-executed pub menu and a short walk to the iconic St Catherine’s Lighthouse.
For families look no further than The Chequers Inn, surrounded by countryside (and horses for the pony mad) with great outdoor play facilities for kids. Offering a choice of specials and pub classics, the pub does a popular carvery roast on a Sunday.
Other pubs in picturesque countryside locations include The Wight Mouse at Atherfield in the West Wight, just a short distance to the scenic military road. The High Down is not far from the Needles and tucked beneath the Tennyson Monument and Culver Haven sits atop Culver Down, with 360 views of East Wight.
You’ll also find a great selection of cafes to choose from when out and about exploring the Isle. Pedallers Café at Newchurch on the Red Squirrel Trail is a popular pitstop with walker and cyclists, a countryside retreat right on the cycle path set in pretty gardens. Off the Rails at Yarmouth is an old railway station turned café along the cycle path, offering unrivalled views of the marshes from the platform and a creative menu for both humans…and dogs! The Bus Stop Café at Arreton is just that, a big yellow bus serving up homemade cakes, breakfast, and lunch in the middle of the countryside.
on the farm
Maybe you’re in the mood for towering juicy burger made from locally reared meats, oozing with cheese, topped with crispy bacon, accompanied by crispy fries and 360 views of farmland stretching right to the sea…
For this you need to head straight for The Cow at Tapnell Farm, specialising in burgers made from locally reared beef (veggie and vegan options also available) set against the backdrop of the rolling west Wight landscape. Drop in for food or make a day of it walking the trail around the farmland or check out the Farm Park with the kids.
For pretty views across rural gardens complete with chickens, highland cattle, peacocks and red squirrels, head for The Garlic Farm in Newchurch. This cosy farm kitchen serves up a whole load garlicky goodness for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With a cosy log burner in winter, garden seating in summer and a red squirrel feeding station right outside the window - your best chance to see our cutest residents.
For a bit of everything Island under one roof, make your way to Harvey Browns in Arreton. Your one stop farm shop and kitchen, you’ll find the best of local produce available to eat, try and buy. Views from the restaurant and garden dining areas stretch for miles across green farmland – with Harvey Browns growing their own strawberries, potatoes, squash, brassicas, sweetcorn, grains and specialising in asparagus.
If sitting with a glass of wine on a warm summer’s afternoon, nibbling on a grazing board, enjoying live music, and marvelling at the views from the Brading hillside sounds idyllic to you – get yourself over to Adgestone Vineyard.