Eat, Drink & Stay
Intro
Apart from dividing the majority of the places I am mentioning into loose geographical areas, I haven’t used any particular ordering system. This is done in part so as to make clear I am not promoting one place over another. I am giving you a lot of names and places – all of them which we know ourselves from personal experience or from that of former clients.
The first thing for me to say is please take a look at all the other pages to find the suggestions for eateries and watering holes and accommodation on each one. They won’t necessarily be repeated here, and you could be missing out!
Wherever possible – I refer you back to other pages when I have listed something here that has already been mentioned elsewhere.
So, some places on this page you will have met before, but some you won’t. I start by featuring a few places in some detail, because they are fantastic places that I feel will benefit from a little more background information from our side. Other terrific places we have dealt with in more detail on other pages and hence, not replicated here.
We feel very conscious that we have left out so many wonderful places that we could have recommended but it is just not possible for us to include a cast of thousands. But that can all be rectified when we speak in person if I think somewhere that maybe does NOT appear here would be particularly appropriate for you. We are ever mindful that these are your precious moments and experiences – nobody else’s. Where you eat, drink and stay constitutes an extremely important part of your time with us – whether you are here for one day or longer.
The Hut, (Colwell Bay, West)
Having recently added a sister restaurant in Antigua, The Hut is now even more firmly established on the map of European ‘must visit’ restaurants than before. With waiting lists in the height of the season, it’s good to get your booking in way ahead of time if possible.
Its prime waterfront location and famed for its wonderful sunsets, it truly offers an all-round gastronomic experience which is hard to beat. Many would feel that a visit to the Isle of Wight isn’t quite complete without a meal here, be it lunch or dinner. Staff tend to ask when you phone to book, whether you are ‘arriving by land, sea or air’ – a question which is pretty sure to immediately raise your expectations of your ‘Hut experience’!
Their RIBs will bring you straight in if you come by boat, they will also meet you if you arrive by helicopter (having a place nearby where you can land) as well as meeting you from the ferry at nearby Yarmouth if you arrive that way. They pretty much have you covered!
The Albion, Freshwater Bay (West)
The Albion Hotel and The Rock, its highly recommended restaurant
With its prime waterside location and showing off its recent seven-million-pound makeover, this really is the place to be! Virtually on the beach, it overlooks our stunning cretaceous dinosaur coast and the two remaining Freshwater Bay rocks which have inspired the restaurant’s name.
The Albion through the eyes of local artist Anna Keen
The Freshwater Circle members were familiar with an earlier incarnation of this hotel with the same name. A yet earlier version was called The Cabin, still the name of the current hotel’s bar.
Its lovely newly appointed General Manager Joseph Warren and his team will pull out all the stops to ensure you have a wonderful visit – whether as a hotel-, or restaurant-guest.
IOW Distillery, nr. Ryde (North-East)
Situated on the outskirts of Ryde in stunning countryside, visitors are invited to watch the distillation process, sample the spirits crafted at the distillery or enjoy a Mermaid gin and tonic on the terrace, looking out over the valley.
The first distillery on the Isle of Wight was licensed in 2014 by friends Xavier Baker and Conrad Gauntlett. Combining a wealth of experience in brewing and wine-making with locally sourced ingredients, they have created a range of premium spirits that express the beauty and character of the Island they love.
The Mermaid bar at the Isle of Wight Distillery also offers a wide selection of cocktails and delicious food menu, local wines from Rosemary Vineyard and local ales from Goddards Brewery, as well as a selection of teas and fresh brewed coffee.
East Dene, Bonchurch (South-East)
Famous for being the childhood home of Pre-Raphaelite (and somewhat eccentric) poet Algernon Swinburne. (see more on Literary & Musical Wight page). The house was built in 1824 and is a Grade II* listed Regency villa in what is a truly stunning setting.
Recently bought by new owners, it has been restored to its former glory with much love and immaculate attention to detail. They have opened up this truly spectacular home to share with you to stay in during your time with us here on the Isle of Wight. Many types of accommodation are on offer – as will be seen on their website. They also have an outdoor swimming pool and tennis court.
You will have plenty of lounges to relax in and you will be transported back in time and relax and unwind the minute you walk through their doorways – each one a work of art in its own right. We are convinced that you will not be disappointed if you opt to stay here, nor regret one single second spent under their roof. The only possible problem I can imagine will be having to leave it again!
RT Café Grill, Ryde (North-East)
RT stands for Robert Thompson - a household name on the Island. In 2019, he was the first chef to be awarded a Michelin star here (then working at The Hambrough, Ventnor). Back in 2007, he was the youngest British chef ever to be awarded a Michelin star in his own right. Since moving on from The Hambrough he has been involved in several Island projects, including his hugely popular fine dining restaurant in Newport, simply called ‘Thompsons’. That is now no more, but instead, we find him located in the beautiful building that is Royal Maritime House in Ryde, right on the waterfront.
RT Café Grill
This time he is aiming for something a little different, by offering a more modern and relaxed British and European menu which is inspired not only by the Isle of Wight’s local flavours, but also his own experiences.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and all day for drinks, coffee, and snacks. It has 180-degree views of the Solent, where you can watch glorious sunsets from its private garden area and sea-view drinks terrace.
If you prefer to try his fine dining experience – that is on offer too, albeit only for a few days each month. If you want to time your visit to coincide with these dates – please just check out his website before contacting us and leave the rest to us – we will arrange for this to be a star part of your Isle of Wight experience!
Top Tips for accommodation in Ventnor
We are very excited about this place and what the lovely owners have done to it. They could have neither a more spectacular nor historic location. In Victorian times, called St. Augustine Villa, it was the part-time residence of Alexander Herzen, main mover and shaker of the Russians radicals using Ventnor as a hideaway to plot the overthrow of their monarchy. This present-day luxurious hotel forms part of our tour on the subject of Russian radicals and revolutionaries (see Literary & Musical Wight) and is generally a place that we can’t recommend highly enough as a place for you to visit and hopefully stay.
This is the oldest hotel on the Island – visited by both Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens to name but a few. If you would like to join them – you can either eat or stay here. It still retains its old-fashioned elegance and old-world charm. Perhaps the word ‘genteel’ might be a fitting one to describe it. It is famed for its gallybagger cheese soufflé (pictured) and afternoon tea, which is considered by some to be the best on the Island. (Please see The Royal section on Victorian Wight). It has an outdoor swimming pool for the use of its residents and has many rooms with lovely garden- or sea-views.
The Hambrough is an elegant boutique hotel set just above Ventnor Bay, with wide sea views and the shoreline only a short stroll away. Rooms are individually designed, light and comfortable, many looking out across the water, and guests are well known for returning again and again. Breakfast and dining focus on carefully sourced local produce and are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. With its relaxed atmosphere, attentive service and glorious coastal setting, it makes a particularly lovely place to eat, stay, or simply pause.
Top Tips for restaurants and pubs in Ventnor
Smoking Lobster - This one the first one to open (before Cowes). Same owners – same high standard – slightly different vibe, smaller but right on the seafront
The Royal (already described)
The Crab and Lobster tap - A great pub with great food and moreover, a connection to King Charles I!
The Spyglass Inn (please also see Fossils & Geology)
Ventnor Exchange (for more information, please see Victorian Wight)
The Crab Shed (Steephill Cove) – please see Gardens & Villages
Top Tips for accommodation in Cowes
(Please see Royalty, Racing & Rigging. We have discussed this there.)
Top Tips for restaurants, tearooms and pubs in Cowes
Smoking Lobster – We have already waxed lyrical about this place. (Please see Royalty, Racing & Rigging)
The Coast. (please also see Royalty, and Literary and Musical Wight)
The Garden (please see Royalty, Racing & Rigging)
Joliffe 1853 (please see Royalty, Racing & Rigging)
The Coast
Smoking Lobster
Top Tips for restaurants and pubs in East Cowes
Albert Cottage Hotel – please see Royalty, Racing & Rigging
The Folly Inn - please see Royalty, Racing & Rigging
The Folly Inn
The Folly Inn
Albert Cottage Hotel
Top Tips for accommodation and cafés in Ryde
Quarr Abbey (Eat, Drink AND stay)
Monkton Arts - A wonderful place to spend time during the day and often evenings too when some performances are taking place – café-cum-music venue – very unique atmosphere
For more suggestion for Ryde – please see Victorian Wight
Monkton Arts, café: music venue
Quarr Abbey Holiday Cottage
Top Tips for accommodation in Freshwater and Yarmouth
The Albion, Freshwater Bay
The George, Yarmouth (for pubs and cafés in Yarmouth, please see War and Peace)
The Bugle Inn, Yarmouth (please see War and Peace)
Tapnell Farm, near both Yarmouth and Freshwater
East Afton, Tom’s Eco Lodges etc. A fantastic find for a mix of traditional quirky accommodation – something for everyone.
Top Tips for restaurants, tearooms and pubs in Freshwater and Yarmouth
The Rock, Freshwater Bay
The George, Yarmouth (please see War and Peace)
The Piano Bar, Freshwater Bay (please see Victorian Wight)
The Red Lion, Freshwater
Top Tips for restaurants, tearooms and pubs in Shanklin (and Godshill)
The Chine Inn (below) - Exciting times for this recently re-opened cosy cliff-top pub with a fantastic history.
The Taverners (Godshill)
Cook and Baker (Godshill)
Top Tip for accommodation in Shanklin
If you are looking for somewhere around the centre of the Island – please take a look at the suggestions for Newport and Carisbrooke (see War and Peace) OR:
Above picture is of the entrance to one of 7 lovely holiday cottages The Garlic Farm has (along with 5 yurts – one of which is pictured below). A beautiful location, peaceful - yet with The Farm’s amenities on hand.
I have written about The Garlic Farm in some detail on our Gardens & Villages page. We know that many of you already arrive with it on your ‘to see’ list, without any prompting from us! We often find that this is where we end up taking clients for lunch, if it fits in with the itinerary.
For somewhere fascinating to stay. (quite central) If you would like to experience that ‘castle’ feeling – do take a look at this.
Read about its incredible history on their website. For those of you who are seriously into exploring the distant past – you just have to consider it! It is a fabulous example of Jacobean 17th century architecture and garden design with strong connections to Charles I. But he is by no means the only English King to have connections to it. You might be very surprised to learn that it was once owned by King Alfred the Great. Alfred was born in AD 849, and very possibly right here!
Shorwell (South-West). If you are interested in Jacobean architecture, this is another marvellous property, located in the beautiful village of Shorwell (loved by Queen Victoria). They have a variety of accommodation on offer – please see website.
There is also a connection to the poet Swinburne (see Literary & Musical Wight). Swinburne’s uncle lived here, as did his cousin Mary Gordon, with whom he was very close and often came to visit.
Quirky Options
For a few more quirky options for those of you who embrace adventure and would like to self-cater, or at least have the option of doing so, please see below! Contact me for details.
Tin Tabernacle, Chale
Yurt, Garlic Farm
Houseboat, Bembridge
Eat, Drink & Stay — To Be Experienced
Where you eat, drink and stay forms an essential part of your Isle of Wight experience — whether you are here for a single day or a longer, more leisurely visit. The places you’ve discovered on this page are not endorsements or rankings, but carefully chosen suggestions, shared because we know them well and trust them to offer something special.
Some may suit you perfectly; others may not — and that is exactly as it should be. Once we speak, I can help refine these ideas further, suggest alternatives, or introduce places that feel just right for you, even if they are not listed here.