Dining out
Food scene
Some local suggestions all of which we visit fairly regularly. Do check their websites, social media or ring to check availability. It's a good idea to pre-book during high season and weekends, and check opening times during low season.
51 Union Street, Ryde - a delicatessen offering local produce and specialist foods, they have tables for eating in with a selection of sharing platters, wines and cocktails.
Pickle & Dill
51 Union St51 Union Street, Ryde - a delicatessen offering local produce and specialist foods, they have tables for eating in with a selection of sharing platters, wines and cocktails.
2 Castle Street, Ryde - just off Union Street in Ryde, one of our local favourites. Quite small so a good idea to book ahead. Pop into the Heron Lounge next door for a pre-dinner drink.
Heron
2 Castle Street2 Castle Street, Ryde - just off Union Street in Ryde, one of our local favourites. Quite small so a good idea to book ahead. Pop into the Heron Lounge next door for a pre-dinner drink.
55 Union Street, Ryde – 01983 564023 – Turkish restaurant with varied menu and excellent value (particularly meze night every Wednesday) plus takeaway if preferred.
7 locals recommend
Ada Mediterranean Kitchen
55 Union St55 Union Street, Ryde – 01983 564023 – Turkish restaurant with varied menu and excellent value (particularly meze night every Wednesday) plus takeaway if preferred.
30 St Thomas Street, Ryde – 01983 811966 - traditional family run Italian restaurant and deli, good freshly cooked menu with daily specials. Never disappoints and justifiably popular.
12 locals recommend
Restorante Michelangelo
30 St. Thomas St30 St Thomas Street, Ryde – 01983 811966 - traditional family run Italian restaurant and deli, good freshly cooked menu with daily specials. Never disappoints and justifiably popular.
64 George Street, Ryde – café serving a good range of hot drinks, cakes, pastries and homemade food. A great spot for breakfast, it’s a short walk from us and sits on the corner of George Street and Cross Street.
6 locals recommend
No64 Ryde
64 George St64 George Street, Ryde – café serving a good range of hot drinks, cakes, pastries and homemade food. A great spot for breakfast, it’s a short walk from us and sits on the corner of George Street and Cross Street.
12 Union Street, Ryde – 01983 568868 – actually a fashion shop but also worth popping into for the café out the back, the secluded courtyard garden is a hidden gem.
House of Zabre
12 Union St12 Union Street, Ryde – 01983 568868 – actually a fashion shop but also worth popping into for the café out the back, the secluded courtyard garden is a hidden gem.
Appley Rise, Ryde - 01983 613925 - just off the seafront (ask for a table overlooking the boating lake), good quality and varied menu. It's an easy walk from us if you're tempted to sample their excellent cocktail list.
15 locals recommend
The Duck
Appley RiseAppley Rise, Ryde - 01983 613925 - just off the seafront (ask for a table overlooking the boating lake), good quality and varied menu. It's an easy walk from us if you're tempted to sample their excellent cocktail list.
11 East Street, Ryde - 07490 486356 - a wonderful combination of café, lounge, art gallery and artists' studios, plus live music events and homemade tea, coffee, cakes and light lunches. Tucked away at the end of East Street but worth seeking out. Essential to pre-book for events - see their Facebook profile for what's on.
Monkton Arts and Lounge Coffee Bar
11 East St11 East Street, Ryde - 07490 486356 - a wonderful combination of café, lounge, art gallery and artists' studios, plus live music events and homemade tea, coffee, cakes and light lunches. Tucked away at the end of East Street but worth seeking out. Essential to pre-book for events - see their Facebook profile for what's on.
Pondwell Hill, Ryde – 01983 613653 – home of Mermaid gin, visit the Mermaid Bar for regular talks and tastings, food served but phone ahead to check availability or their Facebook page for what’s on. Handily opposite a bus stop if you plan to sample all their range – route 8 from Ryde to the Wishing Well stop.
6 locals recommend
Isle Of Wight Distillery
Pondwell HillPondwell Hill, Ryde – 01983 613653 – home of Mermaid gin, visit the Mermaid Bar for regular talks and tastings, food served but phone ahead to check availability or their Facebook page for what’s on. Handily opposite a bus stop if you plan to sample all their range – route 8 from Ryde to the Wishing Well stop.
Quay Street, Yarmouth - 01983 303013 - Harbourside restaurant overlooking Yarmouth marina and the ferry terminal, two terraces serving either a full menu or lighter dishes and drinks, plus an indoor dining room if the weather turns nasty.
28 locals recommend
The Terrace
Quay StreetQuay Street, Yarmouth - 01983 303013 - Harbourside restaurant overlooking Yarmouth marina and the ferry terminal, two terraces serving either a full menu or lighter dishes and drinks, plus an indoor dining room if the weather turns nasty.
Belgrave Road, Ventnor - 01983 852186 - The grand dame of Ventnor, plenty of old world style and just the spot for a long lunch or afternoon tea in the lush gardens, wonderful views from the upper garden of Ventnor Bay.
36 locals recommend
The Royal Hotel
Belgrave RoadBelgrave Road, Ventnor - 01983 852186 - The grand dame of Ventnor, plenty of old world style and just the spot for a long lunch or afternoon tea in the lush gardens, wonderful views from the upper garden of Ventnor Bay.
Colwell Bay - 01983 898637 - Stylish seafront restaurant that's becoming something of a celebrity hotspot with super views across Colwell Bay. Arrive by boat and they'll pick you up in their tender! Essential to book well in advance during high season.
104 locals recommend
The Hut
Colwell Chine RoadColwell Bay - 01983 898637 - Stylish seafront restaurant that's becoming something of a celebrity hotspot with super views across Colwell Bay. Arrive by boat and they'll pick you up in their tender! Essential to book well in advance during high season.
Award winning restaurant located in the old Yarmouth railway station and a perfect spot for some hearty food if walking the local trails. Close to the Yar estuary and five minutes from Yarmouth centre (park in the main car park off River Road).
46 locals recommend
Off The Rails
Station RoadAward winning restaurant located in the old Yarmouth railway station and a perfect spot for some hearty food if walking the local trails. Close to the Yar estuary and five minutes from Yarmouth centre (park in the main car park off River Road).
Ventnor Esplande - 01983 855938 - superb seafood restaurant facing Ventnor Beach, always busy in high season so book ahead. Has a sister restaurant in Cowes High Street, and the Drunken Lobster in Ventnor centre serving fine wines and a bar menu.
59 locals recommend
Smoking Lobster
EsplanadeVentnor Esplande - 01983 855938 - superb seafood restaurant facing Ventnor Beach, always busy in high season so book ahead. Has a sister restaurant in Cowes High Street, and the Drunken Lobster in Ventnor centre serving fine wines and a bar menu.
Seaview Esplanade - 01983 612363 - recently revamped seafront bar and restaurant, great views across the Solent and a decent menu of pub classics plus daily specials. Seaview is an easy walk from Ryde along the shoreline and very picturesque, during the summer months there's regular on-water action around the yacht club.
25 locals recommend
The Old Fort
EsplanadeSeaview Esplanade - 01983 612363 - recently revamped seafront bar and restaurant, great views across the Solent and a decent menu of pub classics plus daily specials. Seaview is an easy walk from Ryde along the shoreline and very picturesque, during the summer months there's regular on-water action around the yacht club.
Quarr Road - 01983 882420 - A pleasant walk from Ryde (approx 45 mins) this benedictine monastery has a well-stocked farm shop and splendid tearoom serving light lunches and teas. Much of the menu is produced in the Abbey's grounds and farm. Walk on from here to Fishbourne and Wootton creek. It's a short drive from the ferry terminal at Fishbourne so an ideal place to stock up on Island produce before heading home.
34 locals recommend
Quarr Abbey
Quarr RoadQuarr Road - 01983 882420 - A pleasant walk from Ryde (approx 45 mins) this benedictine monastery has a well-stocked farm shop and splendid tearoom serving light lunches and teas. Much of the menu is produced in the Abbey's grounds and farm. Walk on from here to Fishbourne and Wootton creek. It's a short drive from the ferry terminal at Fishbourne so an ideal place to stock up on Island produce before heading home.
Puckpool Sands, Ryde - 01983 812947 - Beachfront café overlooking the Solent, always busy and justifiably so, great location, good food and drinks selection. Evening service through the summer with occasional live music. Walk from Ryde centre (approx 20 mins) or park in Puckpool Park.
24 locals recommend
Dell Cafe
Puckpool Sands, Ryde - 01983 812947 - Beachfront café overlooking the Solent, always busy and justifiably so, great location, good food and drinks selection. Evening service through the summer with occasional live music. Walk from Ryde centre (approx 20 mins) or park in Puckpool Park.
High Street, Godshill - 01983 840707 - One of our favourite Island pubs, a good standard menu with additional daily specials. Parking in Godshill can be limited in the evening so allow a little extra time to find a space.
36 locals recommend
The Taverners
High StreetHigh Street, Godshill - 01983 840707 - One of our favourite Island pubs, a good standard menu with additional daily specials. Parking in Godshill can be limited in the evening so allow a little extra time to find a space.
32-33 Union Street, Ryde - 01983 611118 - lively restaurant and bar in central Ryde, good selection of pizza, pasta, and grills from the woodfired oven; plus wines, beers and cocktails from the bar. Reasonably priced and often busy so a good idea to book.
6 locals recommend
Fumo33
32-33 Union St32-33 Union Street, Ryde - 01983 611118 - lively restaurant and bar in central Ryde, good selection of pizza, pasta, and grills from the woodfired oven; plus wines, beers and cocktails from the bar. Reasonably priced and often busy so a good idea to book.
Cliff Path, Shanklin - 01983 864145 - quirky café and bar on the coastal path between Shanklin and Sandown (nearest parking in St Boniface Cliff Road), straightforward menu of hearty food and great views from it's clifftop location across the channel. A steep-ish climb if walking from Shanklin.
8 locals recommend
The Hideaway
Saint Boniface Cliff RoadCliff Path, Shanklin - 01983 864145 - quirky café and bar on the coastal path between Shanklin and Sandown (nearest parking in St Boniface Cliff Road), straightforward menu of hearty food and great views from it's clifftop location across the channel. A steep-ish climb if walking from Shanklin.
40 High Street, Ryde - Formerly a Victorian hotel, now reinvented as a coffee and ale house. Always a great atmosphere and a friendly welcome, serving quality ales and coffee, plus teas cakes and light meals. Regular live music, see their social media for what's on.
The Star Coffee & Ale House
40 High Street, Ryde - Formerly a Victorian hotel, now reinvented as a coffee and ale house. Always a great atmosphere and a friendly welcome, serving quality ales and coffee, plus teas cakes and light meals. Regular live music, see their social media for what's on.
30 Sun Hill, Cowes - Recently rebranded as Foresters Hall, a boutique hotel with excellent brasserie by the team at Smoking Lobster. In the old town of West Cowes, parking can be tricky but usually spaces in the Park Road car park a short walk away.
15 locals recommend
North House
30 Sun Hill30 Sun Hill, Cowes - Recently rebranded as Foresters Hall, a boutique hotel with excellent brasserie by the team at Smoking Lobster. In the old town of West Cowes, parking can be tricky but usually spaces in the Park Road car park a short walk away.
Mersley Lane, Newchurch, PO36 0NR - As well as a huge range of garlic products, also a great restaurant with regular events and live music. Check their social media or website for what's on
81 locals recommend
The Garlic Farm Shop And Restaurant
Mersley LaneMersley Lane, Newchurch, PO36 0NR - As well as a huge range of garlic products, also a great restaurant with regular events and live music. Check their social media or website for what's on
Royal Maritime House, St Thomas Street, Ryde - Great waterfront location for this café grill by chef Robert Thompson, open Thursday to Sunday. Very popular so pre-booking recommended.
RT Café Grill
Royal Maritime House, St Thomas Street, Ryde - Great waterfront location for this café grill by chef Robert Thompson, open Thursday to Sunday. Very popular so pre-booking recommended.