Isle of Wight- your recommendations

[Atalune]

We usually go to at ives or padstow for a short U.K. break. We have been to Harrogate and York too. But this year we have settled on the Isle of Wight for the June half term.

I’d love your favourite Resturant recommendations please. I’ve read reviews and so on but some insider knowledge would be great.

We are a family of four. I have a booking for the smoking lobster so far and am on the wait list for the hut. We are staying in shanklin and have a car. We like everything! Kids are 10, 13.

Thank you

We visited the hut, just for a drink a couple of years ago and the setting is beautiful!

As you are staying in Shanklin I'd definitely recommend the Fisherman's pub on the beach there. Lovely setting for a pub lunch or evening drinks on the beach.

We are returning to the island in September too, I visited nearly every year as a child, so I'm looking forward to taking my son now

Thank you! I’ll take a look

Friends of mine visited recently and rated the garlic farm where they had breakfast.

Agree with the recommendation for the Fisherman's. I also like The Spyglass at Ventnor, the Pointers at Newchurch, The Taverners at Godshill and the Folly just outside East Cowes. In Shanklin Old Village, the Old Thatch is nice for Cream teas.

I love the IOW if you have DC then Blackgang Chine and Robins Hill are a must. The tickets normally last all week and you can go to both places. Monkey World, the needles, Osbourne House. Lots to explore and some gorgeous beaches.

Piano cafe in Freshwater is lovely

The garlic farm is lovely for a stroll around, and has a nice restaurant.

Yes agree the piano cafe is lovely, as is the garlic farm shop!

@RusholmeRuffian glad to hear the Taverners is recommended as we are staying in Godshill this year. Haven't been in there for about 20 years!

Location of The Folly is beautiful but the last time I went there was several years ago so have no idea if it’s still any good.

Had a cracking steak in The Old Fort in Seaview.

These are all brilliant thank you so much!

So many options already said, but here are some other suggestions:

The Griffin at Godshill, normal pub grub type but has a maze for the kids in the beer garden and sometimes a bouncy castle, although maybe your children are a bit old for that

Steephill cove has some nice cafes and a great view for daytime, you could walk to Ventnor from there and have dinner at the Spyglass.

The Hut is an obvious favorite - they do a jeep ride from Yarmouth too that looks fun

Off the Rails in Yarmouth, an old railway station with brilliantly themed food nicely presented. Nice walk from there along an old railway line towards Freshwater Bay

Briddlesford Farm do a nice Brunch if you are nearby

There are 2 websites to look at which also have good suggestions - Matt & Cat who do restaurant reviews on the Island, and also Isle of Wight travel Guru

@SouthOfFrance is forgotten about off the rails, we had a lovely breakfast there on our last visit! I'll second that one

You’ve got to visit the chocolate shop in Godshill, the chocolate is amazing!
The owl and monkey sanctuary is small but fab, been a few times to there.

Ooh fab o!

I have so far booked

Brunch at the garlic farm
Dinner at the smoked lobster
Dinner at the fisherman’s inn

On a wait list for the hut! Very excited now about all the I of W chat. Thanks guys xx

Taverners in Godshill
Garlic farm
Cream tea at the pottery cafe

The woodvale at Gurnard Bay have really upped their game, lots of outside seating looking acrois the water and the best place to catch beautiful sunsets.

We go there every year we stay in Shaklin. The Steamer Inn on the beach front is usually excellent (last year not so much due to them struggling to be organised with Covid restrictions). The Crab in the old town is good and Fisherman’s cottage (best to book the latter). You can walk down the chine to get to the Fisherman’s, it’s beautiful. Had some good meals at The Griffin in Godshill, The Farmer’s Arms near Robin Hill and we love The Spyglass at Ventnor.

The Rex in Ventnor too
Was the piano bar originally but they’ve changed the name

I went there about 5 years ago with my wife and my parents. My dad and i both agree the two best pies we've ever had were at these two pubs:

www.pointernewchurch.co.uk/

www.whitelionarreton.com/

Couldn't decide which was better. Went back home and was telling a friend, he thought i was all talk so when he subsequently went to the IOW he also tried them, and agreed they did the best pies he's had.

So, if you like pies then check them out

I love Shanklin, it’s a lovely little seaside town. We will be there later this month, covid restrictions pending.

I love The Steamer Inn and the Waterfront Inn for a lunch with a sea view. Not posh but friendly and good food.

The village inn is good for an evening meal and there is a small posh restaurant in the old village which was good but a bit rich for me. Can’t bloody remember the name I’m afraid😳

We found the Fisherman’s In A bit chaotic and service took forever but the view is incredible.

Osborn house is well worth a visit and a lunch as well, lovely restaurant pre covid, cafe was serving last summer and they did nice lunch’s.

We love The Dell Cafe on Appley Beach, Ryde.
Favourite visits are Osbourne House and the old and new Batteries at The Needles.
We love to walk on Culver Down and Tennyson Down. Also the circular walk from Newtown, Old Town Hall. Our favourite beach is St Helen's Duver.

Tapnell Farm - I think the restaurant is called The Cow - very good whatever it's called!

There's a rickshaw company that do a date night ride and then meal at the Tapnell farm place too, looks fun!

Even more recommendations! We will need to booked another longer holiday now x

The Royal Hotel at Ventnor is a lovely spot for an afternoon tea, and then perhaps a walk from Bonchurch down past East Dene to the beach?